The Bone Hunger (Benjamin Oris #2) by Carrie Rubin

 What a fast, fun thrill ride from beginning to end -- this begs to be read in a single sitting so I did just that. No fears if you haven't read the first book in the series as I had not either and the author gives enough backstory so you will get the gist of what happened to Benjamin almost 4 years prior to the current time and place.

Everything is going good for Dr. Benjamin Oris, 2nd year orthopedic resident at Montgomery Hospital in downtown Philadelphia, PA. His baby mama and he are co-parenting an adorable son and his friends, family, and colleagues are all ready to help him meet his goals. Of course since things are really looking up for Ben, something bad has to happen -- and it does. The first severed limb of one of Ben's joint replacement patients turns up in a park and causes quite a stir. Then a second. The surgical team that Ben is lucky enough to be on is on alert and their worries intensify as their patients are threatened and their operations seem more risky. Does this freakish spate of limbs and murders have anything to do with the recent trauma experienced by some of the team who were on a humanitarian mission to Alaska when their plane crashed in the wilderness? Is there something "otherworldly" afoot? NO SPOILERS.

I loved the medical information and the great writing; it's obvious that the author knows her topic. I also enjoyed the bit of "otherworldly" that came into play. It's just detailed and grisly enough to cause some suspense and it kept me guessing with the misdirection and red herrings. I surely hope to follow this up with book #3 in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo Dot Press for this e=book ARC to read, review and recommend.

 This is the second book in a series and I was not able to get a copy of the first, THE BONE CURSE, but it can be read as a standalone.

Genre - medical mystery thriller, suspense, otherworldly

Save Her Soul (Detective Josie Quinn #9) by Lisa Regan

In this 9th installment of a long-running series featuring Detective Josie Quinn, the very foundations of her life are questioned as she investigates a murder that has relevance to her teenage years.

Major flooding in Denton, Pennsylvania, has Josie and her colleague, Det. Gretchen Palmer,  out on the water in an inflatable boat doing water rescues when they spot a blue, plastic tarp wrapped around a floating body in the rushing currents. The victim is identified as Beverly Urban, a girl that Josie had gone to high school with and who had been presumed moved away decades ago. The autopsy shows a gunshot to the back of the head and the manner of death is homicide. Somehow the preserved body is remarkably intact and Beverly is wearing a letter jacket that belonged to Josie's former boyfriend and husband, Ray. It's a small town with lots of secrets. NO SPOILERS.

This was OK but far too much contrived coincidence with Josie's past. Also feel like the excessive descriptions of the flooding and details of all Josie's crazy misadventures in the water went overboard. She has the most messed up family situation and relationships and that, along with her convoluted past history, has just gotten to be almost too much. I had figured out most of the big twists and didn't find the thrills or suspense I was hoping for with this one. Might just be ready to be done with Josie and this series.

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

 

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

Genre - detective, police procedural, floods, mystery, murder

We are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin

 "Tender, resilient, strong, resourceful, kind, empathetic..."

I don't think I've ever read a book similar to this one. Told from 3 different perspectives, it's an atmospheric mystery thriller with such unique characters that I am still trying to fully appreciate the whole scope of the story with admiration for the author.

It's best to go into this book without reading too many reviews as you want to allow the narrative to pull you in before revealing any of its secrets. The main plot involves a girl, Trumanell Branson, who went missing along with her father, Frank, one hot Texas night a decade ago. Neither she nor her father were ever found but foul play is suspected. Flash forward years later as Odette Tucker, now a cop in her hometown, ex-girlfriend of Trumanell's brother, Wyatt, still hasn't given up finding them or their killer. Some townspeople believe that Wyatt killed both his sister and his father, he definitely isn't completely normal, and yet Odette can't make the pieces fit. She suffered her own huge loss the night that Trumanell disappeared. And then Wyatt finds a one-eyed girl alongside the highway near his farm. Separated into three main parts each narrated by a different character, the story comes to life as the truth finally comes out. NO SPOILERS.

Very well-written, this incredible tale will linger long after you've turned the last page. Those 6 words quoted earlier describe the two female characters perfectly. This is the third book I've read by this author and will keep an eye out for more titles. Enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.

 

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - mystery, psychological,  atmospheric thriller

Containment (Jake Parker #1) by Nick Thacker

 Life changed for Jacob (Jake) Parker three years ago and he's been searching for peace and solitude but even that has evaded him. He's torn from his self-imposed isolation when he gets a call from Derek Briggs, the Director of ICE, about an unusual job. Even though Jake has left his former position as a detective with the Boston PD and military service behind, Briggs wants him to solve a case outside of the normal channels. The situation involves the deaths of a married couple who apparently entered the US illegally from Canada but were detained at a facility in Vermont where they got sick and quickly expired. Briggs is concerned because whatever killed them might be a the start of a new pandemic. He engages Jake as a third-party investigator outside of the bureaucracy of the US Government to avoid speculation and panic if this is indeed something to be concerned about. Jake knows he can't handle this on his own and makes a call to an old friend, Beau Shaw, his ex-partner and asks him to help and also requests him to find another person with infectious disease expertise. Enter Dr. Eliza Mendoza, a teacher of microbiology and parasitology at Syracuse. The goal is for the team to make sure the infection that killed the couple wasn't introduced on purpose and that it is contained. Jake thinks outside the box, and they hit the ground running. But what if there is more to this than the emergence of a new killer disease? NO SPOILERS.

I love thrillers but especially those that are medical in nature. I'm a sucker for a good pandemic novel and I tried to hold off reading this until closer to publication date, but couldn't resist. Although this is a very quick read, easy to finish in a couple of hours, I was a bit disappointed. The premise was so interesting but the narrative got bogged down and focused more on politics and the debate about immigration than about an epidemic. Very predictable bad guys and with the requisite romance angle, I was left feeling let down and don't think I got what I came for after all. I'm not sure if I'll read another in this series.

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

 

This is the first in a new series featuring Jake Parker.

Genre -- Mystery/Thriller - vaguely medical

His & Hers by Alice Feeney

 "People rarely see themselves the way others do; we all carry broken mirrors."

This is a mystery thriller told in alternating points of view. The plot revolves around a series of murders in Blackdown where Anna Andrews grew up and where Jack Harper works and lives. Anna, a BBC correspondent and former TV anchor, has been assigned to cover the investigation and DCI Jack Harper is put in charge of it. Both of them know the victims and are quite well-acquainted with each other. Who can be believed when there are so many secrets and lies? NO SPOILERS.

You may enjoy this more if you're able to suspend disbelief and just assume that everything you read is only one version of the truth. I didn't find these characters very likable and they just seemed to do some fairly dumb things in response to events. I didn't care about any of them and rooted for no one. I had the hardest time staying focused and found it easy to get distracted by other things which prevented me from finishing this quicker. Some of the dark stuff brought up within the narrative involves sexual abuse, potential animal mutilation, alcoholism, rape, bullying -- lots of manipulative behavior and just nasty people. Although some might be surprised by the ending, I found it anticlimactic. I think the writing is actually good and this style can be a useful tool, it's just too bad that the whole premise and conclusion didn't work that well for my taste.

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

 

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

Genre - mystery thriller

Her Final Words by Brianna Labuskes

"Just because someone isn't lying...doesn't mean they're telling the truth."

At 3:00 AM, Eliza Cook walks into the Seattle FBI office and asks for Agent Lucy Thorne. The 17-year-old girl then confesses to a murder, tells Lucy where the body is, and also gives the location of the murder weapon. Despite further interrogation, Eliza refuses to give any other information or answer the main question of motive. Eliza does, however, repeat several times the fact that she carved a psalm into the victim's skin. Agent Thorne is not willing to put this case to rest as she can't wrap her head around the fact that Eliza has murdered this boy, 12-year-old Noah Dawson. Lucy wants answers and begs the chance to travel to Knox Hollow, a small Idaho town that happens to be populated by a group known as the True Believers of Christ Church. This community is close-knit and secretive and Lucy is obsessed with finding the truth. NO SPOILERS.

What a delicious slow-burning mystery that grabbed me and kept me hooked so that I had to read it in a single sitting. The setting adds another layer to this complex story as do the characters. We don't learn that much about Lucy Thorne, but her determination to figure out what happened and why is evident with everything she says and does. She finds it very hard to trust even the local law enforcement in Knox Hollow, and the church members are even more difficult to fathom. The writing was excellent and the alternating points of view and flashbacks added another dimension to the investigation as the details and revelations were exposed. It's not so much a thriller per se, but the questions I had while reading kept mounting as did the tension as I wanted the answers.

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

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

Genre - mystery, cults, murder

The Golden Cage by Camilla Lackberg

They say nothing blinds us like love...[but] nothing blinds as much as the dream of love. Hope is a powerful drug."

An incredibly fast read that I found impossible to put down so read today in one sitting. Domestic drama fueled by revenge, this novel reminds most women that there is more than one way to get over being betrayed by a man. Not that any of us would go to the extremes that Faye Adelheim manages as she extracts vengeance on the husband who nearly destroyed her.

Faye and Jack have a lovely life in Ostermalm with their young daughter, Julienne. Though wealthy and socially popular, Faye feels that her husband is growing distant and may even be having an affair. It's even more upsetting when Jack dumps her and leaves her with nothing, despite the fact that Faye is the one who helped Jack get his successful business going in the first place. She gets mad and then she decides to get even. NO SPOILERS.

Lots of secrets, lies and way too much sex, but it was entertaining and a nice diversion from more serious literature and grisly thrillers.

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

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

Genre - domestic drama, psychological fiction, revenge

The Hollow Ones (Blackwood Tapes #1) by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

"Sometimes we are not the ones doing the summoning. Sometimes we are the ones being summoned."

Odessa Hardwicke is a rookie FBI agent who ends up killing her partner when they attend a crime scene. She can't forget what she saw at the moment of Walt Leppo's death: "a mist, looking like a ripple of heat mirage, rose from Leppo's twisted form" leaving behind an odor of solder. Odessa can't bring herself to tell anyone about that when she's taken off duty and put on leave. Confined to desk duty while being investigated, she's tasked with busywork and assigned to clear out the office of a retired FBI agent in New York. As she clears out Earl Solomon's meager belongings, she finds some odd things that cause her to track down the agent who's recently had a stroke and is hospitalized. Their meeting leads Odessa to an enigma, John Blackwood, who is an occult detective. Centuries old, he is on a mission to save the world from evil spirits known as the "Hollow Ones." In an epic that covers a man's quest to bridge the schism between science and magic in 1582 London, to 1962 in the Mississippi Delta, to present day New York and New Jersey, the mission is simple -- to stop the foul entities from wreaking mass destruction and havoc. NO SPOILERS

What a thrill ride from start to finish! I was a bit nervous after reading some of the reviews that suggest the book is somehow similar to another classic author's or a different popular series (that I have also read), but I disagree. I found it quite absorbing and I couldn't stop until I finished it over a couple of hours. The whole time I was reading, I could see the movie version and I can't wait to read the next installment in what looks like a new series by this talented duo. I've read other books by Del Toro and Hogan, and enjoyed them as well. I think your reaction to this will depend on several factors, including your mood and your desire to read this genre. I found it a welcome change of pace and a definitely outside of my usual fare.

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

This is the first in a new series that I plan to read in order.

Genre - supernatural, occult, magic, evil spirits

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

This mystery/crime fiction novel was fast-paced, absorbing and very timely. Even though the topic of rape will always be divisive because of its "he said, she said" nature, and despite it being a common subject of many recent books, this had a different feel to it right from the beginning. I was hooked immediately.

Rachel Krall is a well-known journalist who has made it big hosting true crime podcasts. She's even had a bit of success helping to find justice in a couple of previous episodes. This time she's traveled to Neapolis, NC, to cover a rape trial. A star athlete, a possible future Olympic-level swimmer named Scott Blair, has been accused by Kelly Moore, a 16-year-old local high-school girl. During season three of  Rachel's "Guilty or Not Guilty" podcast, she plans to attend each day of the trial, interview and investigate, and record her observations nightly for her vast audience. Upon arrival, however, Rachel is confronted with a very strange request in the form of a note left on her car windshield. The message is from Hannah, the younger sister of Jenny Stills, who died over 25 years ago in this small town. Hannah believes that her sister did not drown accidentally in the ocean but was murdered. Rachel is trying to concentrate on all of the hoopla surrounding the rape trial, but is drawn into Hannah's story and becomes convinced that there are some big questions about what really happened to Jenny. As the testimony in the trial comes to a close and the verdict is reached, will Rachel also be able to help Hannah find the answers she needs? NO SPOILERS.

Dare I wish that there will be a follow-up to this book with perhaps future podcast seasons featuring Rachel Krall? I really enjoyed how the author relayed the courtroom aspect and how the character of Rachel tried to remain objective in her reporting despite strong feelings about what she was hearing. Even though at times I found it hard to believe how Rachel insinuated herself into many of the situations and got people to give her pertinent information, I just went with it and tried not to over-analyze and nitpick. I want to know more Rachel personally, and I do hope to "hear" more of her podcast!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend. I did read THE ESCAPE ROOM by this author and plan to look for future titles.

This is a standalone and not part of any series -- yet?

Genre - mystery, crime, rape, murder, trial

Down a Dark Road (Kate Burkholder #9) by Linda Castillo

It was a pleasure to return to this series in this 9th installment as I have read and enjoyed the previous titles that feature Chief Kate Burkholder of the Painters Mill Police. Formerly Amish, Kate is in a unique position to deal with crimes in her Ohio town as it is populated by Amish.

Joseph King, convicted of murdering his wife a year earlier, escapes from the custody of the Mansfield Correctional Institution, a maximum security state prison about 100 miles from Painters Mill. When she's notified of Joseph's breach of security, Kate doesn't really believe that he will come to Painters Mill even though his children still live there with relatives. The news about Joseph brings back a lot of Kate's childhood memories as they were close as children and she just can't believe how he had changed into a drug abusing, alcoholic, abusive criminal. Turns out she may be the only one who still has any faith left in him as he tells Kate that he did not kill his wife. She can't leave it alone and this novel deals with Kate's personal mission to find out the truth.

Not really a good choice to read as a standalone, this book furthers our knowledge of Kate's personal history as a young girl growing up Amish. This peek into that community and the details are part of what makes this series unique and what keeps me hooked. I recommend this popular series for that reason even though the outcome of this plot line was easy to predict -- I'd say it's really more about characterization than any kind of suspense crime thriller.

Thank you to Minotaur/St. Martin's Press for this book ARC to read and review.

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

Genre - police procedural, Amish

He Started It by Samantha Downing

"Because I could. Because no one stopped me. Because it was easy. All the same answer, and it really means 'because I wanted to.'"

This is a story about family. Siblings. A long road trip with a promised huge inheritance at the end of the trek. They love each other, right -- but feelings can be like a seesaw because they each have their own agendas and they don't all have the same end goal.

The Morgan siblings Eddie, Beth and Portia are about to recreate a trip they made with their grandfather 20 years ago. Eddie's wife, Krista, and Beth's husband, Felix, have also come along for the ride. Their grandfather's will is specific: "Go on the road trip. Scatter my ashes at the end. Once I'm in my final resting place, my estate will be equally divided between you." They all knew exactly where they had to go but there were a couple of stipulations -- "anyone who ends up in jail, who does not complete the trip, or who deviates from the original trip in any way, will get nothing." After a bit of research, they piled into the rental car and headed off. But this was never going to be a simple,  fun family road trip and each one is in for some shock and surprise. NO SPOILERS.

What a fast, fun read that I finished in one sitting as it was very hard to put down. Lots of twists and turns and a cast of characters that you will love to hate. The writing was great and I just had to find out what happened. This family kept some huge secrets and were very adept at lying and scheming. Just when you think you have it all figured out, this clever tale will make you extremely glad that your own family isn't like this one! Enjoy.

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

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

Genre - domestic drama, thriller, family, revenge

The Next Widow (Jericho and Wright #1) by C.J. Lyons

This first in a new series introduces Detective Sergeant Luka Jericho of the Cambria City Police Department and Dr. Leah Wright, a physician who works at Good Samaritan Medical Center in the Emergency Department. One night, while she was on duty, Leah's husband, Ian, is murdered at their home leaving behind their very frightened 6-year-old daughter, Emily, who had survived the massacre by hiding under her bed. With plenty of red herrings and only a tenuous guess at a motive for this terribly personal attack, the police start an investigation but are still looking very closely at Leah even as she only wants to protect her traumatized daughter. NO SPOILERS.

This was typical crime thriller genre fare that basically sets the stage for future installments. There are hints of backstory to the main characters, Luka and Leah, and though the author tries, I really didn't develop any attachment to either of them at this point. I am not a fan of a lot of angst and tell in a novel, and there's a lot of repetition of thoughts and feelings. I surely hope there will NOT be a romance here between the pair. I was able to guess immediately what was going on so it seemed like a long wait for the action in the story to catch up. I'm not convinced that I will continue on with this series as there was really nothing fresh and new within. It was a quick read.

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

This is the first in a new series.

Genre - crime thriller, revenge, murder

The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell

A little sordid tale of infidelity, money, and murder.

It's been 13 years since Tabitha Girard had met the gorgeous Connor Ford at the country club where she worked as a pool girl and he was one of the rich kids who happened to be there visiting his grandmother for the summer. A romance grew until it was discovered and forbidden. She'd never forgotten him and now, suddenly, there he was -- sitting at a table on the terrace at the second-rate sports bar where she now waited tables. It was meant to be, them coming back together and all those feelings reignited. One problem, however -- Connor happens to be married to Nina Levitt, a woman who is 20 years older than him but incredibly wealthy. But, they can't help themselves. He's going to get a divorce, he says, and seems to be taking a really long time about it. But then Nina ends up dead and finally Tabitha's fairy tale dream is about to come true. Unfortunately, everything is not quite as wonderful as expected and suddenly Tabitha is under suspicion. NO SPOILERS.

2 stars = it was OK but honestly, this is the kind of story that I really try to avoid and somehow end up reading due to being duped by the synopsis or by other reviews. I need to stop requesting domestic dramas masquerading as suspense thrillers with unlikable characters and thoroughly predictable outcomes. I anticipated the twists from the start and can I say, again, that I really detested all of the characters in this book, especially Tabitha. I mean, honestly, how did anyone believe that this was all going to turn out OK given their decisions, behavior, and the situation. The ending left me scoffing and shaking my head. I was totally disappointed because I had liked this author's previous book. I see that this fit the bill for others and I just have to be more careful in the future.

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

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

Genre:  Domestic drama

The Suicide House (Rory Moore/Lane Phillips #2) by Charlie Donlea

"Veniam solum, relinquatis et (Arrive alone, leave together)."

Rory Moore, a forensic reconstructionist, and her partner/lover Dr. Lane Phillips, a forensic psychologist and criminal profiler, get involved in an investigation into a series of bizarre murders and apparent suicides at Westmont Preparatory High School in Peppermill, Indiana. This exclusive boarding school was the site of a summer secret society game gone wrong last year on the solstice. Although the police felt that they'd closed the case when their main suspect committed suicide, there are still many unanswered questions about that night. Why did 3 other surviving students return later to kill themselves at the abandoned boarding house that featured in the game -- The Man in the Mirror? As they study the cold case and review the files, interview the witnesses, and visit the site of the carnage, they realize that the mystery is theirs to solve. NO SPOILERS.

Wow, this was a fun and fast read that I found nearly impossible to put down. I typically avoid stories that feature teenagers, secret societies, and boarding schools, but I'm glad I made an exception -- but did so only because I've read and enjoyed every book by this author so I knew he would not disappoint me. I like all the characters and their idiosyncrasies; definitely Rory is unique as a protagonist since she uses her afflictions or "differences" to enhance her cold case investigations. I wasn't bothered by meeting the many different characters or the sidebars about Rory's obsession with antique doll restoration. I found the changes in POV and the time jumps appropriate to enhance the narrative. I confess, however, that I had figured it all out way before the reveals, but that just made it more interesting to see how the characters ran it down. I am looking forward to Donlea's next book.

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

Although this is labeled as book #2 and I did read the first one, it can be read easily as a standalone.

Genre - Suspense thriller

The Deadly Houses (DS Maddie Ives #6) by Charlie Gallagher

Abusive men do not like it when they are kept from the families they think they own and control. Some of them are so angry about it, they decide to take matters into their own hands.

Detective Sergeant Maddie Ives and her former partner, Harry Blaker, of Canterbury Major Crimes, have their hands full with a suspect who claims to have murdered a social worker found suffocated in an isolated warehouse. They don't believe his confession and soon find an even larger problem -- it seems that a protection program devised by the police and CPS has been breached. Families that have been hidden away from brutal partners may have been exposed by people who've been kidnapped and blackmailed into revealing their locations. Can they unravel this heinous plan and save those they've vowed to protect? NO SPOILERS.

Although this is the 6th in a series, I've only read one previous book -- the first -- but I didn't feel that I'd missed much coming in at this point. The plot of this reminded me a bit of THE CHAIN by Adrian McKinty. It was fast-paced and full of action with the characters being similar to all of those in the detective/police procedural genre. The author is a police detective so has first hand experience with the methods and tactics in how Maddie and Harry approach this investigation. I enjoyed it and may be looking for the next installment.

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

This is the 6th book in a series that I've not read all of previously. Works as a standalone.

Genre - police procedural, crime thriller, UK

Her Shallow Grave (Detectives Kane and Alton #9) by D.K. Hood

I've been through a lot with Deputy Dave Kane and Sheriff Jenna Alton. This is the 9th in a long-running crime thriller series.

Black Rock Falls in the winter is a particularly cruel, cold place and this season the pair has their hands full as they track a serial killer who likes to display his frozen victims in a sort of tableau. The villain, known as either The Sculptor or The Preacher, is a nasty psycho as evidenced by the way he dismembers the female bodies with a chainsaw. There's clues that indicate that he has been a very busy man across several states and that he may even keep the unfortunate souls for extremely long periods of time. Along with the other long-time members of their team, and with the help of FBI consultants, Kane and Alton have their work cut out for them. And, as always, Jenna is in peril and Kane usually saves the day. NO SPOILERS.

Typical of the genre, the story arc hits all the right notes with plenty of grisly detail. After awhile, I suppose it's difficult to come up with new, heinous killers and different methods. I guess I'm surprised at how many psychopaths a small town like Black Rock Falls can possibly hold or host. Effort is made to create an atmosphere with the snow and low temps. I must say that I'm getting tired of the sexual tension (low level as it is) and the lack of consummation of the romance. Always surprised by the fact that Jenna's the boss though she can't do anything but put herself in danger and need rescuing from Kane in every book. Onward. The thrill is starting to fade a bit so the series needs a bit of a recharge if it is meant to continue.

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

This is the 9th book in a series that should be read in order from the beginning.
Genre - crime thriller, police procedural, Black Rock Falls USA

A Murderous Relation (Veronica Speedwell #5) by Deanna Raybourn

It's always a pleasure to return to beloved characters in a great historical fiction series that I've enjoyed from the very beginning. If you're interested in the daring adventures of this unique duo, don't skip any of the titles and dive right in at the start.

The pair, Veronica Speedwell (a lepidopterist of some renown) and her romantic interest and partner, Revelstoke (Stoker) Templeton-Vane (a man of many skills) are lured to London by Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk who wants them to meddle in a situation fraught with scandal -- it seems that the eldest son of the Prince of Wales, Prince Albert Victor (Eddy) has got himself into a bit of trouble as he apparently just purchased a very expensive diamond star from the most fashionable jewelers in London. Since Eddy intends to marry his cousin, a princess, he can't be giving such a trinket to a woman who is mistress and owner of Club de l'Etoile, a luxurious house where privacy and discretion allow the very rich to engage in all sorts of debauchery. Veronica and Stoker are meant to get back the star and save the reputation of Prince Albert Victor. Things don't exactly go according to plan when Veronica and Stoker find themselves in the middle of anarchy and a plot that involves her murderous relative. Meanwhile, it's October, 1888, in London during the reign of terror caused by Jack the Ripper and Scotland Yard is under great pressure to find this killer. NO SPOILERS.

What a crazy action-packed bit of detective work and danger in this one. More information about Veronica's secret parentage comes to light and they don't know whom to trust. The romance that has been simmering finally bursts into full flame between Veronica and Stoker but before they can consummate, they must save the future King of England from his own stupidity without getting themselves killed. I like the characters even though they are just a little bit too attractive and a big bit too clever. I love the description and detail that the author provides to recreate the world that was London at that time in history. Of course I can't wait to see what's next for them and look forward to reading book #6.

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

This is the 5th book in a series that should be read from the beginning.
Genre - historical fiction, London 1888

The Vacation by T.M. Logan

Four female best friends from university decide to take a family vacation to a lovely villa in France to celebrate their 40th birthdays. The 12 of them should have a lovely time in a beautiful place. This was a mistake.

Primarily a domestic drama rather than any sort of suspense or psychological thriller, this book was marred by uneven pacing, unlikable characters, mostly hideous children, and a cliche plot of secrets and lies. The ending, when it finally arrived with a head-banging climax, was almost ludicrous. I found myself increasingly frustrated as critical conversations and confrontations were avoided with missed opportunities and interruptions.

Although not a book I particularly enjoyed, I'm sure there are many out there who like the author and who devour this sort of family dysfunction and the slow reveal of what is actually going on with lots of teasers and red herrings. I prefer a different sort of narrative that is more straight forward and less annoying. I've read both LIES and also 29 SECONDS and I will probably give this writer another go depending on the synopsis of the next work.

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

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - domestic drama, secrets and lies

Cut to the Bone (Agent Sayer Altair #3) by Ellison Cooper

"Life and death. Sorrow and joy. Loneliness and love. Those are the endless cycles..."

While SSA Sayer Altair, a neuroscientist, is working on her research into the brains of psychopaths and rebuilding her life, she's called back to field duty for the FBI when a bus carrying 24 high school students, the driver, and a chaperone, disappears on the way to a STEM competition. In addition, police have discovered what looks like the ritual murder of a young girl at the foot of the Einstein statue by the National Academy of Sciences. This looks like the work of a serial killer but seems to have some very unusual elements including a connection to the Egyptian underworld and a specific ancient monograph, the "Amduat." Nonstop action, a compelling plot and fascinating characters bring this third book in the series to another heart-stopping conclusion that has me already crying for the next installment. NO SPOILERS.

I am crazy about this series. Just when you think you know where it's going -- FULL STOP shock. There are so many twists and turns along the way that it will make your head spin. I find these impossible to put down, evidenced by me reading the first three books in a matter of as many days. It certainly doesn't help that this one also ends in a cliffhanger! Now, I have to wait a long time before book #4 in what I hope will be a long-running series. I like so many things about the setting, the relationships between the characters, and the intricate narrative. The details the author gives about ancient civilizations are appropriate to the story and quite interesting. Definitely for any fan of the crime thriller. More, please. Now.

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

This is the third in a series that definitely needs to be read in order. Not a standalone.
Genre - crime thriller, FBI

Buried (Sayer Altair #2) by Ellison Cooper

This second in the series featuring SSA Sayer Altair continues with nonstop action, incredible description, and fascinating characters.

After 6 months of desk duty while recovering from a gunshot wound, Agent Altair is called to a situation in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park.. An FBI agent and his cadaver dog discovered a sinkhole filled with old human bones and 2 fresh bodies. What does this have to do with an historical missing person report and a kidnapping in the area? Without a task force, Sayer has to recruit locally but she is lucky enough to obtain the services of the recent amputee, Ezra, her old tech genius from Quantico. As they probe the connections between the cold cases, some alarming details come to light and they all need to stay ahead of the killer who seems to be everywhere and who means them harm.

I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to finish this after starting late in the evening because I simply could not put it down or go to bed until I turned the very last page. The writing kept me fully engaged and I devoured the Greek lore and mythology. This is definitely a set of books that you want to read from the beginning, in order, and all at once if you can. I loved the setting and the way the author created a word picture of the many caves and mine shafts in the area. There's so much going on and the investigation is very complicated but so very interesting. I can't wait to start number 3 next!

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

This is the second in the series and I think they should be read in order.
Genre - serial killer thriller