One of Our Own by Lucinda Berry

 This is the type of psychological thriller that is impossible to put down even though you know what is coming. The predictable narrative line unfolds as expected, but along the way you will feel every emotion and hope that you are wrong about the story. 

When Felicia gets the late-night call at the local crisis center, she has no idea that this is the beginning of the end of her own quiet life in a small Wisconsin town. The caller is a young girl who wants to kill herself after being sexually assaulted by older boys at her private school. The video the boys made is beyond humiliating. Felicia defies protocol and gives the girl her private phone number and becomes obsessed with trying to help her. Against every logical analysis, Felicia becomes concerned that her only child, Hunter, a junior at the same school, might know something about this crime. 

So good, so sad. A quick listen as it is a novella and I stayed up late to finish because I had to know. Loved the narrators and the entire production of this audiobook as it was quite well done. 

Got my copy from the local library. Only available on audio. 

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - psychological thriller, domestic drama, sexual assault

Kill for Me, Kill for You: A Novel by Steve Cavanagh

 Suspenseful and unputdownable psychological thriller -- don't miss this one!

Two emotionally traumatized women, Amanda and Wendy, meet in a bereavement group and devise what they think will be a foolproof plan for them to get revenge and justice. On the other side of New York City, Ruth is the target and victim of a home invasion that she barely survives. 

This was fast, fun, and based in part on the premise of Patricia Highsmith book, Strangers on a Train. After the women come to an agreement, the action escalates, and the story takes off. Finely and deftly plotted, this is a book that kept me glued to the pages as I read while also listening to the audiobook. The characters were interesting and well-developed as their emotions and reactions to their past experiences are explored. I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a twisty and shocking murder mystery. I was almost holding my breath until the end. 

Thank you to Atria Books for the e-book ARC to read and review and to my local library for the audiobook. This would make a great TV series or movie.

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

Genre - psychological thriller, suspense, murder mystery

Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter by Nicci French

 Compelling family drama and mystery.

Charlotte Salter never made it to her husband's 50th birthday party in 1990. Her children almost immediately called the local police but no trace of her was ever found. Although her husband was initially a suspect, another death in the area convinced them that the case was solved despite never finding Charlotte. The absence of their mother destroyed the lives of the Salter children. 

Thirty years later, the two brothers whose father had ostensibly committed suicide because of his affair with Charlotte, are making a podcast about the lack of closure between the Salter and Ackerly families. Will this media attention finally bring the answers they need?

This was a slow burning and very well written mystery with lots of red herrings and great characters. I kept trying to guess at what must have happened but never got the right answer and so was surprised at the denouement. And kind of bummed. The audio narrator did a good job and I enjoyed listening to her as I followed along in the e-book. 

Normally I don't want books in series, but I really feel that the character of London Detective Inspector Maud O’Connor was fascinating and I'd love to read more about her. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for advance copies of this book.

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

Genre - family drama, crime, mystery

A Death in Venice (Lady Eleanor Swift #17) by Verity Bright

 A murder interrupts a vacation in this cozy mystery. 

Lady Swift and her household are on a grand tour when they stop in Venice. While gliding along the canals in a gondola, Eleanor and her butler, Clifford, witness a murder. Of course, they get involved and uncover a longstanding family feud reminiscent of Romeo and Juliette. Can they save the day and let true love prevail.

I was a bit disappointed in this installment. It was quite like a tour guidebook about Venice, which is interesting enough, but the actual plot and the murders and their involvement seemed a bit too far-fetched. I missed the usual funny banter between Ellie and Clifford. For some reason, it all just seemed off from the usual stories in this series. Truth told; it was sort of boring. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I really have enjoyed this series and have read all of the books and hope for a return to the usual in the next volume. 

This is the 17th in a series that should be read from the beginning, in order.

Genre - cozy golden age mystery, historical fiction

The Deep by Nick Cutter

 Shocking and utterly depressing horror.

Not normally my cup of tea, but I was intrigued by the plague that was destroying the normal lives of humans worldwide. It was causing people to forget things and eventually they forgot to breathe and died. Searching for a cure, scientists have gone to the deepest part of the ocean to study a substance that has been found that they hope will help. 

A veterinarian, Lucas (Like) Nelson, receives a message that the deep-sea station 8 miles below has gone dark and the scientists there incommunicado. His brother, the brilliant Dr. Clayton Nelson wants him and is down there in the Trieste working with two other men on their discovery. Luke is meant to go down and find out what is going on. He will soon be very sorry he did.

This was crazy descriptive with all kinds of hideousness. I recommend no one read this alone, late at night, without all the lights on. I both listened to the audiobook and read along, and all the icky stuff is within. The dreams are nightmares, and the waking experiences mostly match. it was all quite too much, and I kept going hoping that something good would come of it. 

I ended up being a bit disappointed because the whole plague thing fizzled out and was never really part of the plot in the end. Every type of grossness imaginable in this book. 

Thanks to the publisher for the e-book and I got the audio version from the library. The narrator was quite apt with the voices and the many different sounds and noises.

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

Genre - horror, psychological thriller

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

 Contemporary suspense — fast and fun!

Once upon a time, three little girls from difficult family situations came to live with a beautiful young princess at Wild Meadows, a country estate in a small town in Australia. Unfortunately, the princess was not a good foster mother, and her darling girls just could not please her. In fact, mummy was a monster.

Told in a shifting timeline between past and present, and with the narrative alternating points of view between Jessica, Alicia, and Norah, the story is engrossing and keeps you guessing. Each girl was affected differently by their time spent with Miss Fairchild. What was always obvious was how the trio had formed such strong bonds of sisterhood and continually looked out for one another long after their shared experience at the house. 

I really liked the writing style and the way the characters told their truth. I enjoyed how the details were revealed and the way the secrets and lies were exposed. I both read the e-book ARC and listened to the audiobook version of this novel and highly recommend it. 

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reader copies. 

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

Genre - contemporary fiction, drama, thriller, suspense

Dark Dive (Underwater Investigation Unit #5) by Andrew Mayne

 Don't miss the latest in this crime thriller series.

Are you a fan of crime thrillers and mysteries but looking for a unique approach? Look no further, as the members of the Underwater Investigation Unit in Florida are investigating unusual cases below the surface. Their specialty is diving for exploration, body retrieval, crime scene analysis, and other bad stuff that can be discovered in the depths. From canal to ocean to sinkholes in the marshland, the squad is on the job. 

In this 5th installment, Sloan McPherson and her partner, Scott Hughes, are searching for a friend of hers, another diver, who has gone missing. Fred Stafford was apparently checking out isolated ponds or sinkholes, but his truck and some gear is found with no sign of him. When they start checking into what he might have been doing before he vanished, they find something really odd in a secret storage shed.  Seems he's gotten himself mixed up in something quite unexpected. 

I enjoyed this one as Sloan actually gets to use some of her archeology background knowledge. As always, the details of the dive experiences are interesting, and the reader feels as if alongside them. Although not a diver myself, I find the descriptions of the hows and whys quite absorbing. There was an instance where a line of the plot simply went nowhere, but other than that, this was a solid c narrative that kept me engrossed. I'll continue on in this series and do think it should be read in order. I like the characters and the changes they go through in their work and personal lives. 

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

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

Genre - mystery, crime thriller, diving, archeology

Mother of the Bride by Samantha Hayes

 Predictable domestic drama.

Liz and her new fiancé, Owen, are visiting her mother to announce the news of their engagement. Intending to keep their pregnancy secret, they tread lightly around Liz's erratic and unstable mother. Poor Liz can't bring herself to share stories about her mother with Owen as her childhood was difficult. Liz is uncomfortable being back in the house where she grew up, but is happy to see her sister, Shelley, and dad again. All have been treading lightly and carefully around the mom for years. Now she wants to play mother of the bride in earnest and is determined that she will organize Liz and Owen's wedding at the beautiful local church. What can go wrong? None want the reminder of what happened when Shelley tried to get married last year. 

Again, a very predictable plot with all the tells being easy to see from the start. The characters were stereotypes and mostly their thoughts and behavior were very irritating. It always seems that they deliberately close their eyes to the most obvious of signs that there are things amiss. The climax was exactly as anticipated and the outcome as I expected. It's a fast read, though, so it will likely keep some entertained for a couple of hours. 

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC e-book and audiobook as I both read and listened. 

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

Genre - domestic drama

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

 A totally over-the-top hot mess of a psychological drama and thriller.

A young married couple are teachers at a local high school. Nate teaches English and Eve's subject is math. It's the start of a new school year, and Eve is dismayed to find that one of her students, Addie Severson, was the cause of a scandal that had resulted in the firing of a faculty member. That girl is trouble. But is she the only problem at Caseham High?

Oh, the story here is beyond explaining without giving away all the spoilers and twists. Suffice to say that every single character is repressible and deplorable in his/her own way. This has every trigger from pedophilia, sexual abuse, grooming, alcoholism, academic dishonesty, murder, bullying...and just for fun, the author tossed in a shoe fetish. 

As the narrative progresses, plot holes develop that will make you just shake your head. I both listened to the audio version (excellent voice narrators by the way) and read along with the e-book ARC. The reader is tantalized by the entertainment and shock value alone, always wondering what in the world these unbelievable characters will do or say next. The climax and conclusion were off the charts nuts and the final twist was one that almost made me throw my kindle at the wall.

Should you read it? Well, it is fast paced and keeps you hooked because you just can't wrap your head around all that is going on. But the subject matter might offend many with the whole cliche of inappropriate student and teacher relationships in the worst ways possible. 

I received an ARC compliments of the publisher and got the audiobook from my local library. 

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

Genre - psychological drama and thriller, child sex abuse

The Princess of Las Vegas by Chris Bohjalian

 Intrigue and drama in sin city...

Crissy Dowling has a residency at the second-rate Buckingham Palace Casino in Las Vegas where she spends most nights of the week doing two shows as a Diana impersonator. She's spent years becoming Diana and has really embraced her character. Crissy isn't very social and spends her days poolside, drinking or dropping some pills, in a cabana that she has earned as one of her perquisites. She's not close to her younger sister, Betsy, and so is stunned to hear that Betsy has adopted a teenage girl and is moving out to Las Vegas to take a job with her current boyfriend, Frankie. Betsy's job is ostensibly as a secretary for a company that intends to make cryptocurrency big in the city. Unfortunately, they are most likely gangsters and bad things start to happen. 

After a very slow start and lots of boring information about fintech and crypto, this got a little more exciting toward the very end -- even if most of what happened was fairly implausible. I didn't care for the Diana angle nor the way the narrative was obviously speaking the author's opinions about the royal family. That whole aspect of the novel had so little to do with the actual plot.  That said, the other angle, the Vegas mafia, is also not of interest either. I never grew to like any of the characters and the conclusion was quite predictable. 

I've found the Bohjalian novels to be hit or miss with me and this one was the latter. It took me forever to read because I just never got fully vested in the story. Was glad to finally finish.

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

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

Genre - drama, crime, murder, gangsters

Granite Harbor: A Novel by Peter Nichols

 Mystery thriller set in Maine.

The setting for this novel is the fictional small coastal town of Granite Harbor. With a population of 5000, the unusual novelist turned only detective on the police force, Alex Brangwen, hasn't had much exposure to real crime and definitely not murder. It seems that there is a serial killer hidden in plain sight in the area and the targets are teenaged boys. 

A ton of characters are introduced, and it takes a while to keep them straight. I personally did not care for any of the adults (parents, townspeople) and really disliked the depiction of the 16-year-old teens in the book. It baffles me how parents do not seem to have any ability to monitor and appropriately discipline and guide their adolescents (not just in this book but in many I seem to read). Of course, most of these adults are messed up too. Anyway, I was put off by the descriptions and activities of the characters which made me less inclined to worry too much about them running around making dumb decisions. 

The plot, with a deranged and obviously weird serial killer whose history we get glimpses of, sort of drug on. As the small police force, along with temporary help from an FBI agent, struggles to align the few clues to identify a suspect, the parents who know there is someone in their town who is a bad actor, should be locking down their kids. There's some strange ritual stuff with animals and a bit of supernatural clairvoyance that sort of made me tune out. 

Anyway, not one I will enthusiastically recommend as it really did not live up to the blurb description. 

I both read the e-book and listened to the audio production. The narrator was OK. Thanks to the publishers for those ARC copies. 

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

Genre - mystery thriller, crime, suspense, serial killer

Devil's Bridge (Alexandra Cooper #17) by Linda Fairstein

 A different perspective in this 17th book of the Alexandra Cooper series.

After one of her cases blows up in court, Alexandra Cooper goes missing. She had left her friends at a local bar and restaurant and then vanished before she could get into the Uber she'd called. The NYPD and the DA's office all get involved in the search with Mike Chapman nearly going of the rails with concern and worry. What has happened and who has taken their beloved friend and colleague? The entire cohort is stymied, and every criminal connected to Alex is a possible suspect. There are a lot of possibilities.

This was my least favorite of all the books I've read in this series. I did not care for the main voice in this story to be that of Mike Chapman with Alex putting in only a cursory appearance at the beginning. I missed all the legal and courtroom drama -- one of the main reasons I read these novels. The plot got really bogged down with a lot of historical detail that was basically irrelevant, especially when it got to the Irish criminal aspects and the connection to Chapman. The whole scenario and reason for Alex's disappearance was just not very compelling. I actually don't care that much for Mike Chapman despite the fact that now he and Alex are in a romantic relationship. It just doesn't seem like a match made in heaven to me. Regardless, I thought the whole last half of the book was actually rather boring. 

One thing I did enjoy was the audio version due to the skills of the narrator. The male/female voices and the accents were really well done making each character stand out clearly. 

I will likely read future installments hopeful that the story lines will return to the typical legal thrillers they were in the past. 

This is the 17th in a long running series. Although it can be read as a standalone, it is best to read the books in order.

Genre - legal, crime thriller

Formats: Audiobook from library; ARC from NetGalley 

Black Wolf: A Novel (#2 Antonia Scott) by Juan Gomez-Jurado

 Exciting and fast paced, this suspenseful crime thriller is the second in a series featuring the enigmatic, brilliant Antonia Scott and her squire, Inspector Jon Gutierrez. 

The duo works behind the scenes in Spain as part of the secret Red Queen project. They are assigned to the most difficult cases and try to stay within the boundaries of the law. After a harrowing pervious job, they are again sent into a delicate situation involving the mafioso. Yuri Veronin, a man known for his money laundering expertise, is found brutally murdered in Costa del Sol and his pregnant wife, Lola Moreno, is on the run after an attempt is also made on her life. The Russian cohort is hot on her trail and even call in the notorious contract killer, the Black Wolf. Antonia and Jon are meant to find Lola first. It seems that there is a lot of double crossing and profit skimming going on and no one is to be trusted. 

I really rated the first two books in this series and can't wait for the third installment. I like the short chapters and the writing style. I both listened to the audiobook and read along with the e-book so I could fully appreciate the nuances and also helped with the fact that I am not fluent in Spanish. I love the characters of Antonia and Jon and they make quite an unusual pair. Appreciate so much that there is no romance and enjoy each of their personalities and quirks. The story line is great and there are some surprises along the way. Definitely some dark humor as well. 

The audio was a superb production and I absolutely love the narrator, Scott Brick. He has the most wonderful voice and gave life and individuality to all of the characters he voiced in this novel.  

I am recommending this series to everyone who likes a good crime thriller and am thankful for receiving the ARC audiobook and e-book from the publishers. Looking forward to the next, White King. 

Also -- there is an adaptation of the first book in this series, Red Queen, on Prime right now and I sure hope to see this one there as well. 

This is the second in the Red Queen series. Read in order.

Genre - mystery thriller, crime, mafia, Russia, Spain 

Murder Road by Simone St. James

 Paranormal mystery thriller.

April and Eddie Carter, recent newlyweds in the summer of 1995, are on their way to Five Pines Resort for their honeymoon when they take a wrong turn off the Interstate and end up on a deserted road named Atticus Line. Suddenly, they spot a young woman walking along and stop to ask her if she needs a ride. When she gets into their backseat, April notices that the woman is bleeding and they rush her to a local hospital in Coldlake Falls. That’s when their plans are completely derailed. 

The woman dies and suddenly April and Eddie are suspects. Turns out that this is not the first murder on that road. There have been 6 known victims over the past 19 years. Since they are not allowed to leave town, April and Eddie start looking into these strange, linked cases. 

I enjoyed this well enough but somehow missed the word, paranormal, in the description when I requested it from NetGalley. I can’t bend my rational, pragmatic mind enough to buy into this aspect of a murder mystery investigation that is beyond scientific reasoning. The plot was interesting if predictable, and I did like April and Eddie as the main characters. I’ve no doubt it will prove popular among readers who will more enjoy this creepy tale with its haunting elements. 

Thank you to the publisher for granting access to this title to read and review. 

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

Paranormal mystery thriller 

Extinction: A Novel by Douglas Preston

 Suspenseful and thrilling mystery adventure!

High up in the Colorado Rockies, deep in a beautiful valley, lies the immense Erebus Resort. It draws the most exclusive guests and gives them the unique opportunity to explore and view formerly extinct animals. When a honeymooning couple is kidnapped, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation sends Agent Frances (Frankie) Cash to liaise with county sheriff James Colcord and the Erebus security team to find out what happened to the wealthy newlyweds. 

The usual characters are all there with it immediately obvious to see the malevolence and conceit of the bad guys and the righteous clarity of those pursing answers. There is lots of action and I found this impossible to tear away from. I was lucky enough to have both e-book and audio review copies and I found it all great fun in the vein of other wildly popular books written in a similar fashion. If you liked "Jurassic Park" or "The Great Zoo of China", you would also love this one. I wish, however, that just once, these resorts would be successful and provide us all with some sort of validation for continuing to pursue these scientific advances with DNA. It would be such a cool vacation. 

This novel explores the science of de-extinction and the ethical and legal consequences of gene manipulation. As always, the author's extensive research and understanding of the topic lends credibility to the story. In addition, the social implications of messing with thousands of years of evolution. Preston is an excellent writer and I always enjoy his books. 

Lastly, any movie producer should be vying for the rights to bring this to the big screen. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with advance copies to review and recommend. 

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

Genre - adventure, mystery, thriller, genetic manipulation, extinction

A Grave Robbery (Veronica Speedwell #9) by Deanna Raybourn

 Enjoyable historical mystery and adventure.

There are not too many books that are classified as historical fiction that are fast and fun. With this series, it’s the witty repartee between Veronica and Stoker and their friends JJ and Mornaday that makes me actually laugh out loud sometimes. 

A beautiful young woman’s body is found, perfectly preserved and resting in a glass casket. Who is she? The plot thickens as the group investigates the strange case and the villain’s murderous intentions become clear. 

I love the details in this series and the characters have become like old friends that I can’t wait to visit. The grounds of the estate, the little folly buildings, the daily activities of Veronica and Stoker as they do their various jobs taking care of Lord Rosemorran’s various collections and treasures. So many interesting bits of natural history and relevant particulars around the time period. Sure sometimes Stoker seems like a pouty baby, but all is forgiven because he’s buccaneer hot. They have a lovely, steamy romance where all the bedroom action is off page. Veronica is impetuous and daring and definitely not a typical woman of her era — the late 1800s. It all makes for an entertaining read. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. If you are looking for a fun historical mystery series, this is a good choice. Be sure to start at the beginning.

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

Genre - historical fiction mystery and adventure late 1800s London

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer

 Predictable novel about the relationship between a sentient female robot and her human owner.

Doug owns his cuddle robot, Annie. She’s meant to satisfy his every need as a companion, a housekeeper, and a girlfriend. He trains her to be what he wants and to respond to his moods. Meanwhile, Annie’s AI is developing and changing as her mind expands and grows as she adjusts to life with him and the world she’s allowed to explore. 

I enjoyed this well enough until the last part when it went in exactly the direction I was hoping it would not go. So ended up feeling let down despite initial promise that this would be original and unique compared to all the other human and robot books. 

The narration was good but the ultimate conclusion disappointed. 

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook to listen to and review. 

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

Genre - sci fi, human plus robot relationship

Murder by Lamplight (Dr. Julia Lewis #1) by Patric McDonough

 Excellent historical murder mystery.

Dr. Julia Lewis is a rarity in Victorian London — a lady physician. It is 1866 and the city is in the midst of a terrible cholera epidemic. Meanwhile, a killer is targeting his victims in a seamy part of town. Inspector Richard Tennant of Scotland Yard finds himself needing Julia’s medical services as he attends the crime scenes. 

I found this to be extremely well researched and very interesting with all of the historical details of that time period. I love mysteries with a medical bent and with a strong female protagonist. I really liked the characters of Dr. Julia and Inspector Tennant and hope to see more of their exploits working together in the next installment of this series. The plot was clever and kept me guessing. 

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator had a strong British accent as expected which was quite appropriate for this novel. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the audio download to listen to, review, and recommend. 

This is the first in a new series featuring Dr. Julia Lewis.

Genre - historical murder mystery, Victorian, lady doctors

Baby X: A Thriller by Kira Peikoff

 Speculative sci-fi thriller that examines the implications of designer babies in a future society. 

What if you and your partner decide that you’re ready to be parents? Instead of conventional conception methods, baby will be created in a lab from pieces of your DNA. You will be able to select — or select OUT — characteristics, traits, intelligence, etc. to ensure you have exactly the baby you want. Babies will be healthy because those hereditary conditions won’t be part of the equation. It should all be perfect for everyone, right?

Not so fast. Some of these selected kids have existential issues about how they are programmed to behave and what they are meant to achieve based on those chosen for them by the parents. Eventually the process is corrupted when scientists figure out that some people will pay big money to have babies with the superstars. But they have to steal it. What a moral and ethical quandary.

Three women are dealing with their own situations surrounding this evolution in the whole process of having children. Although it is initially difficult to see how the lives of Quinn, Lily, and Ember will converge, their individual story lines eventually do. 

The premise of this was so intriguing but something got lost with the way the characters were developed and presented. Told in 3 different points of view, none of the women were especially likable and the climax seemed quite over the top verging on a bit ridiculous. It was interesting medical science and that part was all too believable, and I always enjoy those details. 

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

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

Genre - speculative thriller, future, medical 

3.5 stars

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

 A fast, fun mystery thriller that was nearly impossible to put down. 

This was a twisty and darkly humorous story that uses the framework of a true crime podcast and its host, Ben Owens, to solve a murder.  Five years ago, Lucy Chase was found covered in blood -- the blood of her best friend, Savvy, who was dead in the woods. It's widely believed by everyone in their hometown that Lucy killed Savvy. No murder weapon or other evidence was found, and Lucy had a traumatic brain injury from her own head wound that caused amnesia about the events of that night. Ben is using his podcast to investigate the case and Lucy decides to help him to finally find out if she really did it. 

I really enjoyed this one. The characters were very well drawn, and Lucy was the sort of protagonist that you are skeptical of but root for nevertheless. She's very witty, sarcastic, and snarky -- and admits she makes very bad decisions. Her grandma is a hoot. There are frenemies and nasty small-town minds all weighing in during Ben's interviews with their perceptions of Lucy and the night in question. 

I loved the way the narrative shifted between episodes of the podcast and the voice of Lucy. The narrators of this audiobook were fabulous and the production was excellent. 

If you are looking for a topnotch whodunit with small town gossip, secrets, and lies -- this is it. I believe this is the author's adult fiction debut. Don't miss it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC to listen to, review, and highly recommend. 

This was a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - mystery thriller

Murder at the Island Hotel (#15 Kitty Underhay) by Helena Dixon

 Lovely episode in one of my favorite cozy mystery series.

In the spring of 1936, Kitty and her best friend, Alice, are off to Bird Island to assess a new hotel. The owner, Sir Norman, wants to join the local hoteliers association and Kitty is meant to give her blessing. When they arrive, they find that the future bride to Sir Norman has invited a few guests as well. Shortly after the parties arrive, Sir Norman is found dead in his office. Nothing to be done except to call the police — Matt and the local inspectors arrive on the next boat. 

This was fast and fun and though I had figured out the murder, there were some surprises along the way. I enjoy the interplay between Kitty, Alice, and Matt, who have become like old friends. I love the detail and descriptions of that time period and everything from the decor to the food service. I hope to see more about the personal lives of Matt and Kitty in future installments. The focus is typically on other characters and the crime being solved, and they seem like an old married couple rather than basically almost newlyweds. I look forward to the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I recommend the entire series and definitely it’s one that should be started at the beginning and read in order.

Genre - cozy mystery, historical

The 23rd Midnight (New Murder Club) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro #23

 A fast-paced crime thriller.

A monster is re-creating murders committed by a convicted serial killer. Evan Burke is behind bars but is still a mentor and influence on an obsessed fanboy.  Can the women find and stop him before he targets the members of the club. 

It's been at least a decade since I've read any of the Murder Club series. I saw this in my local library's catalog of audiobooks and thought it was time to revisit the old gang. I was not disappointed!

I love the sharp and focused narrative and the dynamics of the friend group. I caught back up to them quite quickly and asked myself why I had stopped reading the series. The plot was interesting and the action and dialog kept me glued to my ear buds. 

The narrator was excellent and the voices of the characters quite distinct. 

This is the 23rd in a series but can be read as a standalone or a starting point.

Genre - crime thriller

The Clinic by Cate Quinn

 Gothic thriller fails to deliver.

Meg’s sister dies at an expensive and exclusive rehab center. She knows her sister did not commit suicide and so she decides to admit herself to find out what really happened. 

I was looking for an atmospheric read after looking at the blurb for this book. The isolated place in the PNW surrounded by fog — and the hook for me was the medical aspect. A rehabilitation center for the rich and famous. Unfortunately, having some actual knowledge about addiction and treatment/therapy meant that I was going to nit pick everything. Yeah, no. 

The characters were all such a turn off and the plot just limped along with one completely unrealistic thing happening after another. The twists? Took all my ability to suspend disbelief. I can see by other reviews that many really enjoyed this but it definitely was not appealing to me. It was very slow paced with even the short chapters not making it move along. 

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

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

Genre - psychological thriller, drug addiction, substance abuse, addiction and treatment, Gothic

The Therapy Room (Susan Parker #1) by Sam Baron

 Debut crime thriller has potential.

A psychiatrist is found, viciously stabbed to death, in the kitchen of an isolated farmhouse in Santa Carina, California. In the basement, 12 individual cells hold 11 victims. All still alive but refusing to speak. FBI agent Susan Parker is called to the scene when a local cop finds a post it note with her name on it attached to the basement door. Convinced that the dead man is the serial killer, Splinter, she's been hunting, Susan is desperate to debrief the victims but is denied access to them having to instead go through a therapist that the prisoners had requested. Working with the local cop and her team, Susan attempts to figure out what was going on out at the farmhouse and why these people were kept in the basement. And the 12th person? Does he have the answers she seeks. Meanwhile, Susan is still grieving the death of her husband. 

This was an audiobook and kept me interested. The narrator had a decent voice and performed the different character voices adequately although the varying accents were sometimes exaggerated. Certainly, the novel had a wide variety of nationalities with Susan and her family being Indian and there were other representations as well. I have to say that what got on my nerves the most was the constant focus on Natalie, Susan's deaf daughter. Way too much about the child which added nothing to the aspect of this book meant to be a suspense thriller. The character of Susan seemed rather dense for her being an SAC in the FBI. I had figured out most all of the story way early and was annoyed by how long it took her and the team to catch up. 

This is the first in a new series featuring SAC Susan Parker of the FBI. It ends without tying up all the loose ends, which is always a drawback for me and leaves that feeling of something unfinished that I do not like. The second installment is due out soon, so perhaps answers will come. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this audiobook to read, review, and provisionally recommend. I will reserve full judgment once I have read the second in series. 

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

Genre - crime thriller

Death Angel (Alexandra Cooper #15) by Linda Fairstein

 I haven’t read a book in this series for some time and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed revisiting the characters of Assistant DA Alexandra Cooper and Detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace of the NYPD. 

Ostensibly a crime thriller, this narrative also features many historic details about New York City. I really liked all the information about Central Park and the Dakota. I’m one who likes that level of description and can’t get enough of all the facts. I’m always inspired to go off on my own and read more about those famous places that I’ve only actually ever seen once in real life. 

This particular case starts with the discovery of a body in the water by the Bethesda Angel. The girl appears homeless and has no identification. In their efforts to figure out who killed her, the team explores the park and surrounding areas, stumbling onto a connection to a wealthy family who has lived at the Dakota for generations. A little girl disappeared from the top floor apartments of the Dalton family and was never found. Is that case related to this current homicide? 

There are other side plots going on as well in this novel as Mike Chapman has made a serious error in judgment leading to a scandal that also threatens Alex’s reputation. Mental health issues, the plight of the homeless, the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the safety in Central Park called into question, rapists on the loose, well, you get the picture. Very busy book. The last part when Alex finds herself in personal danger (don’t they always go off on their own and get into trouble) was the least appealing part of this novel. I also get the impression, though I have skipped around the series and not kept up with it, that this current romantic situation she finds herself exploring is really out of character. 

Regardless, I did enjoy this and also liked the narrator who did justice to the characters and gave voice to their quirky personalities and accents. I listened to the audio version and also read a bit of the e-book that I received as an ARC from NetGalley a quite some time ago.  

Definitely want to search out other installments going forward. Recommended.  

This is the 15th book in the series. I believe it works fine as a standalone though I have read others previously in the series.

Genre - crime thriller, legal, 

The Year of the Locust by Terry Hayes

 This book is a lot of things -- it's got action, super spy stuff, suspense, a scary apocalyptic future, some cool high-tech gear, and a really evil bad guy. Even though it comes in at nearly 800 pages, it is really hard to put it down.

"We're riders on the storm, that's all we are and can ever hope to be..."

Ridley Walker, AKA Kane, is a Denied Access Area spy for the CIA. He goes into hostile places and does whatever needs done and gets back out again. Hopefully. When the US government gets intelligence that the New Islamic Army of the Pure is about to create a spectacular, Kane is sent to the middle east to prevent a global terrorist event focused on America. The borderlands of Afghanistan, Iran, or Pakistan might be harboring a man who could be the leader of this group. He is known as the Locust. Kane's mission is to prevent this devastating attack. 

The book is divided into 4 parts, each focusing on aspects of Kane's objective and spycraft. The last part takes an unexpected turn that was so fantastical that I was caught completely off guard. I could not put the book down. No spoilers.

I had been waiting for another book by this author since loving his first when I reviewed it back in 2013 and stalked everyone I knew until they read it. This is also good, but in a different way. There are some really great, fully developed characters that elicit all kind of reactions in the reader. The descriptions of the settings and the detail provided about all of the equipment and machinery is amazingly well done. I don't know how much of this is actually real and what is make-believe (well, except for one thing that I will not mention here) but it seems that Mr. Hayes did a ton of research. So, don't wait, grab a copy and dive in. It's quite a story.

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

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

Genre -- see above  Spy thriller

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

 A weekend hen party goes awry in this suspenseful psychological thriller.

Leonora, a somewhat reclusive writer, accepts an invitation to attend a weekend house party given for an old school friend and bride-to-be, Claire, whom she hasn't seen for about 10 years. The big house, nestled out in the dark woods, is perfectly suited for entertaining and all starts off well. The hostess, Flo, is Claire's new BFF and has organized all the events, weird as some of them may be. The six guests try to make the best of it for Claire's sake. 

Leonora wakes in the hospital unable to remember details about what has happened. All she knows is that someone has died. And the police are questioning here under caution. 

This is Ware's debut novel and I enjoyed it for the most part even though I heartily dislike the unreliable narrator trope and the convenient memory loss device. The plot is fairly predictable, and most readers will guess where this is going as the clues are dangled and slowly fall with the revelations. Can't say that any of the characters were appealing or likeable and Leonora especially seemed really slow on the uptake. 

I'd previously read several of Ruth Ware's other books, but this was actually better than some of the later ones -- at least I think so. I listened to the audio of this book and the narrator was decent although some of the character voices made me cringe. I also had the e-book handy which helps me when I listen because I can go back and look up something or double check I "got it" as sometimes my attention wanders while listening!

Anyway, solid mystery thriller that entertained for several hours. I got the audiobook from my local library and the ARC way back when from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books. 

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

Genre - Psychological suspense, thriller

The Wife’s Mistake by Lorna Dounaeva

 Twisty psychological thriller and domestic drama.

Hayden and Natalie are doing OK but things take a crazy turn when they win the lottery. Will their newfound millions change their lives? Of course, but definitely not in the way they dreamed.

Told in alternating points of view between Hayden and Natalie, things start to go awry even before they claim their money. Secrets from the past come back to haunt Natalie and Hayden gets in way over his head as he adjusts to driving his new cars and moving them to their beautiful new house. It’s true that money can’t buy happiness, but every person they know seems to want a part of their winnings. 

This was entertaining but the characters were all so unlikeable and each made the most stupid decision possible in every single situation they confronted. I wanted to shake each and every one of them to help them come to their senses. It became obvious quickly that there was not going to be a happy ending here for Natalie and Hayden. No spoilers. 

I was given an advanced copy of the audiobook by the publisher. I know that this narrator is popular, but I cannot stand her voice. Her attempts to change her style and tone to match different characters borders on the equivalent of nails on a chalkboard to me. It’s not just the accent or the way certain words are pronounced, it’s that she can’t do male voices at all and the female voices are grating or strident or shrill. But, I am sure, again, that is my personal opinion and obviously she does a lot of these audiobooks. 

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

Genre - psychological thriller, domestic drama

The Patient by Teri Terry

 Predictable, melodramatic psychological thriller and family drama.

Saphy had a congenital heart defect made worse by a Covid infection. She’s given a second chance at life when her name came to the top of the transplant list — there was a match. The donor is a young woman who is was attacked and left in a coma until tests revealed she was brain dead. While the police try to work out who killed Flora, her organs are harvested and transplanted into several recipients. 

Saphy is recovering from her surgery but feels compelled to find out whose heart she received. She becomes obsessed once she knows it is indeed from Flora, a very beautiful and popular young woman. She meets Flora’s family and Flora’s older sister, a doctor named Fern. Soon, Saphy is channeling Flora, wearing her clothes, getting her hair cut and colored, meeting Flora’s friends and wanting to be her. Flora’s family welcome her with open arms and support. 

Told in alternating points of view between Saphy and Fern, the narrative shifts from the believable into the fantastic. Slow moving and banal, it takes forever for the suspense to build to the climax. Once the big reveals occur, the reader will not be surprised. The conclusion quickly ties up all the loose ends in typical fashion. I was disappointed. 

I did not care for the main character, Saphy, at all and soon any positive feelings I had about anyone else in the story also vanished. The whole aspect of Saphy getting messages and feelings from Flora really got on my nerves. The narrator of the audio — well, the voice of Saphy was fine, however every single other character’s voice sounded so similar, if female, that often I could not be sure who was speaking. The attempts at the male voices were horrible. Surely it’s not that much trouble to have at least one female and one male narrator in production to try to fix this for listeners? 

This was the first book I have read by this author and I doubt I will listen to another. I do thank NetGalley and Bookouture for granting access to the audiobook for me to review. 

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

Genre - psychological, family drama, medical, thriller

Winter’s Mourn (Winter Black #1) by Mary Stone

 Formulaic mystery thriller, first in a long running series, featuring FBI Agent Winter Black.

Of course Winter Black has a back story and this has formed her adult personality. When she was a teenager, she came home to find her parents murdered and her little brother missing. The perpetrator was still in the house and knocked her out leaving her for dead. After a long coma, she awoke to find that she had some unusual psychic abilities. She will never give up trying to find her brother or to hunt down the serial killer known as The Preacher.

Fast forward and Winter is now a rookie FBI agent and she is assigned to investigate some old bones dug up by a hunter in her hometown. That unmarked body dump is just the first found in this hidden burial ground. She and her partner Noah stumble upon clues that lead to an old cult and a fertility drug that has severe side effects. 

My problem with this book started almost immediately with the description of Winter and her beauty, fragility, blah blah. Her powers —OK had I known there was this element I would have definitely passed as I dislike any sort of supernatural elements in my detective fiction. Of course she constantly needed rescuing and protection, she cries a lot, is way overly emotional, and Noah is falling in lust or love. The characters were so stereotypical and it sure took them a long time to figure out the mystery. I will not be reading any further books.

Also, wanted to say that I listened to this on audio so did not make my usual notes. The absolute worst thing, however, was the narrator trying to do voices of other characters. The male voices were horribly done and it was difficult to even tell who was speaking half the time because everyone sounded the same. No effort to differentiate the different characters. 

This is the first of 22 in a series.

Genre - mystery thriller, crime, FBI

Everyone on This Train is a Suspect (#2 Ernest Cunningham) by Benjamin Stevenson

 Second in this mystery murder series is better than the first!

This book is filled with wry humor, cryptic clues, sardonic asides; it's quite witty and clever. At times I laughed out loud as the author in the story writes his first-person account of a trip he takes on a train. This isn't just any old train, it's the luxury Ghan, and on board are writers, publishers, agents, reviewers, and fans who are attending the Australian Mystery Writers' Festival. 

The fictional author is none other than Ernest Cunninham who had made his true crime debut writing about the murders that took place during his family reunion. His book sold well, but his agent wants him to take a stab at writing fiction. He's on this train with his girlfriend, Juliette, whom he met at the resort where the family reunion was held. They plan to attend all the of the panels, workshops, and discussions while Ernest works through a bit of writer's block. Lo and behold, one of the more famous authors is murdered and finally, Ernest has the inspiration he needs for a book. 

You will remember, having read the first book, that Ernest is very direct and speaks to the reader about the rules of writing detective novels and he's a stickler to following them. He points out the obvious and also throws in some tantalizing hints of what the reader should be figuring out.  It's all great fun and he invites the reader along on his mission to out the killer and solve the case. 

I enjoyed this one so much more than the first. May be because I do love trains and the Ghan is unique. I'll definitely look for more titles by Benjamin Stevenson in the future as I love the style of the writing and the way he tells a story in this unique way. 

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

This is the second book featuring Ernest Cunninghman. After Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.

Genre: murder mystery in the style of the locked room

The Women: A Novel by Kristin Hannah

 Unforgettable.

Although this novel tells one woman's fictional coming of age story, this is really a testimonial to all the women who served in Vietnam and whose service was neither appreciated nor recognized by their country or their fellow citizens. 

Frances "Frankie" McGrath is 21 when she impetuously joins the Army Nurse Corps. Arriving in country without any notion of the horrors of war, she is completely unprepared for daily life in these makeshift hospital and surgical wards near the shifting conflicts in the jungle and in the air. The devastation she witnesses, and the sheer multitude of injury and death is almost more than any soul can bear. She forms a strong friendship with her two hooch mates and that bond is the only relationship that keeps her sane as she develops her nursing skills to save as many of the wounded as she can. Despite the terrible conditions, she feels that Vietnam is where she can be of most use and she really wants to be a hero. Ultimately, she wants her parents to be proud of her as they were of her beloved brother. And, after a second tour, she finally returns home only to find that the world as she knew it has changed. She's an embarrassment and is reviled and soon becomes broken and lost. She wants to move forward but there is another fierce battle for herself at home. 

I was in middle and high school during the last years of the Vietnam War. I was vaguely aware of the draft but I do not remember anyone I knew going there. When I graduated, I went off to college, to nursing school, and the #1 show was MASH. I wanted to be Loretta Swit and I really intended to join the military as soon as I got my degree. Life had other plans for me and that dream was set aside as I became a wife and mother. I always regretted not serving. Now, after reading what life was like in a war zone operating room, I know for sure that I would never have had the strength or endurance to do that job. While the TV show did give a glimpse, I now understand that the true picture of what it was like was hidden from all of us as no one ever asked those nurses or the other women that were in Vietnam for their stories. What must have it been like for them to hear that there "were no women in Vietnam." To be denied help at Veterans hospitals and clinics. 

I believe this novel will really appeal to a certain reader and affect them differently depending on what they think or know of the war years and if they had personal experiences with it. My heart was breaking for the main character who I am sure represented a good many of those who went through the atrocities and chaos. 

Rarely do I rate a fiction book 5 stars but I can't stop thinking about this. The narration was excellent, and the writing was so evocative and powerful. The story resonated with me in a way that I have not felt in a long while. This review does not do the book justice. It's possible that the descriptions of the gory nature of war will be a turnoff to some. The main character goes through a lot during the course of the story but every word demonstrates the absolute toll that serving one's country takes on a person. It explains why so many came home so damaged. 

Thank you for the audio and the e-book advance copies to read, review, and highly recommend. 

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

Genre - historical fiction, Vietnam War, Army Nurse Corps

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Somone by Benjamin Stevenson

 Clever and snarky, this uniquely written murder mystery introduces a family of killers who are having a reunion at a mountain top ski resort. The protagonist is the reliable narrator, Ernest (Ern) Cunningham, who will use Ronald Knox's "10 Commandments of Detective Fiction" to address a perplexing and longstanding historical issue within the family. The drama starts when the body of a stranger is found in the snow outside the guest house. Secrets are revealed as a storm isolates the family and chills abound when they realize there are more murders to come. 

I picked this up when I realized that I had the second in the series set to be read and reviewed for the publisher. I like to start at the beginning with the first installment. I really liked the writing style though it took me a moment to get into it and meet all the characters.  I did enjoy the interjection of dark humor and the way that Ern talks to the reader throughout. I can't say that I related to or liked any of the family members, but they are definitely all interesting as you get deeper into the book. I probably would have liked this a lot more had I really enjoyed the plot and the complexity of the story. It just didn't interest me that much as it was all about something that had occurred in the far past. I am, however, a fan of original ways to tell a tale so I am looking forward to reading the next book to see how the style is employed in a different setting.

This is the first in a new series.

Genre - murder mystery

The Inmate by Freida McFadden

 Just a twist too far...

Brooke Sullivan gets a job as a nurse practitioner at a prison where her old high school boyfriend is incarcerated. Shane Nelson is there because Brooke testified against him at his murder trial. He had, she swore, attempted to strangle her as well as commit the other crimes. All of this occurred 10 years ago. Brooke comes face to face with Shane again and starts to question whether or not he was actually the killer. 

Told in a back then (the night at the farmhouse when the murders happened) and present-day narrative with Brooke working and trying to raise her 10-year-old son while a single mother. Could it be that Brooke got it all wrong about what really happened that night?

This started off well and then rapidly veered off into wild and crazy nonsense that just kept coming. There is no way that Brooke could be as dumb as she acted. Her lack of judgement and common sense are so blatantly obvious that the reader wants to shake her out of it. And scoff that anyone wants to be in any sort of relationship with her. And the hits keep on coming with one insane twist after another until a story that seemed totally predictable turns with a climax that changes everything. Oh, guess away, but until that moment with the big reveal, I thought I had figured it all out. In any event, Brooke was a complete twit and I begrudge her a happy ending. And just when you think, ok, so that's that -- there's the epilogue. Nope. No. 

I can't really recommend this. The writing is more tell than show and lots of repetition with fickle Brooke having no clue about the motives of those around her. I had both the audio version and the book to flip between. The narrator was OK and didn't get on my last nerve as she performed the various voices. It was a quick listen/read. I've read other books by this author that I have enjoyed a lot more so I will read future titles. 

Thank you to the publisher for the advance editions. 

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

Genre - psychological thriller

Don't Let Her Go (Billie Ann Wilde #1) by Willow Rose

 I do not like to write negative reviews, but overall-- this is one of the worst books I've had the misfortune to read. I can only say that I barely held myself back from it being a DNF but only because I had to see just how much worse it could get. 

To sum it up, a preposterous kidnapping and serial killer crime thriller. The characters are beyond unbelievable and completely unlikeable. The narrative flips between characters in a before and after format and is a constant stream of melodramatic exhortations and angst with repetitive phrases and responses to every situation. Could someone please count how many times "tears streamed down" and "smirked" and "piercing blue eyes" appear in this book? The plot just got more ridiculous as it went on and just when you think it can't possibly get more unrealistic, it surely does. It is a constant tell rather than show and so drawn out making the simple situation overly long. Lots of cliches. Totally predictable. 

This is supposed to be the first in a new series featuring the character of Cocoa Beach homicide cop Billie Ann Wilde and from how she acted there is no way she could be a police detective. So unprofessional and her life is a train wreck. It's not that she's just decided to come out as a lesbian, it's her overly emotional carrying on over every single thing. In any event, I won't be reading any further installments or any other books by this author as this was the second I have tried. 

This was an audio version of the book and I can't say that the narration was well done. The accents and voices sometimes didn't change when they should have and the voice of Kitty was particularly off. And the male voices, oh my. 

I was shocked to see other reviews and decided it must just be me. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this author's work. I'm not recommending. 

This is the first in a new series.

Genre - mystery thriller

Sexual abuse of a minor, kidnapping, murder, serial killer

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

 Unique mystery thriller.

This is an absolutely different type of crime or mystery thriller because of the way it is written and how the narrative evolves through different writing styles. Using the various communication formats of emails, texts, WhatsApp messaging, etc., the complicated story evolves via random snippets. The reader is not sure what is true which heightens the skepticism about the story line.

The Alperton Angels case is infamous. Apparently some crazed fools decided they were angels and that they were meant to destroy the Antichrist in the form of a newborn baby. Or was that really what they were doing? Amanda Bailey, a journalist, has been asked to write a book about the old crime. She tries to track down old witnesses and police who were involved in the investigation. Meanwhile, an old colleague turned nemesis, Oliver Menzies, is also tasked with writing about the Alperton madness. As they both try to figure out what happened way back when, people start dying before they can interview them. Very convenient. The cover up is real and somebody doesn’t want them to know what really happened in the warehouse that night. 

This was quite an interesting story and I enjoyed it as I tried to discern what was going on so it kept me on my toes. I really like when an author takes a different storytelling approach and does it in such a fascinating way. Some might not like that this is not a linear narrative but I certainly did.

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

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

Genre - mystery, crime thriller, journalists

One Wrong Word by Hank Phillippi Ryan

 Twisty psychological thriller that keeps you guessing!

Arden Ward is at the top of her crisis management game when her boss suddenly terminates her. Apparently, the wife of a prominent client thinks that Arden is having an affair with her husband. Before she can leave with a glowing recommendation for her work, the boss has one last client whose life needs to be restored after an acquittal for vehicular homicide. Cordelia Bannister hires Arden for her husband, Ned, because his reputation is tarnished, and Cordelia has been ousted from her friend group due to his legal woes. Even their two young children are shunned. Arden knows PR and she sees this last rehab as her only chance to leave without suffering her own personal embarrassment. But, this family has some secrets and new information is revealed about the car accident. When his defense attorney is hospitalized after a hit and run, Ned comes under close scrutiny again and Arden becomes increasingly concerned that she is helping a killer. 

This was such a fun and fast-paced read that I had to keep listening to it and finished it in a day. The narrative is told from several different points of view and the voice actor did a great job with making them sound unique, including the accents. The plot was convoluted and kept me on my toes trying to guess who, what, where, and when. The short chapters always ended on a note that forced me to go on to satisfy my curiosity. The characters were interesting and well developed. I have read other books by this author, but this is my favorite so far. I enjoyed it and will be on the lookout for new releases. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy to listen to and recommend. 

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

Genre - psychological thriller, domestic drama, legal

Till Death Do Us Part (Eva Rae Thomas #14) by Willow Rose

 Mystery and domestic drama misses the mark.

A wife and mother of three, Rachel Baker, disappears on her way to work one morning. As is typical, her husband is the primary suspect especially once the police find that he was having an affair and that Rachel had purchased some plane tickets to make an escape. 

FBI Agent Eva Rae Thomas and her boyfriend, Detective Matt Miller, investigate and interview everyone connected to Rachel and her husband, John. Rachel's mother and sister are wild with worry and are convinced that John has killed Rachel. John hides the children from his mother-in-law and everything gets really ugly -- then Rachel's body is found.

Told in a past and present narrative with the murder case being foremost, the secondary story line is the voice of a little girl who, along with her sisters, is being horribly abused by a psycho mother.

I don't imagine anyone will be surprised by the connection. In fact, the entirety of this plot is predictable and overwrought. The dialog is repetitive and full of melodrama and angst as everyone is so overcome all the time with emotion. The detective work seems superficial, and Eva Rae and Matt do a lot of running around accomplishing little, and also being just a beat too late. 

I did not realize that this was the 14th in a series when I requested the audiobook from NetGalley. Jumping into this at this point proved merely a minor irritant as I failed to appreciate the one-dimensional characters regardless of what could have been the backstory. The rapid wrap up at the end and the set up for the next book left me feeling underwhelmed.

Thank you for granting access to the ARC but I doubt I will read any other books in this series. 

This is the 14th in a series.

Genre - mystery, thriller, crime drama

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

 Domestic thriller full of unsavory characters and lots of drama.

It’s time. Camden and his wife, Jules, must return to Ashby House and face his estranged and dysfunctional family — the wealthy McTavish clan of North Carolina. Although he had left them and his inheritance behind for a happy life with Jules in Colorado, he must go take care of the estate affairs after his uncle died. The survivors want all the money and the beautiful house up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. But the matriarch left Camden everything. Unfortunately, he was adopted by Ruby and the rest don’t think he deserves to inherit. What lengths will they go through to wrest it all from him?  It seems, however, that Ruby had a few ideas about how to prevent that.

Lots of family secrets and lies as usual with a climax that was probably meant to be a surprising twist that missed the mark with me. Although predictable, the narrative was fast and easy to read though I can’t say I liked any of the characters. Somewhat convoluted, it all does eventually come together as rumor, speculation, and innuendo are answered. 

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this e-book ARC to read and review. I enjoyed it.

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

Genre - domestic drama, mystery, thriller 

The Kind Worth Saving (Henry Kimball and Lily Kintner #2) by Peter Swanson

 The blurb called this thriller "spectacularly devious", and I would have to agree!

I had read the first book featuring these two characters a long time ago and had forgotten most everything about it but noticed that I had liked it a lot. So, came upon this title when requesting the upcoming third installment and knew I had to read it immediately.

Henry Kimball, now a licensed private investigator, is hired to confirm Joan Whalen's suspicions that her husband is cheating on her. He remembers Joan from back when he was a first-year English teacher at Dartford-Middleham High School. Not a good memory either -- they were both in the classroom when a student had shot another and then committed suicide. That helped Henry realize he wasn't meant to be a teacher. He'd gone on to become a police officer in Boston but, unfortunately, that had not worked out too well either. So, here is now, trailing adulterous husbands. 

This case does not turn out to be anything that he expected. The twists and turns, the discoveries Henry makes during his investigation, keep pulling him back and have him looking much closer at Joan. It also brings Lily Kintner back into his life. A secret relationship. A trail of secrets and death. Henry just has to put all the pieces together.

Great fun and I really enjoyed it. I also like the author's writing style and his plots even if the characters are a bit too morally ambiguous for me. I listened to the audio version of this and felt it was well done with multiple characters taking each point of view. Definitely recommend but be sure you have read THE KIND WORTH KILLING first. 

This is the second in a series that should be read in order. A third book is coming shortly: A TALENT FOR MURDER.

Genre - thriller, private investigator, murder, psychological

The Watchmaker’s Hand (Lincoln Rhyme #16) by Jeffery Deaver

 Another hit in this crime thriller series.

Lincoln Rhyme and his wife, Amelia Sacha, along with their cohort are tasked with finding and stopping a domestic terrorist who is holding New York City hostage. One by one the big construction cranes are sabotaged and come crashing down. Though a group that claims it wants the city to provide more affordable housing takes responsibility for the disasters, Rhyme knows that there is much more going on. He soon finds that he is once again facing his old nemesis, The Watchmaker, and that his enemy is there to kill him. 

Intricate plotting and lots of scientific information fill the pages of this fast moving installment, the 16th in a long running series. The characters are all quite interesting, even the bad guys, and the shifting situations keep the reader on point to keep track of what is happening. The writing is excellent and the twists and complicated narrative kept me thinking and guessing. I definitely don’t think this works as a standalone as the backstory of the characters and how they all come to be working together is fascinating and shouldn’t be missed. I love all the details and descriptions of the forensics, chemistry, watchmaking — there is always a lot to learn in a Deaver book. 

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

This is the 16th book in a series that should be read from the beginning, in order.

Genre - crime thriller, forensics, series

The Resort by Sara Ochs

 Mystery thriller set in Thailand fails to deliver.

A group of permanent residents on the island of Koh Sang, nestled in the Gulf of Thailand, have become like family over the years. Although they have all run from something in their pasts, they now work and live in this resort community and take care of each other. The recent death of a guest has upset the group dynamics, but the permanents have not seen the worst of it yet. A minor influencer, Brooke, arrives on the island ostensibly to promote tourism to this idyllic but relatively unknown SCUBA paradise, but soon it becomes obvious to all that she has an agenda. 

This started out well but quickly deteriorated into lots of melodrama and took forever to get to the point. The motives behind the behaviors of all the characters seemed to ring false and the extent of their reactions was quite overdone. I didn't like any of the characters with all their secrets and lies. Their personal traumas and the reasons for each coming to Koh Sang were revealed much too late. It drug on and the detail I wanted to know was so slowly revealed that I was over it all by the time I got the answers. A last-ditch attempt at a final, crazy twist pushed the conclusion into the incredible. 

I both read the e-book ARC and listened to the audio recording of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. I am not recommending. 

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

Genre - mystery, thriller, suspense, Thailand

The Truth You Told (Raisa Susanto #2) by Briana Labuskes

 Tightly plotted thriller that kept me guessing.

This is the second in a series featuring FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto and her sometimes work partner, psychologist Callum Kilkenny. I really like this duo!

The Alphabet Man, Nathaniel Conrad, is scheduled for execution after being convicted of torture and murder of many victims over a long period of time. Suddenly, the press is abuzz with the information that he had a disciple, or that someone else had been involved in some of the kills. The focus is on Shay — the wife of Callum, long believed to be a victim of Conrad. Now they say that Conrad did not kidnap and murder her.  Raisa’s sister, the convict Isabel, reveals that Nathaniel was not involved. So now they are on the hunt for the elusive cipher partner who had a different agenda.         

I really enjoyed both of the books in this series that definitely should be read from the beginning. I love the author’s writing style and her ability with words. I’ve grown fond of Raisa and Callum who don’t have a romance but have a work relationship. The other characters are also very vividly drawn and are quite interesting. The field of linguistics has proved to be integral in the two cases and I am fascinated by the analysis of writing and idiolect. 

Be sure to read the first in the series before tackling this one. Thank you to the publisher for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.             

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

Genre - crime thriller, psychological, linguistics, FBI, murder

The Lies You Wrote (Raisa Susanto #1) by Brianna Labuskes

 Absorbing and suspenseful crime thriller.

This is the first in a new series featuring FBI Linguist Raisa Susanto and it grabbed me from the beginning. She and her partner, forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny, are investigating what looks like a copy cat crime from a situation 25 years ago when a son murdered his parents and then committed suicide.  In this present day case, a couple who was friends with the previously murdered are killed in a similar fashion. Since the perpetrator of the former is dead and posthumously convicted of the crime, who is carrying the torch now and why.  Could the FBI have made a mistake thinking that Alex Parker killed his parents? 

Raisa examines the language and idiolect of all involved in both cases to try and determine if previous confessions and current messages can help her and Callum find the truth. Meanwhile, the killings don’t stop. Who is next on the murderer’s list?

I confess that I had no real understanding of the term, idiolect, and the role of a linguist in crime investigation. It was very interesting to hear how Raisa worked and identified the tells that clearly indicated the author of the writing samples. The plot was also quite interesting with some really great twists along the way — some predictable and others not so much. I enjoyed being surprised and shocked. I really like the way this author writes and her use of language to express a thing or a thought. There are quite a few memorable lines and quotes along the way. 

I liked this so much that I immediately found the second in the series and have already started reading it. Highly recommend.

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

Genre - suspense, crime fiction, thriller, psychology, family drama

Random in Death (Eve Dallas #58) by J.D. Robb

 The books in this futuristic suspense series never disappoint.

How can the 59th book in a long running series still be this good? Well, Eve Dallas and Roarke still have that incredible staying power as the main characters who stand for the dead and try to achieve some sort of justice for victims of crimes. In this case, young girls are getting stabbed by contaminated needles and are dying before any help can arrive. The substance inside the syringes is a sophisticated concoction that only a truly devious mind could design. How are these victims chosen and what message is the killer sending? Only Eve and her colleagues can find the answers. 

I had read quite a few installments many years ago, but became sidetracked by other books and never got back to where I had left off. Picking this one up, completely out of order, was easy and I didn’t feel that I had missed anything so significant that affected my enjoyment of this particular plot and story. I love the details about life in this near future New York City, especially the way that Eve and Roarke live it. I like all the characters and their individual histories, partnerships, and interaction. I both listened and read this and had a great time reuniting with this world and these fictional people. Makes me want to go find another soon and catch up. 

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this e-book and audiobook to review and recommend. If you like police procedurals and crime thrillers, this series is not to be missed. 

this is the 58th book in a series that you should start at beginning but I have read out of order. 

Genre - futuristic suspense, police procedural, crime thriller 

Faulty Bloodline (AJ Docker #2) by Gary Gerlacher

 Fast-paced with lots of action, this is more a crime thriller than a medical drama even though the main character is a traveling ER physician. 

AJ Docker (Doc) and his incredible service dog, Banshee, move to Montana for a change of pace in a quiet mountain town. He gets a job at the local community hospital and settles in. Before long, Doc finds that this seemingly idyllic setting is hiding some pretty nasty secrets and, of course, he is going to be in the middle of it. 

So, there is still some emergency drama for Doc, but the main focus of this second installment is on the activities at a huge local ranch and a series of bodies discovered in the woods. Instead of saving patients in the ER, Doc is sneaking around at night peeking into warehouses, following suspicious trucks, and generally sticking his nose into a really nasty side business. He also has a romantic interest that, for a moment, was suggesting that Doc was maturing and more ready to settle down. 

I enjoyed this, but not nearly as much as the first one. I did not care for the plot and wished that this had focused more on medical intrigue. I like Doc and he sure has some luck with so many narrow escapes. Without giving spoilers, I can't mention here the incident that I really hated in the book. Also, that whole town was full of people whose main facial expression was a smirk. 

Doc is moving on to Las Vegas next, and I may have to follow him hoping that this series will get back to the medical and leave the crime solving to the detectives and police. 

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

This is the second in a series that I have read in order.

Genre - crime thriller, medical

Last Patient of the Night (AJ Docker #1) by Gary Gerlacher

 Fast, fun medical thriller -- the first in a new series.

As a nurse, I really have always appreciated well-written medical thrillers and follow certain authors who never disappoint. Happy to add a new name to my list as I enjoyed this action-packed story about an emergency room physician who gets involved with some very bad dudes.

Dr. AJ Docker (Doc) is on duty when a young woman comes in with a broken wrist. He senses that there is more going on with her than she is willing to tell but has to let her leave the ER after treatment. He is stunned when that same patient is returned to the ambulance bay and dumped from a car -- DOA. She's been beaten and mutilated and the name she had given is fake. Doc and his friend, a canine cop with his dog, Banshee, want justice and start snooping around to find out who the woman was and why she died. 

This book had some great characters and some crazy over-the-top scenarios, but it was a lot of fun to read. I enjoyed the medical interspersed with the amateur crime fighting. Sure, parts of it were totally unrealistic and hard to believe, but I just could not put it down so finished it in one sitting. There was humor that made me laugh out loud and tense moments that kept me rapt. Definitely want to see more of Doc and can't wait for his next book.

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

This is the first in a new series.

Genre - medical thriller, crime

If I Go Missing by Leslie Wolfe

 A twisty and engrossing psychological thriller that will keep you guessing.

Two friends from high school come back together after a decade apart in a not-so-pleasant reunion. 

Alana (married to Daniel) and Chloe (married to Ray) end up being neighbors when Chloe and Ray move into the house next door. This isn't good for Alana -- she used to be in love with Ray and then Chloe stole him away. Alana and Daniel already have some issues going on -- he wants a baby and she is not on board. That's because she has some big secrets and has told him a lot of lies. Will these new neighbors upend everything? 

Alana is a 4th grade teacher at a local school and is a champion of the "If I Go Missing" binders -- they are made in order to help police in those critical hours after a disappearance and contain all sorts of pertinent information including passwords to phones and social media. After she's featured in an interview, one of her students goes missing. And then, so does Chloe. Alana is asked to help in the search for the binder that Chloe has made. When Alana finds it, takes photos of the pages, and also steals Chloe's hidden personal diary, she knows she has to find Chloe before the police do.  It seems Chloe has some secrets she wants to reveal that will destroy Alana's life. 

Drama? Yes. Some crazy off-the-wall twists? Yes. This was hard to put down as it veered wildly off the rails several times. I really didn't care for any of the characters and Alana kept getting on my last nerve. Some of the narrative could have been tightened as it seemed there was a lot of running around angsting on Alana's part. Some convenient coincidences and lucky amateur sleuthing helped develop the plot. I kept reading just wanting to see how this mess turned out. If you like a lot of surprises in a story line, you will probably really enjoy this standalone. Sometimes, though, it seems like authors take a twist too far but perhaps that's just my viewpoint. 

Thank you to the author for the e-book to read, review, and recommend.

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

Genre - pyschological thriller, domestic drama

The Vacation by John Marrs

 “Sun. Sea. Sex. Murder…”

Strangers find themselves staying at the Venice Beach International Hostel in California. It’s run down and basically a dump, but each visitor has a reason for finding themselves there. All have secrets and are running or hiding — from themselves or from others. 

This is a character driven novel that goes off on tangents as the situations each is in develops further. Information about who they are, why they are traveling, and their drama or trauma is revealed slowly with some surprising twists and turns. And, gotta say it, some really unbelievable coincidences. I can’t say that I related to any of the main eight people nor did I grow really attached to any of them. Their stories were quite bizarre in some instances and quite tragic in others. It was all a bit too contrived for some of the side plots to be believable. I was not surprised to see that this is a re-release of a previously published early work from this author whose other books show a bit more sophistication. I liked it well enough, but it is definitely not my favorite of his novels. 

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

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

Genre - suspense, thriller, drama

Have You Seen Her by Catherine McKenzie

 Intrigue and danger in a national park.

This thriller takes off quickly and the fast pace keeps the reader hooked with some interesting characters and lots of secrets. 

Cassie Peters returns to a familiar place after escaping an abusive marriage and starts a summer job with search and rescue at Yosemite. Petal, traveling with her partner, an older woman, is looking for something to write about and is usually observing and scribbling in her notebook. Jada is on an adventure with her boyfriend, Jim, and posting all the details on social media. The women meet at the park but really have nothing in common. Cassie’s days are consumed with work and she can’t really allow herself to feel safe as she remembers the last time she was in this area. Then, Jada and Jim go missing and a massive manhunt proves unsuccessful in finding the couple. Next, Petal vanishes. Are these disappearances connected and where are these people?  

The narrative is told mainly from Cassie’s point of view and shifts back and forth in time from then and now. It’s all pretty dramatic and twisty at the end. It kept me interested and was an easy, entertaining read. 

Rated 3.5 stars and rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I also borrowed the audiobook from my local library and shifted between them.

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

Genre - thriller, suspense, domestic abuse, national parks

The Lost Tomb by Douglas Preston

 A collection of previously published articles written by the author that will interest anyone who enjoys reading about archeology and anthropology. Each has been updated to reflect any new information about the subject. 

Much of the detail and the stories have also crossed over into the fiction written by Preston, especially those featuring Nora Kelly. I have really enjoyed that series because of the incorporation of real places, cultures, and events. 

This was my nonfiction pick for the year and I did enjoy it.

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

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Nonfiction - bones, burials, murder, Egypt, 

Oryx and Crake (MaddAdam #1) by Margaret Atwood

 Complex and absorbing dystopian fiction.

Definitely interesting but not a light read. Atwood’s protagonist is a male this time, and he’s difficult to relate to as he mostly exists in a vacuum —alone — ostensibly the last human in a strange post-apocalyptic USA. 

Jimmy relates his personal history in a past and present time shift. He has a friend who is known as Crake — a genius who has some huge plans for humankind. Lots of science related to gene splicing and manipulation creating new and unique creatures, including a new species who are based on Homo sapiens. The cataclysmic event that created the world Jimmy now inhabits was ostensibly designed by Crake and the reader is left with many questions by the end. 

This was actually a fairly depressing tale and I’m not sure I want to go on with the series. Reading it after experiencing the recent pandemic brought back those memories and feelings of isolation and concern. The author is incredibly brilliant and gifted with a vivid, honest imagination. 

Once again, the age old question - should we do it just because we can?

This is the first in a trilogy that probably should be read in order from the beginning.

Genre - speculative fiction, dystopian, futuristic 

Law of Attraction (Anna Curtis #1) by Allison Leotta

 Too little legal, too much romance.

I decided to find this title after reading the 3rd, 4th, and 5th books in the series. Big mistake. If I had read this one first, I never would have gone on to the much better books that came later. 

It's not that I mind a tiny bit of romance in a good thriller, it's just that I can retrospectively see that Anna, the main character, is really quite the twit and I cannot understand her appeal to men. The plot of this debut was rather lame and predictable with many completely unrealistic situations. 

On another note, I really do not like the narrator's voice in the audiobooks. The truth probably is that I would find most to be irritating. Even at twice speed, it moves slowly and the different voices and emotions attempted get on my nerves. 

I borrowed this one from the library. Skip it. 

First in a series of 5 books total.

Genre - romance, legal thriller

The Last Good Girl (Anna Curtis #5) by Allison Leotta

 Authentic and timely, this legal thriller hits all the marks.

Emily Shapiro is poised to have the time of her life. A college freshman at Tower University, she's about to attend her first frat party. The night does not go as expected and Emily is sexually assaulted by Dylan Brooks, the son of a powerful Michigan politician. Reeling and traumatized, Emily fights back by filing a complaint but is frustrated in her attempts to get justice -- even her own father, the president of the university, seems to care more about the college than he does her well-being. Then Emily goes missing. She was last seen outside a bar running down a street with Dylan following her. Anna Curtis, a federal prosecutor, gets involved in the case.

This book covers everything from campus rape to Title IX and the real life issues of power dynamics, the #metoo crusade, and good old boy culture. Written by a former sex crimes prosecutor, this powerful story rings true as it attempts to examine the emotional dynamics that surround the issue of sexual assault.

I think this is the last in the Anna Curtis series and, though I've searched, I've not found any more recent books written by this compelling author. I really enjoyed the 3 installments that I read as I love legal thrillers. I liked the main characters and the details. I listened to this on audio intermittently while also reading print -- the narrator got on my nerves with her voice many times, especially when she was changing it to do other characters. The worst was when she was trying to talk like a man. Anyway, I did enjoy the plot and recommend it.

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

This is the 5th in a series. I have read the last 3 installments. Best to start at beginning.

Genre - legal thriller, rape, sexual assault

A Good Killing (Anna Curtis #4) by Allison Leotta

 Twisty and entertaining legal thriller.

This installment, the 4th, continues immediately after the previous ended. Anna is reeling from her broken engagement and gets a call from her sister, Jody. Someone they both knew from their hometown has been murdered and Anna hears that Jody has been wrongfully accused of the crime. Anna escapes to Michigan to act as Jody's defense attorney. But, everyone is lying and the local hero who was killed may not have been such a saint after all. 

I like the main characters and the fast paced narrative. The point of view flips between Jody and Anna and is told in a time shift with Jody's voice being mainly from when she was a teenager and Anna present day. The legal detail and lawyerly shenanigans are realistic as expected since the author has experience in the field. Not so enamored with Anna's quick rebound romance with Cooper but I do hope she is done with Jack. Frankly, I would prefer the action and plot revolve more around the legal than the personal love lives of the characters, but I do plan to continue to the next in the series. 

I listened to this on audio and sometimes followed along in the e-book. The narrator's voice grates on my nerves occasionally because of the way she pronounces certain words and how she does male voices. I'm really working on trying to enjoy audiobooks. 

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

Genre - legal thriller

Speak of the Devil (Anna Curtis #3) by Allison Leotta

 Legit legal thriller!

I started this series with book #3 and immediately was intrigued by the plot and the characters. Long a fan of legal thrillers, it's sometimes hard to find those that reflect realistic situations and gripping drama along with some good courtroom scenes.  This seemed to have it all, including a romance aspect that I can usually do without. I may need to go back and read the first 2 installments, but I didn't have a problem with jumping in here.

The story involves an extremely violent street gang with a thug named Diablo at the head of it. He's a machete wielding killer with the goals of power and control. Anna Curtis is a prosecutor assigned to the sex crimes section in Washington, DC. Their paths cross on a particularly gruesome case and Anna ends up being marked for death by the gang. 

Along the way, Anna deals with some issues in her personal life including an engagement to another attorney whose wife had died when she was working undercover trying to sting the very same gang. 

The author knows of what she writes with her own experience in the DC sex crimes office. The novel rings true in every sense and I am definitely going to go find other books in this series. Definitely recommend to any fan of this genre. 

I listened to the audio version of this and found the voice tolerable. I mention this only because I am not a huge fan of audio, but keep trying. 

This is the third in a series. I read it first. Will go back and check others out but moving to #4 now.

Genre - legal thriler, crime fiction

The Nurse by Jenna Kernan

 Domestic thriller fails to thrill.

Emily is an LPN hired to care for a wealthy woman whose psychiatrist husband claims that his wife, Sabrina, has a lot of mental health issues. Emily is less nurse and more babysitter as the days go by. Emily is suspicious that Dr. Roth is overmedicating his wife. Eventually Mrs. Roth is found in a hotel, dead by apparent suicide. But was it?

I had a lot of problems with this very slow moving and somewhat boring book. As a nurse myself, I had a real issue with Emily being an LPN but supposedly graduating with an associate degree. In the USA, a practical nursing program is a one-year certificate and not an ADN which would result in the graduate being eligible to sit for the RN exam.  That aside, I didn't buy into Emily being any sort of nurse at all. She sure flouted confidentiality convention and would be a disgrace to her profession. Ah, but I digress, really. Just didn't like the story, the characters, or this silly twist. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review. I should have just put it down, but I felt forced to follow it through. Don't recommend.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series

Genre - domestic drama, psychological

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

 Twisty domestic drama.

Adam and Amelia head off to Scotland when she wins a free weekend stay at a converted old chapel in an isolated area near a loch. Their marriage has hit a bit of a snag, and there are hopes that the time together will help put them back together. But nothing is as it seems.

Adam suffers from face blindness and is a workaholic screen writer who adapts books written by others though he dreams of producing his own. Amelia works at a dog rescue and tries to be understanding and supportive. Things start to get odd immediately after they arrive at the chapel. 

The narrative shifts back and forth between points of view and time -- interrupting the forward, linear flow which is sometimes annoying to me. There is another character introduced who is definitely going to change the course of the couple's weekend. The anniversary letters written by Adam's wife give a history of ups and downs in their relationship. The reveal and twist are quite dramatic. I did not like any of the characters in this story and found it all a bit unbelievable. The story is riddled with platitudes and common sayings. Lots of secrets and lies. 

I rarely listen to audiobooks and usually become very annoyed at the narrators as I did with this, especially not enjoying the voice of the female narrator. I keep trying to get into the habit of listening to a book now and then and occasionally find some really well-done versions. I don't think my opinion of this book would be any different had I read it instead. I did receive an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher but borrowed this in audio form from my local library. 

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

Genre - domestic thriller, psychological drama