Lies He Told Me by James Patterson

 Entirely predictable and completely unbelievable mob trope.

After a daring rescue, the video of the hero David Bowers goes viral and his whole life blows up. His wife is caught unawares and things go from bad to worse as the bad guys close in. Marcie can’t trust anyone except maybe (how continently) her old ex boyfriend who is now a cop. 

Others have already mentioned the unrealistic plot points and the stereotypical characterizations. You’ll have to suspend disbelief to enjoy this one to any extent. The behavior and actions of the characters is basically a total cliche and I spent most of my time shaking my head. The chapters are short and the author keeps certain information to himself long enough to get irritating. The story is told from various points of view and skips around between them a lot.  I did not relate to any of the characters nor like any of them. I generally like Patterson standalones, but this will be an exception. The whole ramp up, climax and conclusion were just way too outrageous to enjoy. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following along with the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I much preferred the male narrator’s voice as the women’s overly dramatic reading was occasionally quite annoying. I always find that the experience of listening while reading helps improve a book I’m not really into. 

I see I’m again an outlier but this book was definitely not for me. 

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

Genre - mob, criminals, lawyers, money laundering, secrets and lies

I Need You to Read This by Jesse Maxwell

 An advice columnist solves the mystery of her predecessor’s death.

This was a very predictable amateur sleuth story that was slow and formulaic. I didn’t care for any of the characters, especially not Alex, the protagonist, and most of what happens to her was unlikely and highly improbable. The leaps to conclusions made me laugh, but I don’t think that was the intent. I could barely force myself to finish this once Alex starts trying to do some investigating and goes off totally half cocked. Her diner friendships were convenient, and the new boyfriend should have left her behind the minute she got so weirded out after he asked her a simple question. Alex’s backstory told in the form of the overly long and detailed Dear Constance letters was not a good use of that writing style/technique. In any case, I’d not recommend this. In truth, it was boring and banal. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the ebook ARC provided by the publisher. It did little to enhance the narrative and I was meh about the narrator’s voice and her attempts to give life to the characters. It wasn’t enough to save it.

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

Genre - mystery

Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker

 Meandering drama disguised and promoted as a thriller.

I should have marked this DNF but once I start something, I have to finish it. This story of a totally neurotic married woman (known as Clove) with two children basically turned me off from the start. Her mother is in prison because she confessed to killing Clove's father many years ago. Clove has not once contacted her mother so is sent into a downward spiral when she receives a letter begging for Clove's help to get released from prison now that domestic violence is better understood. 

I can't even begin to describe the angsty stream of consciousness narrative that follows as Clove attempts to deal with the stress of her mother's request/demand. There is not one decision or action she takes that I could relate to. I couldn't stand anything about Clove or Jane. The whole healthy living and clean food part drove me up the wall. Clove needs years of therapy. Any empathy I initially felt for her was gone after the first couple of chapters. It seemed like this went on forever and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. 

I tried listening to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book but did not like the narrator at all -- all the voices basically sounded the same. I recognize that I am an outlier in my thoughts, but I was definitely the wrong audience for this type of story.

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

Genre - emotional drama, spousal abuse, psychological

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

 Tantalizing family drama and murder mystery on Nantucket.

I love reading about a group of badly behaved rich people doing dumb things and winning stupid prizes. Even though there aren't really a lot of characters to root for in this contemporary and fast paced beach read, the story was very entertaining and easy to read in a couple of hours. 

The wealthy Winbury family is hosting the wedding of their son at their lovely oceanfront home on the island. The bride is the daughter of parents who've lived paycheck to paycheck and her mother is dying of cancer. The others who have been invited come to the estate ready for a fabulous event.  It promises to be an extravagant celebration -- but then, tragedy strikes.

Everyone is suddenly a suspect, and the local police need to interview the family and the guests. That's when all the secrets come to light. There is "no perfect couple" on the island, or anywhere. 

I was lucky enough to be able to read the e-book while listening to the audiobook. The narrator did a wonderful job of voicing all the characters and adding the appropriate amount of dramatic flair to the reading. It definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book, and I can't wait to see the adaptation on Netflix.  

This is the 3rd book in a series of 4 but it is not necessary to have read the others to enjoy this as a standalone.

Genre - contemporary beach read, family drama, mystery, murder

The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

 Absorbing family drama and psychological suspense.

I've read a ton of mother and daughter stories, but not too many that focus on the relationship between a father and daughter. I found most of the plot to be entertaining as well as filled with some unexpected twists. 

Although Frank loves his daughter, Margaret (Maggie), very much, the pair is estranged because of things that happened in the past. When he's invited, out of the blue, to come to her wedding to the wealthy heir of a huge technology magnate, Frank jumps at the chance to reconnect. When he and his sister and her foster child arrive at the Gardner family compound in New Hampshire, Frank feels immediately out of his element. Not to mention that Maggie is distant and unavailable, and he can't manage to get much private face time with his future in-laws to get to know them properly. Frank is disturbed by things he sees and hears. he can't help feeling that if he doesn't figure it out, he's going to lose his daughter forever.    

I kept thinking I knew exactly where things were going but there were several surprises. Although annoyed by Frank's sister's behavior and reactions as well as being a bit freaked out by that crazy weird spider thing, I thought that Frank seemed like a basically decent guy trying hard to stay true to his values while trying desperately to demonstrate his love for his daughter. I was a bit perplexed by some of his choices and decisions but had to admire him for trying to find the answers. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator was excellent and gave all the characters distinct personalities, but he was absolutely phenomenal giving voice to the character of Frank. The audio performance added immensely to my enjoyment of this book. 

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

Genre - psychological thriller, family drama

Identity Unknown (Kay Scarpetta #28) by Patricia Cornwell

 Another great story in this long running mystery series.

Kay Scarpetta is in the middle of an autopsy on what she suspects is a murdered child when she gets a call from her niece Lucy. It seems that an old flame and friend, Sal Giordano, was kidnapped and violently killed. The strangest thing is that he seems to have been dropped from a great height out of something Lucy can only say was likely some sort of UAP — an unidentified anomalous phenomenon. Collecting her head of investigations, Pete Marino, they head off to the discovery location where everything is cloak and dagger classified. 

I love the way that the author describes everything and gives great detail about persons, places, and things. The writing style draws me in and makes me feel a part of the story as if I am right there. Over the past years after reading all the books in this series, I’ve come to like some characters more than others who get on my nerves. I always find the theme and plots interesting and unique. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the ebook ARC, both provided by the publishers. I loved the experience as the narrator did an excellent job voicing all the characters and bringing the appropriate amount of drama and tone to the book. As always, I look forward to the next installment. 

This is the 28th book in a long running series that definitely should be read, in order, from the beginning.

Genre - mystery thriller, forensic pathologist

The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

 Another wild ride with totally despicable characters in this domestic thriller.

Didn’t get enough of Amber, Jackson, and Daphne in the first book? Well, this should satisfy the most devoted fans who were clamoring for more of this hideous trio. And, yes, I include Daphne in this characterization. Although I’m sure she’s meant to be the best of the lot, and in many ways, definitely she’s less overtly evil than the other two, she just got on my last nerves with her stupid decisions and histrionics. I don’t have much tolerance for a Daphne type who thinks they can play the game against a narcissistic and abusive man with a vendetta and a plan. And all these helpful friends who have lots of money, well that was convenient. Let’s just say, she should never have returned to Bishops Harbor. All the twists and turns and double crosses gave me whiplash. Many of the resolutions were hugely coincidental and convenient. 

In any event, while hating on Amber and Jackson with a passion and hoping for them to get what’s coming to them, there was a lot of action and the pace was fast as events leapt from one location to another. The different characters narrated at various times giving the reader insight into their schemes. Anyone who enjoyed the previous book will want to find out if everyone in the story got what they deserved. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The cast of 4 did a great job voicing all the characters and added an appraise amount of dramatic flair to the performances. It definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is a follow-up to The Last Mrs. Parrish which should be read first.

Genre - domestic thriller, spousal abuse, murder

Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight

 Mother and daughter conflict and drama with a mystery.

Cleo and her mother, Kat, do not exactly get along these days. They've become estranged. Cleo chafes under Kat's controlling manipulations and she tries to escape that influence while attending college nearby. Finally agreeing to come home for dinner to discuss their relationship, Cleo finds the food burnt, blood on the floor, and her mother gone. 

Although there were some interesting diversions, this is basically the usual trope where the amazing, well-meaning mother who has her daughter's safety and best interests at heart is misunderstood and treated badly by the ungrateful daughter -- who soon realizes her mother was right about everything. Along with Cleo finally realizing that mother knows best, there's some legal stuff going on as a side plot that was likely included to make the story a bit more interesting and, indeed, that whole aspect of the lawsuit and drug company coverup was far more compelling to me. The backstory about Kat's time at Haven House and the ridiculousness of the boyfriends really turned me off to the plausibility of that part of the book. In short, there was just so much going on all over the place.  And, the truth was, I didn't like any of the characters. The conclusion was anticlimactic. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The two female narrators did an adequate job of voicing the characters; they were certainly dramatic, when necessary, but the production would have benefited from having a male reader as well.

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

Genre - drama, domestic, mystery

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

 A poignant family drama and mystery.

Two siblings trying to figure out what happened to their father discover a secret he had kept from them for over 50 years. His death brings Nora and Sam closer to each other but the truth is heartbreaking even as it informs them about choices they each need to make in their own lives.

The narrative shifts in time and point of view but is easy to follow and gives the back story in such a way that makes all of the decisions and actions of Liam Noone more understandable. It’s all quite touching really. I’m not usually one for a sort of sappy and sentimental romance novel, but it was written with a light and deft touch that made it relatable. The revelations came at the right pace and the conclusion fit perfectly with the overall tone and mood. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along with the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator was superb as always and brought just the right voice for all of the characters. Her work definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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

Genre - family drama, mystery, romance

The Sequel (The Book #2) by Jean Hanff Korelitz

 An amazing follow-up to The Plot with a new voice telling her own story at last. 

I loved the totally deplorable bad girl protagonist that was Anna Williams-Bonner (to use one of her many names). I feel a little guilty rooting for a woman who has gone from one murder to another, all to possess and protect her very shocking life story. 

Although it would help if you have read the first book, the basics of that plot are used in this narrative as Anna comes into her own after writing her first novel as a sort of companion to her husband's bestseller. On tour, living on the proceeds of his success, and reveling in her well-earned new fame, Anna is suddenly beset with anonymous taunts and excerpts of a work in progress that she thought she had eradicated from existence. Does someone know? Well, that can't be allowed. 

I really enjoyed the author's writing style and her word choices. The way she describes Anna's thought processes and actions as well as the quirky descriptions fit the storyline and narrative so well. Defintiely told with wit and satire, the author also gives a nod to the cutthroat world of publishing. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC - both formats provided by the publisher. The narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and her voice brought so much quality to the production. 

Definitely recommend. And I wonder, is this the end of the tale?

This is the second or a sequel to The Plot which I read first and would advise others to for the full enjoyment and understanding. I liked this second one much more than I did the first, however. 

Genre - mystery thriller

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

 The ultimate summer solstice party ends in flames.

Not going to rehash the plot but the setting on the cliff in Dorset, the big and beautiful new manor, the promise of a spectacular party drew me in. I really had high expectations for this mystery thriller, but ended up being disappointed. Why are endings so very predictable? And does it bother any other reader when the author deliberately leaves out important details such as — who is that body on the beach? 

There were so many time shifts and characters that it took awhile to realize that most of them were just basically nasty. Everyone had underlying motives for being there at The Manor and none of them were good. A basic revenge trope. Of course the worst of them got what was coming to them. It did irritate me that nobody seemed to recognize anyone else and there were way too many secrets and lies going on. I really didn’t like the wrap up ending with its alls well tone. I didn’t really like any of the characters and their outcomes all seemed so contrived. And it all seemed such a waste that the beautiful place came to that end. 

And I will not comment on the repetition and ridiculousness of the birds. Really. 

I read the e-book ARC provided by the publisher and also was able to simultaneously listen to the audiobook performed by a multitalented cast. The voices certainly leant a great deal of drama to the storytelling. Some of them really got into their characters.

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

Genre - mystery thriller, paganism, 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

 Compelling family drama and mystery.

What a story! I wasn't sure at first if all the jumps in timeline and different character points of view would keep me engaged, but I was drawn in immediately and could not put this book down until I finished it. I had to know.

Set in the Adirondacks, an affluent family suffers the loss of two children. With more than a decade between those disappearances, the Van Laar family has closed ranks but will do anything to maintain their reputation as they live and party during summers at the mansion they built there. On their vast tract of land, the family also operates a summer camp for the children of wealthy parents. Meanwhile, an escaped convict is making his way north. 

This book had so many layers, secrets, and characters from various social classes. The writing was excellent and even though I kept guessing, I was not able to guess as the climax and revelations surprised me. Definitely this is a great one for a book club.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book. The narrator gave such incredible depth to the story but, as always, I know it would have put it over the top with a male voice for some of the characters. The production was well done.

Definitely recommend this one.

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

Genre - literary fiction, suspense, mystery, family drama

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard

 Despite the title and the plot centering on the main character set on clearing her convicted serial killer grandfather's name, this is really more a quirky cozy mystery than a thriller. It was initially fast paced and drew me in quickly, but then got mired down in a long and complex explanation of fraud schemes and business failures that became boring. 

The narrative is in first person point of view, Capri Sanzio, who leads tours of famous murder sites and crimes in San Francisco. She is fixated on proving that her paternal grandfather, William (Overkill Bill) Sanzio, did not commit the 3 murders that landed him in prison where he eventually died. Apparently, though, her family can't escape their violent destiny, and new questions arise when her ex-husband's mother, Sylvia Clement, is murdered. And the MO of the killing is a copycat of her grandfather's. 

As I said, though occasionally light and humorous, there is way too much going on in the character's head and my interest waned as her whole amateur sleuthing became more convoluted. I also didn't appreciate the insta romance with the cop nor her business friends -- all stereotypical with, of course, the techy guy who can hack and crack. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator was OK with the lines she had to work with even though the character got on my nerves. She could certainly turn on the drama when necessary. This production could have benefitted from having a male voice cast as well. 

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

Genre - quirky cozy mystery

The Bitter Truth by Shanora Williams

 Solid contemporary thriller and domestic drama.

A North Carolina governor, Dominic Baker, and his wife, Jolene, are on the campaign trail for his reelection bid when he is beset by a stalker. From the notes they've left, he knows he's got to take care of a problem that he thought had been handled a long time ago. In a world where powerful men think they can get away with anything, some strong women take a stand. 

This was fast paced and, with short chapters and alternating points of view, a quick and fun read. The characters were a bit stereotypical -- the wronged wife, the victims, the side piece who is protective and good, the henchmen, the best friends, and the bad man. There are triggers of sexual assault, rape, and domestic violence. It was a good, if predictable, revenge story. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The two narrators, Sable Lyn and Roderick Ross, did an excellent job of giving voice to the characters with an appropriate amount of drama and expression. I always appreciate when the producer uses both male and female voices for the cast of characters as it lends much more of an authentic sound and creates more of a listening experience vs having the book just read aloud.

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

Genre - contemporary thriller, suspense, revenge, triggers (see above)

Murder on the Nile (Lady Eleanor Swift #19) by Verity Bright

 Another exciting installment in this cozy historical mystery series featuring the irrepressible Lady Eleanor Swift. Along with her enigmatic and brilliant butler, Clifford, Eleanor works to prevent a huge injustice while on a cruise down the Nile. 

Lady Swift, her butler, and her domestic help are on a holiday in Egypt in the summer of 1924. While the help goes on ahead to ready a townhouse she’s rented for them all in Bawaaba, Eleanor and Clifford will travel on the river via a decrepit SS Cleopatra instead of the luxurious ship she thought she had booked passage on. While underway, one of the passengers is found dead. Though others insist it was suicide, Eleanor and Clifford think it murder. An investigation ensues.

I love the characters and the historical detail in this series and always look forward to the next installment. Its success has to do with the mix of both of those elements combined with a compelling mystery for the due to analyze and solve. Eleanor is not the typical lady of the times, much to the chagrin and consternation of her butler, though he actually encourages her inquisitive nature and her courage. I enjoy reading about this era and relish the descriptions of life and times in that period.

If you do want an absorbing cozy series, I’d suggest you start from the beginning of this one and read them in order. Hope to see more of Eleanor’s beau, Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, in the next episode. 

This is #19 in a series that should be read from the beginning, in order.

Genre - cozy historical mystery series 

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

 Not at all what I expected. 

Well, finally, this is over. What a nightmare of a read. Despite being lured in by the synopsis that pretended to relate to reality television competitions, the book was basically a bad episode of a survivor show. With totally nasty, hideous characters and a very disjoined narrative. The writing was terrible and repetitive, and the book was way too long. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I tried, in vain, to understand why others liked it but I can't relate. There were so many missed opportunities for the author to use the setting and the show concept, but those were ignored and missed. The motive for the whole experience was so lame it strained the last bit of my credulity. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. Usually, this approach makes me enjoy a book more, but in this case, the narrator's voice and the way she expressed the characters put me over the edge. The mispronunciations (such as her saying inchulin for insulin) and the very bad French accent, not to mention the male character voices grated on every last nerve. Hard pass for future Ware novels. I've tried and now I'm totally done.

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - supposed to be mystery thriller but it wasn't. Abuse, murder, survival

Twisted (#1) by Maggie Giles

 I got this book from the library because I received an ARC of the second book in the duology and wanted to get the backstory before I read and reviewed the sequel. A mistake was made.

This plot centers around 3 women with 6 points of view and other characters involved with them. If I say more about these women, it will give the whole thing away. I could do that and save you the pain of reading this.... can you say psychiatric dysfunction, confabulation, and many other intentionally confusing situations. At the center of it all is sexual and physical abuse compounded by a drug prescribed by a doctor who was supposed to help them deal with their trauma. 

Other than being poorly written with horrible characters and a disjointed narrative, it went on far too long and then, worst of all, ends on a cliffhanger. 

My suggestion - skip it. 

This is the first in a duology.

Genre - psychological fiction, drama, DID, abuse, prostitution 

Her Last Walk Home (Detective Lottie Parker #14) by Patricia Gibney

 Complex plotting makes this a compelling crime thriller.

This is the 14th installment in a long running series that should be read, from the beginning, in order. Because of the intense nature of all of the personal relationships and the changes the cohort has gone through over the years, the reader will want to be on the same page. I don’t feel this works as a standalone or a starting point.

That said, this is a complicated story with the usual characters in the Rugmullin police led by Inspector Lottie Parker. Her boyfriend and partner, Mark Boyd, along with their other colleagues face a diabolical villain. The narrative is told from multiple points of view with some time shifts that make it sometimes hard to keep it all straight. When the body of a young woman is found in a field by the local cinema, Lottie and her team begin an investigation that keeps them questioning suspects and families all over the area. There’s the usual personal drama between the teammates as well as more criminal activity. They examine the little evidence they have and attempt to find the truth even as another body is found and yet another woman goes missing. Things get quite twisty at the end. 

This is one of the few series that I still follow and one of my favorites because of the characters. I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator did a great job of voicing the many different characters using different tones and varying accents to help relate their individual personalities. Listening while reading always enhances my enjoyment of the book. 

This is the 14th book in a long series that I have read in order. The only book I did not read was #13 because I was declined when I requested the ARC.

Genre - crime thriller, police procedural, murder, Ireland 

I Dreamed of Falling by Julia Dahl

 Slow moving and predictable small-town mystery.

Roman Grady, his partner Ashley, and his 4-year-old son live with his mom, Tara, and Tara's boyfriend, John in a small Hudson Valley town. Ashley is found dead on a cliff ledge close by a friend's home. Roman realizes that he knew next to nothing about what Ashley had been doing in the months leading up to her death. And now there are questions about whether or not this was a drug overdose or if Ashley was murdered.

This entire story and plot were anything but gripping or thrilling. I really disliked all of the characters in this sordid tale. The concepts of open relationships, having sex with anyone, rampant drug use, and all of this poor parenting just made the whole premise unappealing. I didn't enjoy any of it nor care what happened to Ashley. Besides, it was so predictable you could see that revelation coming a mile away. Honestly, just yucky people, and their lives were so cringe worthy. I can't recommend this to anyone.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC -- both provided by the publishers. The two narrators did an adequate job of voicing the characters, but I felt such antipathy to them all that I could not appreciate the quality of their performances. 

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

Genre - mystery, family drama, drug use

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

 Unforgettable saga set in the last American frontier.

In 1974, Ernt Albright, ex Vietnam War POW decides to move his wife and daughter to the outer reaches of northern Alaska where they will try to make a life in the wilds off the grid. None of them have a clue as to what awaits and how desperate and dire their circumstances once they arrive. Summer treats them well and Ernt, Cora, and Leni work through all the daylight hours preparing for the coming winter. They make friends with some of the neighbors and there is relative peace. Then the darkness comes, ushering in a time of peril for them all. And all the worst dangers are not outside in the treacherous climate and the wild animals are not their most terrible threat. The biggest problem is inside their small cabin. It’s Ernt. 

This novel gives you all the feels as the Allbright’s experience in Alaska runs the gamut from exciting to bloodshed. As they develop the resilience and skill to handle their daily existence, it’s obvious that Ernt is breaking down and that Cora and Leni are in fraught situations. He’s a loose cannon and Cora’s bad decisions don’t help. Leni loves her mother desperately, but she can’t get Cora to see the truth about Ernt. And then the moment comes when Leni and Cora have to respond.

I typically do not care for coming of age plots and teenage main characters so it surprised me how much I loved this book. I also found that Alaska itself was another main character and I could see the appeal of that wild place to a certain type of person. Me, on the other hand, lazy type princess who loves to have everything nice and fresh and clean, can’t wait to go to the grocery store and shop, could not have lasted a day there. I’m not cut out for that pioneer lifestyle, but I definitely admired those characters in the book for how they thrived and became part of their land. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Julia Whelan. Her voice and passion really gave the characters distinct personalities and brought them all to life. It definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story. 

Highly recommend this. I’m sure I will be thinking about it for a long time.

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

Genre - historical fiction, survivalist, Alaska, coming of age

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead by Jenny Hollander

 Overwrought psychological drama.

Charlotte (Charlie) Colbert was a witness and a survivor of an event at graduate school more than 9 years ago. The public knows it as "Scarlet Christmas" -- when 2 students died on the Carroll University School of Journalism campus. Now Charlie is an editor-in-chief at a prestigious magazine and engaged to a wealthy publishing magnate. She's come a long way since those terrible traumatic days in the aftermath of the tragedy. Unfortunately, she's really not OK, and when a former classmate decides to produce a movie about those long-ago deaths, Charlie decides she can't let the truth come out. Because Charlie lied. 

The narrative is told in a then and now format leaving so much out that the reader is easily annoyed by the lack of a real plot. The main character, Charlie, is written as a neurotic so it is hard to imagine her successful in her high-powered job. She can't remember what happened that night but is convinced that she's about to be outed. The author attempts a twist that falls flat as revelations occur that make the previous historical accounts moot. And it went on way too long. This could easily have been a short story. Not that interesting of one, but definitely most of the chronicle could have been cut and you'd still be left with the bare bones of banality. 

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator did an adequate job but found it hard to pick and stick with an accent for the characters.

This isn't one I'd recommend.

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

Genre - psychological drama

Break Every Rule by Brian Freeman

 Fast paced and highly entertaining thriller.

When his wife and baby daughter are kidnapped from their home in Florida, Tommy Miller must come out of hiding and use all of his deadly skills to track them and get them back. His biggest initial problem is that his wife was keeping secrets, and he hasn't the first idea of who would have grabbed her or why. And, indeed, Tommy has some pretty big secrets of his own. Are the abductors trying to get to him or is Teresa their real target. 

I'm not going to unpack this great plot as there is so much going on, but it was quite well-constructed with lively action scenes and different locales for them to play out in. I liked the main character and several others in the book and had a hard time putting it down. The ruthless billionaire and his wife on their private island are definitely evil and up to no good. The Florida police detective who can't let the case go and follows the trail to the Bahamas. The trustworthy partner -- yeah there are some tropes -- but it's all great storytelling. 

I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The fantastic narrator, Scott Brick (already one of my favorites), brings so much dramatic flair when he voices the characters which definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the whole book. His intonation, accents, pacing, and cadence are always spot on. Enjoy!

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

Genre  - action packed thriller, triggers of trafficking and sexual assault, rape

Suicide Med by Freida McFadden

 Highly entertaining suspense thriller.

If you’ve read any previous books by this author, you already know you are in for a wild and unpredictable reading experience. McFadden can take a plot in directions that are completely unanticipated and sometimes over the top. Despite yourself, you just keep going and don’t want to step away until the conclusion. Most of the time, the characters are quite unlikeable and that was definitely so in this novel.

It’s a tough time for these students taking Anatomy in their first year of medical school. Between long periods in the lab doing dissection, interminable study sessions, very little sleep, impossibly close and intense relationships with each other, and add on the pressure of trying to get top grades — well, it’s not surprising that eventually something, or someone, breaks. In the previous 6 years, at least one student has committed suicide. But there are even worse things going on at this school. 

The narrative is divided into different points of view and their individual stories provide quite the drama. Yeah it was a bit much sometimes, but I did have a lot of fun with it.

Listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a fabulous job voicing the characters and giving an excellent performance that enhanced my enjoyment. Have fun! 

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

Genre - suspense thriller

Death by Misadventure (Lady Emily #18) by Tasha Alexander

 Richly detailed historical mystery thriller.

In the winter of 1906, Lady Emily and her handsome husband Colin are invited to the recently renovated home of Baroness Ursula von Duchtel in the Bavarian alps. Her art collection is amazing. Outside is a panorama of the Alps and a winter wonderland with a view of Mad King Ludwig's fairy tale castle. The eclectic group of guests are enjoying a winter house party except that there are several incidents where Ursula’s son-in-law, Kaspar Allerspach, finds himself hurt or nearly killed. Though there’s no love lost between Ursula and Kaspar, everyone is shocked when a death occurs and it’s not Kaspar. In a dual timeline, the narrative unfolds to reveal hidden desires, tumultuous passions, and unfortunate liaisons that destroyed lives. 

I loved this multilayered story with its historical details and complicated plot. The writing is excellent and this series is definitely so well researched and interesting. I like the characters of Lady Emily and Colin, and they always find the most interesting cases on their travels.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Bianca Armato, was absolutely amazing with her voice, accents, and dramatic flair. Her performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book as it was an excellent production. 

I look forward to the next book in this fabulous series. 

This is the 18th book in a series. I’ve missed some and I’ve been OK reading out of order.

Genre - historical mystery series 

Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jonasson

 Absorbing mystery thriller set in Iceland.

The author definitely channels Agatha Christie in this well-plotted novel best described as a whodunit. If you like Icelandic Noir, this is one book that begs to be read. 

Helgi Reykdal is meant to be working on his dissertation in criminology when he looks into an old, unsolved murder case that occurred at a sanatorium in the north of Iceland in 1983. It's now 2012, almost 30 years later, but some of the former employees, all one-time suspects, present during the old murder investigation are still alive and Helgi is tracking them down to interview them. He's about to join the Reykjavik Police Department and take over a job held by Detective Hulda Hermansdottir who is about to retire. She was one of the original investigators on the 1983 case involving the deaths of a nurse and doctor at the sanatorium. Helgi, involved in a dangerous relationship with a live-in girlfriend, is finding the former suspects difficult to talk with. He grapples with indecision about his future but is desperate to solve the old mystery. 

I've read a couple of other books by this author and always enjoy them. I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Sam Woolf, did a great job of voicing all the characters. His pacing, intonation, accents, and dramatic flair really enhanced the production and my appreciation of the book. 

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

Genre - Iclandic Noir, mystery thriller

Murder in the Countryside (#17 Miss Underhay) by Helena Dixon

 Another cute cozy in one of my favorite historical mystery series.

In #17, Kitty Bryant (formerly Underhay) comes upon a dead body with its head crushed in a cider press while she's out in the countryside looking for cider refills for her husband, Matt. Yes, it's local farmer Titus Blake, miserly misanthrope, widower, and drunkard who has indeed been murdered. The wife of Titus's estranged brother engages Kitty and Matt to find out who killed him. Then, their main suspect is also found dead out in the woods nearby. Is this about a murky inheritance or something much deeper. 

I enjoy reuniting with all the characters in this series and this installment features more of Alice and Robert. I do, however, miss those stories set at the Dolphin Hotel where Kitty's grandmother resides. Since Kitty and Matt have married and live on their own, there is a lot less about the hotel in Dartmouth and the goings on there. This plot features bad blood between family members and some secrets. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I've enjoyed the entire set which is best read, in order, from the beginning. 

This is #17 in a series.

Genre - cozy mystery, England, 1936, historical

Her, Too by Bonnie Kistler

 An unputdownable thriller.

Kelly McCann is a successful lawyer who has made a lucrative practice out of defending men accused of sex crimes. Her most recent win is the acquittal of Dr. George Benedict, accused of the rape of a coworker he had fired. Dr. Benedict, the man behind the discovery of what might be the cure for Alzheimer's, is now back on track to receive the Nobel Prize in medicine. Kelly is jubilant in her victory as she loves winning. Until she's attacked and sexually assaulted. Telling anyone is out of the question as it would destroy her career. Once she comes to her senses, she realizes that she must get revenge for herself and for all the other women who have been victims. 

This is a very tough subject to read about and to discuss. The author handles it with the outrage it deserves and also shows the damage that the assaults inflict on the lives of the women and every other aspect of their existence. I was cheering Kelly on even as I cringed at some of the decisions she made. Her situation is complicated by her family life and unwillingness to tell anyone what happened to her. I read the entire book in a single sitting, and I know it will linger in my mind for a very long time. 

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book and the narrators did a fabulous job of voicing all the characters. The accents, the emotions, and the drama were all so well done by the performances of Susan Dalian and Elisabeth Rodgers. The audiobook definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story. 

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

Genre - suspense thriller, sexual assault, rape, murder, lawyers

Passions in Death (In Death Eve Dallas #59) by J.D. Robb

 Another winner in this futuristic crime thriller series.

It's summer in Manhattan, but it's not the heat that brings Lt. Eve Dallas and Roarke to the air conditioned Down and Dirty sex club that night. A bride-to-be lies dead in a private room along with a case of special surprises for her fiancée. Because the club was mostly full of their best friends in a pre-wedding celebration, Eve knows that one of them must have killed Erin Albright, a 27-year-old mixed race artist who was about to marry Shauna Hunnicut. The LGBTQ+ friend tribe is in shock and Shauna is devastated. Eve and her colleagues are determined to get justice for this cold-blooded and obviously calculated murder. 

It amazes me that the author can keep this level of suspense and write interesting plots after 58 other installments featuring Detective Eve Dallas. It's been fun to see all the other characters grow and develop through the pages of the series and I really like them all. Of course, it's Eve and Roarke who have the ideal marriage and partnership, but they are very generous to their friends as well. It's fun with the futuristic bent and the little details about the state of the cities and the ways that people live and work. I am always eager for the next book. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while reading along with the e-book ARC (both provided by the publishers). The narrator, Susan Ericksen, does an excellent job with all the character voices and accents. Her performance is always fabulous as she is so animated and appropriately dramatic. As always, simultaneous listening and reading enhances my enjoyment of the book. 

This is part of a long running series that is best when read from the beginning and in order.

Genre - futuristic crime thriller

The Dark Wives (#11 Vera Stanhope) by Ann Cleeves

 Murder and mystery involving a care home for troubled teens.

This is the 11th book in the series but the first I have read. I've also not seen the television show, so all of this was new to me. Set in the coastal northeastern village of Longwater, DI Vera Stanhope and her team investigate the death of a staff member, Josh, who is found murdered right outside of Rosebank, a care home for teenagers. In addition, one of the residents at the home, Chloe Spence, has disappeared. Is she a victim or a suspect? 

Vera's team begins the tedious task of following up. Her subordinates include DS Joe Ashworth and DC Charlie as well as a new member, DC Rosie Bell. The story also refers to a previous member of the team, Holly, now apparently deceased and often mentioned but no details about what happened. I think this made coming into the series with this installment a bit confusing so probably best to read in order. I could tell that the team understands each other and knows strength and weakness of their colleagues but difficult to assess character development. Vera is strong, independent, opinionated, keeps things close to the chest, and happily single. 

One of my gripes about this police procedural is how completely the reader is left in the dark when Vera and the team have the pieces to solve the case, including the names of suspects, but those details are not given. 

The plot had merits but I found the process and all of the interviews quite slow moving. Lots of characters to keep straight. Not sure if I liked well enough to begin the series with the first installment but I might read another in the future. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator did a great job voicing the characters and all the accents but without the text in front of me I think it would have been difficult to identify who was speaking at times. It definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story as the production was well done.

This is the 11th book in a popular British crime mystery series. There is also a television series featuring the main character. I had not read or seen either before. I feel best that this series be read from the beginning in order. 

Genre - British police procedural, mystery

Red River Road by Anna Downes

 What a twisty and wild ride in this mystery thriller about a woman searching to find out what happened to her younger sister who went missing when on a solo van trip through Australia. 

Great descriptive storytelling as Katy Sweeney uses her sister, Phoebe’s, old instagram posts to trace her route along the Western Australian coast. Following her social media photos and details into campsites and scenic sites, Katy finds the trail has gone cold. No one knows anything. Katy discovers more questions than answers as she soon realizes that the situation of a woman traveling alone can be very dangerous. What happened to Phoebe and where was she when it did?

Suddenly, the tracking becomes even more convoluted when Katy meets and befriends the stranded Beth. But things are even more strange as they travel together. Someone is following them. 

I think it best to go into this without reading too much about it ahead of time. It’s a fabulous narrative  with multiple points of view that, initially, is quite confusing. When all is revealed, you will likely shake your head and exclaim at how well the author tied everything together in a shocking climax. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publisher. The narrator did a fabulous job with the different character voices and the Australian accents. The quality of expression and tone by Maddy Withington added immensely to my enjoyment of the story. An excellent production that has the added benefit of hearing the author’s note at the end and a conversation between Anna Downes and Sally Hepworth. Highly recommended.

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

Genre - psychological thriller, mystery, assault, partner violence, solo van life 

The Hotel Maid by Michelle Dunne

 June Calloway has been cleaning rooms at the Cedarwood Manor for 6 years. As a maid, she’s practically invisible to the guests and other staff there. A bit of an odd duck, she says little but notices everything. She’s good at her job and enjoys it well enough, but her life outside of the luxurious hotel is quiet and lonely. Although she has a roommmate, she has little money and few possessions. She also has a tendency to self-harm. But June has big plans and even bigger secrets.

A bit of a slow burn, nothing really started happening until after the half-way mark and I was getting bored. The story’s main character, June, seemed a bit too much like another in a series I’ve also read. Also, the narrative flips back and forth in point of view and time jumps that made the flow uneven. I didn’t really enjoy the parts that featured Mia. The lies of Tess and the convoluted identity and names got muddled as well. From then, it became entirely forseeable . I didn’t care for June and how she handled her issues and past. Although I might initially have felt for her in the situations she found herself in, I soon believed that she was wrong in how things were handled. It was way too complicated for a plot that was so predictable in the end.  Enough said. 

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book as both were provided as ARCs by the publisher. I enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook who did an excellent job of voicing the characters and I loved her accent. That definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

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

Genre. - revenge thriller, self harm, mental health issues, child abuse

Shadowheart (UNSUB #4) by Meg Gardiner

 Fast-paced and convoluted crime thriller.

This novel features the characters of the UNSUB series but goes away from the Prophet and the Ghost story line to focus on the manipulations of a serial killer who is locked in a Tennessee prison. Efrem Judah Goode claims to have killed dozens of women and is giving the FBI drawings of them to help their families get closure. Of course he wants something in return. It seems a new killer is putting their victims at the dump sites of Goode's previous murders. FBI profiler Caitlin Hendrix must try to locate this new villain, dubbed the Broken Heart Killer, and try to figure out their motive in taunting Goode. 

There was just way too much happening in this book. Although I liked the character of Caitlin Hendrix, it took forever to get the case unraveled and figure out what was going on. The whole situation with Finch and her adoptive mother bothered me, mainly because of how the concept and point of adoption was framed as well as what happened to the pair. Many convenient coincidences and the conclusion really bothered me. There was also this side plot going on with the boyfriend Sean, and the bomb squad, etc. but left unresolved with the Ghost still out there. 

I suppose this could be a standalone as it really doesn't fit with the rest of the series but is more a tangent. I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher and didn't care for the voice of the narrator. This definitely would have benefited from a larger cast.

This is the 4th in a series. I have not read all of them.

Genre - crime thriller, serial killer. FBI

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

 Absorbing historical fiction set in China in the 15th century.

Although this is fiction, the novel was based on the true story of Tan Yunxian, raised in an elite family and trained in the ancient ways on how to be a wife and mother. Her upbringing, however, was framed by her grandmother, one of only a few female Chinese doctors, and she teaches Yunxian medicine specific to female patients. Most of the illnesses of women relate to childbearing and Yunxian learns about those along with a girl of her own age in training to be a midwife. Meiling and Yunxian become forever friends who share in each other's joy and anguish throughout their lives. 

Yunxian is married out in an arranged marriage and is subject to a mother-in-law who forbids the friendship and also prevents her from treating the women and girls in the large household compound known as the Garden of Fragrant Delights. Confined to the grounds, Yunxian finds ways to reach her destiny despite many travails.

This novel was epic in scope and evoked all the feelings. I often find books that show how women were treated and seen in the past to be difficult to stomach. As a heath care professional, I also have to shudder at some of the thoughts and practices about disease and treatments that were common in that era, 5 centuries ago, and in a country that I know little to nothing about as far as beliefs and culture. The descriptions about the people, the class differences, the foot binding, the concubines, the feelings about children, and so many other details were absolutely fascinating. I should have been doing so many other necessary chores but could not put this down. I will be thinking of this book for a very long time. This ultimately was a book about women helping women during the Ming dynasty era, but also is true of the way women still support and care for each other because it is true that only women can understand some things about women's health. 

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jennifer Chen and Justin Chien while also following along in the e-book. The narrators did a marvelous job of voicing the characters. Their inflection, intonation, and expressiveness added to my enjoyment of the story. It is an excellent production. 

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

Genre - historical fiction, Ming Dynasty, China, women physicians. Based on real person.

Dark Music (Rekke #1) by David Lagercrantz

 "...darkness not only conceals, it also transforms. Corrupts."

The first in a new crime thriller series, this book features an interesting investigative duo and highlights international crimes and conspiracy. 

Professor Hans Rekke is a physical and personal disaster, but his brilliant deductive techniques make him an expert in logic and observation. Through a series of events, he connects with Stockholm police officer Micaela Vargas. Their partnership proves synergistic as the pair solves the murder of an asylum seeker from Afghanistan. 

This story starts out quite slow and the murder investigation isn't very exciting, but the pace and tension build when Rekke and Vargas start digging into the victim's past. The historical details heighten the intensity of the inquiry. Unfortunately, Rekke seems unstable (addict and depressive) and without Vargas, this whole probe wouldn't have gone anywhere as the police had basically stopped looking for the killer after initially arresting the wrong person. I'm trying to figure out exactly what type of relationship Rekka and Vargas will forge as they work well together and there does seem to be a hint of attraction. The plot develops and it ended up being quite absorbing by the end. I am interested enough in this duo to read additional books in this series. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book and that was essential as the pronunciations, Latin phrases, names of Swedish places, accents, etc. were beyond my ability to understand just by hearing. The narrator had a nice voice and did a good job trying to articulate the many different characters. 

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

Genre - crime thriller, international, Sweden

A Game of Lies (DC Morgan #2) by Clare Mackintosh

 Crime thriller set in Wales.

Another book about a reality show! Apparently, this is the genre du jour in 2024 as I have read quite a few with similar themes this year. In this case, seven contestants are chosen to participate in a telecast named "Exposure" that is being filmed at a camp set up in the Welsh mountains. Lured to participate thinking it was a survival type program, they find out on live television that the whole point of their experience will be about finding out and exposing each other's secrets. Shamed publicly and perhaps resulting in terrible consequences in their personal lives. Locked into contracts they can't get out of, the seven are trapped and when the outing of the secrets begins, one of the players disappears. The local police are called in to search for the missing person. Then a murder.  DC Ffion Morgan has to quickly figure out what is going on.

This was fast-paced, and I felt a bit at a loss as this was the second book in a series and I had not read the first. I have not previously read a lot of books set in Wales so I found the description of the area quite interesting. I don't feel like I got to know the characters very well and all seemed stereotypical and superficial as detectives, especially Ffion who is headstrong, impetuous, and doesn't really follow the rules but her understanding boss allows her to remain on the job despite her failings. I understand the romance began in the previous book. The secrets and lies are revealed and the case is solved with the usual heroine in peril situation. I probably won't continue this series.

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. It's a good thing I had the book because the accents and pronunciations made it almost impossible to understand what was being said. The narrator's voice was quite unpleasant.

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

Genre - crime thriller, reality shows, detectives, Wales

Fire and Bones (#23 Tempe Brennan) by Kathy Reichs

 I truly enjoy this series featuring the iconic Tempe Brennan and what’s really amazing is that this #23 is every bit as good, maybe even better, as the previous installments.  

First of all, I really love anything medical and Tempe, as a forensic anthropologist, always gets deep in with the bones and bodies. The details are what I can’t get enough of and because the author is herself an expert, she writes what she knows so well. Every description is so vivid that I can almost feel like I am right there and everything is explained so you don’t have to know anything about the subject to get the clear picture and gist of the situations. 

In this case, Tempe is called to Washington, DC, to help identify the unknown victims of a fire. Those poor, unfortunate souls were staying in the dilapidated building illegally and died inside. In addition, another body is discovered in the sub basement, this one predating the fire by decades.

In typical Tempe fashion, she becomes consumed by the case and the history of the Foggy Bottoms where the building was located. She ends up staying with a friend of her daughter’s while there and that relationship is beneficial to both with regard to the case. 

I love the character of Tempe Brennan. She’s self-deprecating and funny and so very clever. She’s definitely matured and grown since the first novels and I love how she appreciates all aspects of life as she gets older. I have to laugh as she is one of the few woman in novels who actually always has a healthy appetite! As always, can’t wait for the next and will always recommend this series. Be sure to start at the beginning.

I was lucky and obtained a copy of the audiobook that I could listen to while following along with my e-book ARC obtained from the publisher. I loved the production and the narrator’s voice is perfect for Tempe and she does a great job with the other characters as well.

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

Genre - medical mystery, forensic anthropology, crime thriller

The Astrology House by Carinn Jade

 Entertaining suspense thriller. 

The 4 couples and friends just wanted a fun weekend away and Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat sounds like a lovely place for them to hang out. Farrah and Joe, Aimee and Adam, Eden and Rick, and Margot and Ted are not that big into astrology but are quite surprised by some of the revelations they experience when Rini starts doing their readings. Lots of the usual secrets and lies that are just lurking and ready to bust out.

Sounds like many of these people have things they don’t want to come out and, what a surprise, Rini has her own agenda. And then, the hurricane. 

This was fun and fast and quite predictable with all the couples at the retreat. The narrative alternates points of view so the reader knows what each is thinking  and feeling. I liked some of the characters more than others and the conclusion was not really unexpected as I had anticipated that turn of events. I guess you can never really know anyone as well as you think or hope.

I don’t know much about astrology other than basic zodiac signs so that part was quite interesting and made me actually want to look up my own chart. Alas, no Rini here to interpret for me!

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I liked that the production had a large cast so as to make the voices and personalities distinct. I definitely liked some of the voices more than others. But, as always, the dual approach made me enjoy the novel that much more.

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

Genre - mystery thriller, psychological domestic drama

Holmes, Marple & Poe (#1) by James Patterson

 This is the first installment of a new crime thriller series featuring private investigators Brendon Holmes, Margaret Marple, and Auguste Poe.

Lots of fun as the three partners set up their business in NYC and solve 4 mysteries with unusual style and flair. Loved the characters and their approach to crime solving. Their interactions with other agencies such as police and FBI were always entertaining. Lots of criminals so a nice variety of detective work.

I listened to the audio while following along in the e-book, both obtained from my local library. The narrator did a nice job of voicing the various characters, complete with accents. I am looking forward to the next in the series. 

First in a new series. Read in order.

Genre - crime thriller, private investigators, murder

The Haters by Robyn Harding

 Psychological thriller conveys the dark side of fame and social media.

At last, Camryn Lane has realized her dream of becoming a published author. She's so happy and proud of her success when "Burnt Orchid" is out, and the glowing comments start coming in. But then, a scathing message and a deluge of one-star reviews start flooding social media. In short order, Camryn's life spirals out of control and she flounders both personally and professionally as she is pummeled by haters and doxed by someone intent on destroying her life. Who is it and who can Camryn trust when it becomes obvious that the tormenter is someone close to her. 

This was an interesting book premise, and I liked it well enough though less as the story evolved. I had a couple of issues with it, but mostly it was that I actually did not care for Camryn despite my initial sympathy for her plight. I also couldn't stand her teenage daughter and the behaviors of her other near and dear friends and acquaintances. Wow, such good family and friends. And I was totally uninterested in the book within a book -- the story of Orchid. It became increasingly obvious that the cause of all of this drama was very close. Another issue I had was the lack of real consequences and suitable punishment for the perpetrator(s). There was real and serious damage done. 

This whole concept of the horrible things that can and do happen with posts on social media demonstrates how many, especially the young, cannot handle the dangers. The idea and truth that someone can easily be ruined and destroyed by strangers is strongly conveyed. It is quite scary, really. 

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator did a decent job, but this production could have benefited from additional voices.

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

Genre - psychological thriller, drama

Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon

 What a wild, totally fun and twisted thriller!

What won't some do for fame? The Bittersweet all-girl pop rock band is on the cusp of finding out. Drummer Vienna Taylor and her best friend, guitarist and vocalist, Madison Pierce, are just about to realize their dream after the release of their first single. On the way to a meet and greet party in the Catskills in a blizzard, their SUV crashes. One of the band members is dead and others are injured as they make their way to an abandoned house. Not all of the women will survive, and Vienna sees her hopes and plans fall apart. 

This was so fast paced and absorbing as the hits just kept on coming that I could not put it down and read it all today. I had no idea, nor did I anticipate or expect the sudden detour the story took and after that it was a mad dash to the ending. There were quite a few characters, but the author gave the main ones great attention and they came alive on the pages as individuals. Both Vienna and Madison were believable and equally surprising. As the narrative passed the halfway mark, I just could not wait to see what happened next as everything is revealed.  Go into this blind and you will enjoy it a lot more. Even if you're not a fan of 80s music and perhaps the artists and songs mentioned don't ring a bell, the story is still quite entertaining, and I enjoyed it. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Amy Hall, did a great job of speaking all the different characters but this definitely would have benefited from a larger cast because of the predominantly female voices. The listening always adds to the experience, and this was a well-done production. 

Don't read too much about this before you dive in. Enjoy!

This is a standalone and is not part of any series

Genre - mystery thriller

Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman

 A disaster procedural that is impossible to put down -- so clear the calendar because you will want to read this in a single sitting.

The pilot of a large commercial aircraft has a medical emergency and dies instantly while at the controls in the cockpit. Unfortunately, the first officer is in the lavatory and can't get back in time to save the nearly 300 people on board. The plane nosedives into a nuclear power plant in the small town of Waketa, Minnesota. Soon this town will become the epicenter of a crisis on par with an extinction event.

I think this is the author's best work yet and I was glued to my chair until I turned the last page. I have always enjoyed a disaster novel because it gives the opportunity for such great character development and this one shines in that department. The courage and determination of the plant management, engineers, and scientists are on full display as are the heroics of the local fire department and all of the National Guardsmen called in to do whatever they can. The community rallies and provides for its own at the local church. Fires rage out of control, there's no power, the cooling pool level is falling, the gas is building up, and the pump room is flooded. Doom is imminent. 

Now, I know next to nothing about nuclear power plants and how they function, but the author's research makes it understandable. Complex technology is broken down into bits that explain the dangers and hazards. But in this book, it's the characters that really inhabit the narrative and the drama. The lengths that some went through were inspiring and yes, I shed a few tears. I don't want to imagine this scenario further but I'm glad I read this.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along with the e-book ARC (both provided by the publisher) and that really enhanced the experience. The production was great, even down to having the voices come out garbled over the radios. Sound effects really can make an audiobook more amazing. My only complaint about Joe Morton's narration was that he often mispronounces the word nuclear as nucular. But his inflection and expressiveness were very well done. 

Enjoy! Now this is a movie I would love to see. 

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - disaster, thriller, suspenseful

The Second Mrs Strom by Kaira Rouda

 If you like reading a story about horrible, vindictive, narcissistic people then this is the novel for you.

Paul Strom has married again. But now he's the rich one after his stint at being a boy toy has ended with his paramour's death. Cecilia is everything he wants after his disastrous first marriage and the loss of his two sons (see first book). She is young and beautiful and will help him take Hollywood by storm. Unfortunately, he doesn't really know her very well at all. And she has her own ideas about what this marriage is going to do for her. 

This was just too much nastiness for me. Both Paul and Cecilia are such hideous people that I could barely get through this though others might like this kind of psychological drama. At first, I was drawn in and hoped that perhaps the whole plot would turn out different than expected, but, alas, it was predictable and thus I just read the twisty mess to get to the epilogue. I was not happy with the conclusion either. Definitely read Best Day Ever first before you tackle this one if you really think you need more. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along with the e-book, both provided by the publisher. I really wanted to like this one, but I do not like this type of trope where bad people get away with so much evil behavior. I liked the voice of the male narrator, but the female's voice was like nails on a chalkboard and got on my nerves with the breathy high-pitched sound. 

This is a follow-up to The Best Day Ever so read that one first.

Genre - psychological drama

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

 Mystery with perceived paranormal elements.

When Ethan was 10 years old, he and his best friend, Billy, were sleeping in a tent out in Ethan's backyard on Hemlock Circle. When Ethan awoke the next morning, Billy's sleeping bag was empty and there was a huge slit in the side of the tent next to where Billy had been. He was never seen again.

Thirty years later, Ethan returns to his childhood home after his parents relocate to Florida. Most of the same neighbors remain in the cul-de-sac and there are still no answers as to what happened that night. Ethan cannot move on. Then Billy's remains are located in a lake at the bottom of a waterfall on some property owned by the secluded and private Hawthorne Institute. Did that creepy place have something to do with Billy's disappearance? Who took him from the tent? Suddenly, some really weird things start happening -- strange shadows on the web cam, baseballs on the lawn, and secret words from the past. Has Billy's spirit come back to answer all the questions.

Two things I generally dislike in books -- paranormal stuff and details about stuff kids do. This was told in shifting timelines by Ethan as narrator and most of the time, he seemed like just a mess. His insomnia has affected his ability to think clearly, and he has all sorts of notions and suspicions. I didn't like him much as a main character as he seemed to be devoid of personality. The whole ghost thing and the Hawthorne Institute aspects were nothing more than diversions that never went anywhere. The reveal at the end, well, not really much of a surprise if you were narrowing down the suspects and weeding out the red herrings. Way too much repetition. It was all just a letdown. 

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Santino Fontana while following along in the E-book ARC provided by the publisher. I liked his voice for the male characters, but the ones he tried on for the women and the kids didn't quite do it. This production would definitely have benefited from a larger voice cast.

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

Genre - mystery thriller

The Unwedding by Ally Condie

 A lovely resort in Big Sur, a private wedding, a huge rainstorm mudslide, and a murder...

Ellery Wainwright goes solo to the Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California, following a sudden and devasting divorce. The trip was already paid for, intended to be the perfect place for she and Luke to celebrate twenty years of marriage, so Ellery decides to go on alone. It so happens that her stay isn't anything like she expected. Initially, a wedding is canceled when the bride is left standing at the altar. Then the first dead body is discovered. Things get worse when the resort is cut off due to a deluge washing out a bridge preventing anyone getting in or out. When yet another guest dies, it becomes clear that things are not at all what they seem and some of those there are not good people. 

This started out OK with Ellery meeting and making friends with the guests at the resort. Lots of different characters are introduced but it's like almost instant friendship which seemed a bit strange. Of course, most all the people staying there have secrets or are lying. I just never warmed to Ellery as she wallowed a lot in her post-divorce misery, missing her kids, or hints about a past trauma. She was ingratiating herself at every turn and getting into everyone's business. Many of the others were stereotypes and not all were explored or fully developed enough.  

Then, the story went haywire at about 80% when these sudden complete confessions were taking place out in the woods. The ensuing action and behavior of the characters was quite unbelievable and contrived. I just never bought into Ellery being so clever or so popular and all of the people just laying the whole thing out like an outline. And all the motivations were quite lame. Definitely need to suspend a ton of disbelief to buy into the big twists and reveals. It lost me.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Christine Lakin, did a decent job with voicing all the characters, but this book had so many that the performance would have benefited from having a larger cast of narrators.

This is a standalone debut and not part of any series. Author previously wrote mostly YA novels and this is her first book aimed for adult audience.

Genre - mystery thriller, contemporary

Storm Child (Cyrus Haven #4) by Michael Robotham

 Psychological thriller that unlocks the secrets of Evie's past. 

This 4th installment in the series featuring forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven brings the origin story of Evie Cormac in a full arc. From her discovery in the walls of a secret room hiding from killers and captors, Evie and Cyrus have embarked on a journey to find the answers that will make her whole again. That past reaches up to both Evie and Cyrus when a migrant boat is sunk washing up the dead on a Lincolnshire beach. 

I have read these 4 books from the beginning and feel that is the best approach as all of the facets of Cyrus and Evie's relationship have been revealing and interesting. I feel this one could be a fitting conclusion to the series and time to move on. I have liked the characters and how they have interacted and built a life for themselves. I like the author's writing style and the whole premise was well-executed in the previous books. 

I was fortunate and able to listen to the audiobook narrated by the talented Joe Jameson while reading along with the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The many different character voices were done very well, and the accents were performed beautifully. Definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is the 4th and hopefully last in the series that should be read in order.

Genre - psychological thriller, mystery

Off the Air by Christina Estes

 Debut mystery is realistic about the world of multimedia news and journalism.

Local television reporter, Jolene Garcia, wants a big story and wants an Emmy. When a controversial  radio personality, Larry Lemmon, dies while at work on radio station KFRK, Jolene wants the inside track. Soon the death is considered suspicious, and everyone knows that means Larry was murdered. Since she was the last person to interview him, Jolene has the notion that this will be the news break that makes her career. Despite competition from other local and national news outlets, Jolene has a couple of sources that might give her an advantage if she can find out the truth first and get it on the air.

This was funny at times and lighthearted at others. Some serious political hot topics are discussed as part of the shock jock's rhetoric, and there are lots of details about the inner workings of news organizations. The author has experience and obviously knows what she is writing about, and that insider information is interesting. Although I have an aversion to reporters and how they want the story at any cost, I can understand how the public's demand for 24/7 news and social media feed the frenzy. I found it quite convenient that Jolene had so many sources and also thought her investigation was equal parts unlikely and ill advised. All told, it was easy to read in a single sitting and a unique contemporary bit of storytelling. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Marcella Black, did a good job of providing nuance and distinct voices for all the characters. This dual method always adds to my enjoyment of the reading experience.

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

Genre - contemporary mystery

Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda

 Compelling atmospheric mystery thriller. 

A persistent drought has lowered the levels of Mirror Lake as Hazel Sharp returns to claim her childhood home. Her father, beloved police detective, recently died and she has to face the two brothers she left behind ages ago. The house by the lake is not all that was left to Hazel in her father's will. Things that had been hidden in the depths of the lake are exposed. As the shock ripples through the family and the community, some secrets and lies are revealed and everything Hazel believed is now suspect. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the mounting suspense and tension as Hazel makes her discoveries and faces the challenges of the revelations about her family. I liked the twists and turns and was trying to figure out everything along with Hazel. I liked her as a protagonist. The small-town atmosphere and the dry conditions set a great scene for the story. 

I listened to the audiobook while following along with the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Ines Del Castillo, did a fantastic job voicing the characters and making them all sound unique. The production enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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

Genre - mystery thriller, suspense

The Reaper Follows (#4 Larson and Forrest) by Heather Graham

 Entertaining conclusion to this crime thriller series.

FDLE special agent Amy Larson and her partner, FBI special agent Hunter Forrest, are called to a gruesome scene in the Everglades. Chopped up body parts from many people spill out of a fallen barrel in a stretch of mangrove roots. Four more barrels still intact. And a note clasped in the fingers of one of the victims. Amy knows who left the calling card when she also received a little plastic horse, the pale horse of Apocalypse and the Four Horsemen fame, had shown up at the FDLE. The Archangel is taunting them and Amy and Hunter need to stop their end game. 

I had not read the previous three books in this series, so I was a bit wary of jumping in here at the finish. Fortunately, I didn't have any problem following the story line and caught up easily with well-placed details and backstory. Lots of action and compelling characters made this an engaging book that captured me and kept my attention. I also really enjoyed all the historical information about the Seminoles and other native tribes as well as the description of the Everglades and its flora and fauna. 

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I thought the narrator, Roger Wayne, did a good job voicing all the characters and giving them each a different inflection and tone. The audio added to my appreciation and enjoyment of the book. 

In retrospect, I would have preferred to have read the whole series in order.

This is the 4th in a series.

Genre - crime thriller, mystery

Echoes of Memory by Sara Driscoll

 Absorbing mystery thriller.

Quinn Fleming is trying to reclaim her life after a vicious nighttime attack left her with a traumatic brain injury. The trauma resulted in a type of amnesia that prevents her from forming new memories. Although she's back to work as a florist in a San Diego flower shop, she cannot function without her post it labels on every surface and her diary notebook in which she records every detail of her daily existence. Then she witnesses a murder in the alley behind the floral shop. In order not to forget what she saw in the dark, she records every detail immediately and gets the police involved. Fortunately, Quinn is an artist, and she pours any snippet of memory into sketches from dreams and flashes of insight. Unfortunately, someone else knows that she was there in the alley and saw what happened. That someone does not want Quinn to remember anything.

I enjoyed the story, especially the clinical details about TBI and this particular type of amnesia. The recovery from such an injury can be very arduous and frustrating. I liked how the main character approached her situation and all her efforts to keep making progress toward recovering lost memories and also to increase her ability to make new ones. The other characters in the book were also fleshed out and important to the narrative. The mystery was complicated and the pacing of the revelations as it was solved was well done.

Fortunately, I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC -- both provided by the publisher. The narrator of the audiobook, Cynthia Farrell, did an excellent job of voicing and giving nuance to all the characters. both male and female. It definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

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

Genre - mystery thriller, amnesia, TBI

Misguided Truth (Dr. Samantha Jenkins #4) by Stephanie Kreml

 This is the last of the series that I plan to read. 

In this book, Dr. Samantha Jenkins is filling in at a clinic after the murder of the doctor who had run it for years. His wife is the office manager and likes Sam so much of course and begs her to stay on. Meanwhile, Sam finds evidence of a drug ring involving a common prescription medicine for hypothyroidism. Also gets involved in a domestic assault case. 

Her meddling and snooping are always one way because she's so self-righteous and constantly uses the patient confidentiality card even though people are in imminent danger. She uses HIPAA as a shield when she could easily consult legal for info on whether her disclosures are allowed. Her sleuthing activities are laughable. 

I can't stand the main character. She's wishy washy and has no clue of what she wants to do just drifting from one thing to another unwilling to do the necessary hard work to finish classwork, get a residency and find a job she might actually stick with. So done. 

There are 5 books now in the series. I have read the first 4 in order. I will not read more.

Genre - amateur doctor goes sleuthing. NOT medical mysteries. 

Truth Promised (Dr. Samantha Jenkins #3) by Stephanie Kreml

 In this installment, Dr. Samantha Jenkins is taking a break from her urgent care clinic position to go work as a medical advisor and consultant for a start up that is working on developing new uses for known drugs. But this new company has a hidden agenda, and when a colleague is found dead in the lab, Sam is sure that it was foul play. 

This was OK, not very thrilling or exciting. Predictable plot and bad guys. I’m not crazy about this female protagonist and we would not be friends. She's so nosy and busy with snooping that I likely wouldn't want to work with her either. She's definitely confused about her career and professional goals. I generally like books about medical stuff and science. I'm not sure what puts me off about the series. 

Series of 5 that should be read in order.

Genre - medical and science related, protagonist is a medical doctor

The Family Experiment by John Marrs

 Hold on tight — you are about to re-enter the world of John Marrs as he continues to entertain and scare us a bit with a story about creating families in the Metaverse. 

Although not part of a series, this novel of speculative fiction is connected to his previous books so you will see references to them. I love how he ties it all together!

In a not-so-distant future, people are facing economic crises, and many can't afford to have children. Finally, an alternative! Several lucky couples have been selected to take part in a new reality television show where they will be given and be allowed to take care of their personally chosen and designed virtual child in a special Metaverse where viewers can watch them parent 24/7 and eventually vote for the winner. Who's the best parent(s)? - the winner will be allowed to keep this virtual child or have the opportunity to create a real baby with the money they win.  Everything starts out so well!

The narrative shifts between points of view of the different parents who are participating in the reality show. Each is unique and though at first a bit hard to keep track of, eventually they become quite distinct in the story. This was quite a dark and twisty thriller, and it kept me turning the pages as the challenges unfolded. The emphasis on the uncertainty of AI and all of the potential for both good and bad gives the reader much to think about or discuss with a book club. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The male and female narrators did a decent job, but it was hard to differentiate between so many different characters. The nuances in voice and tone were not obvious and distinct enough in many cases. The sound effects were appreciated. It was a nice way to augment my enjoyment of the novel.

This is a standalone though part of the author's imaginative universe. Though not necessary, it would be best if you had already read those previous books.

Genre - speculative fiction, future, AI, virtual reality, metaverse, family drama

The Mayfair Dagger by Ava January

 Historical cozy mystery is a light and entertaining read.

Albertine Honeycombe and her friend/maid, Joan, have escaped to London when her male cousin takes over her father's estate after his death. There is no way Albertine intends to be forced to marry a local farmer and help raise his 15 children. She has reinvented herself as a lady detective and identifies as Countess Von Dagga. The Count is obviously not around to bother her. Albertine and Joan have advertised and have been called upon to help society women with some of their personal issues. Unfortunately, these rich ladies don't seem to want to pay them after they deliver their services, so Albertine decides to hire a man to be the front of the agency. Little does Albertine know that the man she has hired works for Scotland Yard and is the Duke of Erleigh. It seems that a man that Albertine was recently in contact with while doing a job has turned up dead. And, she's the prime suspect. 

I liked the characters of Albertine, Joan, and Spencer and their witty repartee. There were several moments of humor, and they all got along great. Of course, neither Albertine nor Joan had any idea that Spencer was a Duke. His lies come back to haunt him later when he falls in love with Albertine. It was all going along so swimmingly in the narrative but then it got really bogged down with the romance and the prose went on and one about how wonderful Albertine was. Gag. I'm not a huge romance fan and, along with some other crazy things that happen in the story, it was just over the top. The whole grandstanding gesture at the end was a bit too far. If most of that lovey dovey stuff was removed, it would have been a lot better. 

I listened to the audiobook while following along with the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I enjoyed both narrators who did a great job of voicing all the characters. Deifnitely provided an entertaining experience with the excellent production.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series == so far!

Genre - romance, historical cozy, mystery

Neglected Truth (Samantha Jenkins #2) by Stephanie Kreml

 This is supposed to be a medical mystery, but it really doesn't fit that category.

This is the second book in the series I have read as I really hoped this would be better than the first one. The whole premise is just so out there and unbelievable for any sort of medical doctor working in a workman's comp clinic. The main character, Dr. Samantha Jenkins, is always drawn into these investigations that she has no business involving herself in and no normal real doctor would. I find Samantha as a character to be really irritating on many levels. Her romance issues, her problems with her father, her side hustle doing some unauthorized snooping that puts her in danger, and her issues with her main job all combine to make this a series I can leave behind.

I'm always on the lookout for good plots featuring medical situations but this was not it as it focused on workplace coverups and inadequate safety precautions. 

This is the second in a series. Probably should read in order. There are 4 total so far.

Genre - doctor being an amateur detective, snoop

One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day

 Predictable family drama set in an almost deserted hotel during a hurricane.

Charley Kelley, age 19, works as the only maid at the Precipice, a hotel in Maine, set at the edge of a cliff. The old man owner dies, and his 3 daughters, Vicki, Iris, and Faith come to hear the reading of the will. The weekend turns dangerous as all the guests depart, Hurricane Larry bears down on them, and secrets the Bishop sisters are keeping might just be the deadliest of all.

I had a difficult time buying into this story and the whole plot was so unsurprising that I find it hard to believe that any reader could say there are any unexpected twists. Each chapter brought more anticipated revelations and it all played out to a conclusion that you can see a mile coming. The characters were mostly unlikeable and even though we are supposed to like Charley, I really didn't find her believable either. Halfway through it, I just wanted to be done with the book. Overall, this didn't deliver the promised suspense or thrills.

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book (both provided by the publishers) but that combination didn't bring me the expected enjoyment as it usually does. The narrator's voice was OK, however there was little differentiation in tone or cadence to allow the listener to be able to identify which character was speaking. This type of novel with so many different people would have benefited from a larger speaking cast.

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

Genre - domestic and family drama, locked room type of mystery

The Vacancy in Room 10 by Seraphina Nova Glass

 Secrets and murder at the Sycamores

This psychological thriller is told from the viewpoints of two very different women, both basically at the dead-end run-down motel turned apartment complex because of events over which they had no control.

Cass is the motel manager, dumped by a rich boyfriend who refused to marry her and then took up with a much younger woman. She happens to be very handy and so has the very depressing job of fixing up the dilapidated units for low wages and the place she gets to live in. She knows almost everything going on in those apartments behind closed doors. 

Anna was married to Henry, an artist who had a unit at the Sycamores to use as a studio. She comes to clear out the place he'd used and to get answers after he kills himself following a phone call to her when he confessed to some terrible crime. 

Daily life at the Sycamores is no treat, but there are the pool women, the kids, the other odd tenants, and one very bad man. Someone there, however, knows what happened to Henry and soon Anna finds evidence that she had no idea what Henry had actually been doing in this place. 

I was fully invested and really absorbed in this story until everything suddenly shifted and went off the rails. The revelations, the climax, and the resolution took this down several notches. Basically, this was a female empowerment trope with a bunch of bad men all around. It didn't ring true, and I found it all wildly unlikely. Also, the characters just did not feel believable, and I didn't like them, what they did, or how it all ended. 

I listened to the audiobook with its two different narrators and preferred the voice of the woman who performed Cass to the one who did Anna. I always feel that listening while following along in the e-book ARC (provided by the publisher) gives me much more entertainment. I was just disappointed in the last third of the story.

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

Genre - psychological thriller

Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson

 Wow! I love a disaster type novel that includes science, and this was a thrill ride of epic proportions. 

This type of story always screams blockbuster movie to me, and I would love to see it on the big screen. I read it in a single sitting as I simply couldn’t put it down.

The plot -- scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the rim of the Kilauea caldera are predicting a huge eruption of Mauna Loa volcano on the big island of Hawaii. It seems they have some methods to prevent a huge loss of life and property put in place. That is, until it's discovered that a secret cache of seriously dangerous radioactive biologic material is stored inside a lava tube. 

A race against time, dangerous feats of courage and bravery, love, and loss combine to make this a riveting thriller that I enjoyed immensely. My engagement was amplified by listening to the audiobook narrated by the amazing Scott Brick, while reading along with the e-book. It is definitely an experience I highly recommend. A fun beach read and certain to be a bestseller. 

In the acknowledgements, Michael Crichton's widow explains how he conceived and extensively researched the topic and how she decided to collaborate with James Patterson to bring this book to market. 

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

Genre - disaster thriller, volcanos

Still See You Everywhere (Frankie Elkin #3) by Lisa Gardner

 Fast paced and twisty mystery thriller kept me glued to the pages.

Frankie Elkin finds missing persons. She's not any kind of professional -- in fact a loner and confessed alcoholic, she never stays anywhere or with anyone for long. When she's asked by a death row serial killer, The Beautiful Butcher, Keahi Pierson, to find and rescue her younger sister, Leilani, Frankie finds herself on a plane to Hawaii. Then to a privately owned atoll that is being developed for a resort owned by a tech billionaire whom Keahi believes kidnapped Leilani. The only others on the island are a team of workers trying to get the place up and going. All become pawns in this twisty mission where the objective is murky and it's unclear which of them are the good guys. 

I had not read the previous two books in the series featuring this main character, but it was easy to pick this up and I didn't feel that I had missed anything crucial. I am a little ambivalent about Frankie as she is quite the contradictory personality with an interesting history. I liked all the twists and turns and surprises in the narrative and relished the descriptions and details about the atoll of Pomaikai. I'll be on the lookout for future installments in this series.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook while reading along with the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator did a good job performing all the voices and accents which enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is the third book in a series. I had not read the first two when I finished this one. It did not seem to make a difference.

Genre - mystery thriller