Hello, Transcriber (Black Harbor #1) by Hannah Morrissey

 Atmospheric police procedural is a stunning debut.

An aspiring writer takes a job at the Black Harbor police station to work as a transcriber. Hazel Greenlee is a troubled and introverted woman who is desperate to escape her life. When she becomes part of a murder inquiry and involved with Nik Kole, a detective assigned to the case, she feels that her real story is about to begin. As she writes details of the investigation into the novel she feels might just be her ticket out of Black Harbor, Hazel finds that she will do almost anything to make it real. Unfortunately, everyone lies.

The first thing that I must say about this book is that the writer is incredible. Her command of words makes the prose read like poetry. There are so many good lines within, I marked up the pages like a college student preparing for an exam. Although I didn't care much for the Hazel character, I did find her narrative quite compelling. The whole atmosphere of the town of Black Harbor was a great setting for this type of novel. I did learn a new word that I am dying to use -- hiraeth -- which is a Welsh term for describing a certain type of nostalgia: "longing for somewhere or someone who no longer exists as they were."

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I am going to read any future books by this author.

This is the first in a series of novels set in Black Harbor, Wisconsin.

Genre - mystery, police procedural, crime thriller, suspense

The Locked Door by Freida McFadden

 Riveting psychological thriller!

Dr. Nora Davis was 11 years old when she turned her father in to the police. Seems he was a phlebotomist by day and a serial killer by night. He kept his victims in the basement of the family home. Nora has come a long way in the past decade or so and has become a successful general surgeon. She's changed her name and kept the secret of her true identity. No one knows that she is the daughter of Aaron Nierling and he is safely tucked away in prison serving multiple life sentences.

Her lonely but satisfying life disappears on the day she hears that one of her patients has been murdered and mutilated in the same way that her father used as his signature. Suddenly it looks as if someone is trying to frame Nora and she's desperate to find out who is the copycat.

This was excellent writing and quite satisfying. I liked the main character and could empathize with her confusion. There were a couple of times that I thought Nora made bad or dumb decisions, but the narrative had plenty of red herrings to keep me guessing. It's definitely a book that begs to be read in a single sitting as it's hard to put down. This author is fast becoming one of my favorites. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen 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, serial killer

Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter

 Unique crime mystery that can't be missed!

This was such a fun read! I loved the style and format as it created an immersive experience making the reader feel totally involved in this true crime docudrama. One can review all sorts of different pieces of information such as: photos, reports, maps, emails, text conversations, and best of all -- the transcript of the TV series, Infamous, that is said to be streaming on Netflix. 

The premise: A specially selected group of experts is hired to analyze the evidence surrounding a cold case involving the murder of Luke Ryder in December, 2003. Twenty years have passed and no one was ever charged. Can the team figure out what happened on that winter night? 

This was twisty with a new revelation at every turn. I was able to guess parts of the true crime story but wrong about some aspects. I really enjoyed how the truth unfolded and the way the clever author chose to do it. I think it's best to read this in the shortest sitting possible to keep everything straight and to get the full appreciation of some of the discoveries, coincidences, and surprises. 

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

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

Genre - crime mystery, reads like true crime

Dissection by Cristina LePort

 Despite high praise from authors whose books I have enjoyed, this medical thriller was quite disappointing. I have taken note of those who wrote those blurbs...

The premise - a new invention is capable of transmitting sound waves via programmed chips that induce heart attack, stroke, and aortic dissection. The science (?) has come under control of bad actors from Iran and many people in high positions of government receive notes that warn them of an immediate health crisis. When they experience the deadly emergency and mostly die, there are only a handful of people who know what is happening and how to save the world from impending doom. 

OK, this was just not believable in any way even though it was written by a doctor. It veers between the medical and the political and both angles don't ring true. The characters were stereotypes, and the insipid romance aspect was another predictable but absurd component of the story. It went on far too long and the writing was such that it was obvious this was a debut. 

I am a medical thriller addict and did not find the science or suspense that I anticipated. I was not able to get an ARC, so ordered it from the local library. 

Not recommended. 

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

Genre - medical and political thriller

Manner of Death (Jack and Laurie #14) by Robin Cook

 Another hit in this medical mystery thriller series!

This is the 14th book featuring the husband-and-wife team of Dr. Jack Stapleton and Dr. Laurie Montgomery. Both work at the OCME in NYC where Laurie is the chief medical examiner. When Laurie tries to motivate a pathology resident by agreeing to let him do some research into several recent suspicious suicide deaths, she unknowingly spurs him to uncover a plot to cover up the nefarious activities of a medical practice that performs cancer testing. 

It's hard to keep a long-running series fresh and entertaining but Cook always manages to do so. I like his writing style and have really developed a relationship with his main characters after all these years having read all the installments. I feel as if I know them. The plots are always interesting, and I enjoy the medical detail. Always look forward to the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. Definitely start at the beginning. 

This is the 14th in a series that should be read from the beginning in order.

Genre - medical thriller

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

 Incredibly twisted psychological thriller that kept me glued to the pages until I finished. 

You never know at first when you meet someone that they will become the epitome of toxic and wreak havoc in your life. Podcaster Alix Summer has no idea when she meets Josie Fair on the night of their 45th birthday (they are birthday twins) that her world is about to take a horrible turn. When Alix starts working on a podcast with Josie, they are hoping that using Josie's interesting life as the subject will help Josie make the changes she needs to make. It doesn't work out that way. 

This was a fabulous, fun read with great main characters. The style of the narrative worked great with the plot and kept me on my toes guessing about the reliability of the story being told. All the while there is a buzz of trepidation as you anticipate that things are going to go bad quickly. This was a clever bit of writing and I love how the secrets and lies are tantalizingly revealed. 

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

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - psychological thriller

A Twisted Love Story by Smantha Downing

 Lots of drama in this psychological thriller.

Wes and Ivy have a crazy relationship that surely cannot be mistaken for real love. But they are definitely the pair that can’t live together and can’t be apart. For 10 years they have had their ups and downs, breaking up and getting back together way too many times to count. No one they know is a fan of them being a couple. But now a detective has them on her radar and it seems that there is major trouble coming their way.

I would have probably liked this roller coaster ride of a story better if I could have dredged up one iota of liking for any of the main characters. There wasn’t one redeemable soul found, and in my opinion, that made it impossible for me to care one way or the other about all that was going down. I didn’t relate to or understand anything of the decisions each made or the behaviors exhibited by anyone. Lots of lying and manipulation going on, with everyone having some sort of personal agenda. The writing is first rate to be sure, but the narrative and plot — along with the dodgy characters — just never put this story into the compelling read category. I was a little surprised by the ending, and how much I appreciated the direction taken. I’ve no doubt that this will hit the mark for many readers, but it just wasn’t all that for me.

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

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - psychological thriller, domestic drama

Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena

 Thrilling domestic drama will keep you guessing.

What happened to 9-year-old Avery Wooler on the day she disobeyed and came home alone from school? Her father, a respected local doctor arrives to find her there, and things don't go too well because Avery is a challenging, difficult child who doesn't realize what a horrible day he has had. When she's reported missing a few hours later, the Wooler family and the entire neighborhood are under suspicion. Who saw what? Secrets and lies create a very tense situation.

This was a fast and fun read and I really enjoyed it. The characters, none of whom I especially liked, were well-drawn and so very believable as the dramatic events unfolded. The family dynamics and relationships as well as the way that everyone was drawn into the investigation really makes for a cleverly written plot. The narrative flips between points of view so the reader can see how everyone is upended by what has happened. The twists were quite ingenious as the detectives focus on first one suspect and then another. 

I like psychological thrillers because they usually have less on-page violence and no plucky heroines fighting their way out of nearly impossible scenarios. I'm tired of grisly gore, serial killers, and other tropes of that nature so this was a really refreshing read that I needed. My only complaint about this book was the ending and of course I wanted more details on what happened afterwards. No spoilers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. This is one author that I definitely will be following.

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

Genre - psychological thriller, domestic drama

The Coworker by Freida McFadden

 This fast-paced psychological thriller was so much fun that I couldn't put it down and read it all last night in one sitting.

Mean girls, bullying, workplace competition, manipulative behavior, secrets, and lies. This will keep you guessing as you rip through the pages wondering what in the heck will happen next. The two main characters, Natalie and Dawn, are so well-drawn that your opinions of them will shift and flip several times through the narrative as each point of view is shared. No spoilers. 

You never know who you are working with and an office can be a hotbed of gossip and game-playing. Your coworkers might be quite different outside of the job to the way they act around their colleagues and the boss. If one of them suddenly did something completely unusual you likely would never dream that it might have something to do with you. 

Just go in without reading too much about the plot ahead of time and enjoy good storytelling and some crazy twists that you might not guess were coming. I certainly did. I was also so happy this was not part of a series but a standalone. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen 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

The Girl in the Eagle's Talons (Lisbeth Salander) Millennium series #7 by Karin Smirnoff

 Corruption and greed in Norrland.

Adverse weather compounds the difficult rescue of Lisbeth's niece's mother in northern Sweden. In addition, the criminals have their sights on the grandson of Mikael Blomkvist as they try to manipulate the boy's stepfather, Henry Salo. The plot focuses on the control of wind power and mining rights in Gasskas. 

This 7th in the Millennium series has been taken over by a new author, the first female to tackle the complex character that is Lisbeth Salander. I enjoyed reuniting with the old, familiar characters and meeting new ones, especially the niece, Svala. I thought the narrative moved forward at a good pace and enough backstory was included to remind the reader of people and places that might have been forgotten.

Lots of action and great descriptions of the setting made this an excellent continuation of a series that I've always enjoyed. I look forward to more installments as changes come for both Lisbeth and Mikael. 

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

This is the 7th book in a series that needs to be read from the beginning, in order. 

Genre - crime, mystery, thriller, corruption

Murder by Invitation (Lady Eleanor Swift #15) by Verity Bright

 What can a reader say about a series that has delighted from the beginning? The Lady Eleanor’s Swift cozy mysteries are such comforting fun.

Like returning to your hometown after a long absence, it’s always a great time to reconnect with friends and enjoy the familiarity of your special place. This 15th installment by husband and wife writing team with the pseudonym Verity Bright, hit the spot as always. The refreshing wholesomeness of good people in an earlier time period never fails to cheer me up. I love the interaction between Lady Swift and her butler and staff at Henley Hall in Little Buckford. 

While preparing for a village wide celebration of King George V birthday, Lady Swift and friends get caught up in a murder investigation. Joined by her new fiancé, Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, Eleanor is in her element assisting with the case. 

It was fun to see more of Hugh and hear more details about their relationship and engagement. Interested to see how everything progresses after they marry and hope they return to Henley Hall to do more sleuthing and crime fighting.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this e-book ARC to read and review. I no longer read a lot of series books, but this is one I can wholeheartedly recommend. 

This is the 15th book in a series that should be read from the beginning.

Genre - cozy historical mystery.

 

Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine

 Horror thriller dealing with a nightmare pregnancy.

After many attempts to conceive, IVF finally works for Anna Alcott and her husband, Dex. Almost immediately, things start going haywire. Anna is either completely mad, or she and her unborn child are in danger. 

This was a crazy and overly long book that I can’t believe I actually finished. I was ready to chuck it in fairly early as there was way too much going on inside of Anna’s head. Very repetitive with all the symptoms and having to ask myself if this was another hallucination or if Anna’s perceptions were off the charts. I am not a horror fan and I found the narrative slightly ridiculous. I didn’t care about Anna, her pregnancy, or the underlying theme of how difficult pregnancy is and how awful men and doctors are. My experience as a mother and a nurse completely contradicts the premise within the pages that women are supposed to suffer during pregnancy and childbirth. Not only that, but it is insulting to those wonderful OB docs, nurse practitioners, and others who support pregnant women. If you don’t have someone like that, go look elsewhere. You are master of your own pregnancy journey. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the e-book ARC to read and review. I can’t recommend it.

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

Genre - horror, thriller

Dead Mountain (Nora Kelly #4) by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

 An entertaining mystery involving nine missing mountaineers. 

What happened to the college students who went on a winter backpacking trip into the Manzano Mountains? Sure, conditions were brutal in the high New Mexico mountain range but they were experienced and well provisioned. Something made them flee from their tent out into a blizzard and certain death. A search and rescue effort found 6 of them -- with some disturbing injuries. The case went cold, and the FBI put it on the back burner. 

Years later, in a cave that also contained ancient remains of Pueblos, two additional bodies are recovered. FBI Agent Corrie Swanson and Nora Kelly, an archeologist, team up to investigate, examine the new evidence, and analyze the events of that fateful camping excursion.

I really love the writing style and these characters. This is the 4th in the series and although it could be read as a standalone, I think it best to read them all, in order. The unlikely pair of Corrie and Nora make a great team despite their personalities and different backgrounds. The combination of law and order with archeology is a good fit especially with historical mysteries. The plot and ensuing discoveries were quite interesting, and the pace was fast. Looking forward to the next installment.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. The entire series is excellent. 

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

Genre - mystery, suspense, thriller, FBI, archeology

Dark Corners (Rachel Krall #2) by Megan Goldin

 "Dark corners can be danger points."

Rachel Krall is drug into an FBI situation involving a missing influencer and a suspected killer behind bars. Rachel is a true crime podcaster whose recent fame has enhanced her reputation as an investigative reporter. She flies to Daytona Beach to visit the convict who's about to be released after an incarceration for breaking and entering -- they couldn't make a murder charge stick. But, Maddison Logan, the young woman who has disappeared, had visited him right before she vanished.

The first thing the reader must do is accept that the FBI would ask Rachel Krall to be involved in this case and provide her with all the pertinent details. I found that aspect a bit hard to swallow and so i did not like this second installment as much as I did the first as it just seemed too outlandish. Rachel was far removed from her podcast role. 

The plot was OK, the weirdness that was trimethlylaminuria was quite interesting (it's a rare condition that makes someone smell horrible, and is sometimes called fish odor syndrome). I did not find this to be much of a suspense thriller, more a mystery that sort of hopped and skipped all over the place. Not a fan of the instant romance either. Was never satisfied with the information finally revealed about the killer. 

Frankly, I was really bored by the influencer angle. I am sure others might disagree, but I am so over this constant self-obsession and the competition for followers and viral posts. What I think is really meant is that there is danger in the dark corners of social media. 

Will I read another installment in this series? Probably, but I sure hope that the author returns to the writing style and format with the podcasts, scripts, etc. that made the first better for me. 

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

This is the second installment in the series. I would read in order.

Genre - mystery, true crime podcaster, fiction

Drug of Choice by John Lange (Michael Crichton)

 Published in 1970 by medical student Michael Crichton under a pseudonym , this short novel was fast and fun. I’d read another of his earlier books, A Case of Need, years ago, and enjoyed it but had never before looked for other early titles by this author and filmmaker though I’ve long been an admirer of his work. 

The plot involves pharmacological substances used to alter reality and the protagonist, a young idealistic doctor, is sufficiently outraged by the effects and is determined to stop the experimentation. Lots of action propels the narrative and the momentum is not bogged down by a lot of scientific and medical detail that sometimes alienates some readers. Most of the characters are not memorable and the outcome is quite predictable, but the story is entertaining just the same. 

I love science fiction, medical details, suspense, drama, mystery, and crime. There were parts of this short novel that I would have liked to have seen better developed, but it was a one-sitting read and I may go hunt down others written during this time period that I missed after having read most all of Crichton’s later, more well-known works. Enjoy!

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

Genre - mystery thriller

Murder at the Village Fair (Miss Underhay #13) by Helena Dixon

 Another fun installment in this cozy mystery series.

Having read all the previous books, I can't imagine trying to read this out of order so do begin at the beginning so that you can fully appreciate the many different situations that Kitty Underhay - now Mrs. Matthew Bryant - has faced. 

It is summer, 1935, and the newly married couple is visiting Matt's aunt in Yorkshire. A village fair is underway when the festivities are interrupted by murder. The dead woman was not very popular in the community, so there are many suspects. Matt and Kitty are asked to investigate to protect the reputation of one of the local citizens. 

I enjoy the period details of this Golden Age murder mystery series and the writing style. The characters have become like old friends who are always great to visit. Easy to read and fun to guess who is guilty with no shortage of motives, means, and opportunity. 

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

This is the 13th in a series that should be read in order. 

Genre - Golden Age cozy historical mystery

Deliver Them From Evil (Camille Delaney #2) by Amanda DuBois

 Gripping medical mystery!

Although the second in the series featuring attorney Camille Delaney, this is the first I have read. That will definitely be rectified as I enjoyed this one so much that I will go back and read the introduction to the character. That said, this book can easily be read as a standalone. 

A tragedy in the delivery room -- a young couple loses their baby to what looks like medical malpractice by the obstetrician, Dr. Jessica Kensington. Although popular among her peers, Dr. Kensington has had more than one grieving family bring lawsuits against her. In addition, she has a really sketchy past and some creepy family history. 

Camille Delaney takes this case despite misgivings --after all, dead baby cases do not have huge payout settlements from insurance companies. As she gathers all the pertinent information, she finds financial struggles and loss of her paralegal to a higher paying job with a big-name firm in downtown Seattle. But one shocking revelation after another tells Camille that she is on the right track to obtain some sort of justice despite the inequities of the system. 

Thoroughly enjoyed the narrative and the characters. If you like a medical mystery based on unusual scenarios written by an author who is a nurse as well as a lawyer, you will like this book. I had no idea where this was going at first, but the resolution and wrap up were very satisfying. Definitely looking forward to continuing with a third installment. 

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

This is the second in the series.

Genre - medical mystery, malpractice, obstetrics 

An Evil Heart (Kate Burkholder #15) by Linda Castillo

 Another suspenseful thriller in this Amish mystery series.

Police Chief Kate Burkholder of Painters Mill is called out to a dirt road where she finds an Amish man dead from penetrating wounds, later determined to from a crossbow. As the investigation begins, no one has a bad thing to say about this 20-year-old who has been murdered in cold blood. As Kate and her colleagues continue to work the case, some disturbing information about the victim comes to light. Meanwhile, Kate is preparing for her upcoming wedding to Tomasetti. 

I've read all the prior books in this series and can't imagine this #15 as a standalone given all the backstory, but Kate Burkholder is a favorite character, and the plots are always complicated and interesting. I think the main draw to these books for me is the Amish angle. I find the details about plain life make this series stand out from most of the others with similar themes. I like the writing style and the police procedural aspect as well. Always look forward to the next installment.

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

This is the 15th book in a series that should be read in order.

Genre - mystery, suspense, crime thriller, Amish

Fear the Silence by Robert Bryndza

 This standalone mystery thriller never quite hooked me. 

Dr. Margaret (Maggie) Kendall, age 47, is a trauma surgeon at Guy's Hospital in London. When her husband, Will, is found shot dead in their fashionable home, Maggie can't believe the verdict is suicide. In her grief, she travels to Tisina, a small Croatian island, to stay in their vacation home while she sorts through things and comes to grips with her new situation. The main thing she needs to deal with is a mysterious letter written 6 years prior delivered to her by a solicitor engaged by Will -- that she knew nothing about. Apparently Will was keeping a huge secret and it's connected to a very powerful person in the UK government. 

I wish I could say this was exciting and suspenseful, but I can't. It all started out well and was, at least, fast-paced, but I could not believe how quickly the story turned into melodrama with Maggie in constant peril. Her escapades in Tisina and afterwards bordered on fantastical. The character, being a doctor, seemed quite clueless and dumb most of the time. Very one-dimensional other characters populated the narrative and much of the story was spent in Maggie's head. The "delusion" sequence put me off completely. In any event, this was definitely not my favorite. I've read all of Bryndza's other books and I hope he writes more of those. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for this e-book ARC to read and review. My recommendation is to skip it.

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

Genre - mystery thriller

Particles in the Air (Dr. Mallory Hayes #1) by Jenna Podjasek

 An exciting pandemic thriller.

If you like medical stories dealing with a viral disease that causes death in nearly 100% of exposed persons, this is the book for you. The first in a potential new series featuring CDC medical investigator Dr. Mallory Hayes is fast-paced and suspenseful as she and fellow heroes battle biologic terrorism in the wake of a devastating natural disaster occurring in Southern California. The horrific illness originates in a FEMA camp and the Army and other personnel immediately try to help the many displaced persons as the CDC tries to trace and quarantine the infected. As the virus spreads throughout populated areas in the USA, riots and the breakdown of safety and security management cause additional problems while the death toll and infection increase. Can this be stopped?

I really enjoyed this and hope to see more of Dr. Mallory Hayes even as I hate to get hooked into another series (I prefer standalones). I am a total sucker for anything medical combined with twists and true-to-life scares. I also like it when the good guys win. 

I borrowed this e-book from my local library and recommend it. 

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

Genre - medical thriller (viral pandemic) natural disaster

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

 I think that this phrase pretty much sums up this book -- Life stinks and then you die.

Three generations on two continents with so much sadness and tragedy. This story was almost unbearable to read. When it all comes together in the last several chapters, I admit I found it almost overwhelming to imagine the lives of those characters and all they suffered. I don't think this book is for everyone, and certainly at 736 pages requires an investment, but I am glad I finished it.

"It's the water that connects them all in time and space... This is the covenant of water: that they're all linked inescapably by their acts of commission and omission, and no one stands alone."

What a cast of characters -- all lovingly drawn in larger-than-life descriptions that make them real in the mind of the reader. You can't help but feel for them throughout their trials and ordeals with only the briefest moments of happiness. Spanning decades from 1900 to the 1970s, life in these parts of India is full of many contradictions. Religion, family, love, land, water, caste, politics, medicine, and leprosy are just a few of the themes that make up the narrative. It's an epic and truly a literary novel written by a master storyteller.

Do I recommend it -- yes. I will be thinking about this book for a long time and look forward to discussing it with my book buddies.

This is a standalone work of literary fiction and is not part of any series. 

The Bone Jacker (Temperance Brennan #22) by Kathy Reichs

 Another well-crafted installment in this entertaining crime thriller series.

How appropriate to read and review this ARC while in the midst of watching the show "Bones" from start to finish. I'm on Season 11 and can't help but shake my head as the characters on television are only loosely based on those in these books. And by that I mean, the books are so much better! In fact, I really like Tempe a whole lot more on paper. 

I'm a real sucker for medical details of any kind and I love that about this series. Since the author knows her field, it translates to excellent clinical descriptions. The main plot of this one grabs immediately -- Tempe is examining bones thought to be related to the disappearances of young, good-looking men on the islands of Turks and Caicos. The only thing the men have in common is that they came to this Caribbean paradise and vanished. In addition, Tempe rides along with a local detective to a really strange death scene: a luxury boat is floating near shore about 600 miles off course and all of the passengers are dead. Nothing is wrong with the boat's systems. None of the victims has obvious injuries. As usual, there are several different tracks of investigation going on and Tempe gets involved.

I always look forward to a new installment in the series, this being one of the few that I still try to keep up with. Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. 

Sure, you could read this as a standalone, but why? Try the previous 21 first!

Genre - crime thriller, mystery, forensics

Strange Gods by Peter J. Daly

 A murder mystery and thriller set in Rome and involving the leaders of the Catholic Church. 

Something is seriously wrong in the top echelons of the Catholic Church. When the Archbishop of New York is shot dead while performing a funeral, he becomes the 6th Cardinal to die in suspicious circumstances. Are these deaths connected and, if so, who is responsible?

The Vatican asks for help with an outside investigation, and Nate Condon, a young New York attorney, is recommended by Cardinal Michael O'Toole, the head of the Vatican's missionary office. Nate dutifully travels to Rome to begin asking questions and sussing out the situation. What he finds is a hornet's nest of lies, corruption, organized crime, and murder. 

This was excellent — and a totally unexpected read that was slipped into my TBR by a good friend. Not just for Catholics, but for anyone who is interested in the inner workings of the men who hold the most powerful positions in the Catholic Church. Although the plot is fiction, the descriptions and details of the lifestyles of those who run the business of the church are vivid and accurate. The dire situation currently confronting the Catholics has led to declining membership and loss of faith by many previous faithful. This would make a great novel for a book club as there are many aspects worthy of debate and discussion. 

I recommend it. 

This is a standalone and is not part of any series

Genre - mystery thriller, Rome, religion, Catholic Church, fiction

The Only One Left by Riley Sager

 "At Hope's End, the past is always present." 

3.5 stars rounded up.

This mystery thriller had more twists and turns than a wild rollercoaster! Just when you think you have finally gotten the real story and have figured it all out, there's a new disclosure taking you by surprise. The narrative definitely kept me glued to the pages as I tried to make guesses about the truth. I'd say I didn't quite predict it all.

With a menacing Gothic atmosphere, the house named Hope's End is practically a character itself. Once a magnificent cliffside mansion, it's now barely hanging on to the edge, teetering and threatening to tumble into the ocean below. It's where the murders occurred. 

In 1929, when the Hope family lived there, their wealthy peace was shattered when then 17-year-old Lenora Hope was thought responsible for the killing of her parents and younger sister, Virginia. Circumstances prevented an arrest or conviction, and Lenora never left the house again. No one knew what happened there that night.

Then, in 1985, Kit McDeere, a caregiver, is hired to give nursing care to Lenora, in her seventies, who is confined to her room and bed after a series of strokes has resulted in her needing assistance with activities of daily living. She cannot speak but she is able to "talk" with a typewriter. And... the tales she tells leave Kit reeling. But Kit is not sure she can trust what she's reading. 

No spoilers. Suffice to say that this was a fun, fast read. I grew to like Kit more as I got to know her better. The others in the story were also interesting as the layers of the past fall away in the revelations. 

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

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

Genre - Gothic mystery thriller

Murder in Manhattan (Lady Eleanor Swift #14) by Verity Bright

 A thoroughly entertaining Golden Age cozy mystery.

This delightful and easy to read series continues with installment #14 as Lady Eleanor Swift and her entourage arrive in New York after a harrowing transatlantic crossing. At first, Eleanor and Clifford are deluged with invitations to many lavish parties but all that changes when the doorman of her apartment building is killed in a hit-and-run. Eleanor knows this was no accident, but no one seems to care about justice. Then a wealthy businessman with a reputation for adultery is found dead in the street in a bad part of town. Eleanor knows these two deaths are connected but no idea who might be responsible. 

The action follows at a fast pace with the story a little darker than usual as corruption, vice, and greed expose the very seedy side of Manhattan. The interaction between the characters is fun and clever and the story has enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. This is one of the few series that I still try to keep up with as I enjoy the characters, the time period, and the historical details.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I do suggest that any prospective reader start at the beginning of the series and read the books in order.

This is the 14th book in a series that should be read in order.

Genre - cozy historical mystery, Golden Age

Zero Days by Ruth Ware

 Not the thriller I was expecting.

I was bored with this by the second chapter -- but I always try to finish something I've agreed to read and review. I should have DNF.

The plot is blah and predictable -- woman's husband is killed, she is a suspect, she tries to find out who killed him. Of course she succeeds. 

In this story, Jack (Jacintha) Cross is looking for the persons responsible for murdering her husband, Gabe. She can't trust anyone (and the reader will spot that immediately) and she's on the run enduring impossible scenarios of peril and being pursued by police. Her constant stream of internal dialogue, moaning and groaning, and repetitive thoughts drove me nuts. Without all the descriptive words used to describe her wound pain, how cold and tired she was, and how much she loved her husband -- well maybe this would have been a short story or novella. I found it boring.

Finished it, can't recommend it. Won't be rushing to obtain this author's next book.

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

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

Not really a thriller to me, mystery. 

A Killer’s Game (#1 Daniela Vega) by Isabella Maldonado

 Action-packed thriller pits an ex-Ranger against a criminal bent on revenge.

Dani Vega is currently an FBI agent working in New York when she sees an unusual assassination on the sidewalk. The dead man had political connections and soon the hit man has been turned into an informant and will need to work with Dani to uncover a wide-ranging conspiracy. Can Dani trust Toro? As they infiltrate a group of hired assassins to obtain the truth, they soon find themselves trapped in a game of survival. 

I was not expecting the events and narrative that this book provided. For some reason, I was reminded of Hunger Games and Squid Games instead of the actual spy story that I was prepared for. It was fast-paced and easy to read with few surprises. I didn’t feel any tension or suspense and I doubt I’d reach for another in this series. The main character, Dani, was quite stereotypical of the genre — at least there was no romance. 

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

This is the first in a series.

Genre - thriller, action, FBI, 

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies (#1) by Alison Goodman

 Absolutely delightful historical mystery!

I fell in love with Lady Augusta (Gus) Colebrook and her twin sister, Lady Julia, in the first chapter of this novel set in Regency London. Both are unmarried ladies of a certain age and have been dismissed by most of the ton as old spinsters. Despite their younger brother's efforts to control them, the ladies put themselves into the position of rescuing women in distress. Their adventures are both dangerous and require clever ruses to outwit those who would hinder their efforts. Along the way, Gus meets her new partner in peril, Lord Evan Belford, shortly escaped from his prison sentence and on the run from Michael Kent, of Bow Street. 

The plot was great, and the narrative was full of great details and dialogue. I liked the main characters and those associated with them as well. Truly an enjoyable read with just enough romance though the three different situations that Gus and her sister get involved in were dark, suspenseful, and dramatic. I believe this is the first in a new series that I will be following as I wait for the second installment with high anticipation. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. Don't miss this if you enjoy intriguing historical mysteries with unlikely heroines.

This may be the first in a new series!

Genre - historical mystery, suspense, Regency London, romance

I Will Find You by Harlan Coben

 Mystery thriller that requires more suspension of disbelief than I could manage.

A man serving a life sentence in prison is confronted with a photograph that suggests that the son he was convicted of killing is still alive. 

I haven't read Coben in some time despite really enjoying his first books. I picked this one to give the author another chance but ended up almost marking it DNF. The plot was riddled with so many holes and instances of ludicrousness that I was mostly shaking my head. I didn't care about the characters and the ending was so predictable -- it was only a matter of how far things would twist to get it done. 

In the end, the book met my every expectation. The story line was unbelievable and not at all compelling. I'm sure many Coben fans will disagree with me and that's fine -- to each their own. I won't be trying another. 

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

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre: mystery thriller

Rogue Justice (Avery Keene #2) by Stacey Abrams

 Compelling and suspenseful legal thriller.

"Sabotage, espionage, system disruption, and propaganda" propel the highest levels of government into near meltdown as an unknown and malignant entity comes under the radar of Avery Keene in this second book in the series written by former Georgia State Representative, Stacey Abrams.  

Avery Keene is a young law clerk for the comatose Justice Howard Wynn who is sidelined from her job after discoveries caused a political crisis that brought the President to impeachment proceedings. While cooling her heels attending seminars, she receives information about a deep fake video and some suspicious deaths. With little else to do while testifying in hearings related to the disgraced President Stokes, Avery starts digging. The brilliant Avery with her eidetic memory immediately sees the potential for devastating effects related to massive blackmail, tech hacking, and malware. It seems that the USA's "secret court" has been granting an unusual amount of surveillance requests. Something or someone very well-financed is poised to disrupt the nation in a spectacularly destructive fashion. 

This was fast-paced and extremely interesting with a twisty plot and clever revelations no doubt enhanced by Ms. Abrams having a great insider's perspective. I like the main characters previously met in the first book, and especially the way that Avery's mind works. The writing is excellent and the story so plausible. I suggest that any reader considering this read the first in the series before tackling this one. I look forward to the next installment.

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

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

Genre - legal, crime thriller, politics

Dogboy v Catfish by Luke Gracias

 An addictive page-turner of domestic drama and crime fiction.

Lindsay Kramer (AKA Dogboy) is the second husband of Katherine (Catfish) Fisher. Kath's first husband, and the father of her daughter, Emma, had died in Bangkok, but she found and married the wealthy Lindsay shortly after. Now after 18 months of marriage, and well versed in Australian law, Katherine visits a family law specialist to initiate a separation. Kath's behavior in the attorney's office is so unpleasant that Freya Keogh, wary and suspicious, ultimately declines to pursue the case. It's then that Lindsay goes missing. 

This conniving woman is not the mourning wife that she pretends to be on social media. She's got her fingers in a lot of, shall we say, illegal business interests. But, thinking she is much smarter than the police, she attempts to carry on her activities involving drugs, money laundering, and counterfeit designer goods. She leads all on a merry chase with the big question always there -- where is Lindsay? 

This was great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Found it hard to put down as I wanted to see how this would all end. So different to this author's previous two books, I was a bit nervous about reading this one since I had really loved the others. No worries. The characters were great, and it was easy to root for the good guys all the while wondering how Australia can have what seems to be terribly unjust divorce and property laws. The details about the scam were intricate and extremely interesting and the reader can tell that the author did a lot of research as always. I liked the writing style and the clever plot. Enjoy!

I definitely recommend this one!

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

Genre - domestic drama, crime fiction

The Lie Maker by Linwood Barclay

 Fast and fun, a thriller with some great twists.

Many years ago, Jack’s father was put into the Witness Security Program after testifying against his former boss. Although Jack Givens and his mother could have gone with him, they did not and rebuilt their lives. Jack, however, has always missed his father and has channeled his emotional pain into writing. When he’s approached by a US Marshal to write backstories for people in the protection program, Jack begs Gwen to help find his dad.

The narrative introduces the reader to several different characters whose presence in the novel is not initially clear but it all comes together as revelations and discoveries are made. The main characters are well-developed and Jack was certainly a likeable protagonist. I always enjoy Barclay’s writing style and plot lines. Found this one hard to put down. 

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

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

Genre - suspense thriller

Intrigue in Istanbul (Jane Wunderly #4) by Erica Ruth Neubauer

 Historical mystery set in and around Istanbul in 1926.

Jane Wunderly and her new fiancé, Redvers, are on a mission to track down her father before their row house in the USA is repossessed by the bank. Her father is abroad, apparently determined to find an ancient Ottoman relic — the lost heart of Sultan Suleiman. Unfortunately, they can’t find Jane’s father and are being stalked and watched as they travel from Turkey to Hungary in search of Henry. Jane and Redvers are joined in their adventures by her Aunt Millie and Lord Hughes. Another surprise for Jane awaits along with danger on the Orient Express.

This was the 4th in series and the first I’ve read. I admit I wasn’t enamored with the characters and find Jane quite irritating for several reasons — mostly she seemed immature. I doubt I will go back to the beginning installment and not sure if I will read another in the future. The details about the places and such were interesting, but the story just was not that exciting or compelling and very predictable.

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

This is the 4th in a series.

Genre - historical mystery

Fit to Die by Daniel Kalla

 Contemporary issue in a fast-paced thriller.

What price are you willing to pay to lose weight and be fashionably thin? Are you willing to die to be fit? Detectives in LA and Vancouver are racing to find the supplier of diet pills and supplements that contain DNP -- a weight loss agent that has significant toxicity. 

The son of a senator and a social media influencer are found dead due to overdose of the toxin DNP, a deadly chemical that was once used as an explosive agent during WWI. When more body builders and people with eating disorders come to emergency rooms with high fevers and uncontrollable seizures, the hunt is on to find out where those people are getting DNP and to stop the supply chain. 

This was another great read by an author who has become a favorite of mine. He always finds an issue that needs to be addressed and I love the medical aspects and details. The characters in this were not really as well developed but the focus was on the drug and its effects as well as shedding light on the difficulties in managing eating disorders. Many people have an obsession with fitness and weight so definitely a timely topic -- and who doesn't want a fast and easy way to shed those extra pounds. Unfortunately, there is no method that works like that, and definitely it's not one that is healthy. 

Thank you to the publisher for granting access to this ARC for me to read, review, and recommend. Looking forward to Kalla's next book. 

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

Genre - medical thriller, drug abuse, weight loss, eating disorders

The Marriage Act by John Marrs

 Excellent speculative fiction that will make you pay much closer attention to what's going on in the tech industry and the political arena.

In the near future, in Britain, The Sanctity of Marriage Act is law. Everything possible is done to encourage marriage and those who sign up are rewarded while those who refuse are punished. Everyone is strongly urged to marry and to get the maximum benefits by agreeing to a Smart Marriage. A wide chasm between the haves and have-nots has formed and growing larger every day. The government controls the lives and relationships of those citizens and monitors them 24 hours a day. Several couples whose activities and communication indicate that they are in trouble will soon learn just how far the proponents will go and how impossible it is to escape. 

This was super good and I really enjoyed it. It is sort of a companion to the previous novels by this author, The One (DNA love match), and The Passengers (autonomous vehicles). The character development was excellent, and the writing style and pace were perfect. I had such a powerful reaction to the situations that occurred in the novel and fearful about how much of the plot could be taken from the headlines today. Scary stuff here. As someone who is very leery of AI and its potential for misuse, my fears were not alleviated but heightened. I am already also concerned with government intrusion and overreach into personal and private life. This was all too believable and the absolute chill I felt while reading the last paragraph was undeniable and alarming. 

What a great discussion this would create for book clubs and I highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press for this e-book ARC to read and review. Don't miss it!

This is a standalone but a companion to the two novels mentioned in my review. It is not absoltely necessary, however, to have read them. 

Genre - speculative fiction, thriller, futuristic, 

Murder at the Beauty Pageant (Miss Kitty Underhay #12) by Helena Dixon

 Exciting installment in this cozy mystery series.

It's springtime, 1935, and newlyweds Kitty and Matt are settling in to married life and their joint detective agency operations. Despite her protestations, Kitty is busy helping Mrs. Craven organize a beauty pageant for the royal jubilee celebrations when she and Matt are asked to investigate a particular friend of the stepdaughter of a famous Egyptologist. On the day of the pageant, one of the pageant contestants is found dead -- but no one seems too broken up about it. Seems that no one really cared much for Peggy Blaine. Why? As revelations about the young woman's behavior and character come to light, there is no shortage of suspects. Kitty and Matt involve the police and find out more, and there is another death -- yet another of the pageant competitors. What is going on?

This was one of the more exciting episodes in this great series that I have followed since the beginning. Drugs, theft, blackmail, romance, sex, pregnancy -- dripping with scandal. I highly recommend all of the books to anyone who enjoys a solid historical cozy mystery. It has great characters with juicy stories and lots of period detail. Definitely you'll want to start from the beginning as the installments really aren't meant as standalones. Looking forward to the next one!

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

This is the 12th in a series that should be read in order from the beginning.

Genre - bozy historical mystery, 1935, Dartmouth

Blind Spots by Thomas Mullen

 Science fiction plus crime/detective story is original and unsettling. 

When everyone in the world lost vision and became totally blind in a matter of months, the chaos and destruction resulted in a tremendous loss of life and an uncertain future for all who struggled to survive. Eventually scientists and business interests were able to restore sight through an invention known as the vidder. Implanted on the side of the head and able to interact with the brain, these devices gave people the ability to see again. As life returned slowly to something approaching normal (much like we experienced during and after the coronavirus pandemic), Detective Mark Owens makes a startling discovery. Someone is manipulating the vidders. What happens to world order when you can't trust what you see?

A unique concept developed into a narrative that was quite entertaining and interesting. I enjoyed the story even though it mostly played out as expected. I tend to like dystopian scenarios and this did not disappoint. The pace was good and there was plenty of action and a wide variety of characters. I could see this easily as a film adaptation. 

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

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

Genre - crime fiction, dystopian, science fiction, detective

To Catch a Storm by Mindy Mejia

 Winter ice storm in Iowa. An atmospheric physicist. A psychic. A missing husband. 

Dr. Eve Roth is desperate to find her husband, Matthew Moore, whose car was found burning in the parking lot next to the woods. His disappearance is just the beginning of an action-packed search for the missing and answers to many questions. She's assisted by Jonah Kendrick, a psychic, who claims he has the ability to dream of the lost. He's on a mission of his own, looking for a young woman he says is trapped in a barn -- the same one that now holds Matthew. 

This is fast and enjoyable especially if you are able to suspend disbelief. The narrative shifts between points of view as the story unfolds with some twists here and there. I see that this may be the first in a new series, so I may have to check out the next installment though I typically don't care for mysteries to have any paranormal elements. I love science and facts and those details in this book were quite interesting. I was surprised at the direction it took with the reveal of the "why" and also of who was responsible. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for this ARC to read and review.

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

Genre - mystery, action, science, drugs, murder

Bones on Ice (17.5 Temperance Brennan) by Kathy Reichs

 A forensic investigation into the death of a body returned from Mount Everest reveals a shocking crime.

I'm a huge fan of this series and have read most all of the books yet had not heard about this novella. I just finished another book that had lots of details about the hazards and peril of summiting Everest, so this added to the fun factor with additional facts that always pique my interest. Climbing that mountain is extremely hazardous and the survival rate is such that many dead remain frozen in place, never to be recovered. Fascinating even if you aren't planning a trek or climb.

Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist, is asked to confirm the identity and cause of death of a mummified and frozen corpse for a wealthy Charlotte family who believes it may be their daughter. The body was recently recovered from Mount Everest after an earthquake allowed retrieval. What was meant to be a quick favor turns quickly when Dr. Brennan finds evidence that the death of this young woman was no accident.

A fast and fun mystery with lots of forensic detail. I borrowed it from the library and enjoyed it. This can be read as a standalone as the focus is really in the particulars of this case and not much character development.

This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.

Genre - mystery, medical, forensics

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