White King by Juan Gomez-Jurado (Antonia Scott #3)

 No! Tell me it’s not true — this cannot be over. This can’t be the last outing for Antonia Scott and Inspector Jon Gutierrez. The entire 3 book series has been exceptional in action and well constructed plots and I hate that the saga of the Red Queen is coming to an end.

I have loved the characters of Antonia and Jon as their relationship deepens through their attempts to solve the most heinous crimes and find some sort of justice. Not only are they unique in personality, they are also highly skilled in their jobs and focused on completing their missions. Now they face their adversary, Mr. White, who brings them full circle into his devious plans. He’s a nasty piece of work and another nemesis makes an appearance as well. It was hard to guess where this was going with all the twists and turns. I liked the writing style and the bits of humor that the author included to make me really care about Antonia and Jon. There’s just the barest bit at the end that could allow for further stories about these two. If only. 

I suggest you read these from the beginning in order. And better if you can do it one after the other without suffering through the waiting for the translations from Spanish. Also catch the first book’s adaptation on streaming channels. I enjoyed it as well. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publisher. The book is narrated by the incomparable Scott Brick whose voice consistently elevates the novels he performs with his incredible range and talent. This is definitely one I highly recommend on audio for a completely absorbing experience. 

This is the third and final book in the Red Queen series. It should be read in order, close together as possible.

#1 Red Queen

#2 Black Wolf

#3 White King

Tags: brilliant and quirky philologist, Spain, police, murder, special projects, crime

Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow by Mary Keliikoa

 Mystery thriller full of family drama, secrets, and lies.

Beth Ralston works as a paralegal at her father’s law firm. On the night of a party, she finds her boss dead in his office. Even more shocking, however, is that she sees her sister, Lindsay, running from the scene. Later, Beth finds her sister’s phone in her purse along with a note telling her not to ask and not to follow. Now Beth is on a mission to find out what her investigative reporter sister was working on. And to find Lindsay who has now completely disappeared.

Oh my. I’m feeling generous tonight with the star rating although this book barely held my interest. There were too many improbable scenarios and Beth, the main character, was running around doing all sorts of detecting and snooping and the usual amateur sleuth activity. Her job lost, she has plenty of time to figure out stuff. I never took to her. The rest of the characters were stereotypes and none were well developed. I figure out where it was going quickly but it took the author a long time to get me there. The epilogue was a complete laugh out loud, and not in a good way, ending. Really. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I did not care for the voice of the narrator, especially the tone and inflection for some of the characters. I almost quit listening to the audio completely due to it getting on my nerves. I’ll make sure I avoid this one in the future.

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

Tags - sisterhood, family secrets and lies, adoption, illegal activity, drama, romance, murder, kidnapping

A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay

 This was a totally unexpected and fun to read thriller.

Snarky humor about a husband and wife serial killer duo who is feeling some pangs when they put their bloody murder adventures on hold after getting married and having a baby. They don’t find the quiet suburban life anything as expected. Their outlet is gone and it all seems like their passion and joy went away. They miss hunting down the bad men and killing them. What to do?

I enjoyed this far more than expected and it was a nice change of pace. The story is told in a then and now format with both Fox and Haze narrating their before and present day lives. Even though by most standards neither are good people, the way they approach their new parenthood and now really boring grind is humorous and relatable. Typically I’m not a fan of vigilantism regardless of reason, but the author does a good job of making these killers almost sympathetic. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I enjoyed the female and male narrators who brought the story to life and gave such great inflection and drama to the production. It definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

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

Tags - couple kills bad men, murder, dark humor

The Crash by Freida McFadden

 Trying to think of a way I can give this any kind of spin, but I can’t. It was terrible. 

Let me count the ways:

1. Calling the baby little Tuna and the number of times she used her baby voice. That seems a crime against literature. 

2. Hideous characters - all of them. And yes, our main character was the worst of them all despite the fact that Polly was actually mentally ill. Majorly delusional and stupid. The neighbors. 

3. Completely unrealistic basement scenes with 8 month pregnant Tegan with her post crash injuries and the repetition of the injuries.

4. How convenient to have a Jackson.

5. Predictable denouement and unsurprising climax. 

6. The conclusion. Just no.

I have said it before but this time I really mean it. No more McFadden. I like a good thriller with some surprises and twists that fit the situation and make sense. I like clever writing and dangling clues. Chilling suspense. I don’t like crazy over the top scenarios and dramas with unlikeable characters. I hate a fairy tale ending. I see all these glowing and gushing reviews for her books and I just don’t get it. It was a waste of a couple of hours. Definitely not for me.

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC. I didn’t really care for the narrator’s voice and the way she spoke the different characters. But, honestly, it may have been more that the lines were so bad that I maybe shouldn’t blame her.

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Tags - drama, pregnancy, unmarried mom, mental illness, murder

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAlister

 Basically a love story disguised as a thriller.

I should have read more of the reviews before leaping into this because I thought it was going to be more of a fast paced nail-biter instead of a slow burn domestic drama. Even though it started off with a literal bang, the hostage crisis, it quickly became something else when the focus shifted to Camilla dragging through the years because her husband disappeared. I found it repetitive and the whole scenario required a great deal of suspension of disbelief. The revelations about Luke and the very tedious investigation were not surprising twists. 

The other issue was that I was not able to appreciate the characters nor really feel much for either Camilla nor Niall. I often actively disliked her with her brain on constant repeat and stuck in a state of suspended animation most of the time. Sure, I get it — she missed her husband. The expected truth comes out and everything ended just about exactly as I had anticipated. No surprises. The narrative was quite convoluted though the actual plot was very simple.

I listened to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator was OK but the production would have benefited from a larger cast, especially for the male voices. At times her pronunciation of certain words got on my nerves and I have found when that happens it takes away some of my enjoyment of the book. 

Ultimately, this was an OK book. 

This was a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - domestic drama

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

 This is the craziest most over the top ridiculous book I’ve read in a long while. I could not put it down because I was waiting to see what the author would throw at me next. I’m giving it 3 stars because it had everything I love to hate within the pages.

The characters were deplorable in every way. Not one in the bunch seemed to have a double digit IQ and behaved so badly. Without giving spoilers, I can’t go into more detail. So many cliches and tropes in the narrative — sometimes I had to laugh out loud saying to myself that surely we weren’t going to go there — and then we did! 

Ostensibly about a lawyer, Sarah, defending her cheating husband, Adam, on a murder charge, this takes incredulity to a whole new level. If you’re looking for accurate attorney client relationships, this is not what you should read. Yes, spent most of the book trying to figure out why anyone would want to be in the same room with Adam much less try to help him. The ending was quite satisfying in a perverse sort of way. Suffice to say, hideous people doing hideous things. The end.

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the ebook and I enjoyed the production. I was quite irritated, however, because often the performer’s words did not match the text in the book. The voices did add a nice bit of dramatic flair to the whole farce. I gave this 3 stars because it did entertain me as I alternated between flipping pages and contemplating throwing the book across the room.

And yeah, I can’t help myself. I do plan to read the sequel. 

This is the first of two books featuring same characters. Read in order!

Genre - crazy psychological thriller, lawyer, murder, adultery

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

 Unevenly paced psychological thriller left me disappointed.

I started this book with high anticipation. The premise was intriguing — a female attorney, Stella Hudson, is assigned as guardian ad litem for a nine year old girl in the center of a custody battle because her parents are going through a contentious divorce. The situation is complicated by a few things that immediately start setting off some alarms for me: the girl has traumatic mutism (same as our MC did as a child) and recently her nanny died from a fall out of a window of the family home. Right away I start thinking that somebody murdered the nanny and am on the hunt for the culprit. 

All of a sudden there are like twenty different things going on that start to irritate me. I don’t care about the MC’s past or her mother. I want to know the deal with Rose, the child, and if she’s being sheltered or if she’s like the bad seed. So many uninteresting side plots that involve Stella that I honestly didn’t care about. When things start to become way to coincidental and unbelievable is when I start to turn off. All I wanted was to read about Rose’s situation and the role of a best interest attorney in a custody case. Now Stella’s trying to solve the murder, meanwhile she’s fixating on her mother’s death, and also starting to doubt her relationship with Charles. And then her flirtation? It was all just too much.

My main problem with this story was that it meandered all over the place and Stella’s behavior and responses just seemed too much over the top. All these tangents that had nothing to do with anything and just drew out a simple straightforward plot. I didn’t like any of the characters. And I really don’t enjoy reading about kids and nasty parents. So many cliches in the book. The last couple of chapters were completely ridiculous. Glad I never have to hear about any of them again. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC. The narrator was OK but some of her voices for characters didn’t work for me. I think I should have just put the audio aside and read the book and could have been done that much faster. Definitely not a favorite.

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

Tags: divorce, custody, murder, adultery, parents, mutism, drugs

Nothing Ever Happens Here by Seraphina Nova Glass

 Solid mystery thriller with a cozy type touch.

In a small Minnesota town two best friends are reeling from events that took place over a year ago. Shelby interrupted what might have been a burglary inside her friend’s cafe and was left to die. Suffering some frostbite amputations and trying to get herself back into a good place mentally, she’s shaken when a threatening note appears on the windshield of her car. Is he back?  Meanwhile, Mack, the best friend, is broken and haunted because her husband, Leo, vanished the same night of Shelby’s attack. Bad things start happening to Shelby and the seniors at the rest home she manages rally around but no one knows who is responsible. 

I liked the setting and the characters, especially the seniors. What a hoot. They interjected some fun moments and snarky humor into the story making the situation seem less ominous even though some seriously nasty stuff, including murder, was going on. I really liked those interactions. The story was a bit predictable and it was easy to guess who the bad guy was despite the red herrings and the dangled hints. The narrative shifted in point of view and the pace was fast. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The 3 female narrators did a nice job voicing their character parts with the appropriate dramatic flair and this enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

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

Tags - mystery, cozy, senior sleuths, murder, betrayal, obsession

Frozen Lives (Emily Hartford #4) by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush

 This fourth in the series solidifies my intent to avoid reading any further mysteries by this author. I was looking for a more medically slanted plot considering the title features the word, coroner, so this is not what I had in mind.

The series is flawed because the main character, supposedly a medical doctor and surgeon, Emily Hartford, is just a wishy washy medding mess. She's impetuous to a fault and ridiculous in the extreme with her reactions to situations and events. She has vacillated with her romances, her job, her home, and her other relationships from the beginning. Not to mention that she isn't a very good doctor and she has way too much free time to go off piste catching bad guys to really be any sort of surgeon with a position at a major medical center in Chicago. I've grown to dislike her immensely over the past 4 books so I'm done with her now.

The rest of the characters -- I could go on and on about the stereotypes. A chief irritant is the ex FBI agent now bakery owner in town who calls her doll all the time. But she still has connections. Why do the local police need Emily's assistance for a kidnapping case when she is meant to be a coroner doing autopsies or death investigations. And why did we need all that little baker nonsense.

This plot was really lame and there was no suspense and definitely no thrills. The outcome was so predictable and there were no twists or surprises or even a good rationale for any of it. That last couple of pages was a total cliche and whoever doesn't see that coming isn't paying attention.

To top it all off, I was listening to the audio book while trying to following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The editors must have done a real overhaul of this because they changed so much that I had to scramble to find my place on the pages. Unfortunately, their changes and improvements did little to change the overall truth -- this just wasn't a good story.

Anyway. I've read all four and I don't recommend the series especially if you are looking for a medical thriller with good forensic details.

This is the 4th book in a series that I have read from the beginning.

Tags - mystery, kidnapping, romance, small town

Whiteout by R.S. Burnett

 I picked this one because I was in the mood for a creepy atmospheric thriller, and the description of a researcher in Antarctica ending up alone on a glacier during an endless winter sounded good.

It was a disappointment despite the promising premise. You know when you reach a saturation point in a novel — where the MC keeps on facing what should be death scenes and survives to fight
another day? Well it got there quick. It was just one crazy peril after another. The things she did and her responses to people and situations were just over the top ridiculous. I was sort of sad that she didn’t fall into a crevasse — oops, was that a spoiler? It was just ultimately too much and I honestly didn’t care what happened to her after awhile. The “twist” when it comes late into the final pages is just what you’d expect from the set up.  I didn’t like the main character, Rachael, at all.

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book, both provided by the publishers. I thought the narrator’s many voices were a bit too much if you know what I mean. Generally I find that listening while reading enhances my reading experience, but I finally had to stop the audio and just force myself to the end.

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

Tags - Antarctica, alone, elements, cold, mission

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall

 Lots of drama in this psychological thriller mashup.

An oft used trope is involved here -- innocent young woman is taken to meet wealthy future in-laws at a secluded mountaintop retreat in the middle of winter. Theo doesn't know her fiance, Connor, very well as they've had a whirlwind romance. His entire family is there to celebrate Christmas but Theo knows she's going to be tested. Immediately upon arrival, and in addition to threatening messages she has received on her now useless phone (no signal), Theo feels that she's actually been to this place with the cabins in the woods before.

As the suspense is supposed to build, you will have to suspend an incredible amount of disbelief at the coincidences and plausibility of the plot. I might have been more invested had I liked any of the stereotypical characters. I couldn't even fake that much interest in Theo or feel empathetic to her situation. The endless red herrings, Theo's angst, and the repetition of the fact that her memories are hazy got on my nerves. Sure there were revelations as the secrets and lies were finally revealed, but I bet you guessed most of them already.

This is the second I've read by this author and doubt there will be more. There's just nothing new to see here. It wasn't a bad book per se, but it was just too similar a story to so many others I've read.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publishers. The narrator was OK but her attempts to voice all the characters sometimes fell flat and the extra oomph she put into the really dramatic scenes seemed a bit too much. This is a production that could definitely have been enhanced by a larger cast. 

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

Tags - murder, family, secrets and lies, drama

The Mother Next Door by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber

 Excellent examination of an often misunderstood crime -- medical child abuse, otherwise known as MBP or Munchausen by proxy.

As a registered nurse and legal nurse consultant, I've long been fascinated by any crime that involves medical ethics, negligence, malpractice, or victimized patients. There's nothing quite so frightening, however, as an innocent child being deliberately harmed by a parent or guardian under the guise of them being brave and heroic for their care of a sick dependent. That devotion and attentiveness can have another side and this book tells the stories of three separate cases where mothers were actively harming their children through unnecessary medical care and procedures for conditions and diagnoses that did not actually exist. Heinous. Made worse by the difficulty in getting the perpetrator's loved ones and friends to accept that the primary care giver's presence and manipulations are making the child ill. Even more frustrating: the lack of cooperation by protective services and the courts in taking appropriate steps to remove the source and cause of the abuse.

The descriptions of events in the stories were very difficult for me to read. I was so impressed by Mike Weber, the detective who is probably one of the leading investigators into crimes against children and a dogged and faithful crusader in his efforts to protect and save the children who are being abused. He overcame so many discouraging setbacks to help get those sickened children away from the mothers who were actively trying to harm them. I love how the book named names of people in the system who did not actively prosecute and obtain justice for the victims. Shame on them.

I agree that there is an issue with MBP because of the attitude regarding the sanctity of motherhood. This, despite the fact that every day you can read news about mothers abusing and even outright murdering their children. So why is it so hard to accept that a mother could deliberately make her child sick to even the point of death while all the time being hailed as a great selfless, sacrificing saint.

At the heart of all of this is the question of why. What drives someone, almost always the mother, to make her child sick. To tell the lies and distort reality so much that their child receives unneeded medication and treatments or even invasive surgical procedures for conditions they do not have. It's definitely a complex issue as it's not that the mothers are mentally  ill -- they know what they are doing. Is it the attention they receive? The respect and admiration of others? The drama? That's not been established and it is likely an amalgamation of many personal needs or issues.

Regardless of what makes a mom do this, it has to be caught. Everyone who is suspicious needs to take a stand and report. Despite the fact that MBP , or factitious disorder imposed on another, has existed in the literature for years, it needs greater attention and understanding so that this complex form of abuse can be identified and stopped.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, also the book's co-author, Andrea Dunlop, alludes to having dealt with MBP within her own immediate family as apparently a sister of hers was accused. Details of that were not given, but she references her true crime podcast for further information. I plan to check it out. I always enjoy the experience of listening while reading as it adds to my appreciation of the book.

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

Tags - nonfiction, crimes against children, tragic, sad, medical, criminal investigation, child abuse

Loose Lips (Ghostwriter #2) by Kemper Donovan

 Mystery and intrigue on the high seas.

What a fun book! I came into this second installment without reading the first in the series, but I was able to quickly become absorbed without the benefit of a lot of backstory. The premise involves the concept of bringing a large group of women together for a short ocean cruise focusing on different genres of books. Organized by a prolific author, the main character, Belle, is invited to be a guest instructor in the mystery group. Not everyone in attendance is there to enjoy talking about books, eating the fabulous food, or enjoying the free bar drinks. One person, in particular, is bent on murder. 

I loved Belle (not her real name) with her snarky personality and antisocial tendencies. Her clever banter and the many astute references to literature and other forms of entertainment were spot on and relevant and added to the narrative. I had to really work to figure out who and why with the motive, means, and opportunity. The denouement was quite the revelation and very well done. 

I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book, both ARCs provided by the publishers. The narrator. Eva Kaminsky, did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life with all of her accents and dramatic flair. I’ve found that listening while reading really enhances my enjoyment of a book when the narrator is good. It was an excellent production.

I’m looking forward to another in this series and I need to go back and find a copy of the first so that I am properly caught up. I feel like I might have missed out and I typically don’t read series out of order.

This is the second in series. Probably would have been better had I read this after the first one.

Tags - cruise, murder, mystery, authors, women, relationships

Bonded in Death (#60 Eve Dallas) by J.D. Robb

 I don’t know how she does it, but Nora Roberts, writing as J.D. Robb, keeps coming up with unique and satisfying plots in this futuristic series. This one, #60, has Eve Dallas and her cohort facing off with a war criminal. 

As always, Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her gazillionaire husband, Roarke, do what it takes to track and capture a man whose obsession is to destroy a group of men and women who were active in the long ago Urban Wars. The Twelve, as they are called, are old and retired now, but the traitor (he was once one of them) wants retribution. 

I really enjoy this series and always look forward to a new book. The characters are almost like old friends and I love reading about each of them and their personal lives as they all do their thing helping Eve with whatever case she’s on. Sometimes Eve is just a little too much, rude and snarky, socially inept at times, and yet she still is a good leader of her cop team. Oh yeah, where can we all find a guy like Roarke? Doesn’t exist, but it’s nice to imagine such a man. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book - both ARCs provided by the publishers. I enjoy the voice of the narrator, Susan Ericksen, who has narrated most of these in the series. She’s got great accents and shifts between characters with different tone and voice making them sound distinctly separate. I find that a good audio production often enhances my enjoyment of a book and that was definitely true in this case. I’m looking forward to the next installment. 

I’ll never understand how this series has not been made into some sort of television adaptation as its popularity continues. 

This is #60 in a long running series that is best read in order for full enjoyment. You don’t HAVE to read them all but why not.

Tags - futuristic police procedural, suspense, murder, cops and bad guys

The Family Inside by Katie Garner

 Overwrought and ultimately unbelievable domestic thriller.

A poor and frumpy woman is courted by a really handsome, wealthy man. Iris is a widow (her husband was murdered) and she has an 18 year old daughter. Iris loses her job and is evicted from their home. Hugh sweeps in to take Iris and her daughter to a mansion he lives in with his mother. His brother, sister-in-law, and sister live there too. And then this really goes off the rails into territory that is so convoluted and twisty that not even the most dedicated reader could manage to suspend enough disbelief to keep up.

The characters were all stereotypes and the plot contained enough tropes and cliches for several books. The main character, Iris, was the most ridiculous of all. She basically is also not very smart along with being histrionic.

I really didn't want to finish this. I hate to say it because this was an ARC given to me by the publisher, but this book was a hot mess and I couldn't give it more stars.

If the writing and narrative weren't already bad enough, I was also listening to the audio book while following along in the e-book. The narrators' voices were so cringey and grating that I finally had to turn it off. Generally the accompanying audio production enhances my enjoyment of a book but this time it made me dislike it even more. 

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

Tags - domestic drama, suspense, thriller, family, murder, secrets and lies, convoluted

Swiped by L. M. Chilton

  Trying to find love in the digital age is fraught and often comical. But, occasionally, it might turn deadly. 

This was darkly humorous and a bit of fun as a young woman on a dating app has a ton of bad dates. Recently broken up with a long term boyfriend, she’s disillusioned by the creeps she meets. There is never a second date. Then, they start turning up dead. 

I wish I could have related more to the main character, but I didn’t and the things she did and got away with drove me a bit nuts. There were some great lines that made me laugh, but I never connected with Gwen. Of course the concept was a bit far fetched and the conclusion was like way out there of straining credulity, but it was fast and kept me entertained for a couple of hours.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book. I have to say that I liked the book much more than the audio production. The narrator was OK, but there were a lot of discrepancies between the words in the novel and the voice of the narrator. I probably liked the book more because the terms were less British. I wasn’t that big a fan of the narrator’s voice. In any event, I still like the whole listening and reading experience.

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

Genre - light, funny, dating, murder, cheating

Cold Storage (Revival #2) by Michael C. Grumley

 Another wildly entertaining and fast paced thriller with cryotechnology and time travel as its key components. 

The second in the series opens with a bang and the action keeps up throughout the narrative. The characters from the first book return and it’s essentially a good vs evil setup with Rachel and John vs the dastardly creeps called The Nine. 

I love science fiction that is slightly out there but still believable. I enjoyed the technology and the details about the concept of reviving someone who had been frozen alive and was now being thawed and brought back to life. With any futuristic novel set in a dystopian world, you always hope that this worst is not going to come to pass, but it sometimes seems inevitable doesn’t it? I’ll save other spoilers so as not to ruin any twists and discoveries that occurred.

Regardless, this was another great part of the story started with the first book. I’m not sure if we will see a third, but I really do hope so. I liked the characters of Rachel and John and their close friends and cohort. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC with both provided by the publishers. The narrator was fabulous. Scott Brick has a voice made for drama and his incomparable performance always enhances every book he reads. Don’t miss it!

This is the second in a series and it needs to be read after reading book number one.

Tags - future, dystopian, time travel, cryotechnology, sheep, elites

Pro Bono by Thomas Perry

 Action packed and fast paced legal thriller.

How I love a good story that involves lawyers and clients in distress. It’s even better when the attorney isn’t sleazy but instead is smart and well-intentioned. This fit the bill for me as I was really in the mood for some legal machinations and clever maneuvers on the right side of the law.

Loved the character of Charles Warren, a lawyer and CPA whose expertise, beyond the typical divorces and other civil litigation, was in financial crimes. He had a great backstory to explain why he wanted to help victims of con men stealing money and that explained his motivation to help Vesper Ellis. She was another great character along with many others in the book. 

There was lots of action, excellent writing, and even when some situations strained to the point of credulity, I still enjoyed reading and the narrative kept me glued to the pages. There was a little romance and a lot of info about bad actors embezzling money from their clients. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator did a great job voicing the characters and bringing an appropriate amount of dramatic flair to the story. I definitely enjoyed this one as I have most of this author’s other books. I’m a sucker for a good legal thriller and this hit all the marks.

This is a standalone and not part of any series. However, I’d definitely love to see another book featuring this character.

Tags - legal, money, con men, murder, embezzlement

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

 Things in life are often not at all what you think they are. Nor are people. 

After his wife’s disappearance, Grady Green escapes to a small Scottish island. He’s an author who can’t write since Abby has gone. This retreat at Amberley Island, in a former bestselling author’s cabin, is his last chance to publish a book and redeem himself now that he has nothing left to lose. But the conditions on the barely populated isle are fraught. 

I started out intrigued and then became irritated with the slow pace and the repetitiveness of Grady’s hallucinations and insomnia. His behavior was erratic and his angsty thoughts were an annoying stream of consciousness. I lost patience with him, struggled to find any characters likable, and had a lot of difficulty with some of the ridiculous situations Grady got himself into. I don’t really like when an author dangles hints and never gives more explanation. So I was already struggling and started to disengage when the last third of the book became so out there that I just raced to the end. I didn’t like what transpired and even looking back in the pages left me feeling duped, not happily stumped. 

This author has always been hit and miss for me and this was a miss. I can’t say more about things that put me off without spoiling some of the plot points. I had no idea the narrative was going to go in the direction it did and had I know, I would never have picked this up. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrators did a decent job and it helped a little to improve my reading experience. I especially enjoyed the sound effects. 

I would give this 2.5 stars but I rounded it to 3 because the first part of the book was a good premise and set up. Unfortunately, it was ultimately a let down. 

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

Tags: marriage, revenge, women power, mystery

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia

 You were warned — don’t talk to strangers.

And, be careful on a plane. 

Wow, this took a turn that I was not expecting and I loved that it surprised me! Sometimes I feel jaded and disappointed with how easy it is to guess the big twist or reveal. Not this time.

Two women meet on a flight. One is a news director on her way to a conference and the other is escaping an abusive boyfriend. They have nothing in common. Friendly conversation ensues and the trip passes pleasantly. Nothing, however, will go as planned. 

The narrative flips between points of view and the characters are interesting and unique. It was so hard to step away from reading so I found myself forgetting about all the things I really meant to do today and read it in a single session. Lots of drama and the reader is totally drawn in by the activities and behavior of the characters. 

I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the audiobook while reading along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The talented cast of narrators really brought this story to life with their voices and dramatic flair. It definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story. Well done. 

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

Tags - psychological thriller, murder, manipulation, would say more but don’t want to spoil

No One Will Know by Rose Carlyle

 Can you guess what happens when a young, unwed, pregnant woman agrees to work as a nanny for a fabulously wealthy couple living on a private island?

Of course there are a couple of catches in this 'too good to be true' scenario...

If you can suspend enough disbelief at some of the outlandish circumstances and events that occur within the pages, you will be entertained for several hours with the twists and turns. Unfortunately, the last third of the book went way too far out there and I was ultimately disappointed.

The characters were just a bit too far. Quite stereotypical, it was apparent which ones we should dislike and distrust. I really didn't even like the main character and some of the things she managed to do really stretched credulity. But, that's fiction for you.

There's a lot going on with this story and I had to finish to see how it ended.

I was able to listen to the audio-book while also reading along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I liked the narrator at first, but then the way she pronounced things and her uneven voices and accents drove me to eventually turn her off.

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

Tags - pregnancy, trafficking, illegal animal trade, crime, kidnapping

The Traitors by C.A. Lynch

 A mix of horror and crime thriller.

Six local people are sent a formal invitation to spend the night at Beechwood Castle. If they spend the entire night and follow the rules and the terms of their NDAs, they will win a portion of one million dollars. It wouldn’t be much of a big deal except for the catch: the dilapidated and decaying castle was once the site where three teenagers were hacked to death by an ax murderer. But still, each is confident about their chances on what they think is some sort of reality show.

The story is told from the point of view of each contestant and I have to say that I couldn’t find one of them that I felt very kindly toward. They were easy to dislike and I could see right away that this was going to be one of those tropes where they are picked off one by one. The title is misleading, however, in that supposedly there is an imposter and the rest are traitors. Didn’t make sense. I don’t see anyone being a traitor — to what or to whom? Regardless, the story was fast paced and predictable. I didn’t care for the ending at all. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book. The two narrators enhanced the novel using their voices and various accents to differentiate between the characters and provide some dramatic flair.

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

Tags - locked room type mystery, crime, murder, horror

The Housemaid (Housemaid #1) by Freida McFadden

 Entertaining twisty domestic thriller.

Ex con Millie gets a dream job as a live in housekeeper and maid for Nina and Andrew Winchester. In addition to cleaning and cooking, Millie also keeps an eye on their daughter, Cecelia. It doesn’t take long, however, before things start to go awry. It sure doesn’t help that Millie starts to fall for Nina’s handsome husband. 

This was full of unreliable narrators and lots of twists that made me race through the pages. Although I guessed what was coming, it was a fun ride getting there. I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided long ago by the publisher. The narrator did a great job with her accent and dramatic flair to bring the story to life. 

You never quite know how far out Frieda McFadden will go in her plots, but I always anticipate the unexpected and the guessing makes it more pleasurable. I’ll be reading the other two novels in this series shortly. 

This is the first of 3 novels in a series that should be read in order.

Tags - domestic thriller, revenge, murder, abuse

Bellevue by Robin Cook

 If you are a fan of medical thrillers by this author, as I have been, it might be best for you to skip this suspense horror with its supernatural elements and a totally horrible (to me) ending.

A first year surgical resident, Dr. Mitt Fuller, is beginning his career at Bellevue. He comes from a long line of Fuller doctors and is super thrilled to be at this particular hospital. Little does he know that the stories he’s been told about his forebears are inaccurate. In fact, they all were practicing on the wrong side of what are now accepted medical advances. In his first week, all of his patients die of strange complications. Now that’s not a statistic any new surgeon wants on his record. But it gets worse. Strange apparitions are haunting Mitt and soon he learns why. Unable to leave well enough alone despite the warnings, Mitt finds out the truth in the worst way.

I was so disappointed in this. Although I loved all the medical details and descriptions, the whole paranormal focus ruined the novel for me. I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator did a good job with the material and brought the story to life, but it was not enough to overcome the real issue with the book — the plot and the conclusion.

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

Tags - horror, suspense, medical thriller, paranormal, ghosts

Family Doctor by J.M. Dalgliesh

 Domestic thriller set on remote Scottish island.

Kelly has escaped a checkered past by coming to the island and setting up a small clinic there. She and her teen daughter, Lauren, are making the best of things. On a day when Lauren is meant to be heading off island for an important interview, Kelly gets a message from Lauren’s phone. The directions and rules are clear. Kelly must kill one of her patients or whomever has kidnapped Lauren will instead kill her. 

This was fast paced even as it stretched credulity. As Kelly richochets from being terrified to determined, she has no idea whom to trust and definitely no clue about the person who has taken her daughter. Except Kelly knows this villain must have information about events in Kelly’s past. They want to hurt her in the worst way a mother can experience.

The characters were predictable and I had figured out the twists early on. The writing style was good but overly wordy in places when action would have sufficed. I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator did an excellent job of bringing appropriate dramatic flair to the story and that enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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

Tags - mystery, kidnapping, murder, revenge, whodunit 

Molten Mud Murder (Alexa Glock #1) by Sara E. Johnson

 Entertaining forensics mystery.

When a body is found submerged in a Waiariki Thermal Land of Enchantment mud pool, 

Alexa Glock, a forensic investigator visiting Rotorua on the North Island of New Zealand, really wants in on the action. Inserting herself into the local police, she gets permission to help with the case. 

I enjoyed the characters and the setting of this novel with all of the local color and history. The writing kept me engaged and the narrative moved along at a good pace. I liked learning more about the people, especially some of the Māori customs and details. I’ll definitely want to read more of this series as this was the first. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book and this enhanced my reading experience. The narrator did a great job of making the characters come alive with the appropriate amount of drama. 

This is the first in a series that I will read from the beginning in order.

Tags and genre info: New Zealand, police investigation, murder, forensics, Māori 

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

 Lovely contemplative fiction that hits on the issues of life and death.

I enjoyed this book. It hit all the right notes with the fantastic characters and their individual stories. The premise — people on a plane are given a death date — is so positively intriguing. Is it real or a hoax? When people start dying just as predicted, social media takes notice.

The writing, as always, was excellent and I was so drawn in that it was hard to set this book aside. I got so absorbed with each person as the narrative shifted in viewpoints. I so wanted everyone to be OK! The author has a knack of getting everything just right. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrators, Caroline Lee and Geraldine Hakewill, were absolutely brilliant. The accents and the drama were perfect and I loved every minute of the experience. It made me love the book even more.

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

Tags - mystery, psychological, death prediction, actuaries, family drama

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

Unforgettable novel that had me feeling all the emotions and kept me mesmerized until the end.

There’s a million things I let go while living inside the pages of this book. I am not sure how to describe how it affected me, except that even when I was trying to get stuff done, I kept wanting to return to the story. The characters were so alive and I just wanted to know them and to exist in their space.

Things I loved about this book:

The characters were all so well developed and intriguing with many different layers, desires, and motivations. I fell in love with Patch and Saint and so many others.

The setting, mostly small town Missouri, called me me because it's home. Although Monta Clare is a fictional town, it definitely describes a lot of rural areas in this state.

The plot was a combination of thriller and epic love story about an unlikely one-eyed boy who becomes a local hero and ultimately loses himself. There's the faithful friend who follows him through a life spent searching for something and someone always out of reach. A serial killer hunting girls who eludes the police and can't be caught. Lost people, with good hearts, who don't always do the right thing, but really want to. Heartache plus regrets but always a deep and abiding affection and trust. And hope.

The writing. I loved the style and the way the author paints his world with imagery and color. I could picture everything so clearly. This would make a great movie or television show with the right cast and director.

I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book. The narrator did an excellent job of voicing the characters and his dramatic flair added much to my overall enjoyment of this book.

Definitely recommend.

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

Tags- mystery, thriller, serial killer, abortion, love, family, small towns

Home is Where the Lies Live by Kerry Wilkinson

 There’s something strange in this neighborhood.

Secrets and lies in every home on the street. What are they all doing behind closed doors and who fired the gunshot?

This psychological thriller features the viewpoints of many of the homeowners as they relate things that are going on in their households. Freddie and Heidi just moved into Huntington Grove for his new job and Heidi is at loose ends. Why has her husband suddenly started hiding things from her and locking his office door? Others on the street also have some things they don’t want everyone to know. Like Willow. She and her daughter, Isabella, argue a lot and husband isn’t hanging around home much. Then there is the widower Dylan and his daughter, Orla, whose wife was murdered 3 years ago. He’s still very upset and angry that the killer has never been arrested. Allison, the neighborhood party organizer is another weird one — her husband works overseas but the house isn’t quiet. It all comes out on the night of the block party.

This was fast and fun and I enjoyed the writing style with the shifting points of view and the insertion of the police interviews. The characters were complex and interesting. Even if the coincidences and conclusion were a bit far fetched, it was still entertaining trying to figure it out.

 I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The two narrators did an excellent job of voicing all the different characters and used an appropriate amount of dramatic flair as needed to really enhance my reading experience.

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

Genre - psychological drama, family dysfunction, secrets and lies

A Midwinter Murder (Lady Eleanor Swift #20) by Verity Bright

 A 1920s Christmas is tainted by murder.

Lady Eleanor Swift and her entourage are bound to the wild Yorkshire Moors to spend Christmas at Auldwyke Hall as guests of the Duke. The only saving grace making this venture pleasant is that Eleanor’s fiancé, Hugh Seldon, is actually going to attend with them. They hope to find some quiet time alone to discuss their future plans. Alas, almost immediately after arrival, Eleanor stumbles upon the dead body of the Duke’s secretary. Mr. Porritt has been strangled and left for dead in a storeroom. 

Their holiday is near ruined now as Eleanor, Hugh, and butler Clifford spend their time trying to suss out a killer.

As always, the characters make this such a fun and satisfying cozy mystery. It’s definitely a series that should be read in order from the beginning in order to develop a relationship with each of them. Eleanor is definitely unconventional, compassionate, and clever as she helps investigate nasty crimes and find justice.  I enjoy all the period details and a particularly interesting aspect is that the book includes a recipe for genuine Yorkshire Christmas Pie (circa 1747) and some historical notes on rural policing, clay pigeon shooting, Prussic acid, inheritance laws, miniature books, and Edwardian Christmas trees. All of which feature in the story. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC — both provided by the publisher. The narrator, Karen Cass, did a fabulous job of voicing all the different characters and bringing them to life with appropriate dramatic flair. This excellent production definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

If you are looking for a great cozy mystery series set in the UK in the 1920s, I can highly recommend this one. I’m already looking forward to the next installment. 

This is the 20th book in a series that should be read from the beginning in order.

Genre - historical cozy mystery, 1920s UK

The Butcher Game (Dr. Wren Muller #2) by Alaina Urquhart

 Overwrought second in series was a fail for me.

I only barely enjoyed the first book so I'm not sure why I wanted to read this one. In between the melodrama and the repetition, interspersed with crazy dream sequences, I should have just put it aside but forced myself to finish.

What a disappointment. More of Wren and John chasing Jeremy Rose around. More lurid descriptions of Jeremy's carnage. Then the final insult to the reader was a character kill off that just didn't need to happen. The whole book seemed like a teenage horror flick. The writing was choppy and over the top histrionic. I won't read another by this author. 

I listened to the audiobook while reading along in the e-book. The narration flipped between the points of view of Wren and Jeremy. The male and female voices were done decently given the script they had to work with. Then, the absolutely worst thing happened at the very end when these atonal screeching and cackling voices discuss the author's writing process and the book. I had to turn it off quickly. Definitely don't listen to it. If that is an example of the podcast, it's a hard pass. 

This is the second in a series that should be read in order. I won't read any further installments.

Genre - graphic thriller, lurid horror, murder, serial killer

The Wilds (Detective Elin Warner #3) by Sarah Pearse

 Absorbing atmospheric mystery thriller.

The wilds isn't a place but a feeling. 

Detective Elin Warner and her brother, Issac, head off to Portugal to search for a missing woman. They find some clues in a camp located in a Portuguese national park from where Kier Templer disappeared. As they try to figure out what happened to Kier as well as rebuild their own family relationship, Elin and Issac discover the secrets hidden in a map that was painted by Kier while she was hiding from herself, fleeing her own past. 

This was so good. The writing was very evocative as it described all of what the characters were experiencing. Told in shifting points of view between Elin and Kier, and also jumping in timeline, the narrative relates the raw emotions and uncertainty in each woman. Both are coming from a sort of identity crisis point and both are desperate to figure it all out. As Elin investigates, she is conflicted about what she finds with plenty of confusing details and twists in the discoveries. 

I'll say no more about the plot or give any spoilers, but the conclusion was quite satisfying although I'm very sad to hear that this is the end of the series. I will miss Elin Warner and I hope she will be OK now. I do feel that this should not be read as a standalone as the other two installments provide important background to the main characters. 

I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I thought that Elizabeth Knowelden did a great job but honestly feel that the whole production would have been so enhanced if there had been a male narrator as well. That would have really given depth to the story and added a degree of dramatic flair. I do believe, however, that listening while reading really amplifies my enjoyment of a book.

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

Genre and tags - domestic violence, mystery thriller, secrets

Last One Alive (#3 Emily Hartford) by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush

 Following the first two in the series, Emily is still mucking about and unsure of who and what she wants to be when she grows up. She’s on and off again with a past boyfriend when Nick goes off on assignment to China and vanishes. 

Somehow she gets involved with a cold case where a family was murdered leaving only one survivor. All of Emily’s amateur sleuthing keeps her away from her new surgery practice in Chicago and once again finds her back in Freeport. All the previous characters make an appearance. No one is more than a stereotype of the best friend, newfound sister and nieces, helpful ex FBI agent. 

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher for as long as I could stand it before the narrators voice drove me crazy. The attempts at accents and voice adjustments to take on different character’s personas was not successful and I finally quit listening. 

And then, the ultimate sin to me — a cliffhanger ending. Not nice. I know there is another book in the series that I’m meant to read as well and I just don’t know if I can force myself to do it. I can’t stand Emily. The writing is so bad as plot holes hang and details get turned around and mixed up. It was also overly long.

This is the third book in the Coroner’s Daughter series that should be read from the beginning in order.

Genre - mystery, medical, forensics, murder

Murder in New York (Miss Underhay #18) by Helena Dixon

 Spend Christmas in New York with Kitty and Matt.

I love this series. It’s one of the few historical cozies that constantly delivers the perfect blend of period detail and a good mystery. And did I mention that the covers are always enticing and set the mood.

In this installment, Kitty and Matt are bound for New York when they receive a message that Kitty’s father, Edgar, is ill. When they arrive, they find him much improved and suspect that perhaps he was not sick but perhaps hiding from people he didn’t want to see. Regardless, they decide to make the best of the holidays and accept an invitation to attend a charity costume party up in the penthouse of Edgar’s somewhat swanky building. It’s a shock when they find their hostess, the wealthy widow Nora Dangerfield, dead alongside a path in the park the next morning on their way to breakfast. Not only does it appear that she had been murdered, she had also been robbed of all of her jewels. 

Despite being far from home and unable to use their credentials, Kitty and Matt begin their own investigation without permission of the local NYC police. There are many friends and acquaintances  to question and lots of them have plenty of motive, means, and opportunity to kill Nora. But who did it?  

I love the characters and the way the author writes the stories. I always feel like I am meeting up again with old friends when I pick up a new book featuring Kitty and Matt. This is the 18th and I feel it is important to begin this series at the beginning. I highly recommend it for a comfort read.

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

This is the 18th book in a series that should be read in order from the beginning.

Genre - historical mystery, 1930s, cozy 

The Night Guest by Hildur Knutsdottir

 Although very short, this novella has created quite an enthusiastic fan base with many offering their opinions as to what it was really about and what it all meant.

Reviewers have assigned all sorts of explanations for the cat murders, the sleep walking, the symptoms, and more than a few have decided that somehow it’s related to misogyny and women’s issues.

Possible spoilers…beware

The beginning of this was intriguing. What was Iounn doing when she was meant to be sleeping peacefully at home alone in her bed? She does go to a very sympathetic physician who, after listening very carefully and performing tests, tries to get Iounn to seek mental health care.  Which is obviously what the woman needed. She manipulated the physician and got pills (that somehow didn’t knock her out) and refused to be admitted to the psychiatric treatment center where she could have been observed, engaged in some talk therapy, given some appropriate antipsychotics, and perhaps been saved.

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book. The narrator did an excellent job with the Icelandic pronunciations, which I totally appreciated. The chapters were very short. I read it in less than 2 hours. Would have been done sooner except that I keep going back to figure out what clues I was missing as I kept asking myself what was going on.

The ending was a total let down that leaves the reader to ask — what in the heck did I just read. And why? There was no message here.  And this review seems almost as long as the book.

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

Genre - mind bending psychological thriller, trigger: animal abuse and murder

Setting - Iceland 

Secret Remains (#2 Emily Hartford) by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush

 Second in a forensic mystery series.

The past comes back to haunt Dr. Emily Hartford and her old high school friends in Freeport when the bones of a classmate are unearthed in a new housing development. 

Since her father's death, Emily has been clearing out his home medical examiner's office. She has stepped in to investigate along with her old boyfriend, Sheriff Nick Larson. Soon some secrets and betrayals come to light. Sandi Parkman was murdered. Is Nick responsible?

Alas, despite the author's expertise and great ability to describe medical details, the actual mystery and investigation narrative is sophomoric and irksome. The main problem with this series is the main character, Emily. She's so self-righteous and annoying with her judgmental attitude. If that's not bad enough, she's the object of desire of almost every male in sight. She's not half as clever as an old teenage amateur sleuth that many of use grew up wanting to emulate. Other annoyances within the book include Delia calling Emily, "doll", all the time and the convenience of Delia being an FBI agent running the coffee and bake shop in town. Emily's ability to steal phones and crack passwords to unlock them, although a necessary plot device, was unbelievable. Emily running all over town, trying to get a job at a strip club, her indecisiveness in her personal life, and her holier than thou attitude just make this so unappealing. She needs to mature and get real.

On another note, I have the last two books in the series and I just don't know if I will read them or not. I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book with this one and it definitely helped improve the experience. The narrator did a decent job with the voices, but this production definitely could have benefitted from a male actor as well. 

Do I recommend?  I'm a lover of all things medical so that's why I was drawn to this, but you might enjoy it if you can get past a dislike of the main character. I'm rating this 2.5 stars but raising to 3 because I liked the limited medical examiner details. 

Second in a series that needs to be read in order.

Genre - medical mystery, forensics, investigation, murder

The Cruise by Christina Delay

 I’m not sure what to say about this book. It was a quick read, started and finished in a couple of hours in a single sitting. 

I tried to find something in it to like, but everything, from the premise to the characters, was so messed up. Jesse is a completely unrealiable narrator whose blackouts and strangeness should prevent her from having any sort of job much less one where she goes off on her own and functions as a travel writer. She needs a lot more therapy that’s for certain. Her mom is also a complete whack job and how she insinuates herself on the cruise was unbelievable until you realize that the plot depends on her being along.  So they take a cruise absoard the same ship they were on when husband and father died 20 years ago. Same guy on the ship who was there back then and misled them all is still there — and he has the hots for Jesse and she for him.  Bad stuff happens. It’s all a blur.

I wouldn’t waste your time by encouraging you to read this. But, thanks to the publisher for the ARC. I’m sorry it was just not for me. 

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

Genre - psychological thriller

Deep Freeze (The Revival #1) by Michael C. Grumley

 Fast paced science fiction thriller is the first in a new series dealing with cryo technology.

John Reiff, Army veteran, was a certain kind of hero. One who stopped a robbery and died while saving people from a sinking bus in an icy river. At least that's what everyone assumed had happened. John, however, wakes up in a laboratory being studied by doctors and scientists intent on proving that cryogenics, or cryonics, is not just a theory. But there is more to this story than simply bringing John back as an exercise of scientific inquiry and experimentation. For what purpose does John live? And who is pulling all the strings. 

I like dystopian and futuristic science fiction, so this checked all my boxes. The explanations for the science were good and the characters were believable enough that everything seemed possible. There's lots of action and suspense as doctors and friends try to protect John from the evil villains. The descriptions of the dystopian society seemed all too real and the events to getting to that point were credible for our own future world. The only obvious irritation to me is that it ends on a cliffhanger and we have to wait to find out what happens next in a future installment. The fact that there is one on the way, however, gives me a general understanding of the conclusion. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The audio is narrated by the incomparable Scott Brick who brings such great dramatic flair to every story. Listening to him always enhances my enjoyment of a book. 

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

Genre - science fiction, thriller, suspense, technology, cryogenics, dystopian, futuristic

Ghosts of Waikiki by Jennifer K. Morita

 Debut mystery thriller set on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

I love Hawaii and all things Hawaiian. It's my happy place, but I've only been lucky enough to visit there 4 times in my life. So, when this title popped up on my request list, I had to read it.

The descriptions and details about the setting bring back memories for me and create the perfect backdrop for the story. The main character, Maya Wong, returns home to Waikiki to ghostwrite a book that a wealthy land developer, Parker Hamilton, wants to write about his family. She finds him and his kin to be a bit sketchy and things really get crazy when the elder patriarch, Charles Hamilton, is found dead, floating in the swimming pool. Of course, Maya is drawn into the investigation which brings her back into contact with her ex who is now Detective Koa Yamada. 

Soon Maya is nosing into things that bring her face to face with danger and that situation irritates Koa and the police. She can't help but continue her side snooping while also reuniting with her old friends and extended family. Meanwhile, some social issues are explored as the plight of locals versus wealthy investors starts putting their livelihoods in peril. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The audiobook was fabulous and the narrator, Jennifer Robideau, was perfect in her performance. Her pronunciations and voice really enhanced the production, and I plan to look for more recorded books done by her. 

I don't know if this is the start of what could be a new series, but I really hope the author writes another book set in this locale. 

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

Genre - mystery, murder, Hawaii, Oahu, reporter

The Coroner - The Coroner's Daughter (#1 Emily Hartford) by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush

 A prodigal daughter comes home...

This was like reading a Hallmark movie -- except for the murder part. And the fact that it ends on a cliffhanger making it necessary to continue the series should you care to learn what happened to Emily's mom. This is the first of 4 books.

Dr. Emily Hartford, a surgical resident in Chicago, returns to Freeport when her father has a heart attack. Since he is incapacitated, Emily is tapped to assume her father's role as the town's medical examiner when a local teenager is found dead. Emily reluctantly takes up the mantle and, despite their estrangement, tries to patch up issues with her stubborn father that drove her away after her mother's death. Of course there is a big city fiance, another surgeon, and then the hometown boy, her first boyfriend who is now a cop, Sheriff Nick Larson. Who will win her heart? And, who killed Julie Dobson. Emily has a lot of decisions to make. 

Other than the heavy romance aspect, I did enjoy the medical details and the investigation aspects of this book. Unfortunately, I am not an Emily fan. I didn't care for her and wonder if reading further in the series will make me warm up -- she is such a cliche and most of the narrative is a trope. I'll see.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in this e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator was decent but this production would have benefited from a male voice.

This is the first in a series of 4 books that need to be read in order.

Genre & tags - romance, medical mystery, police investigation, murder, forensics, medical examiner, animal abuse

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret (Ernest Cunningham #3) by Benjamin Stevenson

 Just in time for the holidays, a fair play Christmas mystery.

This is a novella, and even though it’s short, it’s a very cleverly plotted story with plenty of clues to allow the reader to figure out whodunit along with the main character. Our erstwhile detective, Ernest Cunningham, finds another mystery soon after solving two very public murder cases. He is headed to Katoomba and a Christmas show after his ex-wife, Erin, calls him from jail there after her boyfriend is found murdered in their house. 

Clever, funny and tongue-in-cheek, this is told in first person point of view with Ernest explaining and talking about things with the reader. It’s a great choice of writing style for this type of story and it works very well. Definitely, Ernest is smarter than he looks and though he’s no real detective, he’s definitely coming into the role. Lots of fun. Can’t wait for the next installment. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Barton Welch delivers a great performance with his Australian accent and dramatic flair. It definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

This is a novella but it is the third book written featuring this main character. Read in order!

Genre - satirical and humorous detective fiction, mystery

The Burning (#16 Kate Burkholder) by Linda Castillo

 Unique Amish crime fiction series continues with an unusual plot.

Could someone be killing the bad Amish people? That's the premise of this latest installment in the Kate Burkholder series when she is called to the crime scene where a man has been burned at the stake. The dead man was a troubled person and mean as a snake. 

I've always liked the series because of the Amish connection as I've learned a lot about their religion and way of life. Now Kate has finally married Tomasetti and has sort of settled into her new life with him. Although no longer Amish herself, she still has a very strong connection to her past and especially to her older brother who now lives on their parents' farm. When he's targeted by the Painters Mill law enforcement as a suspect in the murder of the burnt man, Milan Swanz, Katie is told to step aside from the investigation. 

Does she do that? Of course not, and that's where the narrative went off course for me. Her stupid decisions and maverick attitude once again bring her near death -- but miraculously she's hardly hurt at all despite the battles that ensue and the beatings she takes. How she survives defies believability. Anyway, I ended up disappointed with how this story played out and there were still quite a few unanswered questions due to how the bad guys ended up. I definitely would have liked to hear a lot more about this shady, secretive group of avengers.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator was OK but did not do a very good job at all with the male voices. This is my first audio in the series, so I don't know if they continue to use the same person for reading but I won't likely do another audiobook.

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

Genre - crime fiction, police detectives, Amish

What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena

 Secrets, lies, and a murder.

I’m so torn about this book. The premise was great, reminiscent of The Lovely Bones in many ways, but all the teenage points of view with their angst and drama actually made this too much like a YA genre novel for me. 

I like teenagers, but I’m past wanting to read books where they are the main narrators. I prefer adult viewpoints with the teens there but not heard. I quickly became annoyed with their antics and behavior. Yes, the murdered girl was a teenager but I wish it had been more of a police procedural with the focus being on their investigation. 

I’m not a supernatural or ghost believer so that already had set me off with the dead girl making appearances in the narrative. Conveniently of course, unable to remember who actually murdered her. Lots of red herrings. Plenty of really nasty people living in that small town hiding lots of bad behavior. The notions that a 12 or 13 year old child has a smartphone and the parents have no clue what they are doing on it. So many things got me in a snit and, coupled with the climax with the revelation of the killer, put me way off. So much wasted potential for a good story. But yeah, I think it will find success with a young adult audience. As the points of view went from one character to another, I thought to myself — what a lot of icky people live in this town — and never really related to any of them. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The production had 3 different narrators and they did a decent job of pulling me into the story and kept me reading even when I wasn’t sure that I wanted to finish. I always appreciate when audio has a larger cast and includes both male and female voices. 

I’ve read several previous books from this author and liked them more, so I’m sure I’ll return for another novel by Shari Lapena. 

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

Genre - mystery, suspense, supernatural, adult novel that reads like YA

The Mistletoe Mystery (Molly the Maid 2.5) by Nita Prose

 Short and saccharine sweet, Molly the maid gets a Christmas surprise in this novella that continues the series.

Increasingly suspicious of her beloved boyfriend, Juan, Molly is worried this holiday season. He’s been disappearing with alarming regularity and evading her questions. Is he not meant to be the love of her life?

Listened to the audiobook while following along in the ebook provided by the publisher. I appreciate  the Molly stories as she gets discombobulated because she takes everything so literally. The narrator did a great job voicing the characters and that enhanced my enjoyment of the story. 

Definitely you will want to have read the previous two books in this series. 

Genre- sweet Christmas tale reminiscent of O. Henry’s story. 

I Think I was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker

 Mystery with heavy religious and romance overtones.

I like thrillers that have to do with cutting edge technology and my impression was that this book was about an AI app and also about bitcoin. Although those were parts of the story, the main focus was on the character of Katrina Berg and her Norwegian family in North Haven. The concept of hygge (mood of coziness, warmth and comfort) is also emphasized and appears constantly within the prose. In addition, her romance with a restaurant owner, Seb Wallace, is another huge piece of the novel.

This was fast paced and a quick read, but it just had too much sappy romance for me. I would have liked much more focus on the AI chat bot aspect. Lots of family, home, hearth, sentimentality, and a bit too overly sweet. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. As always, a good narrator can enhance my enjoyment of a book, and this was well done. I always believe, however, that a larger cast with male and female voices would add to the quality of an audio production. 

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

Genre - Christian fiction, mystery, romance

Talking to Strangers (#2 DI Elise King) by Fiona Barton

Another superbly plotted and well-paced crime thriller.

This is a slow burner that kept me intrigued and guessing until the epilogue with its shocking finish. Basically, it's a mystery centered on two different murders that are inexplicably intertwined. The story was told in alternating points of view with the primary characters being DI Elise King and reporter Kiki Nunn. 

A single, middle-aged woman just wants to have fun. Karen Simmons likes her dating apps and often swipes right. She meets and hooks up with the wrong guy late on Valentine's Day night. DI Elise King and her team investigate with many possible suspects to interview. Kiki Nunn is trying to make a living working for a local online news agency and decides to use the murder of Karen Simmons to do her own little deep dive into the online dating scene and the danger of strangers. And she definitely puts herself in it with a very bad guy -- could he be the one who also murdered Karen? 

Lots of suspects and solid police techniques make for a slow process as they wade through witness statements and scant evidence. It's only when they also start looking at the death of a young child years earlier in the same woods where Karen's body was found that they start to narrow their focus.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I usually enjoy the narrators, but I really was put off by the voice of Jayne Entwistle who voiced Kiki. She sounded like an elderly woman and didn't fit the character in my mind. The other female narrator and the male's voice were satisfactory and matched their parts.

I look forward to reading the next installment in this series. 

This is the second book in a series featuring DI Elise King. Best read in order.

Genre/tags - police procedural, crime thriller, mystery, rape, murder, online dating

The Five Year Lie by Sarina Bowen

 Entertaining domestic mystery thriller.

A woman whose boyfriend disappeared and then subsequently died receives a text message 5 years later asking her to meet him in the park they had frequented during their time together. Shocked but eager to see him again, Ariel Cafferty rushes to the location. But he never shows up. Ariel has never forgotten Drew and the explanation for the text has her doing a deep dive into everything she thought was true about their relationship, her relatives, and the family business. 

This was fast paced and quite interesting as it involved the technology behind door cameras and the subsequent threats to privacy that they can create. Having access to the footage of those cameras can be used for good and also, as is discovered, for evil. As Ariel searches for the truth, she discovers more than she anticipated. She's been lied to and it's cost her everything. 

I liked the main character and though some stereotypical trope friends gave me pause, the narrative played out as I expected with some surprises along the way. A bit of romance and a harrowing cross country bus trip kept me glued to the pages. The conclusion was a bit anticlimactic but anticipated.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. There were 3 narrators, a woman and two men. All did decent jobs for their related male and female spoken parts, but the voice for the child grated as did the instances where men spoke for women and vice versa. Overall, however, the production did enhance my appreciation of the book.

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

Genre - mystery, thriller, domestic drama, cyberstalking

An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin

 Entertaining and fast-paced legal thriller.

This is a standalone, so I was able to jump right in and get my fix as I love fiction involving legal maneuvering and complicated plots. This one however, got me with the characters. So many different personalities on the legal end and a really quirky mathematician turned artist who made for a very interesting criminal. 

The basic plot involves an inappropriately displayed painting, a stolen flash drive, sex trafficking, murder, and vigilantism. The story takes off quickly and the excellent writing kept me hooked. As the action ricochets from one scenario to another, the attorneys adapt and try to keep their client alive. 

Guido Sabatini (born Lawrence Weiss) is a most unlikely criminal as he's a slightly crazy painter who believes he was trained by the masters in a past life. He gets mad when a painting he sold to a restaurateur is not hung out in the main dining area but hidden away in an office. He decides to break in and liberate it, but also, in spite, takes a flash drive from the office safe thinking he will simply give it back once the owner hangs the painting in a more suitable place. Arrested for theft, he needs an attorney. Enter third rate lawyer Charles Webb. Charlie's a good guy but he's no match for what's coming. Oh, Guido. What a nest of serpents he let loose. There is something on that flash drive that many people will get to keep secret.

I really liked this story and was lucky to be able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publishers. The narrator did an excellent job of voicing the characters with appropriate tone, accents, and dramatic flair. The production was well done and enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - tags: legal thriller, sex trafficking of minors, rape, murder

The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden

 This melodrama is filled with stupid characters who behave in completely outlandish ways. You know it's bad when you want the main character to be killed off (yes, I'm talking about you, Sydney). I know I have to think way outside the box of reasonable and believable when I pick up a McFadden, but these twists have gone way crazy now. The mystery to me is why I keep hoping that the next book I pick up will be different. 

I listened to the audiobook and hoped it would save a ridiculous premise but that wasn't enough to save it, in fact, can't say I really liked the narrator but am blaming that on the dialogue and action scenes that the author wrote. Since the narrator has to read what's on the page, she really had little choice in how to portray the characters. 

Stop with the insanity of completely improbable twists. It was a surprise only because it was so preposterous, and not in a good way. 

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

Genre - drama, dating, relationships, murder

Taken in the Cold (#7 Tori Hunter) by Roger Stelljes

 Action packed crime thriller!

Even though this is the 7th book in the series and only the second installment I’ve read (just #1), I can say that this is definitely one of the better ones out there. I enjoyed the plot and how the investigation came together with all of its twists and turns. I like the characters, especially Tori Hunter and Chief Detective Braddock. Despite the gap between 1 and 7, I never felt lost as there was plenty of backstory and I was able to catch up quickly.

Though this involves domestic terrorism and also a few other issues like embezzlement and kidnapping, it all flows well and moves quickly. I like the writing style and also the vivid descriptions of the Minnesota weather and the lakes areas. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC (both provided by the publishers) and I highly recommend you do that if you can. The narrator did a great job voicing all the characters and adding an appropriate amount of dramatic flair to the story. Listening while reading definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

Can’t wait for the next in series. Only sorry that I missed 2 through 6!  I’ve given up on many series lately but I’m making an exception with this one. 

This is the 7th in a series that would be best read in order from the beginning.

Genre - crime thriller, detectives, domestic terrorism, money

Local Gone Missing (DI Elise King #1) by Fiona Barton

 Deftly plotted crime thriller kept me entertained.

This is one of those books where you feel like you need a spreadsheet to keep track of all the characters so you can cross reference as you read. There are so many of them but eventually the loose ends all tie together and the conclusion is satisfying when you reach the denouement.

Told in multiple points of view and in a shifting timeline, the plot revolves around a missing local man who is revealed as a con artist who has destroyed many of the residents' lives in the seaside town of Ebbing. He's caught them up in financial schemes but now they want him to pay. There are a lot of suspects with plenty of motive, means, and opportunity to put the fix on Charles Perry. But who took care of him?

This is the first in a new series featuring Elise King -- a former DI who has been off on sick leave after having treatment for breast cancer. While recuperating, she and her neighbor do some snooping on the side, but then Elise goes back to her job and officially investigates the case. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The production was very well done using multiple female and male voices to give distinct personalities to all the many characters. The performances definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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

Genre- crime thriller, mystery

You Can Kill (Laurel Snow #4) by Rebecca Zanetti

 Absorbing and suspenseful crime thriller.

First off, this is the first book and only one I’ve read in the Laurel Snow series so I believe that left me a bit overwhelmed as I tried to get a feel for all the characters that surely were much more familiar to those fans who have read the previous installments from the beginning. That said, I still enjoyed the story and managed to figure out the good guys from the bad pretty quickly. 

I liked the writing style and the pace though I could happily have not had to read the on page sex scenes. I don’t like them in any of my books, so generally I just skip right on past. The action and the plot moved right along with few surprises along the way though I was eager for justice to be served and the bad guys to pay. If you like this type of mystery with a strong and unusual female main character then you will probably want to check out this series. It’s not likely that I will go back and read from the beginning, but I’ll definitely be tempted to read the fifth installment to see how Laurel and Huck pick up the pieces after the events at the conclusion. Can’t see how much more mileage they can get out of the sister, Abigail, so I guess will wait and see.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I liked the narrator’s voice for the female characters with her tone and accents, but honestly, having a male voice for the many different men in the story would have definitely improved the sound recording and enhanced the production. The men’s voices all sounded the same and not very masculine. 

I’d give this a solid 3.5 stars that I rounded up to 4 because I do think I would have liked it even more had I read the first three books. 

This is the fourth book in a series that should have been read from the beginning, in order, but this is the only one of them I have read.

Genre -tags, suspense, crime thriller, mystery, romance 

Silenced Girls (Agent Tori Hunter #1) by Roger Stelljes

 Riveting crime thriller.

First in a series, this introduces Agent Tori Hunter of the FBI returning to Minnesota where she grew up. Lured by a newspaper clipping sent to her via mail, Tori goes back home in hopes of finding out what happened to her identical twin sister 20 years ago. Although not on the job, she partners with a local detective, Will Braddock, as he investigates a missing person case involving a local woman who disappeared off a lonely backroad. 

This was super good and I could barely put it down. Although quite a bit lengthier than is typical, I was intrigued and quickly invested in the characters and the plot. I liked Tori and many of the others in that small town. The red herrings tantalized and kept me guessing as I tried to figure out who the bad guy was. I'm excited because I really would like to read more books featuring Tori Hunter and I see many are available. I typically avoid series and prefer standalones, but I think I may need to make an exception with these. A solid and suspenseful mystery. 

I was lucky and got to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. I liked the narrator who did a great job voicing the characters with the appropriate amount of dramatic flair. The experience definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is the first in a series featuring Tori Hunter.

Genre - crime thriller, mystery, suspense

Nightmare of a Trip by Maureen Kilmer

 A very long road trip apparently traumatizes this family.

Meant to be some sort of horror mixed with humor story, this was very underwhelming. I did chuckle a few times at a clever turn of phrase, but there was not any kind of horror inside. Paranormal, yes, ghosts, yes, and tons of misery as the family winds its way to Florida. Most of the bad stuff involved things like bad fast food, vomit, flat tires, horrible motels, etc. 

Not a fan of paranormal, don’t believe in ghosts, and definitely don’t buy into people interacting with the phenomenon. That whole part of the story was far fetched and not even very exciting once we find out why it’s all supposedly happening to the family. The kids were horrible — doesn’t anyone know how to act on a car road trip anymore or is that a thing relegated to the past? All I heard the kids do was whine and go through the parents’ money and patience while in their comfy van on the way to their theme park vacation in Orlando. I don’t like reading about bratty kids and honestly, they were not grateful at all for the opportunity to visit the place they had begged to go to. (I’ve made a very similar road trip with kids in a van as well, probably even longer on some of the same roads.) By the time I finished, I wasn’t even sure what the point of the book was meant to be. Family bonding? It got all stupid sappy at the end. Very unrealistic characters and that whole part about the Vickerys was way out there. No suspense. No real mystery or tension. No bad stuff. Like someone said, a paranormal cozy. I felt sorry for the dad. 

So, this was not the book for me. I give it 3 stars because I kept reading it waiting to find out where it was going. I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator was OK though her voices for the kids didn’t work well. This would definitely have benefited from having a larger cast.

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

Genre - light paranormal cozy something

Layover by David Bell

 Fast paced but implausible mystery thriller.

This was definitely one of those where you need to be able to suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride. The unlikely scenario presented made me shake my head several times as Joshua seems to be the biggest patsy sop I’ve read lately. Come on, dude. You know the saying where people tell and show you who they are? Well, Morgan told you buddy. Joshua chases all over following her because he’s so bored with his life and so smitten with her. Even when the police get involved, he’s still uncertain and keeps trying to reconnect with her. Most of the characters were forgettable, the only decent and sensible person in the book seemed to be Joshua’s dad. Him, I liked. 

The only thing saving this from a lower rating was the ending. If it had concluded any other way I would have worried for the safety of my kindle. So, yeah, it was a quick read and kept my interest but I’m thinking 2.5 stars in a mercy rating. The plot was very thin and motivations banal. 

Another reason for the higher rating is that I listened to the audiobook while reading along in the e-book provided by the publishers. The narrator was great and did a good job of voicing all the characters including the southern accents. I’ve found that having a good reader will put a mediocre book a step up as it creates a bit more atmosphere and drama.

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

Genre - mystery, drama, thriller, murder

The Last Party (#1 DC Ffion Morgan) by Clare Mackintosh

 Absorbing crime thriller set in North Wales.

This book introduces DC Ffion Morgan of North Wales CID. When its wealthy developer dies at an extravagant New Year’s Eve party on The Shore property, she and DC Leo Brady of Cheshire Constabulary are called in and forced into a partnership to investigate. The five new luxury lakeside cottages in view of the village of Cwn Coed are stunning as they sit along Lyn Drych right under the Pen y Ddraig mountain. The locals are not happy with the English invasion and there are many who wanted Rhys Lloyd dead. 

I really enjoyed this book and all its characters. I had read the second book in the series earlier and felt the need to read the origin story so I went back and dug this out this one. I don’t often do that, but I am glad I did. I feel much differently about this series now and look forward to the third one. 

The narrative flips back and forth between characters and in time but it is a compelling mystery plot with some surprises along the way. I liked the way that Ffion and Leo’s relationship develops over the course of the story. I really savored all the details about the setting and the description made me want to put the locale on my bucket list. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book and it’s a fine thing I did because the pronunciations would have stymied me and I thoroughly appreciated hearing the appropriate accents.  The narrator did an excellent job of voicing the characters. Well done all around. The audio definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

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

Genre-tags - crime thriller, mystery, North Wales

You Better Watch Out by James S. Murray

 Over the top horror thriller set in a town where nothing is as it seems.

Eddie wakes up in the street during a blizzard. The last thing he remembers is trying to help an old couple stow groceries in their car. Now he finds himself in serious danger with others who’ve also been brought to this fake town of Old Forge, New York. Kidnapped and locked in, Eddie joins forces with this ragtag band of less than upstanding citizens trying to figure a way out. Then they start dying one by one in very horrific ways.

If you like gruesome serial killer slasher thrillers, you will enjoy this one. A vague Christmas theme exists, but it’s not the heartwarming kind. Blood and gore and quite predictable as you see the characters fall but there is a little twist at the end that actually really disappointed me but did fit with the rest of the premise. Don’t read much going into this so you won’t feel cheated.

I liked it OK and it was certainly fast paced but it was just too much relentless horror for my taste. And at the revelations and conclusion I was like, no way,  as it caused me to shake my head in disbelief at the implausibility of it all.

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC as both were provided by the publisher for review. I didn’t care for her voice and I don’t think she did that great a job speaking both the male and female characters. They all sounded the same. This one would definitely have benefited from a larger cast on the audiobook.

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

Genre-tags: horror, Christmas, locked room, slasher thriller, serial killer, gory 

The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis

 Domestic drama and mystery aboard the Orient Express.

A unique premise -- a young woman has agreed to be the main character in a book written by a famous author. In addition to the monetary compensation, the author has rewarded Rory with a lavish train trip aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express. In addition, Ginevra Ex has surprisingly invited along Rory's brother, Max, her best friend, Caro, and her ex fiance, Nate. They all board the train and head to Positano with several stops along the Italian Coast. Why are these people along on this trip? It feels like some sort of game full of secrets, lies, and manipulation. 

Wow, a lot of characters and a very long, involved backstory about Rory and Max's father and Russian history. Parts of that seemed overly long and I wasn't very interested in most of it. Actually, I wanted more about the iconic train, but the characters spent little time aboard. There were some twists and turns, and some were predictable. Lots of emotional baggage to unpack. I didn't really care for any of the characters and was left unsatisfied by the climax and the conclusion. In short, I wish different things had happened to the characters than what I read! 

The narrative is told from alternating character points of view and there are timeline jumps. I cared more about the modern-day story than the deep dive into the past. The resolution of the mystery seemed rather anticlimactic. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The audiobook was quite unsatisfactory overall despite having 5 narrators. The reason being that the person who voiced the character of Caro sent me over the edge with her shrill voice. The other females were hard to keep straight but fortunately I was able to tell who was speaking due to the chapter titles in the e-book. Normally the experience of reading and listening enhances the experience for me but toward the end I had to turn off the audio as it was very irritating.

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

Genre.tags - mystery, drama, secrets and lies, Russia, Jews, train trip, Orient Express