Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens

 Based on real events that occurred on the Highway of Tears in Northern British Columbia, this thriller focuses on teen-aged girls who have disappeared from the fictional town of Cold Creek. Some of the bodies were found but most of the cases have never been solved and no one held accountable.

Hailey McBride lives in Cold Creek. An orphan, she now stays with her aunt who is married to a local police sergeant. Although she's 17, she's kept on a very tight leash under the tight control of these relatives. Chaffing under the bullying, she runs away to the mountains and a cabin hidden deep in the woods comfortable knowing that she was trained by her father in survival and resourcefulness in the wilderness. Everything thinks she was a victim of the notorious highway killer who had already murdered another young woman, Amber Chevalier, earlier that  year. Months pass and Amber's sister, Beth, arrives in Cold Creek searching for answers and ends up herself in harm's way. NO SPOILERS.

This started out well, but eventually I just had to ask how these two girls could survive so much constant injury and peril. The story didn't focus on bringing the killer to justice as much as it meandered around taking forever to get to the big reveal. Out of nowhere. There's even time for romance, drinking, drugs, camping in the woods, living in the car, and motocross in between all the harrowing situations that Hailey and Beth get themselves caught up in. I was disappointed with the way things wrapped up and don't feel that I got the answers in a payoff that made the read worthwhile.  The Epilogue sort of made me shake my head and sort of sealed the 3 stars rating. Nope.

I've read all but one of this author's previous books, and nothing has matched my appreciation for her first book, "Still Missing" but you may find this more appealing than I did. Thank you to 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 - crime thriller

The Light of Luna Park by Addison Armstrong

A lovely, sentimental and poignant historical fiction about a nurse who gives up everything for the sake of a premature infant.

Told in alternating points of view between Nurse Althea Anderson in New York City, 1926, and Stella Wright, a young married teacher in Poughkeepsie, 1950. The story starts as Althea makes the decision to take a preemie to Luna Park, Coney Island, to be treated by a doctor and his staff who are using incubators and controversial treatments to save lives. In reality, Althea has kidnapped the baby girl whose parents think that she died shortly after birth. That choice changes the entire course of Althea's life.

Stella, whose mother recently died, is newly married to Jack and working as a teacher of children with special needs in an era when they are forced into a damp basement and given only rudimentary materials and minimal effort to educate. When Stella is forced to quit her job, she knows she needs to face the loss of her mother and returns to her childhood home to go through her mother's belongings. Then she finds some odd material in her mother's special memory box. The questions come and Stella must confront everything she thought she knew about herself and her mother.  NO SPOILERS.

I really enjoyed this debut and could relate to both of the characters as they try to navigate a world where women have no voice and have to claw their way out of subjugation in all the big and small ways. The choices Althea made were by no means the right ones even though she felt like she had to do what she did. Sure, the ends may or may not justify the means in utopia, but legally and morally there are some challenges. I found the history of the Coney Island incubators very interesting as I had never heard about that before. I like to think that education, medicine, and nursing have advanced in the treatment of exceptional children, but I know that many who work in health care and special needs education still have to grapple with negative perceptions about the work they do.

Definitely this was a story about sacrifice and motherhood and Althea represents the extreme of that love in action. Would any of you make those same commitments -- give up everything for a child that was not even biologically yours?  

This would make a great choice for a book club and I'd like to thank NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

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

Genre - historical fiction dual timeline 1926 and 1950

 

Reclaimed by Madeleine Roux

 Futuristic dystopian science fiction starts off with an excellent premise but unlikable characters, predictable outcomes, and the usual tropes made it a disappointment after all.

Want to get rid of some nasty memories? If you're lucky, you might be selected for an experimental memory erasing technology on Ganymede. The three who arrive to get the special treatment have trauma they want to forget. Senna, Zurri, and Han meet the brilliant founder and developer when they journey to the isolated, icy outpost to begin their sessions. Paxton Dunn talks a good game and his staff attempts to meet expectations while everything starts to fall apart almost immediately.

The first half of the book, told in alternating points of view, was decent world building but then the narrative falls into the typical realization and rebellion pattern familiar to readers. The Sci-Fi elements regarding black holes, etc. were a bit out there and I found the scenario way too difficult to buy into even when trying to suspend disbelief. Since I didn't like any of the characters, I really didn't care much or worry that all wasn't going to turn out OK. I love good science fiction that contains references to colonization of other planets and cutting edge tech, but this fell flat way too soon. The bad guy is a total stereotype and the rest of the characters one dimensional. Oh well. Honestly, it read more like YA/teen fiction than adult fare.

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

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

Genre - futuristic, dystopian science fiction/fantasy -- reads like YA

The Elimination Threat (The Extinction Agenda #3) by Michael Laurence

 Wow, another terrific installment in this techno thriller series featuring an unusual team of FBI agents and their friends going after the worst villains humanity has on tap — those intent on the destruction of the world and the annihilation of order. All for money and power. The Thirteen are jockeying for position...

Do you like a fast paced novel with lots of action, shadowy conspiracies focusing on everything from drug cartels to the Federal Reserve Bank and the extremely powerful businessmen owning access to natural gas and oil reserves? Included are lots of gory and grisly murders, new and dangerous weapons, and a cult focused on world dominion. If so -- stop now -- because you must start at the beginning of this story for this one to have the best impact.

The characters are the same from book one: FBI Special Agents James Mason and Jessica Layne, a computer hacker with international connections, Gunnar Backstrom, and and old buddy, Ramses Donovan, who is extremely wealthy and has a way to provide what is needed at just the right time. Yes, this crew manages *gasp* to save the world each and every time, but the ride is a lot of fun so just suspend your disbelief and enjoy. There's definitely more to come...

Just a side note here: lots of detail about financial systems and the making of different types of nuclear material for weapons and power so, if that technical stuff doesn't interest you, skip on ahead to the team racing around the USA to track their current nemesis, the Dragon.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I can't wait for the next installment -- what a great miniseries this would make -- Netflix?

This is the third in a series and it definitely needs to be read, from the beginning, in order.

Genre - technothriller, shadowy conspiracies, world dominion

The Witness by John Ryder

 The nonstop action sequences  and fast pace of the narrative aren't enough to overcome the distaste I felt for the main characters in this standalone crime thriller.

A wealthy mother hires Kyle Roche to track and protect her daughter who's been secreted away under the Witness Protection program. Apparently there is a hit team on the way to kill Savannah and mom tells him that he has less than 24 hours to locate and make her safe. Because he's a fixer and has lots of legal and illegal contacts, Kyle is able to find the girl and puts plans in motion to nullify the threat. Soon he finds, however, that there are things about Savannah that aren't making sense. His mission leads to a leak in the Witness Protection program, but more is going on here than he understands. NO SPOILERS.

I'm not sure exactly where this all started going south for me as it started out well and had a good premise. I think part of the problem was the picture of Savannah that starts to emerge and caused me to feel intense dislike. Made me question Kyle's motives in keeping her around and involving her in so many of his activities when he started to be suspicious of her. Some fixer. Between her entitled and whiny attitude while spouting her woke rhetoric and her complete disregard of Kyle's directions to ensure her safety, I just wanted to leave her behind somewhere. Since the ending is a bit of a dangle, I can only hope that things ended for her the way they should. The "fight" scenes went on forever and there's only so much inflicted damage I can handle reading about at a time so those need to be clipped.

I know this author has written a previous series that I haven't read, but I don't imagine I'll be reading a second book to feature Kyle Roche. At least there was no romance.

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

This is ostensibly a standalone, but I would not be surprised if it turns into a series.

Genre - crime thriller, witness protection, revenge

Rabbit Hole by Mark Billingham

 I was disappointed in this standalone novel from a crime thriller writer whose Tom Thorne books I've devoured and loved.

Perhaps I just couldn't handle the story line about a woman, Alice Armitage, who is sectioned after suffering PTSD, overdoing it with drugs and drink, and just generally having a psychotic breakdown. Because she is an unreliable narrator, I had trouble believing anything that happened in the story and certainly wondered if she really was a police officer. The whole murder on the locked ward mystery thing really wasn't very thrilling or suspenseful, and I found that I couldn't care less about any of the characters or the investigation that Alice is carrying out on her own since the detectives who come don't seem to interested in what she has to say. It was a slog and slow and boring so I was relieved when I finally got the the end -- the only part of the book that was interesting: the Epilogue.

Also, another turnoff for me, sorry to say, is the British jargon and vocabulary. The pop culture references were unfamiliar, and -- have I already mentioned that none of the characters were in the least appealing or relatable? I don't like living in a world of PTSD, delusions and fragmented thoughts though I can see where this might be another reader's cup of tea. I get it, it's set on a mental health lockdown unit (I've worked there as an RN in places where there is some real behavior that would be called "crazy") but it is definitely not my preferred setting for a good suspense thriller.

So, be wary if you're looking for a typical Mark Billingham crime thriller cause this isn't it.

Thank you to Atlantic Monthly Press for this e-book ARC to read and review. 

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

Genre - psychological thriller, psych ward, murder, PTSD

We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz

What a wild ride --

Emily Donovan and Kristen Czarnecki have been best friends forever. They love to travel together, especially since Kristen moved to Australia and left Emily behind in Milwaukee. Let's just say their trips have been memorable, but in a way that isn't so favorable. There was that time Phnom Penh that didn't end quite like they'd hoped...but now they've met up in Chile and things have been going really well. They've enjoyed their time catching up and everything has been great between them up until the very last night. What is it with these two and the handsome backpackers they meet on their journeys?

Emily returns home, shaken up by what has happened, and is trying to get into her new relationship with Aaron Meuleman. Then, suddenly, Kristen shows up on Emily's doorstep as if conjured there by Emily's obsessive worries about whether or not Kristen will keep their secrets. Kristen will not let up and Emily feels herself being drawn even further into the lies that threaten to ruin everything and destroy any future she may have planned. NO SPOILERS.

The narrative, told from Emily's point of view examines the themes of gaslighting, manipulation, emotional blackmail, and friendship. I found the book hard to put down, wondering how this was all going to end, but must say I wasn't really thrilled with the conclusion as it had me second guessing several of my assessments about the two women. I think this story would be a great one for discussion with a book club, especially with how it challenges you to imagine what is going to happen next with the last sentence.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. This was my first book by this author, but I will make a note to look for new titles in the future.
 

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

Genre - psychological fiction, friendship drama, suspense

Gone for Good (Detective Annalisa Vega #1) by Joanna Schaffhausen

 "If you expected the devil to show his horns, you would never notice him falling into step beside you."

Detective Annalisa Vega with Chicago PD Homicide is called to the scene of a recent murder. Though hard to believe, it seems that the Lovelorn Killer has claimed this latest victim, Grace Harper, after a 20 year gap in activity. Annalisa's father, also a cop, had worked on the LK case years ago when the final victim in a spree of 7 deaths was their neighbor and the mother of Annalisa's boyfriend at the time. So many years had gone by without the Lovelorn Killer being caught, so why has he resurfaced now? Apparently an amateur sleuthing group known as the "Grave Diggers" has been trying to solve the cold case and Grace Harper was a very determined member. Had she come close to figuring out LK's identity? Annalisa, and her ex-husband, Nick Carelli, partner up to investigate. Meanwhile, more bodies drop and Annalisa's first love, Colin Duffy, comes back to Chicago after leaving when his mother was murdered.  There's a lot going on in this police procedural crime thriller. NO SPOILERS.

Although this is the first in a new series, I've read other books by this author and enjoyed them immensely. I had a few issues with this one -- most notably that I just couldn't really relate to Annalisa and all the drama surrounding her and her family -- not to mention the hard to believe aspects where her ex is her partner on a case and her old boyfriend comes back to town. Took issue with the way that Annalisa goes off alone to confront the killer (I'm sorry, it seems that all the female detectives deliberately end up near victims) and the conclusion was a bit of a stretch that sort of didn't even make sense considering all the revelations at the end. Anyway, it seemed to drag a bit here and there, but I might give the second in a series a shot as I like this genre.

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

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

Genre - police procedural, mystery, crime thriller

The Therapist by B.A. Paris

 Domestic drama that features an obsessed woman, Alice, trying to find out who murdered the woman who used to live in the house that Alice and Leo now occupy. Everyone in the gated community, known as The Circle, comes under her scrutiny and suspicion. The story goes that Oliver killed his wife, Nina, because of an affair. The neighbors all believe it but Alice is convinced that things aren't adding up especially when she finds that Oliver committed suicide. When she's contacted by a private investigator hired by Oliver's ailing sister, she steps up her amateur sleuthing (snooping) and finds she can trust no one in the neighborhood.

Oh wow, what a total disappointment this was as it bordered mostly on the completely ridiculous. Alice was unlikable as the protagonist and much of the narrative drones on about her banal interactions with all those people she knows. The plot seemed to go nowhere for the majority of the book and didn't really pick up until near the end when a massive twist is meant to bring the tale to a satisfying conclusion. As predictable as this was, in retrospect, the whole novel was a struggle to get through because of my feelings about Alice's emotions and activities. At several points while reading, I had to scoff out loud at how ludicrous Alice acted about Leo's transgressions when she was such a secretive liar herself. I forced myself to finish but I certainly wouldn't recommend this to my friends.

I am not sure why I picked this up because, after I looked over my previous reviews of books by this author, I have found them pretty unspectacular after "Behind Closed Doors". I think I'm done.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for granting access to this title for review.

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

Genre - domestic drama

Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena

 What a gloriously fast and fun read! Full of the nastiest characters, this one kept me guessing until the very last few pages when all was finally revealed. I read it over a couple of hours this afternoon and truly could not put it down as I just HAD to know the truth.

Secrets and lies, the basic formula for domestic suspense, abound between the pages of this book. Someone has murdered the very wealthy Fred and Sheila Merton of Brecken Hill, NY. Their three adult children -- Catherine, Dan, and Jenna -- are devastated. They'd all just seen their parents for Easter dinner. So what if things took a nasty turn that evening. Surely none of them were that desperate for their inheritance -- or were they?

There's no shortage of suspects in the murder case and the two detectives assigned to the investigation doggedly pursue all of those connected to the family. Each of the siblings has his or her own reason for the way in which they respond to the questions. What a quandary to sort. So many reasons for murder, but did one of them really do it?

This really hit the spot for me today and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had so many guesses because, honestly, any one of the many despicable people within the story could have done it. Usually, I find someone I can relate to in a drama such as this, but these people! Hope you like it as much as I did if you're looking for pure entertainment in a mystery thriller.

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

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

Genre - domestic suspense, thriller, murder, family secrets and lies

The Hive by Gregg Olsen

 3.5 stars rounded up

This suspense thriller reads like true crime with a large cast of characters, a couple of murders, and a huge mystery -- who is Marnie Spellman?

Set in the Pacific Northwest and alternating between present day and 20 years ago time shifts, the novel is narrated by most of the main characters at one time or another. The detective, Lindsay Jackman, is drawn into a murder case that has ties to Marnie Spellman and her cosmetic empire. The story behind Marnie's rise to fame and fortune is based on a story she tells about a swarm of bees that showed her the way to spiritual enlightenment and her business philosophy, "from the outside in." As Marnie becomes legendary for her special beauty products and bestselling books and CDs, she surrounds herself with helper bees, the 5 women of the inner circle, known as The Hive. Each of these women has a reason to protect Marnie as all have secrets that can't be told. Something happened at Spellman Farms and Lindsay Jackman is determined to get the truth. NO SPOILERS.

I enjoyed this quite a bit as I really like the author's writing style and how he keeps the revelations close until just the right moment for the reader to have their guesses and suspicions confirmed. I had expected more of a "cult" story with this one but it was actually not so much that as a group of women stuck together due to misguided loyalty and the need for a coverup. The very different members of The Hive had interesting backstories who fell in with Marnie and dedicated themselves to her vision -- until they didn't. The narrative was quite complex and seemed a bit convoluted getting to the crux of the matters at hand, but it all tied up neatly at the end with some of the characters getting what they deserved. Not sure that true justice could be achieved with this mess!

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

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

Genre - crime thriller, police procedural, cult, bees

The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones

 A fun and drama-filled "friendship story" that will keep you turning the pages just to see what will happen next!

What could be more fun than a destination wedding with friends! Rachel and her husband, Jack, along with her long-time best friend, Noah and his wife, Paige, are flying with Ali, the bride-to-be, to Nazare, Portugal for the nuptials. Ali is not the woman that any would have picked for Jack's brother, Will, but they all put on their game faces and are determined to make the most of the weekend. Their seaside villa is gorgeous, but things start going wrong almost from arrival. Under the facade of these seemingly happy, stable relationships is the seed of suspicion that keeps growing until the truth is revealed.  NO SPOILERS.

I found this an entertaining and quick read that is perfect for a pool or beach day. The gradual revelations and the typical secrets and lies scenario combine to hold interest even as the reader is probably shaking their head because it takes so long to GET IT ALL OUT.  Not sure where it was all going at first, I thought I had things figured out by the halfway point only to find out that I was wrong by the end. None of the characters was particularly likeable, and I'd say who was my favorite, but that might be a spoiler. Sometimes when surprised by a character, I'll look back to see if the foundation was laid for their later behavior or motivations -- and in this particular book, I will say I wasn't prepared. I guess people like that wear masks and are good at putting on acts. But, you know how it is -- why don't people just come out with it instead of dancing around the issues!

Have fun with this soap opera! Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.

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

Genre - drama, domestic, relationship, friendship, infidelity

False Witness by Karin Slaughter

 This standalone crime thriller is set in Atlanta, Georgia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The author attempts to weave an incredible amount of social consciousness into the narrative and thus, at times, it reads a bit like an opinion piece. Longer than most popular fiction titles at 512 pages, this book took me a lot longer than I wanted in order to finish.

Leigh Collier is railroaded into taking a case that involves defending a wealthy man accused of rape. When she finds out who he really is, she understands exactly why she has been asked to represent him. He is no stranger. Twenty years prior, Leigh and her sister, Callie, did something that they managed to cover up but now the past has come to collect. NO SPOILERS.

Although quite predictable, this novel was dark, grisly, and full of the details that might make a delicate person a bit queasy. Neither Leigh nor Callie are likeable people and readers spend far too much time in their heads as they go over, endlessly, the same old mantras. Despite the repetition and wordiness, the events in the story move along quickly until the expected conclusion. I really didn't feel the suspense or tension and no twists delivered a gotcha moment. As stated previously, the book covers a lot of topics that permeate our current state of affairs, including heroin addiction, pedophilia, and violence against women.

In her author's note, Slaughter expresses that she relates these many issues in her book in order to elicit empathy and "a deeper understanding." She ends with a quote from Katherine Anne Porter that speaks volumes about how many of us feel as we enter yet another new stage dealing with the coronavirus, hoping that the light is there at the end of the tunnel, "Now there would be time for everything."

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

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

Genre - dark thriller, themes of pedophilia, drug addiction, misogyny, violence

The Bone Code (Temperance Brennan #20) by Kathy Reichs

 Another extremely interesting installment in a long running book series featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. 

If you enjoy extremely detailed medical and scientific thrillers featuring a strong, intelligent female protagonist, this is the series for you. The synopsis describes the pertinent details of the case and involves Tempe investigating a current case in Charleston and reopening an old case in Canada. Because of the dual nature of her job, she spends time in both geographic locations. Aided by her longtime partner, Andrew Ryan (former homicide cop for the SQ in Quebec), the duo share details about their activities and work together in unique ways to find the answers they need. Although the genetics and other technical descriptions are really very complex, the writing is such that the lay person can understand the crux of the situation. At first I wondered how it would all come together, but it did in a most satisfying way.

Although I’ve read several other books in this series, I’ve not been overwhelmed or felt like I missed something important by skipping some because the relevant information is presented in the narrative. I love the writing style and really want to get back to earlier books in the series as I love a good and realistic medical thriller. Coming on the heels of COVID pandemic with a vaccine now available and being widely administered, this was really timely and super scary though I hope it doesn’t fuel the conspiracy theorists any further :) 

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

This is #20 in a series but I have not read all the previous titles and still found it easy to follow.

Genre - medical thriller, forensics, science, gene manipulation, vaccines

The Lords of Time (#3 White City Trilogy) by Eva Garcia Saenz

 An excellent conclusion to a wonderful crime thriller series!

In this last book of the White City Trilogy, the characters known and loved from the previous stories reunite to solve a complicated case that has roots in an alternate timeline. The writing is excellent and the settings in both present day and in 1192 are vividly described. 

Unusual murders in Vitoria seem to mimic deaths in a novel that is being widely read in the city. The author’s identity is unknown, and Kraken begins his hunt for the killer who is using ancient methods to commit them. The investigation takes him on a journey that reveals truths about his family tree. 

Although not as gripping or as interesting as the previous two installments, I did enjoy the book. I really like the main characters and their relationships. Definitely sorry to see the series come to an end, but will look for another by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage Crime/Black Lizard for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

This is the third book in a series that needs to be read in order.

Genre - crime thriller, set in Spain

Falling by TJ Newman

 Pure escapist entertainment perfect for a summer beach read! 

A plane is enroute to JKF but there is more going on than an everyday flight. The pilot’s family has been taken hostage and Captain Bill Hoffman is given the choice of whether his family dies, or he crashes the plane. The 3 flight attendants rally to the cause of protecting the 149 souls on board. The threat is real and the hijackers have not yet made their last stand.

I’ve read two other airline disaster books recently and this was definitely the best of the lot. It was a  fast and fun and, though the ending was not unexpected, I enjoyed the ride. The author is a former airline flight attendant and does write with an insider’s viewpoint which made the story a bit more believable. The characters are really well drawn and I enjoyed how even the more minor ones really got fair play in the narrative. What I did not particularly enjoy, however, is the political message in the subtext, but I decided to raise this rating despite that and wonder why authors keep doing this.

Predictable but highly engaging, I think readers will enjoy reading this book though may have a few qualms about any next flights they have lined up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for the e-book ARC to read and review. 

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

Genre - action packed suspense thriller

Survive the Night by Riley Sager

 "Be smart. Be brave. Be careful."

Charlie Jordan, a college student at Olyphant University, was none of these things the night she accepted a ride share with a total stranger on November 19, 1981. Charlie, a distraught wreck after the murder of her roommate, Maddy, was desperate to get home to her beloved grandmother in Youngstown, Ohio. The handsome young man standing at the ride board as she put up her flyer seemed the answer. Although she doesn't know Josh Baxter, Charlie packs up her dorm room, says goodbye to her boyfriend, Robbie, and hops in the car. Soon, her suspicions and paranoia creep in and Charlie -- movie obsessed with a vivid imagination -- wonders if he could be the Campus Killer. No spoilers.

This was a very quick read but I had some issues with it right from the start. As the narrative continued, I was often confused as to what was really happening, what was the movie, and what was Charlie's fugue states. Sager tries a few of the usual twisty tricks, but the rising action and the denouement were quite a stretch for my believability scale. Perhaps you will have better luck relating to this protagonist and find it less predictable than I did. I've read all of Sager's previous books, but did not enjoy this as much as I had hoped.

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

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

Genre - suspense thriller

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

 No spoilers...

This novel focuses mainly on the experiences and thoughts of one particular woman, Diana O'Toole, during the surreal period of time surrounding the initial changes in the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Although the narrative didn't go anywhere that I had expected given the synopsis, I am sure that it will create an intense dialogue and would make an excellent choice for a book club. Finding myself unable to really give an analysis of the story because of possible spoilers, I do think that there were several truths that were articulated quite well by the author even though I'll admit that I really hated the ending. Isolation, quarantine, multiple losses, and the realization that most everything is not really under our control were universal experiences during the lockdowns. Changes happened. Are any of us the same person we were before this virus exploded?

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

More to come after publication.

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

Genre - realistic fiction, Covid story

The Evidence by K.L. Slater

 Domestic melodrama with a histrionic protagonist.

There's a lot going on in this novel. Part of it deals with Esme Fox and her podcast featuring Simone Fischer -- a woman who murdered her husband and has been convicted. Simone has agreed to talk to Esme about her situation and the transcripts of those interviews are the best part of this novel.

But, Esme has a handicapped son (hurt in a hit and run), is dealing with a missing sister (found beaten nearly to death and in the ICU), an estranged husband, Owen, who gets arrested -- and all other sorts of goings on that really detracted from what could have been a very interesting story.

I really tried to like this but I just couldn't stand Esme after all. I never found any empathy for her and she irritated the heck out of me. I am not a fan of lots of angsting, and Esme is a star at it. The other characters were paper thin and it was fairly clear early on which ones were the bad guys.

So -- solve the Simone Fischer situation, deal with the hit and run doer, face her marriage, get rid of her inlaws, accept her betrayals in her business -- it was just way too much. And, all I wanted to do was hear the podcasts of the Simone story.

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

Safe and Sound by Philippa East

 If you died -- would people notice? Can you imagine a scenario where your body would have lain in your apartment, undiscovered, for over 10 months?  That's the situation that confronts estate agent Jennifer Arden when she's tasked with evicting the resident for nonpayment of rent. Sarah Jones is found on the couch, the radio playing, and the tiny table set for dinner.  Jenn, who suffers from anxiety disorders, can't let this go. Who was Sarah and why didn't anyone realize she was dead?

I enjoyed this but it was not a suspense thriller nor was it full of tension, action, or twists. It was a slow burner, a psychological profile of Jenn and also tantalizing glimpses into a "before" narrative that gives some explanation for Sarah. I didn't expect to like Jenn, but I did, despite the fact that she's pretty messed up. The writing was good and the story was compelling enough to keep me reading the entire book in one sitting.

Thank you to Harper 360 HQ for this e-book ARC to read and review.

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

Genre - mystery, psychological drama

Hairpin Bridge by Taylor Adams

  This is a fast-paced, if somewhat disjointed, thriller full of action and grisly details.

Lena is determined to head to Montana and find out the truth of what happened to her twin on Hairpin Bridge. Lena doesn't believe the cop, Corporal Raymond Raycevic, as she can't imagine that Cambry would commit suicide.

I found much of this narrative to be hard to swallow and it tested my ability to suspend disbelief as Lena spends hours on the bridge talking to Ray. There are shifts in time and voice as the harrowing tale comes to light. There were a couple of twists but the outcome and conclusion were not unexpected. I found Lena very difficult to relate to and, sorry here, but I was sort of wishing for a different ending. It entertained me for a couple of hours but this story didn't wow me.

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

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

Genre - thriller, suspense

Murder at the Fair (Lady Eleanor Swift #6) by Verity Bright

 Another fun installment in this historical mystery series. Even though it's hot outside right now, everyone can still use a little cozy charm.

It's summertime, 1921, and the whole village of Little Buckford has turned out for the May Day celebrations. Lady Eleanor is the guest of honor and presides over the festivities. Little did she imagine that she would discover a dead man at the end of the raft race. Solemn Jon was the local undertaker and, though everyone thought well of him, an obituary in the next day's newspaper suggested that he was murdered. Soon, Lady Eleanor and Clifford, her butler in her amateur sleuthing adventures, are involved in an investigation. And her erstwhile beau, Detective Hugh Seldon, is none to happy about it.

I enjoy this series and have read all of them, in order, from the beginning. I always look forward to seeing what Lady Eleanor and the staff at Henley Hall get involved in next. The details about place, time, customs, etc. are so interesting as I love this era.

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

This is the 6th in a series that should be read in order.

Genre - cozy historical mystery

The Secrets of Us by Lucinda Berry

 After a compelling start, this psychological thriller quickly fell into a "roll my eyes, shake my head but power through it" narrative of melodrama.

Two women who were foster sisters lived through some bad experiences as teenagers. After they escaped, one became a family court attorney and the other married the man of her dreams. So what compelled Nichole to set her house on fire and trap her husband behind a desk in their bedroom? Krystal tries to unravel the night in question and finds that Nichole is more than seriously disturbed.

This story is told in a "then" and "now" format with Krystal taking the voice on the current situation and Nichole relating the past portions. I immediately did not care for either of the sisters and I guess I just don't deal well with the explanations and excuses for who they are as adults. I couldn't buy into the whole premise nor muster up much sympathy or concern for the pair. There's not much to be said about other characters in the book who are completely flat stereotypes.

The whole event surrounding the fire and the explanations of Nichole's descent into drug-induced madness really disappointed me because I understand this author is a psychologist. All the voices in the head stuff just pushed me beyond my ability to suspend disbelief that her psychosis hadn't rendered her institutionalized long ago. There's no suspense, there's no big twisty anything that brings this to a recommendation level. I was happy when it was over.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this e-book ARC to read and review. I've read a couple of this author's other books that I liked much better so I may give her next one another shot but this is one I should have missed.

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

Genre - psychological melodrama, psychotic behavior, foster sisters

The Disappearing Act by Catherine Steadman

 Actress Catherine Steadman writes about the world she knows in this mystery drama about a British woman, Mia Eliot, who travels from the UK to see if she can make it big in LA.

Mia is definitely out of her element when she arrives in LA to begin a series of auditions. The city, the weather, the car, the apartment, and the people are definitely nothing like her life back in London. When she meets Emily at a casting call, she's surprised and pleased that they connect so easily. So, when Emily goes missing after leaving her bank card and phone with Mia while she goes in for her audition, it's natural that Mia is concerned. And, then she goes looking.

All this seemed just so far fetched in so many ways. I never identified with Mia nor would I ever make any of the decisions she did. The insider information about the movie industry was interesting, but it wasn't compelling enough to carry the crazy story line to a point where I could have my buy in. Most of the time, I was just shaking my head as Mia made one dubious move after another. If you're a person who likes to figure out where a plot is going, you might have a little trouble with this one. I wish I could say that the book was redeemed by the ending, but, again, it just didn't work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this e-book ARC to read and review. I did read and enjoyed one of her previous books, so I may try another in the future.

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

Genre - mystery, drama, Hollywood

The Pilot's Daughter by Audrey J. Cole

This is a mystery thriller with a huge dose of romance and several unlikely outcomes.

Cora, a widow with young children, is seated in first class on a plane bound for Honolulu when the aircraft is hijacked. As events spiral out of control, both pilots are killed and Cora, a pilot's daughter, must work with Seattle Homicide Detective Kyle Adams to save everyone on board. Cora's skills as a nurse are much in demand until a larger need ensues: she's going to have to land the plane.

I love a good disaster scenario as long as everything is realistic, and this strained my credulity at various times. I'd also recently read another book in a similar vein, and have to ask -- how likely is it that people who work for the airlines would actually aid and abet terrorists or hijackers -- no matter what the threat? I don't know, but it's pretty scary to contemplate. Many of the details of the "talk through" emergency landing protocol seemed accurate, but I know nothing about flying an airplane. The narrative moved fast and the only jarring notes where when another character in the book took the lead voice. I thought that both Cora and Kyle were not well-developed characters and I never really connected with either. Their instant romance totally put me off as well. Nevertheless, this allowed me to pass a couple of entertaining hours but the conclusion was a bit lame.

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

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

Genre - mystery, thriller, romance

Murder at Elm House (Kitty Underhay #6) by Helena Dixon

 In this 6th installment, Kitty Underhay and her paramour, Captain Matthew Bryant, are investigating nefarious dealings and murder at an upscale care facility - -the Elm House Nursing Home. Residents there are dying under mysterious circumstances even though most were simply recuperating from minor ailments.  In addition, Kitty continues to search for information about her mother's death and the man she holds responsible.

I enjoy this series as a break from the grisly crime thrillers I tend to read. The details about the time period (1934) and the local color of the hotel and the little seaside town are comforting in their simplicity and the social mores of that period in history. Always a quick read, it allows a brief escape with enough depth to the plot to keep me interested. Looking forward to #7.

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

This is the 6th in a series that should be read in order.

Genre - cozy mystery, UK

The Lake House by Laura Wolfe

Although the synopsis really doesn't really give you a good idea of the story, it becomes obvious right away what this one is all about. Five college friends decide to take a girls' trip to reconnect since they haven't seen each other for some time due to their busy lives. They end up at a ramshackle cabin close to a lake -- there's no mobile or internet service and only one very creepy dude close by. Things don't look good for the ladies. Instead of backing out and heading to a different resort for their reunion, they decide to stay. That's when things start going wrong.

I struggled to finish this one. For one thing, I totally disliked all the women. The second issue was that it was totally predictable and I never found that "gripping psychological thriller" that the blurb promised. Their interaction was banal and lame and, once things started going from bad to worse, their actions bordered on simply ridiculous. I always hate it when I have to write a review of a book that didn't work for me, so I'm just leaving this here. My advice: skip it.

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

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

Genre - girls' weekend at the lake goes wrong, murder, resentment, drama, revenge

The Guilty Mother by Diane Jeffrey

 A standalone domestic/crime thriller involving a complicated case focusing on a woman in prison for the murder of her infant daughter.

Two reporters become interested in a campaign to free Melissa Slade and overturn her conviction, As they investigate those family members and other parties who were close to Melissa, they discover many secrets and lies. It seems that no one is exactly sure what happened in the family. One twin dead of cot death and the other apparently murdered. Is Melissa guilty?

This took awhile to build up tension because it was a bit of a slow burner as all the characters were introduced. I really enjoyed the duo of Jon and Kelly, the journalists, who adapted to the changing pieces of information as they were unearthed. The writing was good once I got on board with the changing points of view and the jumps in the timeline. Although the topic is Melissa Slade's guilt or innocence, the book focuses more on the many other discoveries made by the journalists and their own personal lives. I liked how it all came together and the conclusion wasn't a huge surprise, but it was a fitting end considering all that went on behind the scenes in the story.

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

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

Genre - domestic/crime thriller, infanticide

Departure (Seth Walker #3) by Joseph Reid

 Action-packed thrilled with a great plot and relatable characters.

I was a bit upset when I started this only to realize it was the third in a series that I hadn't yet started. Normally, I'd go and get those titles and read them first, but I was too far in at that point so I kept on going and am glad I did. I'm sure there is much backstory that I've missed, but this worked fine for me as a jumping off point and one day I may indeed read the first two books.

Seth Walker, a former Air Marshal and now in a new role as Tactical Law Enforcement Liaison and Principal Investigator, is called to what seems to be an emergency at San Fransisco International Airport. Apparently an electrical engineer has gone missing and didn't show up for his flight to Tel Aviv that morning. Seth is a bit surprised to find out that this level of response is indicated, until he hears the details. He's joined in the situation by someone he's worked with before, FBI Special Agent Melissa Cooke. The situation is contradictory and no one is quite sure what is going on, but Seth and Melissa start to track Anah El-Amin, an employee at Magnet (an electronics giant); it's unclear if he is a victim or a terrorist. No spoilers.

The details about so many different interesting aspects of electronics, flight, and airports kept me entertained along with the narrative that had me hooked from the beginning. I liked the two main characters, Seth and Melissa, and the descriptions of Seth's emotional baggage helped develop his appeal. I definitely would read the next in this series.

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

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

Genre - mystery thriller, high tech espionage, law enforcement

Hostage by Clare Mackintosh

 I absolutely hated this book and though I could list all the reasons why in this review, I'm afraid it would have too many spoilers that would anger fans and potential readers.

Two things -- do not preach to me your political or social leanings.
Mina -- no, she deserved prison with her selfish act. She violated every rule of her job. There was not a single decent character in this entire book. It was definitely make-believe and unrealistic in every way.

That's all I'm saying. Skip it.

I received this ARC from SOURCEBOOKS Landmark to read and review.

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

Genre - thriller

The Serial Killer's Wife by Alice Hunter

 Although the synopsis is a bit misleading, this was a fast-paced suspense thriller that I ended up liking well enough even though, at times, I was also ready to throw my kindle across the room!

The knock on the door. Her husband late in arriving home from work. It's the police and they have questions about a missing person -- someone who was involved with her husband years before they married. After Tom Hardcastle is arrested and charged with murder, Beth has to figure out how to survive and protect her young daughter, Poppy. NO SPOILERS.

The narrative definitely didn't go in the direction I'd assumed, but I was suspicious early on that, as the revelations about Tom came in spurts, that their marriage and life together wasn't the one they'd both pretended it to be. I almost immediately didn't like Beth -- everything she said and did just irritated me and I found her actions totally unbelievable. It's hard to say more without giving any hints, but I'll just say this was not the perfect marriage nor a happy family. The ending had a bit of a twist that some might not see coming.

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

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

Genre - domestic suspense thriller

The Girl in His Shadow: A Novel by Audrey Blake

 I’ve always been fascinated by medicine and the healing arts and have enjoyed both fiction and nonfiction titles that focus on the subject. It is truly amazing to ponder and absorb the incredible advances and changes in its practice over the past 200 years.

This historical fiction novel is set in Victorian England circa 1845 and relates a story about a young orphan who is raised by a well-known surgeon, Dr. Horace Croft. As she grows up as his ward, Eleanor (Nora) Beady becomes his first assistant and learns medicine and surgery under his tutelage. But, it is illegal in London for a woman to be a doctor so everything she does must remain a secret. Their clinic on Great Queen Street hums along nicely until the arrival of Dr. Daniel Gibson who is meant to become Croft’s partner in practice. Everything changes when Nora’s skills and expertise are exposed and she finds she can no longer live in the shadows. NO SPOILERS.

I enjoyed the details and descriptions of disease and treatment during this time period. As an RN, it sometimes seems crazy to me how little was actually known about cause and effect and how much science has discovered since that era. It’s always a bit difficult to read about how little women were allowed to do and the expectations that society had for them.  I recently also read WOMEN IN WHITE COATS so was quite familiar with how difficult it was for women to become doctors and to be allowed to practice medicine much less surgery. The only drawback, for me, was the large part of the book that revolved around the romance aspect. Other than that, I found the book easy to read and entertaining. I'd rate this 3.5 stars but rounded up because of the subject being to my taste.

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 - historical fiction, medicine 1845, London

At Any Cost: A Father's Betrayal, a Wife's Murder, and a Ten-Year War for Justice by Rebecca Rosenberg

 There's nothing like a true crime novel to get your emotions running hot and your blood boiling! I could barely get through this story about the evil Rod Covlin and what he did to destroy an entire family with his greed and malicious activities.

It was so clear, probably because it was already a fact that he'd been found guilty, that he had murdered his wife, Shele Danishfsky. If that wasn't bad enough, he then completely destroyed the lives of his own children by his selfish actions in keeping them from Shele's entire family and devastating the relationship his children had with the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Reading this filled me with rage that a man like Rod could get away with all the hideous things that he did, wanted to do, and planned to do.

A contentious divorce is the ugliest thing on earth -- reducing people to their basest levels and watching them act out unbelievable scenarios. The two children, Anna and Myles, were pawns in a war between their parents and extended families, and I can see how they would be left so overwhelmed and confused about whom to believe and whom to love. I did find it very surprising that neither child ever testified in court or spoke to the authors so who knows what they really think.

I love a good courtroom scene and all the legal drama, but the personal anguish that came through the pages -- the suffering of Shele's family -- was hard to bear. I am always surprised, however, by the depth of loyalty that can be displayed even for the most depraved. How Rod's parents could support him after all that he did to them. How Anna and Myles could have a positive thought in their heads about their father. This mystifies me. How many lies can someone swallow -- I guess as many as they need to in order to preserve the notion that their son and their father are really not monsters. Hearing about all the things that Rod said and did and thought through the years made me sick to my stomach. I was so worried that justice would not prevail. But, then again, as in the case of any crime such as this, the result does not undue the suffering or bring back the dead.

It took 10 years for Rod Covlin to be held accountable for what he did. So many things went wrong from the discovery of Shele's body to the trial where her killer was finally given his just due. I loved reading the details of this story with all the background information and appreciate the work and research that the authors did to bring this book to publication.

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

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

Genre - true crime 

The Anatomy of Desire by L.R. Dorn

 A fabulous, fast-paced, and thoroughly enjoyable courtroom drama and crime thriller that I simply could not put down! A rare 4.5 stars from me -- and just when I thought I was spiraling down into a slump after reading so many ho hum novels. I'm back!

Although familiar with the title and synopsis, I never read AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY, so I am not going to talk comparisons, contrasts, or analyze a re-imagining. This book, however, is perfectly poised to reflect current day obsessions with social media and those who strive to reach success in a world of people who allow influencers and celebrities to become so important in their daily lives. The story here involves a young woman who has reached a pinnacle as a fitness influencer and life coach  -- Cleo Ray (AKA Claire Griffith) has clawed her way to the top from a childhood she abandoned when she left her Bible thumping parents behind and ran away to California as a young teenager. Taken under the wing of her uncle, she is now ready to achieve even her wildest dreams. There's just one problem -- a love triangle that needs to be sorted.

I absolutely loved the style of the narrative. The story is told in the form of a true crime documentary and the characters speak through strategically placed snippets of recorded interviews. You can just imagine this on film similar to anything you might see or hear on any of the crime podcasts or other social media outlets. Preferable to long segments of description and detail, you get the facts and point of view from all the players without a lot of unnecessary fluff. I found myself quite sympathetic to Cleo even as hard as it was to understand her choices and decisions. Despite it being the trial of a woman accused of cold blooded first degree murder, Cleo wasn't easy to put into a box. As the reader hears from the significant people connected to Cleo and to the trial/legal process, the conflicting points of view make for a very dynamic experience.

This is a debut by a husband and wife duo and I hope they write more books in a similar vein. I've long been a true crime addict and this was a hit for me. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

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

Genre - courtroom drama, crime thriller, LGBTQ references, murder trial

The Plot by Jean Janff Korelitz

 "And that's where the dividing line is...between something any of us might do under the circumstances and something only a truly evil person would do."

Psychological and domestic suspense about a writer who publishes a book based on an idea that he just might have stolen/borrowed from another would-be author. Who owns the idea for a story? If there are only a limited number of basic plots in the literary world, how much of anything is really ever totally original? Depends on the story. Jacob (Jake) Finch Bonner is about to find out how far someone is willing to go to protect the plot when he receives the first email: "You are a thief." NO SPOILERS.

This was a bit of a slow starter for me and didn't really capture my interest until well after the halfway point. Since I had pretty much figured out the big "twist" early on, the rest of the narrative was just confirmation. The writing was good, but I never really felt that Jacob was much of a protagonist and he was far too reserved and timid in his reactions to what was happening. I didn't really relate to any of the secondary characters either. The focus of the novel seemed to be more about writers and feelings about being an author despite a part of it actually being the excerpts from Jake's bestselling book. It does take a long time to get to "the plot" and thus it is less compelling than it could be. Even though this is touted as being suspenseful, I never really felt the tension until the last dramatic scenes when I was actually surprised by the ending. Because of its overall tone and homage to authors and the craft of writing  in a way, I am thinking that group will be the main fans and target audience.

I previously read YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN by this author and rated it 5 stars, so it may just have been that I was less interested in this premise than I was for that book. Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the e-book ARC to read and review.

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

Genre - psychological and domestic suspense

Stolen Daughters (Detective Amanda Steele #2) by Carolyn Arnold

 This is the second in the series featuring Detective Amanda Steele of the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia, USA. I mistakenly read this before reading the first installment and would urge you not to do that as I'm certain I missed some important backstory but this one read well enough as a standalone without that information.

In this case, Amanda and her partner, Detective Trent Stenson, are involved in the investigation of multiple murders and arson. The victims are, for the most part, teenage girls that are likely associated somehow with a local sex trafficking ring. Who is killing these girls and why? NO SPOILERS.

Although I regret not reading in order, this was a quick read that held my interest even though it echoes every single other female detective trope I've read -- and that's a lot! Headstrong, independent, unable to follow orders, messed up from a previous tragedy or past -- and, of course, able to always triumph despite putting herself in the clutches of the killer every time. I can't say I liked Amanda or the subtext that the other strong female police character in the book is out to get Amanda. Sometimes I can't get past minor annoyances and I honestly didn't find this very suspenseful. It's basically a police procedural with a female detective who is meant to be a super cop and great role model, but who instead goes off on unproductive tangents and gut instinct (and gets it wrong) but stays the course until the desired results -- and the save -- happen. And, of course there is the paternal figure in the support role of boss. And a boyfriend/love interest. Same old same. Will I read another in this series or go back to the first one -- I don't know right now.

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

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

Genre - female detective police procedural, sex trafficking, murder, arson

The Final Twist (Colter Shaw #3) by Jeffery Deaver

 This third in the Colter Shaw series picks up right where the previous book left off and continues the story line that has permeated the other installments. Colter Shaw is on a mission, searching for clues that will help him figure out what his father was trying to uncover in order to avenge the death of one of his friends. Set mostly in San Francisco, Colter is joined there by his estranged brother, Russell, who decides to help Colter on his hunt. It's complicated and full of lots of action along with details about how the Shaw family lived and how he grew up as the son of survivalists.

As always, Jeffery Deaver's writing draws in the reader and the book is fast-paced with lots of interesting descriptions about a myriad of subjects. I like Colter as the main character and the way he approaches situations and problems.  Not sure that there will be more titles featuring him, but I'd definitely want to read any that follow.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

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

Genre - mystery thriller

While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

 Legal drama and nefarious shenanigans featuring Avery Keene, law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Howard Wynn. When he suddenly becomes comatose, Avery is designated as his legal guardian and must unravel mysterious clues to save the judge and the USA from a deranged administration.

This was fast-paced, though a bit repetitive at times, but requires a huge suspension of disbelief as Avery and her 3 "friends" attempt to bring justice to the people who committed atrocities under the auspices of national security protections. Tell me, does EVERYONE know someone who can hack computers, perform high level tech, and also have military intelligence expertise? And another friend who happens to be a doctor and very knowledgeable about genetics and bio-weapon applications? Plus, an attorney at their disposal? It was all a bit contrived, but a decent and complicated plot that we knew would come together eventually. Avery happens to be very intelligent with an eidetic memory (another quite convenient trick) and engages in the necessary cloak and dagger activities to figure out the chess related clues that Justice Wynn left behind. Of course she's in danger and others aren't lucky enough to escape the bad guys. The gene-targeting technology was scary and the motivations of the different characters provided rich detail.

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

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

Genre - legal drama, bioweapons, US Government

Find You First by Linwood Barclay

 It's just so satisfying when you read a book by a long-time favorite author and it's one of his best yet! This standalone thriller will take you on a roller coaster ride and keep you glued to the pages until the wild and crazy conclusion.

Miles Cookson is a millionaire, but that doesn't protect him from developing a truly devastating neurodegenerative disease -- Huntington's. It's a death sentence and Miles is trying to navigate his limited future when he discovers that he may have fathered as many as 9 biological children through his sperm donation many years prior. He is determined to track each one down to warn them about their chances of developing HD and also to give them some of his vast fortune. As he begins to research those children and to attempt a connection, something strange starts happening. Some of them have vanished, without a trace left behind. Is this the work of a jealous colleague or other relative who doesn't want to share Miles's money? Well, it's actually much more complicated than that. NO SPOILERS.

I really liked this book (except perhaps for the sort of ridiculous activities featuring Chloe and Nicky) and appreciate how all the loose ends were wrapped up at the end. There's lots of action and the narrative moves at a fast pace so it's an easy one to read over a couple of hours in a single sitting. Lots of fabulous characters, some more well-drawn than others, and Miles endeared himself quite quickly. Most of Barclay's novels feature a "good guy" and this was no different. The mystery kept me guessing for awhile, but I still enjoyed seeing it all play out as expected.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I've read most of the books written by Barclay and can't wait for the next.

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

Genre - mystery thriller

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

 "This is the thing about good and evil. They aren't so far apart -- and they often start from the same valiant place of wanting something to be different...at the end of the day, one thing defines them."

Hannah Hall has been married to Owen Michaels for little over a year when he suddenly disappears leaving Hannah with his 16-year-old daughter, Bailey. There are rumors of malfeasance at Owen's place of work and his boss has been arrested by the FBI. A US Marshall comes calling at her floating home in Sausalito but Hannah doesn't tell him about the note that Owen left for her -- it said only, "Protect her." When Bailey finds a duffel bag stuffed with cash in her school locker, they understand that something terrible has happened. It seems that both of them know very little about Owen and soon realize that they need to solve the puzzle so they can rebuild their lives. NO SPOILERS.

This was fast and fun and I read it over a couple of hours. The narrative pulls the reader in and it was hard to put it down. The mystery and drama were compelling and I did a lot of guessing while flipping the pages! I can't say that I would have reacted as Hannah did, but I did like her as a character. The relationship between Hannah and Bailey was an integral part of the story and their desire to get at the truth bonded them together. The pair is resourceful and determined and soon discovers what it means to be involved in a life that is one huge lie.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon  & Schuster for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. It screams out for movie adaptation so don't be surprised when it's optioned since some famous names have been touting it.

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

Genre - mystery, family drama

What the River Said (#3 Dr. Abby Wilmore) by Sandra Cavallo Miller

 "...time never stops...everything keeps moving and changing. Just like each of us."

I really enjoy this series featuring family practice physician, Dr. Abby Wilmore, and her partner and lover, Dr. John Pepper. The pair staff a clinic in the Grand Canyon National Park and much of the novel is about the different ailments and health issues faced by residents and visitors to the area. This particular book focuses on hikers experiencing a wave of serious heart attacks as the result of taking an illicit and potent combination of performance-enhancing drugs including steroids and amphetamines. There are also other dramas involving colleagues, friends, and family as the seasons change and other challenges come up. NO SPOILERS.

As an RN and daughter of a family practice physician, I was immediately thoroughly enchanted by the details of the clinic and the many different aspects of patient problems and treatment. I also love how the author weaves in so much description of the canyon itself and about astronomy, volcanoes, climate, and the difficulty of providing medial care in this sort of environment. The characters are complex, rich in personality, and it's been fun to see them develop and become alive on the pages. I've read all three installments now and can't wait for a 4th.

Thank you to NetGalley and University of Nevada Press for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. 

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

Genre - mystery, medical adventure, Grand Canyon

The Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian

 "There were people in the world who were good and people who were evil, but most of them were some mixture of both and did what they did simply because they were mortal."

Mary Deerfield, a 24-year-old married Puritan woman, is accused of perfidy and witchcraft in Boston, 1662. Her husband, Thomas, beats her and taunts her but he crosses a line when he stabs her in the hand with a fork. When Mary attempts to divorce him, she finds that the men and women she lives around won't hesitate to condemn and malign her despite their professions of faith. Those righteous people will bully and accuse her of horrible things in order to justify their pitiful colonial lives. NO SPOILERS.

This novel was not a thriller, and it thoroughly made me furious at least once on every page. I can hardly stand to read about the treatment of Mary (and women) during that era. History tells us that many left England and Europe for the New World to escape religious persecution, but it seems that mistreatment came along with them and continued. What everyone really needed was freedom FROM religion and relief from the misogyny that was part of every women's life wherever she lived. The hypocrisy of the men was (is) astounding and, though I like to think things have improved over the last several hundred years, I'm afraid it persists in some hearts and souls to this day. Mary's life was horrible in my eyes and the injustices she faced are nearly intolerable to ponder. The way that religious beliefs are twisted, and when women are burned or hanged as witches, makes me wonder how much has really changed in thoughts and minds of those in powerful positions. All Mary wants is to escape a violent husband but there is no mercy to be found. Her disobedience must be punished and the men will stop at nothing to retain their authority.

Chris Bohjalian is a very talented author and I've read all of his books -- liked some more than others. He typically handles subjects that give the reader something to think about long after finishing the novels he writes.

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

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

Genre - historical fiction

The Beautiful Ones by Slivia Moreno-Garcia

Reminiscent of all the historical classic romances, this novel features the stifling manners and mores of high society in a fictional town named Loisail. The Beautiful Ones, as they are known, care about money and their reputations in public, but behind the scenes are some pretty ugly maneuverings.

Antonina (Nina) Beauliue comes to Loisail to stay with her cousin, Gaetan, and his wife, Valerie, as she negotiates her first Grand Season. A bit of a country bumpkin, and with telekinetic abilities that she can't control well, Nina is completely out of her depth during this important debut. Then she meets the famous talent, Hector Auvray, and their relationship sets a cascade of treachery and betrayal in motion. NO SPOILERS.

It must be said: I am not a fan of romance and charming fairytale tropes. I did enjoy the writing style and the details of the city, clothes, people, customs, etc. The characters were basically stereotypes and behaved exactly as they all do in a book where true love wins out and the mean ones (it's all relative though and only some of them) get the punishments they deserve. Nevertheless, I was entertained for a couple of hours. This book had a much different tone than MEXICAN GOTHIC and the fantasy aspect within was minimal. I will definitely look forward to more novels by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Macmillan-Tor/Forge for this e-book ARC to read and review.

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

Genre - romance, dash of fantasy 

Twisted Lies (DI Kim Stone #14) by Angela Marsons

 It's hard to keep a long-running series fresh and interesting, but Angela Marsons is still going strong with this 14th book featuring DI Kim Stone.

Kim Stone is quite the complicated character with all sorts of heavy backstory and an abrasive personality that has no warm and fuzzy mode. The current members of her team stationed at Halesowen CID include long-time "friends" that the reader has come to know and love through the many installments. It's always fun to catch up with them and watch their personal and professional growth as they investigate some truly awful crimes. That's why I think it would be a mistake not to read them all, in order from the beginning, before reaching for this one.

Multiple victims tortured and murdered in heinous ways with all the methods different. What do they have in common? Turns out they were all part of the witness protection scheme. Who is killing them and why?

In another parallel story, reporter Tracy Frost is digging into the past of Trisha Morley, a woman who was thought to be murdered by her husband a year ago but he has never been brought to justice. Can Tracy find information that will lead to his conviction?

The narrative features all the detail of a police procedural that we want to know including descriptions of the grisly torture. It's a solid crime thriller that won't disappoint fans.

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

This is part of a long-running series that should be read in order.

Genre - crime thriller, police procedural

The Perfect Daghter by D.J. Palmer

 Penny Isabella Francone, 16-years-old, languishes at Edgewater State Hospital for the criminally insane while awaiting trial for the murder of her birth mother, Rachel Boyd. Believing that her adopted daughter has Dissociative Identity Disorder, Grace and her attorney, Greg Navarro, are frantically trying to get Penny acquitted by reason of insanity. They are fortunate in that a new psychiatrist at the facility, Dr. Mitchell McHugh, has willing to examine and treat Penny in hopes of finding information that will prove that Penny dd not commit the heinous crime. NO SPOILERS.

I see that I am in the minority with my rating of this novel. I had so many issues with the whole premise from the outset -- the most difficult hurdle being the fact that DID is such a rare condition and is so often misrepresented in literature and film. Though it is true that females are more likely to have the condition, I just didn't buy into the whole story as I should have. I couldn't stand Grace and honestly do not believe that she could possibly have been as involved in the whole situation as she was considering the crime and the incarceration. The book was far too long and extremely repetitive with way too much inane detail that didn't add a thing to the narrative. I guess all I can say is that it didn't work for me and I didn't enjoy it. Sorry! And that ending -- oh come on. I like a good twist now and then, but this came out of nowhere and it was totally unbelievable considering all that had gone on.

I do appreciate and thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review.

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

Genre - crime/psychological thriller, mental illness

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

 "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams...Live the life you've imagined."

What if you had the chance for a life do-over? Or the opportunity to make different choices or decisions that would alter the trajectory of the years. The ability to change those regrets we all have into things to do or not do. When Nora Seed attempts suicide, she goes to her own "between life and death" place -- a library -- where the books on the shelves offer that very thing. As Nora experiences the different paths not taken, she learns a most important lesson. NO SPOILERS.

This was definitely a book that I might never have read if it hadn't been chosen for my book group. I'm not really into existentialism or prone to long philosophical debates about the meaning of life or parallel universes. Much of the book felt like an extended TED talk full of inspirational quotes with the ultimate goal of helping the reader learn to be content and satisfied with themselves. Although the different "experiences" that Nora tried in order to undo her listless and boring existence and make something more of it were interesting, the conclusion was predictable. It was a sentimental and somewhat depressing story with a very self-absorbed Nora held up as an example of discontent who could be fixed with a change in perspective. I'm sure the narrative will provide much for discussion by a book club keen on introspection and self-examination.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - inspirational, fiction, philosophy

The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird

 "Remembrance: mine and theirs..."You remember them and now so do I."

In November, 2025, an extremely lethal virus appears in Scotland. The disease affects only those with the XY chromosomes (men) and has a 90% fatality rate. The virus spreads globally very quickly and there is no treatment.

What does a world without men look like? The narrative consists of first person stories from the women left behind to make sense of the new world. The doctors, social historians, virologists frantically trying to create a vaccine, and others whose lives have been destroyed leaving a void that can never be filled. The losses of fathers, husbands, sons, friends, and relatives change the entire meaning of life for all who survived. Of course there are shifts in politics, work, education, and the meaning of home and family. NO SPOILERS.

I was blown away by the overwhelming emotion in these pages and found it so compelling that I could not put it down. How prescient a novel, written before the current COVID-19 pandemic, to be right on target with the many ways in which humans react to this devastating disease. We are a social people, and the isolation and grief are universal reactions to an event of this magnitude (though thankfully our current pandemic is nowhere near as destructive nor is it gender specific). The stories give a glimpse of how enormous the impact would be if the world suddenly lost almost all the men. Of course there could have been many more "stories" but just thinking of the cataclysmic effects is very scary. Because of all the unanswered questions, I believe this would be a fantastic novel for a book club with so many aspects to discuss. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this e-book ARC to read, review, and highly recommend.

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

Genre - futuristic, dystopian, disease, fiction

Girl, 11 by Amy Suiter Clarke

"He loses his power when we know his face."

Former social worker, Elle Castillo, now hosts a successful podcast, JUSTICE DELAYED. Her true crime investigations are popular and she has managed to solve a couple of cases. Now, her current focus is on an old, unsolved case -- The Countdown Killer (TCK) -- who murdered girls using a numerical pattern, the significance of it has never been answered. The mystery of why TCK suddenly stopped killing begs to be solved and Elle is just the person do delve into those historical crimes and bring the villain to light. NO SPOILERS.

Believe it or not, this began as a solid 4 stars for me and by the last half was barely earning the "it's OK" rating. I was so disappointed at how fast it went from good to meh. I loved the style of the podcast transcripts interspersed with the narrative as those were the most interesting aspects of the story. Unfortunately, I really didn't like Elle (why are women so often depicted as hot messes in this genre), and the plot was so predictable that I had everything figured out long before the protagonist and the police. I liked the Minnesota setting, but had to laugh at the idea of law enforcement calling Elle to be a consultant on an active police matter and involved in ongoing investigations. I know this was a debut, and I might be willing to try another book by this author, but this one just never hit the mark as a thriller and all the intended twists, turns, and surprises were signaled well in advance. Ultimately, a good premise with disappointing execution and a conclusion that was a let down. It was a quick, easy read.

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

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - crime thriller

The Blessed Bones (Detective Clara Jefferies #3) by Kathryn Casey

 This is the third book in a series featuring Detective Clara Jefferies. Set in Alber, Utah, this crime thriller set is unique in that Clara is a former member of the polygamous community that resides there. Elijah's People is a fundamentalist Mormon sect that rules its members and one that had ousted Clara when she ran away from her ancient husband when she was 24. She returned about 9 months earlier and is now Chief of Police. Her former family -- several sister wives, her Mothers, and many of her siblings remain ensconced in the town and have severed ties with Clara. So, in addition to her duties with the police, Clara is trying to find a way to be accepted back into her family, and also juggling a new romance.

In this story, bones have been found on a nearby mountain and are the remains of a young girl and a baby. As Clara examines old cold case records, she finds that pregnant girls have gone missing from town for years. But, the members of Elijah's People keep their secrets and no one seems to care about their missing daughters. NO SPOILERS.

I've read the previous installments and wanted to see if things were changing for Clara and they are, but at a snail's pace. As an outsider, Clara has found it difficult to do her job and has yet to fully commit to staying in Alber. She's the typical female detective protagonist and, as such, her character is stereotypical of all in this genre. The romance aspect is convenient and Clara is struggling with the developing relationship due to her past. She has a lot to work through and sometimes that is tedious. Of course she puts herself in harm's way. I haven't really bonded with her nor have I decided whether to continue the series. The details about the religion and lifestyle practiced by this sect - the polygamy, etc. - are interesting. Even so, the actual plot was quite predictable.

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

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

Genre - crime thriller, female detective, Mormon polygamous sect, Alber, Utah,

A Deadly Influence (Abby Mullen #1) by Mike Omer

 Abby Mullen, divorced mother of two, has been through a lot in her 39 years. As a child, she lived with her parents in a cult when a standoff turned deadly. As one of only 3 survivors, she had a lot to work through but turned that experience into a new talent for dealing with worst case scenarios. Then she hears from Eden Fletcher, the other girl who lived through the events surrounding the fire at the Wilcox Family compound. Eden's 8-year-old son, Nathan, has been kidnapped! The culprits are demanding 5 million dollars in ransom which Eden, as a single mother herself cannot possibly pull together. Fortunately, Eden's daughter, Gabrielle, is a popular Instagram influencer so she starts crowd sourcing the money. But wait, someone has eyes on Gabrielle -- was this all done for her? NO SPOILERS.

This is the first in a new series featuring hostage negotiator Lieutenant Abby Mullen of the NYPD. I enjoyed getting to know Abby and her family as well as some of her colleagues on the NYPD. The backstory of Abby's involvement in the cult was interesting as well as were the details of the current focus on another such group, those on the Tillman Farm. There are connections everywhere and a burgeoning romance for Abby. I'm curious enough to see where this series goes next as this ended with a bit of a cliffhanger.

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

This is the first in a new series.

Genre - crime thriller, cults, hostage negotiator

The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon

 "The water gives and the water takes."

The water is black and has a strange, earthy odor. The spring fed pool on the estate has a dark history and there are many rumors about its power to cure and to grant wishes. When Jackie (Jax) returns to Sparrow Crest after the drowning death of her sister, Lexie, in that very pool on her grandmother's property, she finds that the secrets are finally ready to be revealed. NO SPOILERS.

This is spooky and supernatural and quite entertaining with its dual timeline. I'm not typically a huge fan of this genre, but I enjoyed the story. The characters were interesting, if not totally likeable, and I definitely had to suspend my reality based tendencies and just go with the flow. I'm quite certain it will appeal to a certain kind of reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for this e-book ARC to read and review.

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

Genre - gothic, mystery, thriller, supernatural

The Lost Village by Camilla Sten

 In a nutshell -- this was some crazy stuff here!

I'm a sucker for mysterious disappearances and unexplained abandonment so this book offered up a premise that drew me in. A documentary filmmaker embarks on a project that she's been obsessed with for most of her life. Alice Lindstedt's maternal grandmother's entire family vanished from an old mining town over 60 years ago. The little village of Silvertjarn in Norrland had stood empty and untouched since 1959 when "all 900 residents disappeared under mysterious circumstances." Alice and 4 colleagues trek there with enough supplies to last them 6 days while they explore the area, take film, and photographs, and figure out what secrets may be revealed for their documentary. They have no idea what is about to happen to them in that place as they are the only ones to explore the area after two policeman found the only two people who were left behind on that August day in 1959-- a woman who was stoned to death and a newborn baby girl. NO SPOILERS.

Told in a Then and Now style, the narrative is engaging and immediately absorbing as the point of view shifts between Alice and her great-grandmother, Elsa. The details about what was happening in the village are revealed as Alice and her friends examine the remnants of a once thriving town left to the ravages of time and the encroachment of the surrounding forest. The atmosphere is tense and the mood is foreboding giving it all a Gothic feel without the supernatural. I read this in one sitting this afternoon and definitely enjoyed it.

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

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

Genre - mystery thriller with a Gothic feel, not supernatural, not horror

By Way of Sorrow (Erin McCabe #1) by Robyn Gigl

 And, fellow readers, this is why I will always be a book addict. This legal thriller took me places that I never knew I wanted to go.

Criminal defense attorney, Erin McCabe and her law partner, Duane Swisher, are assigned an unusual case. A transgender prostitute, Sharise Barnes, has been accused of killing the son of a prominent, wealthy local man with huge political aspirations. Sharise claims self defense, but the prosecutors are intent on proving murder. The case has serious implications for Erin because she, too, is a transgender woman and she knows that this is going to be a big issue as she handles the defense. Little does she know what a hornet's nets she will provoke. NO SPOILERS.

Fact: I know nothing about transgender persons nor do I know any. This book was an eye-opener with revelations and overtones that give a completely different aspect to the basic stories in this genre. I fell in love with the character of Erin McCabe and am delighted that this is the first in a new series that will feature her. The whole legal maneuvering and the case itself is one large part of this narrative, but also the novel deals with the emotional and physical aspects of being transgender. As the two different aspects merge, the plot and forward movement of the case becomes even more compelling. I read this in a matter of hours because I could not put this down. The book forced me to examine my own personal attitudes about gender identity and the treatment of those who decide to live their lives in the manner they feel compelled to do rather than in the lines circumscribed by anatomy at birth.

This is a debut and I totally enjoyed the writing and the structure with its blend of humor and perception that makes this so much more than the run-of-the-mill legal thriller. If the idea of transgender persons makes you uncomfortable, perhaps that is the most overriding reason to read it. Keep an open mind and perhaps you will find some insight.

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

This is apparently the first in a new series.

Genre - legal thriller -- transgender

Allegation by R.G. Adams

 A young social worker, Kit Goddard, is assigned a high profile investigation into the family of a well-connected and respected man in Sandbeach, South Wales. The case involves historical sexual allegations against Matt Cooper -- in fact the incidents were said to have happened over 17 years ago. Now, Matt is married to Annie and they have 3 children -- one of whom is a several disabled daughter.  Kit is meant to decide if the children need protection or further action should it be found that evidence will take Matt to trial. Matt has been removed from the home as the interested parties perform due diligence but Kit is convinced that more is going on than the current accusations. Is Matt guilty or has an innocent man been unfairly targeted? NO SPOILERS.

The narrative was interesting and the protagonist engaging, but this story seemed to move way too slowly so it took me a long time to read. The other issue was that the plot was complicated by Kit's baggage and events that happened to her family many years prior. Having a social worker as a main character was a different tack and definitely readers will have an opinion about their role and whether the power they have to disrupt a family can be seen as overstepping or if they often don't do enough to provide the necessary protection. We all read the news so know that mistakes can be made and are often blamed on budgets and staffing and the sheer volume of incidents that require some sort of intervention. So, in the end, this novel was not about Matt Cooper per se, but was more a vignette of how a social worker interacts and works with a particular situation and carries the day through her persistence.

Some reviewers have indicated that this will be a series and I don't know if I'll continue or not. Also, am curious to find out if this author's name is a pseudonym. Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books riverrun for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This may be the first in a new series.

Genre - domestic drama, sexual abuse, social worker

Fatal Intent by Tammy Euliano

This medical thriller focuses on end-of-life issues and will likely polarize those who read it.

Dr. Kate Downey, an anesthesiologist, discovers that incapacitated patients seem to be dying at home just a few days after a minor surgical procedure. Her suspicions lead her to become involved in an amateur investigation that affects her family, friends, colleagues, and her job. NO SPOILERS.

Because the theme of this novel is so controversial, it would likely make a great choice for a book club discussion. If life is no longer worth living, if a particular loved one is a drain on resources, if there's no hope for anything other than a slow, lingering death -- who should decide when that life should end and how should it be done? It's a question that many readers may need to answer in their own personal lives, and it's a good one. The way the topic is handled, and the plot and action of this particular book, however, really left me reeling a bit. I had a very difficult time with the main character, her behavior, and the constant, convenient coincidences that allowed her to pursue the chase to solve these crimes. The romance aspect also really left me rolling my eyes. I usually love any type of novel that has a medical aspect due to my own background, but i just couldn't pull off the necessary suspension of disbelief as events spiraled to the predictable conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for this e-book ARC to read and review.  The author certainly holds the credentials and has the experience to write a more realistic medical thriller so I'll keep an eye out for any upcoming fiction title in the genre.

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

Genre - medical thriller

Goodnight, Beautiful by Aimee Molloy

 This was a fabulously fast and fun thriller that I picked up late this afternoon and found impossible to put down. It's best if you don't read too much beforehand and just go in without any preconceived notions as to what this is really about.

Dr. Sam Statler, a psychologist, is newly married to Annie Potter when they leave New York City to move to Chestnut Hill where Sam grew up. His mother is in a nursing home and they want to be close to her as her dementia has worsened. Sam creates a lovely office in the downstairs area of the mansion and soon starts treating patients. He does not know, however, that there is a vent that transmits his patient sessions to a room upstairs where every word can be heard. Of course it's impossible not to listen in to all the juicy details.  Everything is going along great until the day that Sam goes missing. NO SPOILERS.

I really loved the twists and turns this novel took and the narrative style. It's unusual for books like this to surprise me, so imagine my delight when it did. This is excellent psychological drama and domestic suspense and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characterization was well done and the deft plotting kept me guessing as I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see how everything turned out. Great writing and this is an author whose work I look forward to reading again.

Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. 

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

Genre - psychological suspense, domestic thriller

The Passenger by Daniel Hurst

Looking for an easy score, two criminals pick the wrong woman.

I should have paid attention to my initial instincts but I forced myself to finish what was a predictable story with truly hideous characters. It's typical fare -- a single mom with a teenage daughter who gets in trouble but uses her wits to come out on top.

I wish I could report that this was thrilling and full of suspense, but I'd be lying. I did read it all hoping that there would be a surprise ending but, alas.  Good characters would have helped but I couldn't stand any of them so it's hard to enjoy a book when you don't care and find most of it completely unbelievable. This was not for me.

I appreciate the e-book ARC to read and review from NetGalley and Inkubator Books.

This was a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - mystery, general fiction, meant to be thriller

Six Weeks to Live by Catherine McKenzie

 Oh my goodness! This is the kind of domestic drama that grabs your attention like a train wreck and you can't put it down until you get to the end, guessing all the way.

Jennifer Barnes is told that she has a grade 4 cancer, a primary glioblastoma (brain tumor) and has only 6 weeks to live. OK -- so you need to get past the fact that nobody in medicine gives those kinds of predictions these days and just go with the flow, suspending your disbelief and getting to the main theme of this story. Family. Children. Secrets. Lies. Jennifer is mom to 3 adult children, triplets in truth, but actually twins with a separate zygote. She has a distant relationship to them because of things that have happened in the past, most notably the fact that her husband has left her for a  younger woman and wants a divorce that Jennifer won't grant. Jennifer is convinced that her cancer is due to poisoning and she immediately suspects her estranged husband, Jake. Her daughters, Emily, Aline and Miranda, are meant to be helping her through this horrible time but they each have their own issues going on as well. As Jennifer goes through these final weeks, the past comes to the surface and all the truths are revealed. NO SPOILERS.

First, you must get past the death date business. Then, you need to get over the fact that this is a collection of really icky people. Honestly, it was hard to be empathetic with all the revelations and the difficult relationships in this family. Other than that, it was fast and fun and what a crazy story. I enjoyed it as pure entertainment and though it was hard to see the messed up family dynamics, it played out pretty much how I expected. By the end, I did recognize that Jennifer was a mess but I still felt some pity for her and her surviving daughters.

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

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

Genre - domestic drama, mystery