The Girl Who Lived Twice (#6 Millennium) by David Lagercrantz

 This 6th book in the Millennium series featuring Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist focuses mainly on events that transpired years ago involving a disastrous Mount Everest expedition, politics, and Russian troll factories. 

The other line of the plot deals with Lisbeth and her twin sister, Camilla. It seems that Camilla wants revenge by killing her. 

The story is told in alternate viewpoints and skips all over the place from past to present. Unfortunately, this whole concept was not as exciting as I have come to expect from this series and I was a bit disappointed at the pace. The plot was quite convoluted and it seemed that Lisbeth and Mikael were only minor side characters involved in old spy stuff.

I got this book from a friend and have the next installment (by a new author) in my TBR, but I think I need a break.

This is the 6th book in the series but the third one by this author. I have read them all, in order, and suggest you do the same as they are not good as standalone.

Genre - mystery, thriller, Sweden, Spies, Mouth Everest 

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

Domestic drama and a mystery with a touch of the supernatural.

Most thrillers or mysteries start with secrets and lies. Many end with revelations that show exactly why things turned out as they did. This is the same. 

Pippa and Gabe Gerard live in their dream home on a cliff of a coastal town. Unfortunately, the cliff is a draw for those wanting to commit suicide by jumping off the edge. Gabe has become somewhat of a legend for talking them away from the ledge. Except for this time. A woman falls to her death. Turns out that this woman was no stranger to Gabe or Pippa. Did she fall or really jump, or was she pushed? Surely Gabe, Pippa's fantastically gorgeous and soulmate of a husband, didn't lie about what happened out there...

This was OK but not as compelling or thrilling as I had hoped. A couple of twists, sure, but it all boils down to some weirdness with this couple -- the biggest which is the mental illness angle. I never really liked any of the characters, and what I expected to happen, happened. An odd note that really jarred was the narration from the point of view of the dead woman. While that little trick works in some great novels (The Lovely Bones), it really didn't work for me here. The time shifts of then and now also disrupt the flow of the story a bit. And the conclusion seemed rushed and sort of a letdown after all the buildup, plus not really believable. Moral of this and every story - stop lying. 

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

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

Genre - domestic drama, mystery, mental illness 

Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421 by T.J. Newman

 Decent disaster novel.

A jet crashes off the coast of Oahu shortly after take-off and ends up in the ocean. Most of the survivors fled the burning plane, but 12 of the passengers were trapped inside as it sank into the depths. A massive rescue operation gets underway, but they are running out of time as the water rises inside the jet and the trapped oxygen is running low. Fortunately (and I really mean completely unrealistically), an elite underwater industrial diving and marine construction team owned by one of the surviving passenger's wives just happens to be right there on the job. Will Kent is in the nearly flooded jet with their daughter, Shannon, and Chris is arguing topside with the Navy and Coast Guard about how to proceed with the rescue. Whose plan will work and who will be saved?

This was OK but heavy on the emotional and relationship aspect of the crash calamity. It ends exactly how you expect it will. I liked the technical aspects of the rescue effort, but the characters were written as total stereotypes and the reader reacts to them exactly that way. You may need to suspend quite a bit of disbelief as the disaster drama plays out with all the coincidences in confluence. 

Also note -- the cover of this novel is nearly the same as the one used for her first book. That's rather weird and surely the designers have a little more imagination than that? Who knows, maybe they did it on purpose.

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

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

Genre: disaster drama novel

The New One by Evie Green

 A novel that seeks to be cutting edge sci-fi but misses the mark.

Two parents, living in poverty in a static caravan in Cornwall, find life nearly unbearable with their rebellious 14-year-old daughter, Scarlett. When there's a terrible accident and Scarlett is in a deep coma, Ed and Tamsyn are offered a miracle. They are going to get a new daughter, a replacement, a cyborg, a reanimation. All they have to do is move to Geneva and accept all the wonderful new things coming their way. 

This was OK but I really didn't care for it all that much as it was so predictable. There was no suspense, the big reveals were ho-hum expected, and the pace was super slow. The writing was adequate but this plot trope has been seen and done a million times. I guess it didn't help much that I have recently seen the movie, M3GAN, and watched the television series, Westworld. Of course this whole magic science thing is not going to go well. It never does, right? I was really hoping that, for once, the author would do something unique and make a clone a really cool thing! I had to really hold myself back from marking it DNF or just flipping through the pages. There was a lot of repetition in the narrative too, which also made the book seem longer. It ended exactly as you can guess right now. 

Thank you to Berkely and NetGalley for the ARC to read and review. I'd say pass on this.

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - science fiction, bad scientists, cloning

All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay

 Unique and wholly original mystery that seeks to answer the question -- what really happened to jane Larkin?

An 11-year-old, Miranda Larkin, comes home one November afternoon to discover that her mother is missing. Two brothers, Alex and Jeff, along with their father, Dan, report Jane's absence to the police. For decades, there's nothing but the waiting. To tell anymore about this story would ruin it, but it is definitely one you will want to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book but it sure took me through the wringer as far as reactions and emotions. I flip-flopped all over the place trying to speculate, but I had no more evidence than did the family and law enforcement. Reading the various viewpoints took me on a ride -- while common sense told me one thing, my intuition spoke otherwise. The whole narrative spans more than 40 years and then...what an ending! Such excellent writing and memorable characters. The structure sort of gives the book a true crime vibe. I highly recommend it.

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

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

Genre - mystery, suspense, domestic drama, murder, legal

The Surgeon by Leslie Wolfe

 Fast-paced and convoluted psychological thriller.

Cardiac surgeon Dr. Anne Wiley’s life falls apart the day a patient dies during surgery on her table. Her peaceful and orderly world is shattered as she is put through the wringer, accused of causing the death by ceasing resuscitation efforts. Targeted and harassed by the State’s Attorney, Dr. Wiley undergoes scrutiny and suspicion even though she’s cleared of wrongdoing by her peers. No one can find out her secret — the dead patient is someone she knew.

I enjoyed this well enough until the climax and the ending — it was just a twist too far. After awhile, I found it hard to like any of the main characters with all their lies and cover-ups and bad behavior. The wrap up and conclusion just ruined the story for me but to say exactly why would be a big spoiler. The whole vendetta campaign by the attorney was hard to believe when the reason (which is meant to be another shocker) is revealed. I didn’t buy it and that dampened my enthusiasm for this book.

I did, however, thoroughly enjoy all the medical details as always so I tried to ignore the domestic drama and focused mostly on that.

Thank you to the author for gifting an ARC for me to read and review. If the ending had been different, I would have definitely been able to recommend. 

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

Genre - medical, psychological thriller, domestic suspense

Sea Castle (Underwater Investigation Unit #4) by Andrew Mayne

 This 4th installment in the series is entertaining and thrilling.

The UIU is on hiatus due to some political and jurisdictional problems, so Sloan McPherson is currently working for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement until all those issues are sorted. When she's called to the scene on a Fort Lauderdale beach, she becomes involved in what may be a serial killer case. She's paired with Gwen Wylder, an unpopular homicide detective from Miami, and they investigate various cold cases involving missing women and murder. 

This was very good and I really enjoy the character of Sloan McPherson. I like this author's writing style and the complicated and interesting plots. This was quite different to the previous books in the series, and that made it even better to show more dimensions of the main character. The narrative takes some unexpected turns and the conclusion was quite surprising. I definitely recommend this series and suggest it be read in order. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this e-book ARC to read and review. I look forward to the next book when the Underwater Investigation Unit might be back in action.

This is the 4th in a series that is best read in order/

Genre - thriller, police procedural

A Sinister Revenge (Veronica Speedwell #8) by Deanna Raybourn

 How I love returning to a familiar series with much-loved characters!

This 8th installment in the Veronica Speedwell series was quite clever and entertaining as always. Veronica and Stoker accompany his brother, Tiberius, back to the family seat on the Devon coast to flush out a murderer. It seems that Lord Templeton-Vane has received death threats and a number of his friend group called the Seven Sinners have already met untimely ends. Tiberius has decided to invite the remaining survivors to the estate for a reunion and remembrance party. Not all of those invited are accepting with good intentions.

Although Veronica and Stoker have hit a bump in their relationship, they are able to work together as they investigate the members of the house party at Cherboys. Although a bit predictable, I enjoyed as always and look forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for this e-book ARC. I encourage you to read this series in order from the beginning in order to enjoy it fully. Definitely recommend to any historical mystery lovers. 

This is the 8th book in a great series that should be read from the beginning, in order.

Genre - historical mystery, Victorian, amateur detectives 

Lying Beside Me (Cyrus Haven #3) by Michael Robotham

 A very compelling third installment in the Cyrus Haven psychological thriller series.

As forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven deals with the upcoming homecoming of his brother, Elias, he’s also helping the police with an investigation into a missing woman. Elias has been held and treated at a secure psychiatric facility since he murdered their parents and twin sisters over 20 years ago. Both Cyrus and his lodger, Evie Cormac, are a bit worried and concerned about Elias coming to live with them. 

I love the characters that this author creates. Cyrus and Evie are so well-developed and complex, each having struggled with horrific pasts that add incredible depth and emotional resonance to this story. There is always so much going on within the pages of these books that keeps the reader glued to the pages. 

I could say more about the complicated plot, but would suggest that you don’t read this as a standalone. I really like this author’s writing style and can highly recommend the entire series. I look forward to reading more about these characters.

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

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

Genre: psychological thriller, forensic psychologist, child abuse, murder 

Death on Deck (Lady Eleanor Swift #13) by Verity Bright

 Another fun installment in this historical mystery series. 

Lady Eleanor Swift and her staff are enjoying a last minute luxury cruise to New York when she becomes involved with a murder investigation on board the Celestiana. 

You had me at “cruise” as I confess I love reading about ocean voyages aboard lavishly appointed ships during the Golden Age circa 1930s. I loved all the details and descriptions of everything from decor to food to dress. I enjoy the characters, especially Eleanor and her butler, Clifford, and their lively, humorous repartee. It was great to have Chief Inspector Hugh Sheldon along and to see their relationship finally progress. Lady Swift is definitely unconventional for the time and place, but she’s independent and tough and also incredibly kind. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC — I definitely recommend the entire series and encourage any curious readers to start at the beginning. I look forward to the next.

This is the 13th book in a series that should be read from beginning.

Genre -  history mystery, cozy, murder 1930s

When She Was Good (Cyrus Haven #2) by Michael Robotham

 This is the second installment in a very gripping psychological thriller series featuring forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven, and his unusual semi ward, Evie Cormac.

As Cyrus continues to delve into the events surrounding the discovery of Evie at the scene of a gruesome murder and the aftermath of her complicated history, Evie is still hiding and supposedly protected as she lives in the children's home. She is not safe anywhere, however, and the hunters will stop at nothing to find and kill her. She knows the secrets and the people they want to shield.

These characters are so complex and interesting, and you can't help but root for the totally damaged Evie. I love the author's writing style and the story was so engaging as some of the details about Evie are slowly revealed. As the pair continues to search for answers, Evie reluctantly divulges more about her past and the villains involved. Ancillary characters are also more fleshed out and the relationships that Cyrus has with them also show the scars he has from his own childhood trauma. These two messed up people, Cyrus and Evie, still have a long way to go but have forged an uneasy alliance that looks something like care and concern. I am looking forward to the third in the series.

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

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

Genre - psychological thriller -- trigger: child trafficking

Good Girl, Bad Girl (Cyrus Haven #1) by Michael Robotham

This is the first in a new crime thriller series by one of my favorite authors. 

Cyrus Haven, a criminal psychologist, tries to help a young girl with a horrifying past. The nearly feral child was found hiding in a secret room when authorities discovered her as they investigated a brutal murder. There are no clues as to her real identity, so she is taken in by social services. Now, Evie Cormac (a name she was given by the court) is petitioning to be released from a children's home and declared an adult. Cyrus Haven is meant to determine if she is ready to be on her own. He soon discovers that Evie has an unusual skill -- she's a human lie detector. As Cyrus becomes invested in Evie Cormac, he's also involved in a murder investigation of a local figure skater. 

This was quite entertaining and absorbing. The revelations about things that happened in the past for both Evie and Cyrus were interesting as were the secrets and lies exposed during the course of finding out what happened to Jodie Sheehan. I liked the alternating points of view as narrated by Evie and by Cyrus. Though I pieced together what and why and whodunit quite quickly, I still enjoyed reading the unraveling as the author peeled back the layers with such a clever plot.

Thank you to Scribner for the e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I'm off to start the second book in this series. 

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

Genre - suspense, crime thriller, psychologist, sexual abuse

Of Manners and Murder: A Dear Miss Hermione Mystery #1 by Anastasia Hastings

 Historical mystery is the first in a new series.

In 1885, Violet Manville takes over the role of Miss Hermione, a popular Agony Aunt column in the local magazine, A Woman's Place. The usual advice author is Violet's own Aunt Adelia who has decided to take a trip with a current lover. Despite her protestations, Violet is well-suited for the job and finds the first letter from a young woman who is fearful for her life. Unfortunately, the newlywed in need of help ends up dead. And Violet, aided by the housekeeper, Bunty, is up to the task of discovering what happened. 

This was an easy read, typical of a cozy, with an independent protagonist in Violet -- someone who does not follow the typical societal norms of the time and place. Definitely level-headed and sensible, she's also the older, protective half-sister of Sephora, a particularly vacuous young girl set on finding the appropriate man to marry. Sephora is keeping a secret that may prove harmful to her hopes and dreams. 

I enjoyed the story well enough, but really did not like the chapters that were from Sephora's point of view. The plot was predictable and there were no surprises. I enjoyed the period details. Not sure if I am interested enough to read future installments of Victorian era amateur sleuthing. I honestly would have liked a lot more of the letter writing and advice responses. 

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

This is the first in a new series.

Genre - cozy mystery, murder, London, historical, 1885

Genetic World by Todd Easterling

 A rare 5 star review!

Wow. What an epic, absorbing, and incredible piece of fiction! I just finished reading and I already feel bereft. I was trying to remember if I have ever spent this much time and effort reading a book in my life. It wasn't so much just the huge amount of detail in the actual novel -- it was also my side activities feeling that I had to Google search every single possible fact within.

This is one of the longest books I have ever read at 440,000 words, 815 pages in a paperback print 8 by 10-inch format.

What is this book about? 

Two billionaire brothers, Winston and Ethan McCarthy, have bought 4 islands off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, and have built a huge theme park, Genetic World, and established research and development facilities. Dr. Francesca Ferrari, with her PhD from Oxford, is a researcher, scholar, and author -- an expert in religion and material culture studies. She's invited to the soft opening of the theme park along with her friend, NY Times journalist, Sawyer Clemens. The main reason for their invitation is centered on a controversial archeological discovery related to a documentary produced by film director, James Cameron. Although this novel covers just about every topic known, the main focus is religion. 

Will you enjoy it?

I dare say that the contents will challenge any long-standing beliefs you have. Keep reminding yourself that this is fiction, but also keep your search engine handy so you can go investigate some of the questionable details. In other words, a smart reader will be fact checking. "The history is real. The locations are real. The science is real."  I learned a lot. 

Why I recommend it. If you like Dan Brown and religious intrigue as well as Michael Crichton and DNA science, this is the book for you. It begs to be a film adaptation and the novel reads like a screenplay with short chapters and quick scene changes. 

I was glued to the pages of this book, and first of all, unless you like tiny print, big, heavy books, and marking up pages, you should get the e-book version. My local library was kind enough to purchase this upon my request, so I had the paperback, and it was tedious. Aside from slowing me down, I was unable to highlight passages or do minor internet searches from within the device. 

I could go on forever about all the things in this book that I would love to discuss with other readers so I welcome any and all comments. My favorite type of book is one that makes me question everything and analyze my true beliefs while absorbing new information. This was that.

This is a standalone and not part of any series. 

Genre - religious intrigue, technothriller, archeology, controversy 

The Sanctuary (Kørner and Werner #5) by Katrine Engberg

 Nordic crime thriller that brings the series to a conclusion.

A gruesome discovery -- half a body in a suitcase. Some sort of band saw cleaved the man into two complete halves...where's the rest of it and who is this person? 

Anette Werner is tasked with the investigation while Jeppe Korner is off trying to manage his broken heart and working as a lumberjack in nearby island of Bornholm. When clues about the body lead back to Bornholm, Werner calls upon Korner to help look into the case. Also on island, there is another familiar character, Esther de Laurenti, who has come to visit the home of an award-winning anthropologist, Margrethe Dybris. Esther is there with Margrethe's daughter, Ida, and is looking at the deceased anthropologist's letters and papers with the intent to write a biography of the icon. 

Meanwhile, there are a lot of unsavory characters doing bad things and no one can seem to figure out where some missing men have gone or the identity of the person in the suitcase. It seems like there was a lot going on at the island over the years and the relationships of those who lived there became quite intertwined and proved dangerous for some. Anette goes to Bornholm and helps the local detectives track down suspects to try to piece together what had happened. 

I've read 3 of the 5 books in this series featuring Copenhagen police detectives Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner. It's been too long between installments, and I could have done with a bit of a refresher perhaps, but this moved at a slow pace and involved a lot of characters in a new setting. The plot was complex and a bit convoluted and it seemed as if all the loose ends weren't really tied up neatly for me at the conclusion. 

I'd like to give this 3.5 stars as I liked it but definitely, I think a person should not attempt this as a standalone. The two books I have not been able to acquire definitely should have been read as well. I always prefer to read a series in order. I never felt this rose to the level of a suspense thriller but seemed more of a police procedural. 

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

This is the 5th in a series that should be read in order from the beginning.

Genre - police procedural, crime thriller, mystery Nordic Noir

The House at the End of the World by Dean Koontz

Fast and fun suspense thriller. Reminds me of the early books in this author's catalog and I enjoyed it very much.

Everyone who reads Dean Koontz knows that he loves words and tends toward the verbose. The long passages of descriptive prose can get a bit much at times, but I do enjoy his imagination.  Memorable characters and lots of action makes the pages flip faster.

Katie has endured a terrible loss and now lives in a fortified house on her own island retreat. Unfortunately, her hermit-like existence comes to an abrupt end when the secret government research facility located a couple of miles away from her, Ringrock Island, experiences a catastrophic failure that allows a horrible entity to escape. 

Just enjoyed the ride, didn't try to make it political or analyze the text. The story was entertaining even if a bit far-fetched. I always like the way he involves animals in his stories, and this was no exception. All I did was root for the good guys to win! 

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

Genre - horror, suspense thriller

Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea

 Rich, complex plotting makes this suspense thriller a must-read.

When Alex Armstrong was 17 years old, her parents and younger brother were killed in a home invasion. She was immediately arrested, in a state of complete shock, and the media named her Empty Eyes. She spent some time in juvie, eventually exonerated, but not before her young life was upended. She won a defamation lawsuit and changed her name from Alexandra Quinlan in order to escape further attention. Ten years have passed and Alex is working as an investigator for a legal firm. Still no idea why her family was murdered so she spends time doing her own deep dive looking for answers. What she finds are vague connections. She needs help and finds it from unexpected sources. No spoilers.

There is a lot going on in this book! Each little side bar shift into another set of characters and stories keeps the reader engaged and guessing as to how they connect. The revelations start coming fast and furiously in the last part of the book and all is revealed in a great climax that is followed by some surprises. I like the author's writing style and found this so hard to put down. Its best to read it within a short time frame so as to keep the plot and characters straight. I was a bit ambivalent about Alex/Alexandra and some of the action seemed a bit unrealistic. In truth, I had to reread a couple of chapters just to make sure I completely understood the conclusion. At any rate, it was fun and nicely paced with short chapters even though it jumped around a bit. Enjoy!

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

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

Trigger warning - sexual abuse, pedophila

Genre - suspense thriller

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

 Two best girlfriends take a summer trip to Orvieto, Italy -- but things don't go exactly as planned.

Emily and Chess are in their thirties now, but they have a bond that has kept them connected even with life's ups and downs. Emily is recovering from a broken marriage and is struggling to finish a cozy mystery installment she owes the publisher. It seems that Chess's star is on the rise as her self-discovery books have made her a supernova, but she's also dragging her heels to complete her own nonfiction book. 

As the women settle into Villa Aestas, they discover that their luxurious accommodation was once rented by a group of young people -- a famous rock musician and 4 others who were there to create music, write, and relax -- with the help of some drink, drugs, and sex. Their sojourn ends in tragedy and what happened there becomes part of the villa's history.

Emily is fascinated by the events from summer, 1974, and as she explores the villa and digs deeper into the past, she finds herself coming alive even as her relationship with Chess becomes strained.  Long held secrets come to light and it seems that there will be a reckoning between the two friends.

I enjoyed this novel that simmers with tension and a bit of gothic influence that enhances the suspense. The twists and turns were interesting as well as how the author wove the story of the past with what was occurring in the present. Although I really didn't care for either Emily or Chess as characters, the plot was interesting and kept me engrossed. I did wish for more details about the villa itself and about Orvieto. 

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-book ARC to read and review. 3.5 stars rounded up.

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

Genre - mystery, suspense, gothic, contemporary women's fiction

Brain Death (Luke Daulton #3) by John Benedict

 This is another installment in the medical thriller series featuring anesthesiologist Dr. Luke Daulton.

Although I enjoyed the medical details, the action and the story were just way too preposterous for me. All that Russian agent plot angle and Luke being brain dead but still managing to save the day was just too much.

Also, this should be labeled as Christian fiction. That element is quite pervasive in the book and frankly, I’m not a fan when authors include so much religion in a novel.

I am rating 2.5 stars but have to round. I won’t be reading any more having finished the 3 in this series. I don’t care for the character, his wife, his life, and the crazy stuff that happens. 

Sorry, but can’t recommend. 

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

Genre - medical thriller, Russian agents, murder 

Bad Robot (Luke Daulton #2) by John Benedict

 This is the second in a medical thriller series featuring Dr. Luke Daulton, an anesthesiologist working at Swatara Regional Hospital. This story takes place a couple of years after the events in the first book, and Luke now has a two-year-old daughter. 

With the blend of medical and technical details, mad gossip about affairs, and the endless dynamics of hospital politics, there’s a lot happening. There’s the usual mix of bad guys and gals and it’s quickly clear that Brandt Stevens, a nurse in the SICU, is one to keep an eye on. Unfortunately, his girlfriend has a roving eye and has her sights set on the handsome new robotic heart surgeon, Dr. Dominic Salazar. My goodness — what jealousy will do.

I enjoyed this a bit more than the first one though I wasn’t that interested in the computer tech aspects of it as much as the hospital scenes and the medical parts. The love triangle stuff was completely ridiculous as were the endless pages describing how various men felt about women and sex. Ugh. 

On to the third installment. Let’s just say that there is indeed a lot of drama within and all these life and death scenarios are a bit far-fetched when they involve the medical personnel and not the patients!

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

Genre - medical thriller, Techno, murder 

Fatal Complications (Luke Daulton #1) by John Benedict

 I'm a huge fan of the medical thriller, but the plot and action within these pages was quite far-fetched and left me a bit underwhelmed.

This is the first in a series featuring anesthesiologist Dr. Luke Daulton. He's just starting a new job and is also trying to make friends and prepare himself for the imminent birth of his daughter. During one of his first days in the OR, a colleague's patient dies from malignant hyperthermia. The experience makes Luke suspicious but he's unable to pinpoint the source of his concern. Meanwhile, there's a lot going on behind the scenes with a large cast of characters.

Many subplots and plenty of good and bad characters fill this story. The narrative jumps from person to person with Luke being the main character. Almost too much going on with limited detail as to how it all really ties together. Luke and others are put in extreme peril as the climax is reached. The story will require a great deal of suspension of disbelief. I do enjoy the medical details about conditions and treatment, but that whole side bar of the weird supernatural stuff and the excessive amount of religion were not aspects that intrigued me. The conspiracy stuff was just too far off an unexplained.

Will I read another by this author -- well I'm tied to the first 3 in this series so I guess I will give the second a try and hope for the best.

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

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

Genre - medical thriller, conspiracy, murder for hire

Cobalt Blue by Matthew Reilly

 Fast and fun novella. Totally predictable in the superhero genre norm fashion, but entertaining nonetheless. Characters are stereotypes of good and bad with clear bias present at the outset. Seems like this would be more suited to a graphic novel or the screen. Not sure if there will be a follow-up or a series. Since I'm not really a huge fan of the whole superhero thing, I'll have to think about revisiting. Lots of bloody death in this.

This is a standalone so far, not part of any series.

Genre - superhero, world domination, Russia vs USA

The Drift by C.J.Tudor

Dystopic apocalyptic fiction with a touch of horror driven by a global pandemic.

Narrated by 3 different characters, the novel focuses on survival in a world that has been changed by a virus that keeps mutating and infecting. Students bound for safety are stranded in the snow after their bus crashes. A cable car with workers going up the mountain to volunteer at the Retreat stops halfway up to the control station. In the former chalet, the staff at the Retreat are tested by dwindling supplies and power failures. Hannah, Meg, and Carter are willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive. Everyone has a secret and all are lying. 

This was OK but I didn't find it suspenseful or compelling. Many characters, but they were dropping so fast that I didn't invest much into them and couldn't work up the empathy needed to care. The Whistlers were much more interesting to me and I would have preferred to read about them rather than the 3 sets of people in the bus, cable car, and chalet. The sketchy details about the virus and the pandemic left me wanting more. Much of the action and all that happened required a great deal of suspension of disbelief. Lots of blood and gore if that's your thing.  A few twists and turns along the way to a reveal and the sort of unsatisfying conclusion.

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

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

Genre - dystopian, virus, pandemic, horror 

The Forever Witness: How DNA and Genealogy Solved a Cold Case Double Murder by Edward Humes

 Fascinating true crime.

"Genetic genealogy...was the source that never lied, never faded with time, never forgot. It was the forever witness."

The murdered bodies of Tanya Van Cuylenborg and her boyfriend, Jay Cook, were found separately in isolated parts of Washington State in November, 1987. The lack of clues hampered the investigation and eventually the case went dormant without new leads. Decades later, in 2018, Detective Jim Scharf working the cold case in Snohomish County, Washington, would team up with genetic genealogist, CeCe Moore, to identify the killer. The man, William Talbott II, was subsequently tried and convicted using this new and powerful forensic tool -- but it has been widely misunderstood. 

Along with details about the Cuylenborg/Cook case, the book also focuses on the controversial use of genetic genealogy as a method of fighting crime and identifying criminals. The argument centers on privacy and the rights of those who submit their DNA to both public or private labs. Many of us have willingly put our saliva in a tube and mailed it to one of the ancestry sites looking for information. The question then is whether or not that voluntary surrender implies consent for police or other organizations to search those data bases for their own purposes -- mostly to secure and identify a suspect in a murder or other violent crime. Keep in mind that when you send off your DNA, you are also revealing that of your relatives and mostly without their knowledge or consent. It's definitely an interesting debate, and I know on which side I fall. Several US States have already begun the process of regulating and establishing clearcut laws about using genetic material. 

I found the entire book absorbing and extremely interesting. I was not aware of the cold case and was astonished to hear the outcome of the trial and subsequent appeal. I liked the way the author wrote the story of Tanya and Jay and the way the narrative included so much detail that created in me a desire for the couple to get some sort of resolution and ultimately, justice. Sometimes I forget how much I enjoy reading well-written true crime. I recommend it. 

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

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

Genre - true crime 

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

 Fast and fun psychological thriller.

Liv Reese has a huge gap in her memory. The last thing she remembers is answering the phone at her office over two years ago. Every time she falls asleep and wakes up, she has forgotten everything that happened since. Obviously, this means she wanders around a lot trying to figure out where she lives, where she works, and why everything is so strange. She can't find her phone or her wallet. Her roommate and her boyfriend aren't answering her calls Then, she sees herself on TV as a suspect in a murder. All she has to do is STAY AWAKE in order to try to put the pieces of her fracture memory together and figure out what is going on. 

I had sworn to myself that I would not read any more books that had the words "amnesia" or "memory loss" in them. I'm not sure why this beckoned, but it did and I picked it up and was immediately hooked. Sure it was predictable, and this narrator was certainly unreliable, but it was entertaining, and I actually liked most of the characters. Even the flawed protagonist, Liv, wasn't as annoying as so many have been. 

I liked the fast pace and the narratives from the point of view of Liv and also of the police who are trying to investigate the murder. The time shifts can be a bit disconcerting and helps get the reader in the frame of mind of the dissociative fugue state that Liz is experiencing. I enjoyed it. 

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

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

Genre - psychological thriller, mystery, amnesia

Observer by Robert Lanza and Nancy Kress

 Mind-bending science fiction that blends physics and biology into an incredible tale of what could be the future.

Or, should I say, what I wish would be the future. This novel was completely absorbing, and it took me longer than usual to read because it required a lot of thinking as I tried to make sense of the science and the concept that is called, in the book, The Primacy of the Observer. This theory focuses on the suggestion that "instead of matter and evolution giving rise to consciousness, the truth is the other way around."  Yeah, this is deep and heavy stuff, but the authors did an incredible job turning all this into a story that is relatable and easier to understand.

When Dr. Caroline Soames-Watkins is forced from her job as a neurosurgeon after she reports an incidence of sexual harassment to the hospital board, she's invited to work for a distant relative she has never met -- the famous Nobel Prize winning scientist, Dr. Samuel Watkins, her great uncle. He and two other brilliant men have set up a medical compound in the Cayman Islands where they are doing groundbreaking research and experiments that involve deep brain stimulation. Their goal is to discover the nature of consciousness, reality, and possibly, life after death. 

Read this if you want to expand your mind and if you enjoy entertaining science fiction that seems plausible. I liked the characters, the science, the writing style, and the story itself. I only wish that new discoveries and inventions were not deemed so scary that they invite the attention of hate groups or the cancel culture. This would make a great film.

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

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

Genre - science fiction, medicine, surgery, physics

Murder at the Charity Ball (Miss Underhay #11) by Helena Dixon

 A Christmas cozy historical mystery in a favorite series.

It's almost time for Kitty Underhay and her fiance, Captain Matthew Bryant, to marry as scheduled on Christmas Eve in 1934. Excitement and anticipation build as Kitty's father, Edgar, is coming to visit and to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day.  But first, Kitty and Matt are to attend a charity ball at the home of Lady Eliza Foxley. An evening of entertainment turns deadly when the lady of the manor is found murdered in her room. Things take a sudden turn when Edgar, who was staying at the house of their hostess, is arrested. Then, an attempt is made to poison Eliza's sister. What is going on at Villa Lemora?

Along with their usual cohort of friends and family, Kitty and Matt help Inspector Greville question the suspects and try to solve the case in time to enjoy their wedding day. 

This series has long been a favorite and I urge those interested to start at the beginning. I like the characters and the story lines with all the period and historical details from food to fashion. I always enjoy going to visit at the Dolphin Hotel and am happy to finally see Kitty and Matt married. I look forward to the next installment with all the changes in their personal lives as they embark on a new business arrangement along with their domestic bliss.

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

This is part of a series that should be read from the beginning in order.

Genre - historical cozy mystery, 1930s, Dartmouth

No One Knows Us Here by Rebecca Kelley

 Extremely disappointing mashup that is not suspenseful or entertaining. I should have stopped reading before the halfway point, but I stuck it out until the end hoping it would not go where it went. 

Why? The character of Rosemary was incredibly lame and every single decision she makes is the most wrong choice a person could make. She needs money so she agrees to be a billionaire's girlfriend. He's not nice. She keeps staying and collecting the money. She has grand schemes and intentions and does not follow through with any of them. Like she's pretending to be an actress in a movie of her own life, but doing a really bad job of it.  Of course he's hideous and controlling, that would be the expected stereotype so that Rosemary can rationalize what she does.  And, naturally, there's the boy next door trope and, gasp, is he going to save her?

All in all, this was a waste of my time and I can't think of a single person to recommend it to. The writing is repetitious and the narrative from Rosemary's point of view is irritating. The plot is predictable and unbelievable. There's nothing new to see here. 

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

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

Genre - psychological, domestic drama, relationships

SKIP IT

Reef Road by Deborah Goodrich Royce

 An unsolved murder creates damage that reverberates through decades.

This is a mystery that reads like true crime and is very hard to put down. Even as you imagine you know where it's going, the writing style and the narrative told in alternating points of view will keep you pushing on, analyzing, and guessing all the while. 

The past: in 1948, Noelle Grace Huber was stabbed 36 times in the kitchen of her home while she was baking a cake. Her parents were not home at the time. She was 12 years old. No-one was ever arrested or convicted for the crime. It was senseless and tragic, and everyone who knew the family suffered for years. 

The present: it's 2020 and the COVID pandemic has created a lockdown in Palm Beach, Florida. A young wife discovers that her family has gone missing. A middle-aged writer is working on a book about the murder of her mother's best friend. Why is the writer so interested in Linda Alonso and her children? Then, a severed hand is found on the beach. 

Past and present collide in spectacular fashion as truth and lies are exposed. There are some great reveals and twists along the way. I enjoyed this very much though it is a bit of a slow burner as the author sets the stage. The two female characters have traits and behaviors that I both loved and hated, and they certainly challenge beliefs about justice and revenge. Looking forward to reading other reviews and comments on this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Post Hill Press for this e-book ARC to read and review.

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

Genre = mystery, crime thriller, psychological, 

Devil's Way (Kate Marshall #4) by Robert Bryndza

 Entertaining thriller as Kate and Tristan investigate an old missing person case.

Kate and Tristan are running their fledgling detective agency on a shoestring and are always looking for new business. Kate, in the hospital after a near drowning incident, meets a fellow patient with a very sad story about her missing grandson. Even though it's been over 11 years, Jean can't accept that her 3-year-old grandson could really be dead. Kate and Tristan agree to start looking into old records and visit the location where Charlie vanished in the middle of the night. The more clues they discover, the more questions they have.

This is the 4th in a series that has really grown on me. I like the main characters -- Kate, a mature 47 mentoring Tristan, her former research assistant when she was professor in criminology. Her police background gives her credentials and respect, and he's a quick learner. Blessedly, no romance and Kate doesn't do stupid things to put herself in danger in this book. Nice and clever mystery with a predictable but satisfying outcome.

Thank you to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend. I look forward to the next installment.

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

Genre - crime thriller, series, UK

The Third Instinct (Dan Clifford 2) by Kent Lester

 Action-packed sequel full of science, history, and moral/ethical dilemma is fast and fun.

This follow-up to THE SEVENTH SUN takes prediction scientist Dan Clifford and his girlfriend, Rachel Sullivan, to a new threat involving ancient, secret societies and the scary organism known as the Devil's Paradox. You will want to read the first book before opening this one. Full of realistic technology, conspiracy theories, political corruption, DNA hacking gone amuck, and all sorts of other interesting details, the story is a thriller as well as an adventure. There's even a bit of romance and the characters are unlikely, reluctant heroes who do their best to save the world. A bit of social commentary lends credence and believability to the narrative.

I enjoyed both books very much and recommend you read them back to back if possible. I like the writing style and the pacing that made this hard to put down. I'd love to see a film adaptation.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the e-book to read, review, and recommend.

This is the second in a series so be sure to read the first one prior to starting this.

Genre - thriller, historical, science, technology

The Seventh Sun (Dan Clifford #1) by Kent Lester

 Action-packed sci-fi thriller that screams for a film adaptation.

Read this if you are interested in emerging diseases, corporate greed, and global implications of new technologies.

When an acquaintance disappears while researching extinction events, prediction scientist Dan Clifford joins Rachel Sullivan, a marine biologist, as they race to prevent worldwide annihilation by primordial  substances found in the ultimate extremes of the ocean. 

I picked this up because I have an ARC of the second in the series on my TBR to review. So glad I did as it was rife with cutting edge and realistic science, had a fast pace, and packed with interesting characters. Can't wait to start the next installment.

This is the first of two in a series.

Genre - sci fi, thriller, science, disease

Look Both Ways by Linwood Barclay

 Fast-paced and totally entertaining, this thriller about organized, malevolent motors will have you devouring the pages.

It was supposed to be a day of crowning achievement for Sandra Montrose and her small public relations firm on Garrett Island. Months earlier, the islanders had agreed to accept and test the latest in autonomous driving vehicles known as the Arrival. Sandra has planned a celebration of success for the CEO  and her cohort to highlight and demonstrate the program vehicles to list of invited media. Almost immediately things go wrong. The autonomous vehicles are no longer taking orders from their passengers and have apparently collectively decided to take out all the humans. 

Even with the high body count and gory descriptions of vehicle malice, this was a fun read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've long been a fan of Barclay and I like his writing style and his characters are always unique and a bit quirky. There's a lot more I could say about this book, but I do not want to spoil it for anyone. 

This is a standalone and not part of any series. I borrowed it from a friend.

Genre = thriller, suspense, scifi 

Three Widows (DI Lottie Parker #12) by Patricia Gibney

 Complex serial killer thriller will keep you guessing.

This twelfth book in one of my favorite detective series is longer and much more complicated than previous installments. Lots of characters to keep straight and a case that has more than the usual number of grisly murders. Lottie Parker and her colleagues are also experiencing some team infighting and drama that puts everyone at odds with others.

The Ragmullin team is investigating a series of disappearances with the beaten and mutilated bodies subsequently being found in unusual spots. It seems that the deaths are connected to a group of women who have come together to support each other after becoming widows. What secrets are they hiding that has made them a target for a deranged killer? 

I enjoyed this one but it is not one of my favorites in the series. Very convoluted motive for all the murders but the red herrings kept me trying to work out who was doing all the killing. I like the main character, Lottie, but her family annoys me and please -- let the woman bathe and eat once in awhile. It's past time for Lottie to get some happiness in her personal life as well.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this e-book ARC to read and review. I can recommend the series and would also suggest anyone interested start from the beginning and read them in order. 

This is the 12th book in a series. Not a standalone.

Genre - mystery thriller, crime thriller, police procedural

The Guilty Girl (Detective Lottie Parker #11) by Patricia Gibney

 The eleventh in an excellent crime thriller series.

Detective Lottie Parker, a senior member of An Garda Siochana in Ragmullin (a fictional town in Ireland), has a very complicated case on her hands. A young teenage girl, Lucy McAllister, has been murdered in her home after throwing a huge unsupervised party. As the investigation begins, there is no shortage of suspects and a ton of evidence that just doesn’t make any sense. Lottie and her colleagues question all the party guests and find that there is much more going on but they can’t get answers — one girl claims she remembers nothing — was she drugged? Others claim they did not see or hear anything. Several attendees saw Lucy’s body and did not report it. What a mess. And then another young teen is found dead. Worst of all, it comes to light that Lottie’s own son, Sean, was also there that night. 

This was a fast read with many characters and a complex plot. I have always enjoyed this series, and indeed, is one of the few that I still keep up with as I like Lottie Parker. She’s a middle aged mom of three with a grandson and a crazy backstory full of all kinds of heartache and drama, but Lottie is sensible most of the time and doesn’t constantly put herself in jeopardy as she solves her cases. I like the setting and the Garda at the station have become like old friends. I will continue with the next installment.

This is the 11th in a series that should be read from the beginning, in order.

Genre - crime thriller, police procedural, Ireland, female detective

Night Shift (Jack and Laurie #13) by Robin Cook

 A fast paced medical thriller with a set of favorite characters.

Dr. Jack Stapleton and Dr. Laurie Montgomery are married with a couple of special needs kids. In addition, both are medical examiners for the state of New York, with Laurie being the chief. This long running series features the pair of doctors examining cases that are atypical and confusing. In this thirteenth installment, Jack is tasked with an autopsy that should be routine but that turns into so much more than he anticipated.  It seems there is a medical serial killer loose in the hospital and Jack is determined to find out who it is and stop them. 

I’ve read Robin Cook forever and that is saying something as I am well past middle age. I absolutely love a good medical thriller and this author usually comes through with a good case scenario that I can dissect and enjoy. Can I help it if at times I don’t want Jack and Laurie to be rescued by a last minute miracle — but sorry — they do always manage to figure out what is going on, identify the dastardly criminal, and save the day. I always love the forensic details and the medical stuff, the interesting characters, and the plots. 

Even if you haven’t kept up with the series, you can pick this one up and read as a standalone for the mystery and the intrigue alone. I do look forward to the next one by one of my favorite authors in this genre. 

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

This is the 13th in a series that is best read in order but do what you want!

Genre - medical thriller (Robin Cook is a master)

Murder in an Irish Castle (Lady Eleanor Swift #12) by Verity Bright

 A perfect cozy mystery for the holidays.

I just really enjoy this series featuring Lady Eleanor Swift, her butler and partner in crime solving, Clifford, and her bulldog, Gladstone. This particular installment, the twelfth, is set in the tiny village of Derrydee in west Ireland. It’s Christmas, 1924, and Lady Swift has decided to visit a castle there that she has recently inherited. Along the snowy road right outside the estate, Ellie and Clifford nearly run over a body in the middle of the lane. They immediately obtain aid for the man, but he dies before they find out who he was and what he was doing way out there in the country. This is just the first of the mishaps, calamities, and dangerous situations that Ellie and Clifford will confront during their Christmas holiday in Derrydee. 

As always, the plot was well developed and it was extremely nice to get a conclusion that I’ve longed to see since I started the series. I always enjoy coming home to visit these characters and find them quite entertaining and often very funny. I like the writing style and all the period details so important in any historical fiction. This is definitely a good one to curl up with on a cold winter night.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. This is one of the few series I still care to read and I can’t wait for #13.

This is #12 in a long running series that definitely should be read in order.

Genre - cozy mystery, historic circa 1920s

Hunting Time (Colter Shaw #4) by Jeffery Deaver

 Fourth in series is action packed and full of clever twists and turns.

Colter Shaw, the son of survivalists, works as a reward seeker and goes where the money leads. This time, he’s hired to find Allison Parker, a brilliant nuclear engineer, and her daughter, Hannah. They are on the run from her abusive ex-husband, John Merritt, who’s just been released early from prison. Shaw runs into a situation almost immediately — it seems that there are two hitman who are also tracking Allison. 

This was well written and kept me entertained. I like the main character, Colter Shaw, who is enigmatic and competent while also often proving to be the romantic interest of at least one woman or two. The details about Colter’s childhood training up in the mountain wilderness with his family are also interesting and educational. I like the series and definitely will continue.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ebook ARC to read, review, and recommend. 

This is part of a series that should be read in order

Genre - action packed mystery suspense thriller

Livid (Dr. Kay Scarpetta #26) by Patricia Cornwell

 Crime thriller series that continues its strong storyline and memorable characters.

I've read most all of the books featuring Dr. Kay Scarpetta, the medical examiner and forensic pathologist who has always intrigued me. The plots veered a bit off the rails for awhile, but now seem to be back on track as Scarpetta does her job and focuses on interesting cases. She's back in Virginia testifying at a murder trial in Old Town Alexandria when the sister of the judge is found dead in their old family home. Soon there's an alphabet soup of agencies probing the killing and suspicions indicate that the villain might be a terrorist with an agenda. The murder weapon is unusual...and very scary. 

Always enjoy reconnecting with Kay and her gang including husband, niece, sister, and long time partner and sidekick, Marino. The science and medical details always fascinate and keep me coming back time and again to each new installment. I really like the writing style and the wide range of topics covered.

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

This is the 26th in a long running series that should be read in order from the beginning.

Genre - mystery, crime thriller

Secrets of the Nile (Lady Emily Ashton #16) by Tasha Alexander

 An historical mystery set in parallel timelines -- 1904 and ancient Egypt circa 1500 BCE.

Lady Emily and her husband, Colin Hargreaves, are on a holiday to visit Lord Bertram Deeley and visit the ancient tombs and view the treasures of Egypt. Along with other family and friends, they join Lord Bertram at his residence in Luxor after cruising the Nile. On that very eve, after a magnificent meal at his home, Lord Bertram dies of cyanide poisoning. Which of those in attendance could have killed him and why. Everyone is a suspect.

In the alternate story line, a family of artisans tasked with decorating the Pharaoh's tomb experience personal betrayals. Some ancient sculptures belonging now to Lord Bertram prove to be a way to help Lady Emily connect the dots and solve the crime.

Although this is the 16th in a series that I have never read, I thoroughly enjoyed this. I love historical fiction and am particularly partial to ancient times and Egypt. I liked what I learned of the main character, Lady Emily, definitely a forward thinking woman of her time. Now I really want to go back and start this series with all of the previous installments read in order. I like a cozy mystery with period details and descriptions of everything from food to clothes to social mores. 

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read, review, and recommend this book. 

This is the 16th in a series that I should have read from the beginning but this worked OK as a standalone though I definitely want more backstory.

Genre  -- historical mystery, Egypt

The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urguhart

 Short but intense first installment of a serial killer thriller mystery.

Dr. Wren Muller is a forensic pathologist working for the Medical Examiner's office in Louisiana. The city is plagued with a psycho murderer who is leaving some grisly scenes for the local police. The many victims have been tortured in ways that seem like medical experimentation gone wrong. Soon it is obvious to Wren that she has met the killer before. 

This was narrated from two points of view - that of the criminal and that of Wren. The story was fast and there was not much depth or history given of the main characters. The writing was a little stilted and the author had several phrases that became repetitive, especially when characters were snickering, snarling, or sniggering -- seemed really out of place. Not a fan of the writing and the ending was incomplete and abrupt thus paving the way for the next installment. Not sure if I will read it or not. The plot is predictable and there was no huge tension or suspense so I doubt I will bother as the conclusion seems obvious. Nothing new here.

Not really recommending. 

This is the first in a series.

Genre - serial killer thriller, crime

The Prisoner by B.A. Paris

 Convoluted psychological thriller that is much too improbable to be believable.

The narrative starts from the point of view of a young woman held captive in a pitch black room. Her husband is in another area of the same house and a ransom has been sent to his wealthy father. Amelie and Ned Hawthorpe have been kidnapped. By whom and why? Sure, their marriage was unusual and recent events have brought things to a breaking point, but things are just not making any sense.

Ah, why do I get sucked in to opening books like this. It was almost painful to read because the whole premise was so implausible and the plot went from one preposterous event to another. The characters were stereotypical and predictable. I did not care for any of them and, no matter how much I was meant to like Amelie, she got on my last nerve. I actually considered marking it DNF at about 25% but I forced myself to go on. I hoped that the story would eventually come together and make sense. Disappointed to report that even after all the revelations, it just required way too much of a buy in that I was not willing to afford. Also, I do not like reading about people held in captivity and the long, drawn out details about where they are being held and the conditions and how they search for escape, etc. The rags to riches bit I also could have done without. Too much in this tale was contrived and I can't recommend it. I will be taking a pass on future work by this author.

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

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

Genre - psychological thriller

The Other Side of Night by Adam Hamdy

 A mystery with philosophical and psychological aspects that intrigue and linger.

A very unique novel that introduces the reader to interesting characters who dominate the story. There's Harriet Kealty, a disgraced and fired police officer, who finds a cryptic note inside a book that leads her to initiate a personal investigation that has mind blowing consequences. Harri is surprised when her sleuthing brings her to Ben Elmys, a man she had fallen for and been dumped by, only to discover that he is now the guardian of a boy related to the person who wrote that note. Intrigue and suspense as Harri tries to figure out what is really going on.

The story was interesting as I kept trying to guess and speculate what was really going on. Although slow at times and occasionally a bit confusing, I can't say more due to spoilers and it's best the reader know as little as possible to appreciate the twist advertised although I am sure some will see it coming. I am not a poetry person so those snippets did not appeal. There's lots of foreshadowing and hinting about further action in the narrative that I found tedious, and it took me much longer than usual to read, but I was entertained. Far-fetched? Yeah. Overly sentimental? Yeah. But I am sure the whole of it will appeal to many readers.

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 - mystery, thriller, science fiction

The Maze (John Corey #8) by Nelson DeMille

 Convoluted thriller involving former NYPD Detective John Corey.

After leaving his previous job as a Federal Agent, John is recovering in Long Island when he is asked by a former lover, Detective Beth Penrose, to help her out with an investigation. John is hired by a local security company and infiltrates their organization trying to get to the bottom of a series of murders in the area. 

I was quite disappointed with this book and it took me forever to read. I did not like the cocky jerk of a main character who is sexist in the extreme and thinks quite highly of himself and his abilities. For the longest time, I wasn't even sure what the story was about as it was slow going and boring. The rest of the characters in the book were total stereotypes. The action (in the maze), when it came, went on and on and ended exactly as expected. I can't think of any reason to recommend this one but I would guess that the serious Corey fans will check it out. The plot went nowhere for ages until something finally happened. I did not enjoy Corey's interactions with the other people in the book and I won't be reading another in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for this e=book ARC to read and review. 

This is the 8th book in a long series.

Genre - crime thriller

Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah

 Oh my my.... what did I just read? Review follows now that my heart rate has returned to normal. This book delivered quite the visceral punch.

On a hot morning in London, Leila Syed agrees to help out her desperate brother-in-law by picking up 3-year-old Max and taking him to nursery. Unfortunately, Max doesn't make it to school. Leila has forgotten that he was strapped in the back seat and Max is found dead, inside the vehicle, in the parking lot of her office building several hours later. What happens next?

The book is divided into 3 different parts and focuses on the crime, the trial, and the aftermath. It is quite gripping and tense though the characters were so unlikable that I was sometimes unable to elicit any empathy for them. I was so torn in my emotions as various details were revealed and the narrative really kept me guessing.

What a great story as long as you can suspend disbelief and go with all the twists and turns. It's definitely more a domestic drama than a legal thriller as, even though I know next to nothing about the British legal system, I think the courtroom scenes were unrealistic. Something that was totally missing was extended interaction between Leila and her attorney. There was no trial prep and it all just seemed that was not the focus of the book. But, whoa, the drama!  

In any event, I enjoyed this one and have also really liked two other books I've read by this author. She has a knack of finding some very timely issues and writing great stories about them. I definitely feel that this novel will invite some lively discussion about several different aspects of the legal case and the nature of family and female ambition. The less you know going into the book, the better.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I am looking forward to the author's next book.

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

Genre - marketed as legal thriller but really more of a domestic drama

Murder on Board (Kitty Underhay #10) by Helena Dixon

 A lovely return to familiar characters in this delightful cozy mystery.

It's always nice to go visit those you have come to know in the book world. The setting and the people are like old friends and reading another installment in a series feels like you're taking a vacation. I've enjoyed every episode featuring Kitty Underhay and all of the interesting cases and mysteries that she becomes involved with along with her beau.

This time, Kitty is trying to get a party organized for a friend of her grandmother. The festivities are going along just fine until a murder occurs on board a steamer river cruise that was engaged for dining and a birthday celebration. In addition, an extremely valuable necklace disappears from around the neck of the birthday girl when the lights dim for the cake presentation. Kitty and Matthew are obliged to help with the investigation and are surprised at some connections and discoveries that bring them up against an old nemesis.

I'm looking forward to another in this series as I always enjoy spending time in the 1930s with these characters. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC and I definitely recommend to that anyone who enjoys a good comforting and predictable cozy.

This is #10 in a long running and fun series that should be started at beginning.

Genre - cozy mystery, 1930s, Torbay, Dartmouth, Devon UK

The Iceman's Curse by Gary F. Jones

 Quirky characters and lots of action make this medical thriller an entertaining read.

A crazy luggage mix-up at the airport during a blizzard leaves Professor Louis Antoine, from Zurich,  stranded in Kirby, Wisconsin, and a pair of drug mules hot on his tracks. The situation becomes even more fraught when the Swiss prof realizes that the samples taken from a 1200 year old corpse that his team found in the Alps, and that he was bringing illegally for a colleague, are missing. Even more scary -- apparently those samples are infected with a virus that could result in some serious medical issues in the USA. The CDC sends their best woman for the job of containing and tracing this virus before it becomes an epidemic but way too many people could already be exposed.

This was fun and fast and I enjoyed it though it was predictable and there was far too much time spent with Frank on the run instead of on the actual medical situation with the virus. I liked the author's humor and his writing style, and will be looking for future books. The way it was written reminded me of the style of Carl Hiaasen and several passages were laugh out loud clever. I was just wishing for a lot more of the medical aspect instead of the focus on the criminals or the pop-up romance. I would say more drama than thriller.

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

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

Genre - medical drama, virus, romance

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

 I can't recommend this novel that is only marginally related to the description and synopsis given by the publisher. I almost stopped reading when the big shocker appeared at the 45% mark and I realized exactly what this whole book was going to be about.

Basically -- a lecture on every contemporary and controversial subject as the authors flex their virtue, tolerance, and understanding. You name it, this book has it: race, color, politics, the justice system, gender and sexuality, transgender, women's rights, spousal abuse, etc. If you like being told what to think and how to think, this is one for you.  It's not that I agree or disagree with the authors, mind, it's that every single concept of diversity is all mashed up in this singular story. I wish that I could just read a great plot with characters I could imagine all on my own without the author describing things in such detail as often much of that has nothing to do with the actual point of the novel. Perhaps I am an outlier, but I am tired of books trying to push a social agenda, and I should have known better than to pick up this one as JP has often been a miss for me because she does it all the time. Sometimes those twists that get tossed in her books are just too much for me to tolerate.

Despite how much I disliked the main narrative, the reason I gave the book two stars is because of the information about the bees. Now, that I found interesting. I like books with legal and courtroom drama, and I like a story with a medical slant, but some of that was quite obviously creative license. Anyway, I'm done and I think I can pass on any future books without FOMO.

I would love to discuss this book with others, especially the fact that there is some discussion about whether or not someone should reveal the fact that they are transgender. For real? Anyway, I see mixed reviews for this book and glad that people feel comfortable sharing their opinions. Others have written their thoughts much better than I can, but I don't recommend it.

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

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

Genre - contemporary fiction

Suspect (Kindle County #12) by Scott Turow

 Legal drama and high stakes investigation into a scandal involving a police chief.

Lucia Gomez has just been forced to a hearing because 3 male police officers have accused her of forcing them to have intimate relations in order to be promoted within the Highland Isle PD. Her friend, attorney Rik Dudek, is helping her navigate the federal grand jury investigation and Chief Gomez is insistent that these fake allegations are hiding part of a bigger issue within the community. Clarice "Pinky" Granum (granddaughter of Sandy Stern to those familiar with this series) is a bit of an outlier but she is working with Rik as they build a defense and response to the situation facing Chief Gomez. But, the accusations against the Chief are just the tip of an iceberg that is meant to cover up much more serious criminal activities.

I do not remember having ever read a book by this author before, and certainly none of the Kindle Country series, so I had no preconceived notions going in and it seemed to work fine as a standalone. I enjoy good legal drama and this case was complicated with lots of interesting details and side schemes that gave the whole plot a lot more substance. I enjoyed the writing style and the characters who were quite contemporary and diverse. It did seem to be a little bit too long and slow moving at different points along the way, but the narrative flowed well and came to quite an abrupt conclusion that left some questions. I may check out a follow up to this one if only to find my answers if they will be forthcoming in another novel.

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

This is part of a long running series and was the first one I had read.

Genre - legal thriller, drama, private investigator

Sometimes People Die by Simon Stephenson

 Slow burner of a medical thriller and mystery that asks some tough questions.

An unnamed Scottish doctor finds work at St. Luke's Hospital in east London. He's having a rough go as he is on probation after being suspended for his opioid addiction and theft of drugs. His daily efforts as a hospitalist are largely unrewarded as the sick get sicker and there's never enough money to help everyone. His small group of colleagues is made aware that something more sinister may actually be going on -- someone seems to be murdering the patients.

As much as I really wanted to like this novel, I found it hard to connect with the narrator because, not only was he unnamed, he was a drug addict unwilling to do the work to overcome his situation and largely not paying attention to most of what was going on around him. At times the story line seemed to skip and jump and go off on tangents that really slowed down the forward momentum of the doctor's search for the truth of what happened at St. Luke's. It was interesting, but also the fact that it was set in the 1999 kind of lessened my interest as well as that was a very long time ago. I found this sad and frustrating for the most part and the conclusion was very unsatisfying.

I love a good medical thriller and a complex plot with multidimensional characters and lots of interesting facts and details. This one fell a little short of being all that for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for this e-book ARC to read and review. 

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

Genre - medical mystery and thriller

Fatal Rounds by Carrie Rubin

 A drama with a medical setting that uses a boxing metaphor.

Liz Larkin is determined to prove that a respected trauma surgeon is intent on doing her harm. She selects the hospital he works at to do her internship and immediately begins her campaign to find out what he's done. Her backstory of a history of mental health issues makes her a very unreliable narrator. I hoped, however, that this was going to make the story unique.

As everyone around her is convinced that Liz is losing it and having some kind of delusional break from reality with her accusations and suspicions, she continues on her mission. When everything ends up exactly as I worried it would, I was extremely disappointed and let down. I didn't like Liz and the whole plot required more suspension of disbelief than I can manage. I was looking for a medical thriller and this was not it. The most interesting aspects of the narrative were the actual details about pathology and disease. I can't recommend it.

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

This may be the first in a new series that I won't be continuing.

Genre - drama

Long Gone (Detective Annalisa Vega #2) by Joanna Schaffhausen

 Complicated police procedural and crime thriller featuring Chicago detective Annalisa Vega in the followup to GONE FOR GOOD.

Even more messed up than her personal life, Annalisa's job is also fraught with problems. Nobody on the force likes or trusts her since she turned in her own father, an ex-cop. Now she runs the risk of alienating everyone even further when she's assigned to investigate the murder of a another Chicago detective, Leo Hammond. Apparently Leo Hammond wasn't the great cop that everyone thought he was -- nor were his best buddies.  In addition, Annalisa is looking into a cold case that might also be linked to some malfeasance on Hammond's watch. As always, she goes looking for trouble and it always gets found.

This is a convoluted set of cases where there are multiple suspects with lots of secrets and lies that have gone unexposed for years. The truth is eventually revealed after Annalisa attacks both situations with her usual dogged enthusiasm. The words of her current boss describe Annalisa's character: "...blatant insubordination, legal violations, questionable judgments, and dangerous pursuits." Instead of admiration, Annalisa mostly elicited annoyance. It just seems such a trope that she constantly goes off on her own and puts herself and others in peril. Regardless, the complex investigation yields results and Annalisa doesn't get fired.

Although I did not like this as much as I'd hoped, it provided a couple of hours of entertainment. I am not sure if I will read further installments in this series.

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

This is the second in a series so works best if you have read the first one.

Genre - police procedural, crime thriller

The Final Equinox (Theo Cray and Jessica Blackwood #2) by Andrew Mayne

 A thrilling technomystery that focuses on the possibility of contact from another universe.

Theo Cray is a brilliant computational biologist who is invited by a billionaire to spend some time out in the desert at a super secret research facility. It seems that the highly regarded scientists there claim to have received some sort of signal from outer space. Is an intelligent species trying to contact and  communicate with Earth? Theo shares some of his concerns about the transmissions to his girlfriend, FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood, and she ends up joining him on his adventures as he tries to analyze and investigate the source.

This was quite interesting, but I confess that the theories, science, and math were way over my head even though the author does his best to try to make it relatable on a scale I could understand. I enjoy the duo of Theo and Cray working together and they certainly have the smarts to outwit any adversary. I probably would have liked this a lot more, as I did the first in the series, if it had been a plot that I found a bit more interesting. I admit, I was sort of hoping that there would be aliens and spaceships. In any event, the book was entertaining and I read it over a couple of hours. I would definitely give another installment a chance as enjoy the main characters. I like the author's writing style and I've definitely enjoyed the Underwater Investigation Unit series.

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

This is the second in a series featuring the two working together though there are separate series featuring each individually.

Genre - technothriller, mystery, science fiction

Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks

 A mystery with a heavy Christian theme.

Samantha Williams is living a quiet life when everything is upended after a car crashes into the school where she is working. When her identification disappears along with her purse and all those other important pieces of documentation, she’s left with no where to go until she is offered a place to stay at Clan Firinn along with a woman she met at the accident site. There she meets a hunky PhD, Dustin “Dutch” Van Seters and there is an instant mutual attraction. Before she can focus on romance, however, Samantha needs to figure out if the target is really her and why.

I just was not able to really get into this book and nearly put it aside. The characters seemed banal and insipid and I never felt that the actions of Samantha were believable. The plot was a bit thin and all the connections so hard to find convincing. I should have passed as it just didn’t have what I was looking for in a suspense thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this e-book ARC to read and review. I see that others liked it a lot more than I did. 

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

Genre - Christian mystery and romance

The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup

 Tense and dark, this suspense thriller will give you chills!

Set in Copenhagen where a serial killer is leaving behind a grisly scene that includes an odd doll made of chestnuts and matchsticks. They are calling him the Chestnut Man. The oddest part facing the police is that there is a fingerprint on the dolls that belongs to a young girl who had gone mussing in the prior year and was presumed dead.

Detectives Thulin and Hess are tasked with the investigation of the brutally murdered at the latest crime sites and the perpetrator has left no clues behind. This complex police procedural will lead them to an old mass homicide that started it all.

I really enjoyed this and it got me out of a slump as I could not bear to put this down. I loved the writing style and the complicated inquiries that the two main characters were involved in. The plot was intricate and the revelations were dangled slowly with all finally coming together in a very satisfying conclusion. The setting helped create the noir atmosphere and I definitely would like to learn more about Thulin and Hess because not much detail about either is related. There are plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing and I was pleasantly surprised throughout. I would definitely like to read more books by this author! Highly recommend.

Now I'm ready to see the series on television...

This is, right now, a standalone though I could see the potential of future installments with these characters.

Genre - nordic noir, suspense, police procedural, crime thriller

Back to the Garden by Laurie R. King

 Slow burning mystery thriller that might be the start of a new series.

Inspector Raquel Laing faces a complicated case with a sort of timer countdown. The police have a dying man in custody, The Highwayman, who may give them answers and names for a series of murders dating back 50 years. The intensity and pressure increase when a set of remains is found under the base of a huge statue that is being restored on the Gardener Estate. Could this be another of his victims?

The Gardener Estate, a vast property with a huge mansion and extensive formal gardens, has a long history in California. In the family for generations, it was briefly the site of a commune in the 70s when Rob Gardener inherited but had no interest in claiming material possessions for himself. Now, the  Estate has been lovingly restored to its former glory by a trust and managed by a board that includes one of Rob's cousins. The hippies have been long gone, but the bones indicate that it was one of them.

Told in a then and now format, the narrative introduces many interesting characters. Raquel learns a lot from the archivist on site and the historical records and photographs from the commune era and tries to find any of those who were there in the 70s to get answers. Although it was slow moving, things really start to pick up in the last fourth of the book and all is revealed in a satisfying conclusion. I found it quite interesting and think that there is much to learn about Raquel so wonder if there will be more novels featuring this character. This wasn't an intense, gripping suspense thriller but more a police procedural mystery.

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

This is a standalone and not, as yet, part of any series.

Genre - police procedural, mystery thriller

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

 An estranged family gathers for a birthday celebration in this gothic inspired locked room thriller.

The Darkers have not seen much of one another for years, but all agree to come to the remote family mansion, Seaglass, to celebrate Nana's 80th birthday. Sitting on a tidal island that is inaccessible except when the tide is out, the house has been in the family for centuries. All of them have spent a lot of time on this island, and most of that harboring secrets, telling lies, and carrying on in the most hideous ways. All is about to be revealed as the family is trapped during a storm. When they start dying, one by one, the truth is finally revealed.

I rate this 2.5 stars, rounding to 3 for the isolated setting and the gothic ambience. The story was a little bit harder to get behind as it moved slowly with arbitrary time shifts within the narration. I found all of the characters completely unlikable and I was able to suss out the upcoming twists fairly early on. I'm not particular fond of the devices or tricks used by the author and didn't enjoy this book as much as anticipated from reading other reviews.

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

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - gothic mystery thriller

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

 Fast and funny thriller with a twist of feminine rage.

Four women in their 60s have spent their lives as assassins under the umbrella of an organization that seeks to rid the world of the evil on the planet. Now, they are retiring and on a celebratory luxury cruise when they find out that they've been targeted for elimination. They are not going down without a fight and they intend to show their handlers just what women of a certain age can do.

The characters were a mix of personalities and motivations but their years of working together have cemented their friendship and protectiveness. It was really fun to read a book where all of the main characters were in their golden years and show they still had so much left from their experiences and skill sets. I liked their interactions and the teamwork they used to meet their end goal. I've read and loved several books by this author and, though they are historical fiction, this was a great departure from the usual with this thriller. I like her writing style and her sense of humor making this witty and quite entertaining.

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

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

Genre - mystery thriller