Drowning in Paper Flowers by E. L. Westbury

 The first thing to say is that the publisher’s description of the book is quite misleading and don’t decide not to read it because of what’s said. I was pleasantly surprised by the real story. 

Ruby Powell leads a seemingly nice life in an affluent Dallas neighborhood. But, behind closed doors, she relies on anti-anxiety meds to cope with a failing marriage, as well as trying to deal with a daughter who apparently detests her and a son who suffers some nightmares from a toddlerhood kidnapping. She knows her husband’s secret and decides to bide her time as problems with her children start to upend her life. Especially when she’s threatened. 

This was quite the wild ride and totally not what I expected given the plot summary. The story is told from various points of view with some flashbacks that make sense at the climax and final reveals. I honestly didn’t see that coming and I love when a twist can shock me. The characters were sure interesting and I gravitated between disgust and empathy. I really had a hard time dealing with how Millie treated her mom so hideously beyond normal teenager bad behavior. I appreciated how the epilogues tied things up and all the loose ends came together. I liked the ending. What a messed up family for sure but the most interesting kind are the messy ones. It was a little heavier than I prefer with kid and teen drama but I enjoyed it. And, perhaps an unpopular opinion, but I liked Ruby even if she is really whack. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC given to me by the publisher and NetGalley. At first I wasn’t sure I was going to like her voice, but the narrator, Jessica Taige, ended up doing a fantastic job giving life to all the characters. Her performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

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

Genre and tags: domestic thriller, adultery, family trauma and drama, mental illness. PTSD, teacher-student relationship with grooming, sexual assault, rape

Witch Trial by Harriet Tyce

 This pairing of legal drama with psychological horror struggles to strike a tone and left me unimpressed.

When a boarding school student, Christian Shaw, is found dead in an Edinburgh park, her close friends, Eliza Lawson and Isobel Smyth, are brought to trial for her murder. Heart surgeon Matthew Phillips serves as an initially enthusiastic and devoted juror while the prosecution presents a shocking claim: the death was connected to the practice of witchcraft. As courtroom testimony unfolds, Matthew begins experiencing strange visions, leaving all to question whether supernatural forces are at play or if it is all a calculated deception and the two on trial just carried bullying too far. 

The initial premise of blending courtroom procedures with teenage occultism created real intrigue and hooked me, and the Edinburgh setting lends a fittingly bleak atmosphere, but the whole witch and devil thing really just lost me. The courtroom scenes are repetitive and Matthew is clearly in need of antipsychotic medication as he flips out really early on and I stopped buying into the story. I was not invested in the girls on trial and it all became rather boring. The author attempts a last twist but it falls flat and the final part of the book just left me shaking my head. I don’t think I’m the right target audience for a book of this nature with all of the witchcraft, tarot, ouija boards, devil messages, etc. 

I was provided with an audio book which I listened to while also reading along in the e-book ARC gifted by the publisher. The narrator, Angus King, did and OK job but he really had a heavy accent which made him hard for me to understand and his female characters all sounded the exact same and it wasn’t good. This would definitely have benefited from a female narrator to add some contrast and a change in tone. Usually the audiobook enhances my enjoyment but I had to stop listening at times and forced myself to go back to it. 

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

Genre and tags: teen witchcraft, occult, devil, spells, murder, trial, courtroom, jurors

You’ll Be Sorry by Liz Alterman

 Satisfying and suspenseful domestic thriller.

On the eve of her 40th birthday, successful and wealthy Amelia (Mia) Montgomery spots an advertisement featuring Ethan Blackmore, the ex-fiancé who shattered her life and left her humiliated over a decade ago. Mia rebuilt her entire identity from scratch to escape her past so she’s totally not meant to look deeper into what Ethan has been doing. She can’t help herself. Mia finds that he married well and has a couple of kids, but has lost his fortune and has had some trouble. While she’s happy he’s not on top of the world, she still has unresolved trauma and a deep desire for revenge. Mia can’t leave it alone and now it’s on. She’s going to dismantle everything in his life. 

This was fast and fun and kept me engaged. This is definitely one of those where the main character walks that line between seeking justice and becoming obsessed to her own detriment. Mia was easy to understand, especially at first, but as she went deeper into her dark desires to destroy him, she became unlikeable. Enough is enough. She definitely went too far, and she sort of missed her target (no spoilers) but I don’t think anyone was sorry about that. Mia was malicious and single minded losing sight of the end goal and carried things just a bit too far. I do think she got what she deserved and I doubt she got the closure she wanted, but it goes to show how retaliation can backfire. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the ebook ARC provided by the publisher. The narrators, Christine Lakin and Stacey Carolan, did an excellent job of voicing the characters and bringing appropriate dramatic flair. Their performances really enhanced the immersive effect and increased my enjoyment of the story. 

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

Genre and tags: psychological thriller, suspense, domestic, murder, twins, revenge

Malice by Design (Jack Wyatt #2) by Gary Birken

 Medical sleuth Dr. Jack Wyatt and Dr. Madison Shaw return in this second installment of the medial thriller series.

The pair are called in to investigate a terrifying anomaly at a top pediatric oncology hospital. Children who were in remission from leukemia are suddenly developing an inexplicable, severe wasting disease that they name Leukemic Malnutrition or LM. The doctors race against time to uncover the root cause navigating hospital politics as well as discovering links to past unethical research. They ultimately find a secret that someone is willing to kill to protect. 

I had some problems with this book and ended up being disappointed. While it had a decent medical plot, the book as a whole just didn't hit right and was almost a duplicate of the first book as far as these two doctors coming in to save the day with this same obscure type diagnosis and a sinister bad actor behind it all. The characters of Jack and Madison just don't act right, I mean they are supposed to be a romantic couple, and all they ever did was run around the hospital, eat, and talk about the disease. Absolutely no tension or suspense in this story. It was actually kind of boring and slow. Also some errors where the wrong character's name was used, etc.  I have no issues with the medical jargon and descriptions, in fact, that's the only part of this that I liked was the discussion of prions. 

I don't know if I'll bother with further books in this series. The characters need some life and the stories need a new tangent. I am just not buying this super medical detective brilliance stuff. Definitely way too much ethics discussions and yeah, they are self-righteous and know they're correct about everything. 

This is the second in the series, best read in order.

Tags and Genre - medical mystery, prions, leukemia, experiments on humans, unethical research, murder 

What Happened That Night (Maud O'Connor #3) by Nicci French

 A slow-burning, deeply compelling mystery that hinges on tension and atmosphere.

After spending 30 years in prison for the murder of his university friend Leo, Tyler Green is released, still maintaining his innocence. He arranges a gathering of the 8 friends who were present on that tragic night for a reunion in London, seeking answers about what truly happened.  When another murder occurs late in the evening after dinner, Detective Inspector Maud O'Connor steps in to investigate. Tyler is immediately re-arrested and returned to prison but Maud isn't sure. As old secrets unravel and with the past repeating itself, Maud and DS Carrie Kessler must determine whether Tyler is a psychopathic killer seeking revenge or a scapegoat set up once again. 

This is one of those locked room type mysteries where the killer is hidden in plain sight and I suspected each person in turn. What makes the set up work so well in this case is the quiet paranoia and heavy sense of long-buried guilt among the friends. The story shifts focus from simple procedural tracking to a nuanced exploration of shifting loyalties, unreliable memories, past hurts as well as embarrassments, and evidence of how 30 years of secrets can corrode relationships. The characters were so well-developed and sharply drawn and as the friends reveal their stories in police interviews, Maud is laser focused on the timeline and their explanations about the night. The tension builds and the suspense escalates as things soon crystalize while Maud hones in on the likely killer and obtains the confessions. I could barely put this down wondering who did it making all sorts of guesses. It was a very engrossing book. I've read the first in this series but missed the second and now will definitely go back to catch up. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Sophie Roberts, did a very good job of voicing all the characters, giving them unique and distinguishing tones. She had the appropriate dramatic flair which enhanced my immersion into the book and increased my appreciation of the story. 

Note - this book was previously titled Tyler Green Will Never Be Free

This is the third in series featuring DI Maud O'Connor and the second I have read.

Genre and tags: police procedural, murder, locked room, wrongful imprisonment, friendship 

The First Scarlet Door (Anson Bishop 4MK prequel #1) by J. D. Barker

Dark, atmospheric prequel that functions as a gripping origin story for a very unsettling serial killer.

In 1999, Anson Bishop, 15 years old, has escaped to Charleston after his childhood home burns down and his mother vanishes with stolen mob money. In a foster home sort of situation that reeks of child exploitation, he makes some friends who attempt to break free only to find that powerful forces are much more organized and stronger than anyone realized. The violence that surrounded his ruthless upbringing resurfaces and Anson, guided by his father's voice inside his head, is pushed to his limits and must rely on his highly analytical instincts to stay alive. All of his steps toward rescuing himself and the other kids are dangerous choices that push him down the dark path that will ultimately mold him into the notorious Four Monkey Killer. 

I had completely forgotten what a great writer this guy is and he's returned to top form with this first in what is meant to be three stories detailing Anson Bishop's growing up years. The main character is very interesting and you can see how his detachment style gives a unique perspective on the dangerous and scary situations he and the other kids are in. There's definitely a buildup of psychological momentum without losing the gritty and disturbing elements that make this a really great thriller. It's fast paced with short chapters of alternating viewpoints and some tight suspense with sharp plot twists. Who can be trusted in a world where unhoused children are for sale to the highest bidders. Reading this made me want to go back and reread the first trilogy but I'll probably wait until I've read all three of these origin stories. 

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC audio book which I listened to after also obtaining a copy of the e-book from the local library. The narrators, Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve, were excellent in immersing me in this very dark world and I could not put this down so read it all in one sitting. Their voices created the tension and dramatic flair I appreciate for a story such as this and thoroughly enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

This will surely captivate fans of the original 4MK series and likely secure more.

This is a prequel series related to the 4MK trilogy and I believe best read in publication date order.

Genre and tags: children, exploitation, trafficking, murder, torture, corrupt cops 

Fallow by Sarah Anderson

 Entertaining debut with humorous social commentary and a fun read for fans of speculative fiction. 

In a world where employee efficiency still dictates human necessity, Natalie is stuck in a dead-end job logging complaints at a workplace harassment call center. Burdened by debt, lacking dental insurance to pay for treatment, and selling her own plasma to get by, she spots a flyer at a local blood bank that changes everything.

She's recruited to The Company, a huge conglomerate launching a pilot program: to provide corporate funded surrogacy so their female execs don't have to juggle pregnancy and childbirth with the demands of their job. The deal seems like a dream as The Company provides Natalie with everything including an apartment, food, exercise and health programs, as well as a huge amount of money in exchange for carrying pregnancies for its top executives. Natalie enthusiastically accepts and the arrangement works for six years with transactional precision. However, during her final contracted pregnancy, a restructuring at The Company ends her comfortable routine. The shift in her lifestyle is full of surprises as she tries to figure out what she wants and recovery her own autonomy.

This novel is definitely one to make you think about current reproductive politics and modern work culture. What perks might be offered to keep the capitalist machine running at full force. I found this book insightful and with many topics to discuss making it ideal as a book club choice. I liked Natalie even though she's so disarmingly honest about her lack of ambition, desire not to work, and her attitude about what she needs to have a nice life. Her cynical voice makes her journey to self discovery both hilarious and relatable. I was much more interested in her surrogate life than in the communal environment because she didn't seem to fit with any sort of that minimalist mindset and I wonder if she substituted animals for all else that she lacked in her personal life. I also thought the book ended rather abruptly. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Natalie Naudus, did a great job of voicing the mostly all female cast of characters. She handled some accents and tried to make each voice distinguishable. Her tone and pacing was well done and the production added to my enjoyment of the story.

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

Genre and tags: female reproductive rights, surrogate pregnancy, workplace culture, social commentary, self determination 

 

January and July by Jeff Abbott

 A nasty web of spiders and intrigue hidden in a small town.

When Global Intelligence Analytics (Annex) intel officer January Holte messes up on a Paris situation, she's given another chance to redeem herself. The assignment requires her to track a possible traitor from within her organization. She arrives in quiet Lethy, Texas, where everyone in the small town seems to know each other and she can tell there's something a bit suspicious going on. At the same time, a private bodyguard, July Whitlock, arrives to search for his missing client, Bill Connors. The strange duo is forced to team up as the uncover an intricate web of money laundering, fake organizations, and local greed where no one is telling the truth and all seem to be criminals.

This began with an intriguing premise, but it quickly became bogged down with an overwhelmingly large cast of characters and a very convoluted plot. With so many competing perspectives, subplots, and suspects to track, the narrative drug out for far too long making what should have been a tense thriller feel unexpectedly dull and more like a comic book. I am a bit bewildered as well by the choice of the main character's names. When the climax and conclusion finally arrive, it felt so completely predictable and I was disappointed. This was definitely not what I had hoped for when I selected this book. I sure hope there are no plans for this to become a series as I wouldn't read more about this pair. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Lauren Fortgang, did an adequate job but there were far too many different characters requiring a lot of unique voices and accents which just proved a bit too many for her to maintain. This is one of those books that would have benefited from a full cast. 

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre and tags: spies, money laundering, murder, criminal netework 

That Night by Gillian McAllister

 Family drama that was ultimately frustrating and disappointing. 

While on vacation at their shared home in Italy, siblings Cathy and Joe receive a frantic late-night call from their younger sister, Frannie, who has hit and killed a man with her car. To protect Frannie, the trio buries the body near their property and agrees to a pact of silence. Once back home and to work at their shared veterinary practice, escalating secrets and internal paranoia force the siblings to question their loyalty and how far they will go to protect one another. 

Although the narrative sets up a high stakes moral dilemma, the story quickly drags under the weight of endless repetitive emotional monologues that stall the momentum of the plot. It all falls because of a cast of unlikable characters --Cathy, Joe, and Frannie, whose self pity and bad decision-making make them really hard to root for. On top of that, the constant back and forth timeline disrupts the build up of any suspense as the reader guesses what is really going on. I just couldn't understand or relate to any of their responses to their situation. It was far too long as well. I didn't like the ending either.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publisher. The narrator, Amrita Archaria, did an OK job but this story would have really benefited from a full cast with separate voices for the three main characters. It all sounded very much the same tone and inflection throughout and lacked unique voices. I like to immerse myself in a production to enhance my enjoyment of the story. 

This is a stand alone and not part of any series.

Genre and tags: murder, siblings, veterinary practice, family, secrets, coverup, bribes, lies 

It's Not What You Think by Claire Mackintosh

 A thriller full of misdirection that will keep you guessing.

Nadeeka Prasanna, convinced her partner Jamie is having an affair, sneaks home early to catch him in the act. Stung by past betrayals, she speeds to her house only to walk into an active crime scene -- Jamie has been murdered. What starts as a classic domestic suspense novel rapidly spirals into something far more dangers as hidden secrets and modern societal tensions come to light.

Wow, what a surprising shift in the story line! I had to keep reading as things kept twisting. Without spoilers, it's hard to say more about the action and plot but this is definitely not what I was expecting. I really liked the two main female characters, Nadeeka, and the DCI Lauren Caldwell. Other characters are also compelling and I was hooked in the first chapter. 

Told in alternating points of view, the pace doesn't let up as the revelations drop. I certainly didn't have this one all figured out and I really enjoyed that. I  will say that I ordinarily avoid reading any books that have social commentary or virtue signaling, but I didn't get pressure or heavy handedness with the issues. The topic is relevant and definitely one that elicits mixed responses. I was expecting domestic drama and a murder mystery, but this was so much more.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. This was a full cast recording and what a pleasure it was to listen and be so fully immersed in the story. The narrators, Richard Armitage, Samuel Barnett, Tuppence Middleton, and Vineeta Rishi, were all fantastic and deftly handled their character's voices imbued with appropriate dramatic flair. I really enjoyed them and their performance enhanced my appreciation of the novel. 

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

Genre and tags: (spoilers here) mystery, thriller, murder, domestic suspense.....

don't look down

 

 

domestic terrorism, immigration, far right ideology, racism, xenophobia, radicalization 

Those Who Are Gone (#2 Raquel Laing) by Laurie R. King

 Intricate and highly detailed police procedural.

When San Francisco Inspector Raquel Laing bends the rules on a murder case, she finds herself reassigned to the Cold Case Unit alongside mentor Al Hawkin. What seems like a routine transfer quickly turns personal as Raquel and her adoptive sister, Dee, uncover long-buried family secrets tied to drugs and an old investigation. As past trauma and present danger collide, the sisters are drawn into a dangerous game when forgotten history and family stories come to the surface. 

Although the author definitely knows how to construct a true police procedural, and the sister dynamic between Raquel and Dee adds a compelling emotional anchor, the pacing and the plot just sort of drag into ….well, a sort of boring tale. I just could not bring myself to be too bothered and it was such a slow burn unraveling of their family history that I found it a bit of a slog. I tried really hard to care about the characters, but again, they are so dull and I just couldn’t deal with all their past trauma still controlling their lives. Lots of coincidences and parallels in the case which seemed to stretch my ability to buy in. I didn’t feel any tension and I just wanted this very slow burn to be over and answer all the questions. Ho hum.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book provided by the publishers. The narrators, Vivienne Leheny and Luis Moreno, did an adequate job of trying to voice the characters with accents and dramatic flair. There were quite a few mispronunciations of places and nouns but I find that quite often in audio. Usually I find listening while reading to create an immersive experience that enhances my enjoyment of a book. Although the plot was plodding, the two did their best. 

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

Tags and genre: police procedural, sisters, cold case, family, drugs, murder

Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller

 A mystery thriller that might keep you guessing.

Charlotte Hoffman agrees to visit a secluded Minnesota island to stay with her childhood family friends after she’s suspended from her job. Supposedly she’s there at her mother’s behest to help the Parkers care for their 8-year old twins and enjoy her time away from work. She arrives to find a house surrounded by dense forests and an abandoned amusement park that was the site of a tragedy 18 years prior. Soon after she settles in, strange notes begin to appear and dangerous incidents escalate. It’s all leading up to a terrifying climax on a stormy night.

The set up was solid but the execution screamed trying too hard as the suspense felt forced. There was a lot of weird stuff going on from the beginning but I, unfortunately, saw the set up and twists right away which dimmed my interest. I didn’t care for the main character and her crush was annoying as were her dreams. The plot seemed overworked and cliche. One happy surprise was, however, that it went where I hoped it would at the end. It was a quick read but the constant melodramatic push kept it firmly meh for me. 

The e-book ARC was provided to me by the publisher for my opinion. I was able to secure the audio book from the library so that I could listen while reading, but I did not care at all for the narrator, Victoria Villarreal, as her voice grated with her stops and starts that were intended to be dramatic. Generally the  simultaneous experience enhances my enjoyment, but I had to stop listening.  

This was a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre and tags: mystery thriller, suspense, island — to give any more tags would give it all away

Fury in Death (Eve Dallas #63) by JD Robb

 A shift from traditional police procedural to a morally complex race against a unique adversary.

In 2061 New York, Lieutenant Eve Dallas investigates the brutal overkill murder of Larry Chu, a top biotech executive at the shadowy conglomerate Banner-Wyst. Alongside Roarke and the rest of the NYPD crew, Eve is faced with a string of violent retaliatory killings of other employees of that company. The trail leads back 13 years to a tragic event that destroyed a scientist’s family. Digital records show millions spent for secret payouts. At the end of the day, Eve is forced to hunt a grieving killer whose quest for vengeance mirrors her own deeply rooted sense of justice even though she’s determined to make them pay. 

This 63rd in the series balances the procedural with an emotional aspect. The tragedy is established early on so the reader understands the reason behind the murders. There is definitely a heartbreaking motive but the crimes against the Banner-Wyst employees are also extremely violent and personal. Eve finds herself in a gray area because of her empathy for the perpetrator while she struggles with what she knows is her unwavering sense of duty to the law. 

As always, enjoy the interaction between all of the characters who are also good friends as well as work colleagues. Their whole history is so intertwined and the relationships so mutually healthy. I get a kick out of all of the futuristic details and conveniences that still seem so far away from what we have today but who knows. Can’t wait for the next in the series as they always seem like fresh and intriguing plots. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publisher. The narrator, Susan Ericksen, has performed all of the “In death” books and she does a great job voicing all the various characters keeping them distinct and identifiable. She’s got the accents and the tone down to an art and her dramatic flair always creates an immersive effect that enhances my enjoyment of the book. 

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

Genre and tags: murder, vengeance, police procedural, friends and colleagues, corporate greed, whistleblower

Mother Daughter Sister Stranger by Hank Phillippi Ryan

 Domestic suspense with many twists and turns.

Sisters Eliza and Bea share a traumatic bond as the only survivors of the plane crash that killed their parents. Years later, on the exact anniversary of the crash, Bea vanishes without a trace, failing to pick up her 11-year-old daughter, Piper, from Eliza’s home. Eliza embarks on a desperate search that unravels a web of family secrets tied to a serial killer from their past. 

This was entertaining with a good premise, but ultimately was way too wordy with repetitious and unnecessary stream of unconsciousness angst as the story evolves from Eliza’s point of view. For example, at one point, it takes 3 pages of wild speculation to get her from hearing someone at the door to actually going to answer. I personally don’t care for all of that and it bogged down the pace of the story. So all these possibilities of what happened to Bea and we skip from one assumption to another as Eliza sees danger around every corner and in every person. Then come the revelations which jump out one after another as they get more outrageous. It all felt more manufactured drama rather than a good mystery. I tried hard to really feel for Eliza and the other characters but they all seemed so superficial and without depth. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Stevi Incremona, did a decent job of trying to voice all the characters. I always enjoy the immersive experience.

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

Genre and tags: mystery, suspense, family drama, serial killer, pregnancy, adoption, murder, secrets and lies 

They Say a Girl Died Here by Sarah Pinborough

 The genre bending was just too far out for me.

It was more like this book didn’t know what it wanted to be — a suspense thriller, eerie and supernatural, or psychological drama. 

A very traumatized college dropout, Anna Maybourne, moves to the drought-stricken farming town of Harper’s Creek, Nebraska. In a big old sorta spooky type house purchased by her grandmother, Evelyn (who is apparently suffering from extreme dementia), Anna is also joined by her mother and younger sister. The town is haunted by the unresolved “Farmhand” killings, where two local young women were murdered three years apart before the prime suspect was shot dead by police. As the next 3 year anniversary approaches, Anna grows convinced that the real killer remains free and is still right there. At the same time, her grandmother begins speaking weirdly and doing increasingly odd things. Anna decides to challenge the police findings and uncover the real killer.

Anna, who is 22 years old, is the type of character I can’t tolerate. She speaks and acts without any impulse control and behaves abominably to everyone. Of course, everything she does is blamed on “the thing” that happened to her while she was at university. The actual events were not revealed until the very end of the book, but it was quite obvious because of the ever present misandry. I have come to really dislike when a trope of man hating and bashing is so present in a book because of something that happened to the character where all are blamed for the actions of a few. Maybe it’s because I have a lot of lovely men and boys in my life and I get so sick of this on social platforms with sweeping generalizations of anti male rhetoric. In any event, it was a pervasive theme that men can’t be trusted and of course, that bore out with the climax and revelations in this story. This was way too slow a build up and nothing but Anna being a wild card until all of a sudden she pulls out all the stops, solves the crime, and is almost back to whoever she supposedly was before. When, I thought, what she needed from the beginning was some really intense psychotherapy. It was unbelievable and I didn’t buy into the whole Anna is so clever to figure this all out on her own in a minute. It was not suspenseful, the whole intent of trying to create a supernatural element was uneven and I didn’t buy into it, and Anna, as a main character was totally unlikeable. 

I was disappointed because I’ve read and really liked several other of this author’s novels, but this was just frustrating and the stylistic choices made this a frustrating read.  

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, was wonderful, but even her skills and dramatic talents were not enough to overcome the shortcomings of the plot and characters. 

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

Genre and tags: psychological, rape survivor, trauma, sexual assault, murder, unwanted pregnancy, marital affairs, supernatural, dementia, small town, cold case, amateur sleuth, mental health

Murder Stage Left by Verity Bright (#26 Lady Swift)

 

Effective blend of artifact theft, arson, and homicide keeps readers guessing in the latest installment of this cozy mystery series. 

The Byron Detective Agency has a new remit when they are visiting Stratford-upon-Avon and find themselves caught up in a theatrical nightmare. The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre is buzzing over an upcoming production of Macbeth starring the charismatic stage icon Richard Ratcliffe. Chaos erupts, however, when it’s discovered that precious Shakespearean artifacts have vanished from the collection, quickly followed by a suspicious fire at the playhouse. As Eleanor, Seldon, and Clifford race to help put the fire out, the grin discovery of a body adds to their investigation. 

Lots of characters with motives, but they are no match for the Agency. Very entertaining and fast-paced, the savvy reader might spot the killer before the set up of the final acts. Another warm and period appropriate treat for fans of this series. 

If interested in Golden Age detective fiction, this is a great series that should be read in order.

Book Blog Tour Stop 9-1-2026
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

Not a Word by Linwood Barclay

 Fast-paced domestic mystery thriller.

The book opens on a disturbing crime scheme when Reece visits his parents’ home and finds his father and mother dead in their bed. The situation collapses into complete chaos when Reece gets a phone call from his actual mother — who is alive and entirely unaware of the tragedy. What looks like a murder-suicide at first soon becomes something quite different as devastating secrets and lies are revealed. 

There’s a lot going on in this story that is told from multiple points of view and shifts in the timeline. Definitely a lot of drama and trauma as family history is unearthed. Every time I thought I knew who had done what to whom, I was course corrected with the next revelation. I’d like to say I was drawn in and hooked by the many characters, but that would not be true as I never really took to any of them. This family was too much a mess and though there was a lot of angst expressed, the resolutions left a lot to be desired. Certainly many characters to loathe. I was a bit disappointed by how it all played out with the climax and conclusion. It also seemed that there were so many coincidences that kept me suspending disbelief. I did enjoy it, however.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publishers. The narrators, Nan McNamara and Jonathan McClain did a great job handling all the different character voices. As always, listening while reading helps to create a really immersive experience that makes me enjoy the book even more. 

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

Genre and tags: murder, whistleblower, secrets and lies, family drama, trauma, drug addiction

Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier

 A deliciously dark, addictive read with fabulous twists.

In the small town of Seaside, Washington, 25 years have passed since the Carnival Killer admitted to murdering 5 women, including teenager Lorelei Glass. That admission sealed away a nightmare for her best friends, Barb and Nicolette. 

Now, Barb works as a local reporter while secretly posting on a trashy celebrity gossip blog targeting the hit reality show Trophy Wives. Unknown to her readers, one of the show’s stars, Cole Lennox, is actually Nicolette who fled Seaside decades ago to reinvent herself and  set up a new life. Their separation ends after the Carnival Killer recants his confession for Lorelei’s murder, and a new body washes up along the coast. 

There’s a lot going on in this novel, and no spoilers, but the hits just keep on coming. Eventually the truth of what happened on that fateful summer night comes to light. 

I just could not put this down and so read it in a single sitting today. It’s slick, razor-sharp and it so cleverly fuses small town noir with the glossy, voyeuristic world of reality television. It’s a psychological thriller with a dark mystery that has such flawed and compelling characters. We see the messiness of teenage friendships — the insecurity, jealousy, and lingering guilt — and how it projects into their adult lives. The pacing is relentless as it alternates between the original summer tragedy and the present-day drama trauma. 

I did not read Wonderland, the first book that is set in Seaside but that is a companion more than a first of a series. I also listened to the bonus chapter that featured the serial killer Sam Figg.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrators, Brittany Pressley, January LaVoy, Eunice Wong, Ferdelle Capistrano, and Chris Brinkley, were — for the most part — absolutely amazing. I did, however, hate the voice of Kylie Kuhl and can’t find any information to indicate which narrator voiced that character. The others did a great job bringing all the emotion and drama to life and definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. I highly recommend listening if you get the chance. 

This is a companion to Wonderland but it’s not necessary to have read it in order to enjoy this one.

Genre and tags: so much going on here: sexual assault, pedophilia, trauma, friendship, murder, teen pregnancy, reality shows, domestic violence and abuse, kidnapping

Error in Diagnosis by Gary Birken (Jack Wyatt #1)

 Thoroughly absorbing medical thriller that relies on clinical detail and diagnostic problem solving at her than emotional theatrics.

Dr. Jack Wyatt, a famed neurologist, is called to consult when an epidemic of severe, atypical neurological symptoms starts to affect pregnant patients across the United States. Partnering with Dr. Madison Shaw, a perinatologist, he tries to find the cause and hopefully a treatment for a newly identified fatal condition termed Gestational Neuropathic Syndrome or GNS. As the body count rises and panic spreads through the medical community and into the highest levels of government, the duo races against time to create a team that will try to pinpoint the source of this outbreak and stop an unimaginable crisis. 

This was very fast paced and it was obvious the author had a medical background. Lots of all the fantastic details I love such as realistic hospital protocols, laboratory work, and epidemiological tracking. It seemed technically accurate in the ways that matter and the disease affecting women and their unborn babies made it feel urgent. I’d love to read another in this series.

I was able to listen to the audio book provided by the publisher while also following along in the e-book. The narrator, Eric Jason Martin, did a fantastic job of voicing all the characters. I appreciated the different tones and accents of the male and female characters. His dramatic flair was spot on. The production definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is the first in a medical thriller series. 

Genre and tags: pregnant women, neurological illness, medical thriller

The Secrets We Hide by Karin Slaughter (North Falls #2)

 Fast-paced procedural focused on town dynamics and local corruption.

This sequel takes us back to North Falls, Georgia. Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, former federal agent Jude archer, respond to a shooting on the way back from their mother’s funeral. Inside, former police officer Alison Vickery lies dead in her kitchen while her severely insulted teenage daughter, Mandy, falls through from the attic and is taken away by ambulance. Allison’s husband is missing, and since he was known to be abusive, the town assumes a domestic homicide. As Emmy digs into th crime scene, however, she discovers buried secrets, historical patterns of abuse that are familiar to her own situation, and extensive corruption that points to a far more complex sequence of events. 

Though the plot moves quickly, the whole investigation quickly becomes extremely complex and convoluted. There is so much going on it’s hard to keep up. It is also difficult because there are so many characters to keep track of. We focus on physical evidence and timeline reconstruction and trace Allison’s activities before her murder. All the while, the relationship issues between Emmy and Jude are looming large — will the truth out? I was impatient for the truth to be told and alas, it doesn’t happen (sorry spoiler). I felt the weight of all the family drama and trauma going on in the background during the whole investigation. I wasn’t shocked at the revelations and I sort of feel that there wasn’t quite enough weight given to the perpetrator’s guilt in the end. I think there’s a lot rotten in that small town and brushing one more death under the rug isn’t going to provide the clean up the place needs. I’m thinking there will be another installment that I will definitely read, but I do like when justice is served and I didn’t quite feel that it was in this one.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Kathleen Early, did a fantastic job of voicing the characters and creating an intense environment that heightened the immersive experience. The production definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

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

Genre and tags: police procedural, murder, domestic violence and abuse, small towns, criminals, family trauma and drama