Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben

2.5 out of 5 stars -- "The dead always stayed dead."

Maya Stern, ex helicopter pilot, now retired Army Captain, returns home after a disastrous ending to her tour of duty in Iraq.  Shrouded in scandal, she rejoins her husband, Joe, and her 2-year-old daughter, Lily. Though suffering from PTSD, and haunted by her memories, she is trying to find her way back to civilian life. The novel opens with Maya burying Joe -- who was shot dead in a park close to their home.

Now a single mother and widow, she has to work so Joe's wealthy family provides a nanny for Lily. While reviewing the film of the nanny cam a friend gave her, Maya sees something unbelievable -- her dead husband playing with Lily in their living room. Could he still be alive? And if so, why? Where is he? That's when things really start to happen.

Without any spoilers, the rest of the narrative puts Maya into investigative mode trying to tie events from the past to the present situation This is standard Coben fare and fans who enjoy his domestic thrillers will likely find this one full of the action and twists that are his trademark.

I've read all of Coben's standalone suspense novels but did not care for this particular story as much. After talking with a friend about this one, I believe I am indeed jaded by having read so many twisty thrillers with endings that seem to come out of nowhere.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for providing me with an e-book ARC to review.

The Crow Girl by Erik Axl Sund

"It starts with just one body – tortured, mummified and then discarded.

Its discovery reveals a nightmare world of hidden lives. Of lost identities, secret rituals and brutal exploitation, where nobody can be trusted.

This is the darkest, most complex case the police have ever seen.

This is the world of the Crow Girl."

3.0 out of 5 stars -- A confusing and very disturbing hot mess of a book that deals with sexual abuse of children (pedophilia), torture, mutilation and other acts of depravity. In addition, the fact that one of the main characters appears to suffer from the very rare phenomenon of multiple personality disorder (dissociative identity disorder) makes the narrative difficult to follow.

Whew! I would say that it took me way too long to read this novel -- probably as long as it took for Detective Superintendent Jeanette Kihlberg and her partner to bring some resolution to the complex case after the mummified body of an immigrant child is found dumped by a train stop. Jeanette seeks out a psychologist, Sofia Zetterlund, to help make sense of these bodies of mutilated children when others are found. What heinous creature could do this to children?

Set in Sweden, and with a huge cast of characters (including the other personalities), the story was extremely detailed and grisly -- it required a lot of energy and focus for me to keep everything straight. Each chapter bounces from character to character and to different places and time periods. I prefer a more linear narrative, and I definitely had a hard time staying with this book.
No spoilers, but, finally there was resolution of sorts as I reached the end of this intense story. Absorbing the impact of statistics of the high incidence of pedophiles in Sweden (and other societies as well) and revelations of the horrible damage that this type of abuse causes made for several sleepless nights. Ultimately this was a novel of revenge and hate -- but even payback does not undo the simple truth: lives ruined beyond repair.

I wonder if there will be more books to follow that feature Jeanette and/or Sofia as it seemed like their story was not finished. I do think this book was too long at 768 pages and hope any follow up is shorter and tighter.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing the e-book ARC to review. 

She's Not There by Joy Fielding

3.5 out of 5 stars -- "And guilt and blame are two very powerful weapons. Weapons of intimate destruction."

Imagine every parent's worst nightmare -- your 2-year old daughter is kidnapped from a hotel room while you're out enjoying dinner with friends at a luxury resort in Mexico celebrating your wedding anniversary! That's the tragedy that Carol Shipley and her husband, Hunter, faced 15 years ago. No trace of Samantha was ever found. Everyone constantly reminds Carole that she should never have left her children alone in a hotel room. She knows that, but blames Hunter for talking her into it.

Flash forward to the ringing of a telephone and a voice on the other end -- it's a girl claiming to be that missing daughter. Carole so wants this to be true, an answer to her hopes and prayers. Carole and her daughter, Michelle, travel to Calgary but the girl doesn't show. But then arrives on their doorstep in San Diego. Is this really Samantha?

This was a very fast read but populated with several characters that I found so annoying that it was distracting. The mother was a mess, not that it would be unusual since she lost her daughter, but the rest of the family -- Michelle, mother Mary, brother Steve, and Hunter -- were also not exactly the kind of people I'd be able to tolerate as friends even if given lots of latitude for their personal anguish. The only thing that saved this book was that I wanted to get to the end to see if the girl was indeed Samantha and to find out what happened in the hotel. I hoped there would be a satisfactory conclusion. Most of it I had guess and anyone who reads this type of book would as well.

Overall, I enjoyed the quick read in a single sitting. I wish I had developed more empathy for Carole, but I never connected with her. I like strong female protagonists vs those who do a lot of angsting and sobbing. The relationship between Carole and everyone else in her family was completely dysfunctional and they all need more than a few sessions with a therapist to fix all that is wrong. I don't even want to think about the pain a parent would experience in this sort of situation, so I gave her some leeway with her reactions and behavior, but some of her choices defied credibility and a reader will need to suspend a bit of disbelief about some of what happened.

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

Ashes to Dust by Yrsa Sigurdardottir (#3)

Ashes to Dust: A Thriller (Thora Gudmundsdottir #3) 

4.0 out of 5 stars -- Some mistakes can have lifelong consequences.

This third book in the series has the lawyer Thora trying to clear Markus, a man accused of multiple murder when bodies are found in the basement of his childhood home. The house was covered with ash and lava after a 1973 eruption of a volcano in his village and is just now being excavated when this grisly discovery is made.

A very complex case involving events of the past, as well as crimes in the present, and many characters makes this quite an interesting read. Thora doggedly follows the leads she is able to uncover from information that is very difficult for her to get as most of the people involved are either long dead or incapacitated. Bella, the difficult office secretary who is usually a thorn in Thora's side, has more of a role in this book than does Thora's love interest, Matthew, who is still trying to decide about moving to Iceland.

Even though I guessed some of what probably happened in the Icelandic village where the bodies were discovered, there was a huge surprise twist at the end that I did not see coming. I like the writing style and the description of the methodical way that Thora investigates. Her personal life is part of the story, but most of the narrative is focused on the case and the clues. In addition, I've learned quite a bit about the country of Iceland and the people who call it home.

I've only one more to read to be caught up with the entire series, and though I have read it out of order, I've thoroughly enjoyed each book. 

 

The Silence of the Sea by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir

4.0 out of 5 stars -- Complex and intense mystery, the latest in the Thóra Gudmundsdóttir series (#6).

The chilling opening of this suspense novel by the "Queen of Nordic Noir" quickly sets the mood for this well plotted tale. A luxury yacht that is supposed to have 7 persons on board crashes into the pier in Reykjavik Harbor. A family of four (husband, wife and twin daughters) and 3 crew are missing from the yacht. There is no evidence of foul play and no clues as to what might have happened. Thóra Gudmundsdóttir gets involved when the parents of the missing husband (who have been keeping the youngest daughter while the rest of the family was on the cruise) ask her to help them sort out the life insurance. Thóra needs to prove that the missing husband and wife are dead in order for them to collect the money.

This is a very complicated mystery and the narration shifts in time and person from the point of view of what is occurring on the yacht out in the ocean and Thóra's investigation back in Reykjavik . It is methodical and slow in some parts, but the reader is guessing wildly as to what happened on the yacht and why there is no one on board as the clues come to light. The revelations at the very end are surprising and very satisfying. No spoilers!

I love this series. I'm waiting for #3 and #4 so that I can be up-to-date having just finished this one, the most recent. I like the main character a lot and the writing style. There wasn't much of Matthew Reich in this book, and that's fine by me. I'm looking forward to reading #7 whenever it's written.

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

My Soul to Take by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, Bernard Scudder (Translator), Anna Yates (Translator)

4.0 out of 5 stars -- A chilling and absorbing read -- Nordic noir.

The second book in this series featuring the lawyer Thóra Gudmundsdóttir and her lover, Matthew Reich, is just as absorbing and interesting as the first. The setting is modern day Iceland, almost a character in itself, with its uniqueness and history. In this mystery, Thora is asked to represent the owner of a New Age spa and resort who wants to sue the previous owners who he claims misrepresented the old farmstead and sold him a haunted property. Although Thora doesn't hold with the supernatural, she goes to stay at the health resort in Snaefellsnes and is immediately drawn into an different sort of investigation there when the owner, Jonas, is accused of the murder of the architect who was working for him after her mutilated body is found on the beach nearby. As Thora starts digging into the case, she unearths some photos and information about the brothers, their wives and children who had lived on and owned the farmstead property many years ago. Then a second person is murdered. Thora and Matthew must figure out why these two were killed and who committed the crimes.

With a huge cast of characters and with the Icelandic names, it can be a feat just to keep everyone straight! But alternate point of view narration provides some clues that there is much more going on here than first thought. The mystery is well-plotted and complex with mutiple red herrings and I was glad not to be able to be sure that my guesses were correct until the final few chapters. I like the personality and character of Thóra Gudmundsdóttir -- divorced mother of two, about to be a grandmother. She's snarky and intense, definitely not damaged, and has a good sense of humor. I enjoy all the details about Iceland and its culture and landscape. I like the writing style and the translation flows nicely as well.

This is the third book by this author that I've read (#1, #2 and #5) and I have plans to read #3 and #4 as soon as I can get hold of copies. I really like this series. I guess you could say I'm hooked on crime fiction and the unusual setting.

Please send me any recommendations of other authors/series of this type and unique settings. 

Last Rituals by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, Bernard Scudder (Translator)

4.0 out of 5 stars -- "An Icelandic novel of secret symbols, medieval witchcraft, and modern murder."

A student from Germany who is working on his master's degree in Iceland is found dead in a Reykjavik university printer alcove. He is carved with strange symbols and his eyes have been removed. The boy, Harald Guntlieb, had an unusual passion and a curious set of friends. One of them is quickly arrested for the murder. Harald's wealthy parents don't believe that the person arrested actually committed the crime and engage Thóra Guðmundsdóttir to assist a family friend, Matthew Reich, with a deeper investigation. Harald's obsession is focused on witch hunts -- torture and execution -- and a particular manuscript, THE WITCHES' HAMMER. The novel is full of many interesting historical details of significant people and events during the 1500s and the conversion to Lutheranism.

I read some of the previous reviews here on Goodreads and I must say that I disagree about Thora. I quite like her and found her normalcy a refreshing change from the "damaged" female protagonist often seen in current crime and suspense thriller novels. I thought she was an interesting character with quirks and flaws as she is struggling to work and be a single mother to a 6 year old daughter and a 16 year old son after a divorce. I liked the sparring between her and Matthew and didn't mind the developing romance even during the midst of some of the gruesomeness of the case. I am enjoying learning more about Iceland even as I struggle to pronounce the names. The translation seems quite well done and I like the writing style. I did not guess the identity of the killer until late in the book.

Back in November of 2014, I read the 5th book in this series (SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME) and lamented that I was not familiar with Thóra Guðmundsdóttir's backstory and that I wanted to start the series from the beginning. Well, finally got this debut from the library and am looking forward to reading more about this female lawyer and Icelandic crime fiction. I have the second novel in the series to start next!

The Darkest Secret by Alex Marwood

4.0 out of 5 stars -- "Some truths will shatter worlds. Some secrets are best kept, though the keeping can eat you up."

In this psychological thriller, the first book I've read by Alex Marwood, the characters are easy to loathe and the alternating points of view with multiple narrators and the back and forth from present day to the weekend in 2004, make it a bit hard to get into at first. But stick with it -- what a great hodgepodge of immorality and dysfunction!

The novel starts with a press release -- a three year old girl, Coco Jackson, daughter of the super wealthy Sean Jackson and his current second wife Claire, also a twin to Ruby, is missing from the family's vacation home in Bournemouth while on a holiday weekend in August, 2004. No trace of Coco is ever found.

Fast-forward to present day and the death of Sean Jackson (in a hotel with poppers and handcuffed to the bed though on his 4th wife) and preparation for the funeral and a reunion of sorts with the Jackson Associates -- a group of friends who were there on the holiday in 2004. One of Sean's daughters, Mila, is entreated to take Ruby along with her to the funeral. The revelations are dangled bit by bit as the truth about that fateful weekend comes via the various narrators and climaxes on the very last pages of the novel in a gripping conclusion that, though somewhat predictable, is very satisfying.

The Jackson family tree consists of 5 daughters -- 2 with his first wife, twins with the second, and a 5th with his last and 4th wife. The Jackson Associates include friends from Sean's university days and their spouses. Keeping everyone straight is a bit hard at first, but the well written novel allows for great characterization that is quite a study in personality disorders and relationships. The reader comes to know some of them better than others and the narrative reminds us that perception becomes truth -- we cannot know that which is kept from us and our feelings and actions rely on what we believe.

I enjoyed reading this and will definitely be looking for the other two books published by this author. It definitely would make a great book club read and ranks up there with many other recent, popular psychological thrillers. I'm sure there will be the inevitable comparisons, but this work stands on its own as a cautionary tale. And yes, there is definitely evil in the world, and there will always be those who justify their actions to preserve ego and to get what is wanted. 

The Good Goodbye by Carla Buckley

4.0 out of 5 stars -- Compelling domestic drama with a mystery.

Rory and Arden are cousins who are attending the same college and rooming together when they are brought to the ER after a fire breaks out in their dorm room. Both are unconscious and unable to answer any questions about the incident that resulted in the death of a friend of theirs. Lots of unanswered questions put their parents, who already were estranged, into more turmoil as each waits for their daughter to recover. 

Told in alternating points of view, the novel shifts back and forth between the main characters. It's important to note the name of the narrator at the start of each chapter. It is obvious that the parents of the girls did not know them as well as they thought they did. Secrets and lies, loyalty and betrayal. The truth comes out slowly (because of the shifting narration) so there is some tension as the reader is finally taken to the revelations and and what I felt was a predictable conclusion. I was a bit unhappy with that ending, however.

I like this author and have read all her previous books. I'd recommend this novel to reading groups as it has many topics for discussion and debate. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the e-book ARC to review. 

Beautiful Losers by Eve Seymour

3.0 out of 5 stars -- Mildly entertaining mystery (quasi thriller) about a disfigured psychologist who tries to turn the tables and attempt to identify her alleged stalker. The problem is that Kim's reactions and behavior are so implausible -- and I'll go ahead and say stupid -- that it's no wonder that the police, her coworkers, boss and friends have a hard time believing her. I kept reading only to see if I was able to pick out the true culprit despite the red herrings and diversions in the convoluted plot. I did. There was no real suspense and I could not relate to any of the characters -- all stereotypical and one-dimensional (sometimes hard to keep straight). There was lilttle suspense and the tension, menace, and urgency typical of this type of novel were absent. I would say that Kim needs to heed that oft repeated maxim -- "heal thyself." So, a quick read without much substance, certainly the topic of eating disorders was barely touched upon despite the title. I can't see this being the start of a successful series as Kim Slade is just too much of a hot mess. Thank you to NetGalley and Midnight Ink for the e-book ARC to review.

The Killing Forest by Sarah Blaedel

4.0 out of 5 stars -- Deadly secrets of the brotherhood...

Fifteen year-old Sune is about to be initiated into the Asatro (an old Nordic religion) but something goes seriously wrong that night in the forest and he disappears. In an interesting twist, Sune's parents don't report him missing as they insist he has run away to avoid his dying mother at home, and Louise Rick and her partner, Eik Nordstrom, of the Special Search Agency are called in to investigate when Sune is spotted in some photographs taken by a stationary camera in the woods. What follows is a trip down memory lane for Louise as she is drawn back to her past when it appears the missing boy is from Hvalso -- and is the son of someone she went to school with many years ago.

In this fast-paced and suspenseful thriller, the reader learns of Louise's past heartache and tragedy, part of what has molded her into the woman she is. The tale is complicated as the present and past converge to reveal a legacy of lies, corruption, coverup and murder. The characters from previous novels are part of the story, most notably her friend, Camilla Lind, who is now married and working as a free-lance journalist from home -- a manor house in Boserup. All are caught up in the search for the boy as they expose a secret brotherhood whose rituals and beliefs have taken a sharp turn from the old religious practices.

I've read 5 other books in this series (the ones that have been translated into English( #1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 prior to this one and I really like the setting and the characters. The writing is crisp and the cases are very unique and interesting. I like to compare the Danish police fiction to US crime fiction and enjoy the differences. I can't wait to read another and hope that Sara Blaedel's other books are all translated so that I can go back and read those I've missed.

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

The Widow by Fiona Barton

3.0  out of 5 stars -- "How much do the wives of the men who commit terrible crimes actually know?"

The synopsis by the publisher gives an overview explaining that Jean Taylor, wife of Glen, is finally going to tell her story -- she's going to tell a journalist the secrets that lie behind the disappearance of a little toddler, Bella Elliott. Glen  was accused of kidnapping and murder in this crime, but now it is 4 years later and Glen has died -- leaving Jean free  to tell her own version of the truth. The problem is -- are her memories accurate or is she twisting things a bit to exculpate herself from any  responsibility. What did she know, and when did she know?

I sort of felt let down by the revelations from Jean in this case. She's the typical unreliable narrator -- a stock character that seems to be all the rage of late (hence comparisons to GIRL ON THE TRAIN and other similar novels). She's not particularly likable, and seems to be devoid of personality. Perhaps the result of living with Glen? The turmoil of the publicity and subsequent outcry has left her mostly alone with her thoughts and memories. When she opens up to Kate, she actually shares very little and the reader is left with few details, an incomplete picture of the crime and only a bit of a sense of resolution.

This is a debut novel, and the writing is good so I'll look for future books by this author. Frankly, however, I'm tired of meandering narration and too many points of view, especially when the main storytellers aren't forthcoming. I guess I prefer a more tightly plotted thriller with lots of suspense than a psychological study. I can't call this a thriller and there was no suspense here -- just questions and some frustration at the lack of transparency. There are no twists or startling revelations as we limp to the predictable conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group NAL for the e-book ARC to review.

Kill Again by Neal Baer (#2)

3.0 out of 5 stars -- Second in series featuring Claire Waters, forensic psychiatrist, and Nick Lawler, a former homicide detective now confined to a desk job due to his macular degeneration and limited vision.

In this novel, Claire and Nick are on the hunt for a psycho who dismembers and then boils the bones after Claire's special patient, Rosa, is kidnapped and murdered. Their search for this lunatic is both frustrating and dangerous as they get closer to solving the case.

The pace is somewhat slow and the reader will need to suppress credulity with the notion of Claire and Nick working as partners in conjunction with the police department -- though neither officially and them often defying the boss's orders (don't all fictional detectives seem to do this??). The gory chill factor is high with the grisly descriptions, and the "who" done it comes basically out of nowhere at the end.  Of course Claire is almost killed a couple of times but Nick saves the day. Their romance, though not unanticipated, was not something I wanted to see.

Not sure if a third book in this series is planned, but I will likely skip it. I don't really like Claire (too perfect) and not sure where any further story would go.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the e-book ARC to review.

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith (AKA JK ROWLING)

The third in the Cormoran Strike series by J.K. Rowling writing as Robert Galbraith.

3.0 out of 5 stars -- rather slow and overly lengthy third novel in the Cormoran Strike series.

Strike is holding the agency together with a few odd jobs for him and his newly promoted "partner" Robin. Surveillance and routine detective work ensue and all is going well --- until Robin receives delivery of a severed leg. First, who does the leg belong to? Second, who cut it off? And third, why?

With the furor over the amputated limb and lots of attention focused on the agency, business falls off. That's when Strike formulates the hypothesis that the person who did this is trying to get back at him. Ruin his livelihood, destroy his reputation. Since the journalists are camped by their office, they go out to discuss business, and Strike and Robin connect in a couple of personal conversations where they exchange sensitive intimate details of events in their previous lives. NO NO NO. No spoilers.

The rest of the novel has Robin and Strike following the 3 main men who Strike thinks could be behind the mutilation and several other vicious murders in the area. Robin survives a couple of attempts on her life -- thank heavens there were people to rescue her. Why don't partners in the business talk to each other? Share leads? Tell their partner what they're up to?

OK -- this book, didn't like as much as the first. I think I'm done with the series now. This just went on forever and if we are heading in the direction I think we are heading (with Strike and Robin getting oh so close)...I can't see it. There wasn't much excitement or suspense. The motivation for all the murdering seemed so lame and I couldn't work up any angst over it. I had liked the characters of Strike and Robin in the previous novel where they were PARTNERS at work and a good foil for one another. I don't like all this new sexual tension between them. And that ending?? Seriously. Overall, the book was just ok. I was disappointed that there were no thrills and the revelation of the identity of the killer after all just left me...yawn. 

Host by Robin Cook

2.0 out of 5 stars - Disappointing medical thriller with unrealistic characterization and unbelievable action.

Two fourth-year medical students (one a white female, Lynn, and the other a black male, Michael) at Mason-Dixon Hospital and University in South Carolina are drawn into a biomedical conspiracy when her boyfriend never wakes up after surgery. When Carl is declared brain dead and transferred to the Shapiro Institute next door, Lynn and Michael find that somehow the Russians have become involved via Sidereal Pharmaceuticals to create a warehouse full of comatose patients with an additional sinister purpose.

I never miss a medical thriller, but I wish I had skipped this one. I may be wrong, and I hope I am, but it seems that the ending has opened up to hints of a sequel?

The Lake House by Kate Morton

4.0 out of 5 stars -- Complicated mystery with satisfying "all ends tied up" conclusion. A good story.

I enjoy Kate Morton, but one irritant in this novel was when there were constant teases where a character discovered something in an "ah ha" moment but did not share it with the reader. Dangling chapters and alternating time periods with multiple narrators made it hard sometimes to pick up the thread of the narrative.

I was able to figure out the secrets and solve the crime well in advance of the modern day police detective in the story, but the author does attempt to surprise -- mostly by avoiding giving important details in a straight line narration. The characters were interesting, but as usual, the reader just wonders why communication was so bad between them that all this took so many years to get answers because of all their secrets.

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

Liar Liar by M.J. Arlidge

Liar Liar: DI Helen Grace #4 

(Detective Inspector Helen Grace)

4.0 out of 5 stars -- Ah that feeling -- when you just finish a great story and only want more -- more of the characters and another great suspense thriller to capture your interest and enthrall you for a couple of hours. That's how I feel after finishing this 4th book in one of my new favorite series.

DI Helen Grace is a very complex and interesting woman. In this case, she is investigating a series of arsons that have left several dead women in the ashes of burnt out houses. An excellent police procedural, the reader follows Helen and her team as they try to put the disparate pieces of this puzzle together to stop a killer without conscience. Red herrings abound, and I was stunned by the denouement and revelation of the killler and the motives.

I cannot wait for the next one (LITTLE BOY BLUE) -- and I hope  NetGalley will provide me the e-book ARC to review. If you like strong female lead protagonists and lots of action with supporting characters who add to the depth of the story within, you will like this series.

The Doll's House by M.J. Arlidge (#3)

The Doll's House: A Detective Helen Grace Thriller

 (DI Helen Grace Thriller Book 3)

4.0 out of 5 stars -- The third suspense thriller featuring Southampton DI Helen Grace is another winner in the series!

Part police procedural and part mystery, this novel  focuses on the hunt for the person who has abducted and killed 3 women -- and now has possibly taken a fourth.  The women share common traits, most specifically they have dark hair and blue eyes. In addition, each of the bodies discovered on the isolated beach has another commonality -- a bluebird tattoo. Helen knows that the man they are desperately seeking must be linked in some way to all four of the women and she and her team are out pounding the pavement and knocking on doors trying to find the latest victim, Ruby, before she too becomes another. 

The reader has the benefit of the points of view of Helen, Ruby, and glimpses into the psyche of the man behind these crimes. In addition, Helen is still dealing with her personal problems and work issues with her subordinates and superiors. It is important that you read the first two in the series before opening this one as Helen's character develops and we get more insight into what makes her tick with each book. I like the fast pace and the characters --  the story line is good, and the investigation methodical. If you haven't tried Arlidge before, I'd recommend this series if you like an entertaining thriller that's not too gory.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group NAL for the e-book ARC to review.  I am looking forward to reading #4 -- Liar Liar.

Previous books in series

Eeny Meeny

Pop Goes the Weasel 

The Conqueror's Wife by Stephanie Thornton

From Edelweiss - the ARC I have been holding my breath to read!!
Wow, those were some vicious times...

3.0 out of 5 stars -- Brutal historical fiction

Alexander's reign was marked by blood -- and there are far too many deaths to recount during his saga of endless war and battle to conquer the lands that became his empire. This novel centered on the women connected to Alexander -- and there were many who were there for him during his lustful drive for power. But, he was a man, not a God, and even in death, he left behind those who wanted to secure that role of conqueror for themselves.

I'm sorry to say that I didn't really like this book that much, and I grew weary of reading the unending saga of torture and execution. I did not care for any of the women who were connected to him, not even the ones whom the author decided to cast in the role of champion. Most of the time I was aghast at the senseless deaths, the treachery and the betrayal. The narrative shifts in point of view between the main women -- Thessalonike (sister), Roxana (wife), and Drypetis (warrior). Also heard is the voice of Hephaestation -- Alexander's best friend, fellow soldier, and lover. All of them held in thrall to Alexander the Great.

I've read the authors previous books and loved them, but this is one that I should have passed up as I am left without redemption or satisfaction for all that befell the people who blindly followed the ruthless leaders. I had so looked forward to the release of this new book but am left disappointed in the outcome.

Thank you to Edelweiss and to the publilsher for the e-book ARC to review, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it. Way too much description of mutillation of humans and animals for my taste. Perhaps it is historically accurate, I don't know, but it was just not for me. I am glad that I forced myself to finish it -- but I note that it took me 10 days rather than a few hours to get through -- and that speaks volumes for someone who is as prolific a reader as I am. 

Ashley Bell by Dean Koontz

Finally finished this book after many endless painful reading days. Two words: Skip this!

Don't believe the publicity and the blurbs -- this is NOT "THE MUST-READ THRILLER OF THE YEAR." Who wrote the book synopsis below?? Exaggerate much? 

Description from publisher
From #1 bestselling author Dean Koontz—the must-read thriller of the year, for readers of dark psychological suspense and modern classics of mystery and adventure.
The girl who said no to death.
Bibi Blair is a fierce, funny, dauntless young woman—whose doctor says she has one year to live.
  She replies, “We'll see.”
  Her sudden recovery astonishes medical science.
  An enigmatic woman convinces Bibi that she escaped death so that she can save someone else. Someone named Ashley Bell.
  But save her from what, from whom? And who is Ashley Bell? Where is she?
  Bibi's obsession with finding Ashley sends her on the run from threats both mystical and worldly, including a rich and charismatic cult leader with terrifying ambitions.
  Here is an eloquent, riveting, brilliantly paced story with an exhilarating heroine and a twisting, ingenious plot filled with staggering surprises. Ashley Bell is a new milestone in literary suspense from the long-acclaimed master.

This is hyped as the "thriller of the year" and geez, I miss my old Koontz ... or maybe he is an author whose work better appealed to me when I was in my late teens and early 20s.

This wavered between 1 and 2 stars for me -- I did not enjoy it and that was obvious to me by how often I didn't bother to even open my book to try to finish it. I used to love Dean Koontz and have read nearly every book he's written, usually more disappointed than entertained especially by his recent titles. This is the last one I will read.

To say that you will need to suspend disbelief is an understatement -- the premise was interesting, but then the story became completely ridiculous when I reached chapter 90. NO!!!! I said aloud. I should have stopped right then, but I labored through the rest of it, skipping the endless descriptive and repetitive prose, riddled with overuse of simile and metaphor, to the scoff-out-loud conclusion and I'm sorry I wasted my time. 

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