Sheryl
I read this book really quickly! It was definitely hard to put down, but as I got closer to the end, I kind of started to lose a little bit of interest, unfortunately. I enjoyed probably the first 90% of the book very much. It's a great premise - a mother allows her 12-year-old boy to go to a sleepover with friends, and the next day he's nowhere to be found. I liked the slow burn of finding out the background of some of the characters. But I think it started to lose me when the mother found out something very important, and then inexplicably neglected to tell anyone. It didn't make a lot of sense. I also thought the ending was a bit too convoluted and “twisty”. Overall, I did enjoy most of it, but I would have appreciated a better ending.
The Safe Place is the story of Emily, an aspiring actress who seems to be having no luck lately. However, her luck starts to turn around when her former boss, Scott, offers her a new job as the housekeeper and helper for his wife and young daughter on his estate in France. After some thought, Emily jumps at the chance. Spending a summer on a beautiful secluded property on the water in France? What's not to like? So she heads there and finds that it is everything Scott described it as. Has her luck finally changed? While the estate is beautiful, as is Scott's wife, Nina, Emily starts to feel like something is off. Is it their supposedly ill daughter? Why is it that Nina won't even let her in the main house, instead banishing her to just the guest house, as beautiful as it is? The more Emily starts to notice about Scott's home and family, she starts to wonder if this is really a dream or more of a nightmare.
This is Anna Downes first novel, and it is a doozy. I was into this one from the start! It's such a fascinating premise. Girl is down on her luck and gets an offer that's too good to refuse. I know I'd be tempted to go stay at this awesome place in France too. Of course, there's almost always a catch. But what are Scott and Emily hiding? One thing that kept me sucked in was that I really didn't know what the twist was. You know from the very beginning that something is going on, but it could be so many different things. I have to admit, the ending really wasn't what I was expecting. But that's a good thing!
One great thing about this book was the slow burn. But not too slow. Just enough to keep you hooked and make you want to keep reading to find out more. The book is told from both Scott and Emily's perspectives, alternating chapters between the two. You got to see both sides this way. There's also some scatterings in there from even Nina's perspective. You find out bits and pieces but it's not quite enough to piece together the whole story until you're meant to. And that's about as much as I can say without giving away spoilers!
The Safe Place was a perfect summer read. Whether you're stuck inside or sitting by the pool, pick this one up when it comes out next week. Anna Downes is a great storyteller, and I can't wait to read whatever's next from her – hopefully there will be more to come!
I wasn't sure what I would think of this book since it's supposed to be the beginning of a series. That seems to be done a lot these days. You take a character or two, usually a police detective or something of the sort, and start a series about mysteries or murders they solve or adventures they get involved in. There are just so many series out there like this right now. I wasn't sure I wanted to start one. But I liked the concept of the book regardless, so I gave it a chance.
SAFE centers around a teenage girl named Lauren Sykes, whose father is the head of a crime family. Lauren is on the run from her father's wrath after getting involved in a bad situation. She enlists the help she is able to get, from an undercover cop named Petra Merrow. The book covers what happens as Lauren and Petra try to figure out what to do to stay safe from Kyle Sykes, Lauren's father.
The premise of this book was great, and the ending was perfect. The story was something new and different, including the perspective of someone inside a family whose legacy is centered around crime. I found it interesting reading about how things are done inside a family kind of akin to the local mob family. The characters were compelling, and it would be nice to see a prequel with more of the backstory of the families involved.
Overall, I really enjoyed SAFE. It was hard to put down. If you're looking for a new crime thriller to check out this summer, give this one a shot. And hey, I might even pick up the next book in the series when it comes out!
Merged review:
I wasn't sure what I would think of this book since it's supposed to be the beginning of a series. That seems to be done a lot these days. You take a character or two, usually a police detective or something of the sort, and start a series about mysteries or murders they solve or adventures they get involved in. There are just so many series out there like this right now. I wasn't sure I wanted to start one. But I liked the concept of the book regardless, so I gave it a chance.
SAFE centers around a teenage girl named Lauren Sykes, whose father is the head of a crime family. Lauren is on the run from her father's wrath after getting involved in a bad situation. She enlists the help she is able to get, from an undercover cop named Petra Merrow. The book covers what happens as Lauren and Petra try to figure out what to do to stay safe from Kyle Sykes, Lauren's father.
The premise of this book was great, and the ending was perfect. The story was something new and different, including the perspective of someone inside a family whose legacy is centered around crime. I found it interesting reading about how things are done inside a family kind of akin to the local mob family. The characters were compelling, and it would be nice to see a prequel with more of the backstory of the families involved.
Overall, I really enjoyed SAFE. It was hard to put down. If you're looking for a new crime thriller to check out this summer, give this one a shot. And hey, I might even pick up the next book in the series when it comes out!
The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten had all the ingredients I enjoy in a thriller: a remote island, a long-unsolved mystery, and a group of people who aren't quite as safe as they think they are. The concept was intriguing, especially the idea of a hidden island that only a few people know about, and the dual timelines kept the pace moving.
That said, while the setup was compelling, the execution didn't completely wow me. The twist was fairly easy to spot early on, and I never really connected with the characters. They felt a bit flat or hard to root for. Still, the atmosphere was great and the story kept me turning the pages.
If you like locked-door mysteries or thrillers set in isolated locations, this one is definitely worth a read. It's not groundbreaking, but it's an entertaining escape with just enough suspense to keep you hooked.
Zoey thought she had escaped the past troubles of her life when she returned to her hometown, until one day in her job as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, she receives a call from someone who seems to want to expose all her secrets. Or rather, for her to expose them in exchange for a young girl's life.
Jack has been in love with Zoey for years, but just recently got the opportunity to reconnect with her when she moved back to their hometown. Is this his real chance finally, or will a mysterious 9-1-1 call ruin all of that? Her every secret by G. L. Redding takes the thriller and romance genres and merges them together in her debut novel out this fall on 9/26.
I like the way this is a mix of a thriller and a romance. The author did a good job of making you care about the characters while still wondering what was going to happen to them in the end. I enjoyed the style of writing with flashbacks throughout the book that were related to what was going on in order to clue you in on Zoey's background little by little.
Overall, I think this was a great debut novel, if not a bit too straightforward compared to what I'm used to reading. It did keep me hooked, though, and I look forward to seeing what's next from G. L. Redding in the future!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Release Date: Sep 26, 2023
Alice is shocked when a young woman shows up at her door one day claiming to be her husband's daughter from before they were married. And what poor timing - they were getting ready to leave in a few days to sail around the Mediterranean together after his retirement. Alice is surprised, but is everything as it seems? Is this woman really his daughter or is something not quite right here?
What an interesting plot with just the right amount of twists! Written from both Alice and her husband's points of view, this story clues you in to what's going on just the right amount at a time, with definitely the right amount of twists. This was an intriguing novel with great character development. Looking forward to checking out some more from this author.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Release Date: August 6, 2023
I love a book with a lot of layers, and The Deadly Houses by Charlie Gallagher probably fulfills that more than any other one I've read recently. I just finished this one, and honestly, I think I'm still processing it.
Plot Details
This is Book 6 in the Detective Maddie Ives series by Charlie Gallagher. I've actually never read any other books in the series! I picked this one up on NetGalley because it sounded like a great crime story. Maddie is surprised by a case that should be open and shut, but it's just TOO easy. A killer that just shows up at the police station and confesses to a murder, giving the police all the details? It's just way too cut and dry. Maddie aims to get to the bottom of what is really going on as the connections just continue to pile up.
My Thoughts
A UK police offer wrote The Deadly Houses, so he definitely knows what he's talking about, and it shows. There are a lot of characters at play in this book, but they all have equally interesting stories. At first, I found it a bit hard to keep up, trying to pull all the stories together. But it soon became a bit clearer what was at play here. Like I said, this one has lots of layers, and I appreciated that. If you like police or detective type procedural TV shows (think Criminal Minds or NCIS), I think you'd definitely enjoy this book.
I'd have to say that I probably enjoyed the middle of this book the best. That was my “hard to put down” time when reading it. The beginning was a bit confusing just because you don't really know at first what's going on, and there are several characters and scenarios at play. But once you get up to speed, it's easy to get very interested in finding out just what is going to happen next. I thought the ending was just a bit slow to play out once you figure out what's coming. However, the characters are definitely very well developed, and I loved the plot! It seemed very unique to me, not quite like anything I've read before.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. I'm rounding up to 4 stars from what I'd probably give a 3.5. I really enjoyed the characters and all the layers in the story, and I'd be interested in reading more about Maddie Ives and Harry, so I might have to check out more of this series.
Merged review:
I love a book with a lot of layers, and The Deadly Houses by Charlie Gallagher probably fulfills that more than any other one I've read recently. I just finished this one, and honestly, I think I'm still processing it.
Plot Details
This is Book 6 in the Detective Maddie Ives series by Charlie Gallagher. I've actually never read any other books in the series! I picked this one up on NetGalley because it sounded like a great crime story. Maddie is surprised by a case that should be open and shut, but it's just TOO easy. A killer that just shows up at the police station and confesses to a murder, giving the police all the details? It's just way too cut and dry. Maddie aims to get to the bottom of what is really going on as the connections just continue to pile up.
My Thoughts
A UK police offer wrote The Deadly Houses, so he definitely knows what he's talking about, and it shows. There are a lot of characters at play in this book, but they all have equally interesting stories. At first, I found it a bit hard to keep up, trying to pull all the stories together. But it soon became a bit clearer what was at play here. Like I said, this one has lots of layers, and I appreciated that. If you like police or detective type procedural TV shows (think Criminal Minds or NCIS), I think you'd definitely enjoy this book.
I'd have to say that I probably enjoyed the middle of this book the best. That was my “hard to put down” time when reading it. The beginning was a bit confusing just because you don't really know at first what's going on, and there are several characters and scenarios at play. But once you get up to speed, it's easy to get very interested in finding out just what is going to happen next. I thought the ending was just a bit slow to play out once you figure out what's coming. However, the characters are definitely very well developed, and I loved the plot! It seemed very unique to me, not quite like anything I've read before.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. I'm rounding up to 4 stars from what I'd probably give a 3.5. I really enjoyed the characters and all the layers in the story, and I'd be interested in reading more about Maddie Ives and Harry, so I might have to check out more of this series.
I spent a good chunk of my weekend absorbed in You and Me by Nicola Raynor. This book doesn't come out until October 1, but thanks to NetGalley, I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of it. It's another one that I had trouble putting down!
Plot Details
You and Me is written from the viewpoint of Fran, a bookseller who can't seem to get past her high school days. But it's not entirely her fault. Not only is she still hung up on Charles, her high school crush, but things keep happening to her former classmates. What's going on, and will these circumstances bring her closer to Charles?
My Thoughts
Having read several books lately that seem to be trying to be “different” (not that that's a bad thing!) by telling stories from different viewpoints or jumping back in time and whatnot, this one was kind of refreshing. Yes, it does go into stories from the past. But it still tells them from a straightforward timeline, so it was very easy to follow. It's written from the perspective of Fran, the main character.
One thing I really liked about this book is that it gives you information piece by piece. As you're reading about Fran and her life, you find out things gradually about both the past and present. You know right off the bat that Fran is still into Charles, her high school crush. In fact, she's kind of obsessed with him. But that's honestly the least of her worries once other things start happening.
I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to follow, hard to put down, and it kept me guessing all the way through. What happened back in Fran's and Charles' high school days and what is really going on now? It was a unique story with just the right amount of twists and turns to make you think and question what's really happening behind the scenes. I'd definitely recommend picking this one up. It will be out on October 1, so mark your calendar and make sure to grab it!
Rating: 4/5
I tend to love books about high school, or boarding school, or college, or... whatever. I don't know what it is. But I guess kids in school just really know how to create the best drama. So when I read the description of Girl Gone Mad by Avery Bishop, I just knew I wanted to read it. Thankfully, I managed to snag a copy of it from NetGalley for review.
Plot Details
Girl Gone Mad takes place from the viewpoint of Emily, a therapist. Some of the chapters are about her current life, whether it be with her fiance Daniel or talking to her therapist, Lisa. Some of them take place back when she was a member of the Harpies back in middle school. The Harpies were ultimately a middle-school clique. Emily didn't even like them all of the time, but she still did whatever it took to fit in, even when it included Grace, the new girl. Now, years later, the Harpies are dying. One after another, they seem to be committing suicide. But why? What did they do back in middle school that they all want to forget? How were they so horrible to Grace? And is she now somehow back for revenge?
My Thoughts
As I said, I tend to love books about crimes or drama involving school. I don't know what it is, but they always tend to interest me and involve a lot of good drama and secrets. Kids in school are great at having secrets. And it always seems to make for a good setting and great story. Girl Gone Mad was no exception. This was another one where I loved trying to figure out exactly what happened. There's a lot of twists in this one. What happened with the Harpies in school? What did they do to Grace Farmer? And why do some of them now seem to be committing suicide 14 years later? I enjoyed getting sucked into this one and trying to figure out what was going on.
Girl Gone Mad was yet another one I had trouble putting down. This is why I read thrillers! There are so many good twists and turns. They always involve a good mystery. When I started reading a lot as a kid, I got my start with Nancy Drew. I wanted to be a detective when I grew up. It didn't happen, but obviously the girl that loves a good mystery is still in there somewhere. The only thing I wasn't too sure about with this one was how it ended. Without giving away any spoilers, it seemed farfetched. Sometimes a good twist is almost TOO twisty. I love a twist or surprise as much as the next person, but I also enjoy a plausible story. Not to say Girl Gone Mad wasn't, but... it was a bit out there. Nevertheless, I definitely had a hard time putting it down and would recommend it as a great thriller. It's free right now on Kindle Unlimited, so go grab it and enjoy a good weekend read!
Harry left his hometown in England years ago to move to Canada. Now he's back after his friend Richard has been accused of murder. But this isn't the first time that Richard has been involved with a murder. When they were kids, Harry and Richard stumbled on a body in the woods one day. But what really happened? Was Richard involved in either murder? Or does he just have a case of really bad luck?
This book was definitely a page-turner. I'm not sure why, but for some reason I kept reading it as if Harry was a female. Maybe I've just been reading too many books with female main characters lately. But Harry, Richard, and Paige were an interesting trio. I like that the book delves into their past lives and piece by piece reveals their childhood and what really happened.
This one will suck you in and you'll want to hang on for the ending! A great mystery and hard to put down.
Merged review:
Harry left his hometown in England years ago to move to Canada. Now he's back after his friend Richard has been accused of murder. But this isn't the first time that Richard has been involved with a murder. When they were kids, Harry and Richard stumbled on a body in the woods one day. But what really happened? Was Richard involved in either murder? Or does he just have a case of really bad luck?
This book was definitely a page-turner. I'm not sure why, but for some reason I kept reading it as if Harry was a female. Maybe I've just been reading too many books with female main characters lately. But Harry, Richard, and Paige were an interesting trio. I like that the book delves into their past lives and piece by piece reveals their childhood and what really happened.
This one will suck you in and you'll want to hang on for the ending! A great mystery and hard to put down.
Plot Details
This kind of thriller is right up my alley. The book starts out with the wedding of Zoe and Toby. But Zoe has just woken up. She hit her head and lost consciousness and can't remember what happened right before. But she doesn't want anything to go wrong on her wedding day. So she sucks it up and goes on with the day. But for the next ten years, she's a bit haunted by the fact that she can't remember exactly what happened. And when those around her start to act a bit strange right before her tenth anniversary, she starts to doubt that things happened the way she was told they did.
My Thoughts
I devoured this book! I started it late on Sunday and finished it by early Tuesday morning. Books like this where you just know something is off right from the beginning really tend to suck me in. The harder it is to figure out exactly what's going on, the more I like them.
There were a lot of factors at play in this book. What happened at the wedding? Why did Zoe hit her head? Her sister was out of the picture, but why? I do wish we'd gotten to learn more about Zoe's relationship with Dina, her sister. It wasn't quite clear why things weren't great between them.
The Wife definitely kept me guessing. And I loved the tension in it too, especially with some of Zoe's past friends. I read it so quickly, it felt shorter than it was. This one's definitely a great one to snag if you like psychological thrillers! It comes out on September 9, but if you have a Kindle, you can preorder the book right now for only 99 cents. Worth checking out if crime thrillers are your thing.
Merged review:
Plot Details
This kind of thriller is right up my alley. The book starts out with the wedding of Zoe and Toby. But Zoe has just woken up. She hit her head and lost consciousness and can't remember what happened right before. But she doesn't want anything to go wrong on her wedding day. So she sucks it up and goes on with the day. But for the next ten years, she's a bit haunted by the fact that she can't remember exactly what happened. And when those around her start to act a bit strange right before her tenth anniversary, she starts to doubt that things happened the way she was told they did.
My Thoughts
I devoured this book! I started it late on Sunday and finished it by early Tuesday morning. Books like this where you just know something is off right from the beginning really tend to suck me in. The harder it is to figure out exactly what's going on, the more I like them.
There were a lot of factors at play in this book. What happened at the wedding? Why did Zoe hit her head? Her sister was out of the picture, but why? I do wish we'd gotten to learn more about Zoe's relationship with Dina, her sister. It wasn't quite clear why things weren't great between them.
The Wife definitely kept me guessing. And I loved the tension in it too, especially with some of Zoe's past friends. I read it so quickly, it felt shorter than it was. This one's definitely a great one to snag if you like psychological thrillers! It comes out on September 9, but if you have a Kindle, you can preorder the book right now for only 99 cents. Worth checking out if crime thrillers are your thing.
Plot Details:
This is the second book in a series about Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner, two detectives in Denmark. I started reading the first book but haven't finished it yet. But I found this one to be more appealing, at least so far. Bodies have started popping up in fountains around Copenhagen, seemingly dead by a very cruel instrument designed to cause the victim to bleed out. A very painful way to die! Detective Werner is dealing with her newfound motherhood, but very much missing her job. Detective Kørner is struggling to find the perpetrator in this case. Meanwhile, Esther, a novelist and also the landlady in The Tenant (the first book in the series), is having difficulties of her own.
My Thoughts:
This book was very intriguing, and I enjoyed it, but it was a bit slow at times. I did enjoy the character development and learning more about both Esther and the two detectives. Their lives were incorporated into the story, and they weren't just detectives with no lives outside their jobs. The mystery and different viewpoints was fascinating to read, and I hope to find out more about the story of these two Copenhagen detectives in future books in the series.
Plot Details
My Sister's Husband is the story of two sisters, Brooke and Freya, who were raised by their aunt, Alice. Brooke left home ten years ago and is now returning for Freya's wedding. Simple enough, right? Not exactly. Who is Freya's soon-to-be husband, and how does Brooke know him? What secrets are their Aunt Alice hiding? One after another, each secret is revealed. Will their family be able survive the revelations or will it fall apart before the wedding even happens?
My Thoughts
There are SO many secrets revealed in this book! You know from the beginning that something is going on, and everything is not as it seems. But what's the backstory? What really happened to Brooke to make her leave her family for ten years? And what is Freya hiding?
I really got into this book. Brooke and Freya had an interesting relationship, for sure. The book is also sprinkled with chapters from Alice's point of view, so what's really going on is revealed gradually. The timeline is almost a “meet in the middle” sort of story, as the chapters about Alice get closer and closer to present day.
There are so many things to figure out in this book, and I loved that about it. It was right up my alley. I've been into mysteries since Nancy Drew as a kid, and I even wanted to be a detective as a kid. Nothing makes me more interested than a book where you are continuously trying to figure out exactly what's going on. My Sister's Husband fits that perfectly. I also liked that the timeline wasn't quite linear with the different viewpoints, but was still easy to follow at the same time.
I'd kind of liken this one to The First to Lie that I read recently. The story is very different, but if you like either of these, I think you'll enjoy the other. Both are quick reads that will keep you paying attention and guessing something new as you keep turning the page.
Plot Details
Ava and Matt's daughter Abi has disappeared. Ava was only upstairs for a few minutes, but when she came back down, Abi was gone and the front door was opened. After days of searching, Abi still was nowhere to be found with no explanation of what happened.
One year later, Ava and Matt's neighbors are having a housewarming party to show off their expansive new kitchen and house renovations. Everyone is happy, a bit drunk, and some details start to pop up a bit more about the day that Abi went missing. What really did happened? Does someone know something and isn't telling?
My Thoughts
I liked the premise of this book, but I thought it started out really slow. The first 25% of the book was really just about Abi's disappearance and the little that was known about it, which wasn't much. It covered a lot of Ava's thoughts over and over, I felt like, and started to drag a bit. The last half of the book did pick up some, and I liked the conclusion and the way it played out. The book had a bit of a message to it, which I enjoyed. It was just a very slow burn and hard to get through. I would've rated it 3.5 stars if I could, but to me it didn't quite make it to 4.
Merged review:
Plot Details
Ava and Matt's daughter Abi has disappeared. Ava was only upstairs for a few minutes, but when she came back down, Abi was gone and the front door was opened. After days of searching, Abi still was nowhere to be found with no explanation of what happened.
One year later, Ava and Matt's neighbors are having a housewarming party to show off their expansive new kitchen and house renovations. Everyone is happy, a bit drunk, and some details start to pop up a bit more about the day that Abi went missing. What really did happened? Does someone know something and isn't telling?
My Thoughts
I liked the premise of this book, but I thought it started out really slow. The first 25% of the book was really just about Abi's disappearance and the little that was known about it, which wasn't much. It covered a lot of Ava's thoughts over and over, I felt like, and started to drag a bit. The last half of the book did pick up some, and I liked the conclusion and the way it played out. The book had a bit of a message to it, which I enjoyed. It was just a very slow burn and hard to get through. I would've rated it 3.5 stars if I could, but to me it didn't quite make it to 4.
This was book #7 in a series, and I might not have requested it if I'd known that. Not that you can't read it as a standalone, but I always feel like you're missing something by doing that. I'd rather start a series at book #1, and then continue on if I like the characters. I think I might have enjoyed the book better if I'd done that.
Detective Gina Harte is investigating an apparent serial killer (even though you get most of the way through the book before the second murder, but you know there's one coming). Two local girls stumble upon a shallow grave in the woods. It turns out to be a local homeless man, buried alive. But who did this to him, and why? That's what Gina aims to find out.
I had a hard time getting through this book. I don't think it was a bad story, but it seemed a bit too typical to me. I found myself speed reading through the last few chapters, once you find out what's going on. It just seemed like a pretty standard police procedural without a lot to differentiate. And again, maybe if I knew the characters better and had been reading since the beginning of the series, I would have liked it more. Not a bad book, but it just really didn't stand out much to me.
Merged review:
This was book #7 in a series, and I might not have requested it if I'd known that. Not that you can't read it as a standalone, but I always feel like you're missing something by doing that. I'd rather start a series at book #1, and then continue on if I like the characters. I think I might have enjoyed the book better if I'd done that.
Detective Gina Harte is investigating an apparent serial killer (even though you get most of the way through the book before the second murder, but you know there's one coming). Two local girls stumble upon a shallow grave in the woods. It turns out to be a local homeless man, buried alive. But who did this to him, and why? That's what Gina aims to find out.
I had a hard time getting through this book. I don't think it was a bad story, but it seemed a bit too typical to me. I found myself speed reading through the last few chapters, once you find out what's going on. It just seemed like a pretty standard police procedural without a lot to differentiate. And again, maybe if I knew the characters better and had been reading since the beginning of the series, I would have liked it more. Not a bad book, but it just really didn't stand out much to me.
Plot Details:
This complex story takes place in the Joshua Tree desert, far from any civilization. Bronson Powers, a current Mormon and former Hollywood stuntman, lives with his two wives and 10 children on the large amount of land that he happens to own. But what happens when someone stumbles across his life inadvertently and wants to make some money off of it? Bronson's life changes completely when he ends up agreeing to let 3 of his children head to a public school for the first time.
My Thoughts:
First of all, I love the originality of this story! There's a lot of depth to it, and a lot of characters. With such a cast of characters, it's not easy to expand on all of their stories and personalities, but I think this story hit the mark. We get to know not only Bronson, but several of his family members as well. Putting three kids in school that have been raised solely by their parents up to this point was bound to have some kind of explosive outcome, but who could tell what it would be? The story is told not just about the kids, but about their parents and others involved in the situation as well.
I wasn't sure what to expect going into this. There's a lot of setup in the first few chapters, but it's necessary, as Bronson has quite a story. Once you get to know and care about the characters, it's easy to get interested in how this will all play out in the end. This was certainly a very original idea, and honestly, I'd love to hear more about this family in a sequel. I hope we have that to look forward to!
I loved this book so much! Reading the description of it, I honestly wasn't sure if I'd be into it or not, but it definitely exceeded all my expectations. It was an easy start to the book and kind of even featured a twist right at the beginning!
The new vicar moves to a village called Chapel Croft that has a history. But so does the vicar. The vicar's daughter, Flo, was also an interesting character, and I ended up liking both of them as the centerpiece of this book. Multiple stories, viewpoints, and characters were in the mix, but the book made it easy to follow along and keep track of them.
I felt like this story was so original and interesting. The main characters were likable, the book kept a steady pace, and there were plenty of twists that I definitely didn't see coming. This was my first book by C.J. Tudor, but it won't be my last! Looking forward to digging into more of her stories.
If I Disappear was special in that it was a very original concept and story, in my opinion. I hope to see more from Eliza Jane Brazier soon!
Plot Details
Sera has been a bit down on her luck lately. She's been married and divorced and really doesn't feel like she has too much to show for her life. But she is addicted to true crime podcast, especially a particular one by a podcaster named Rachel. But when Rachel stops releasing new episodes and seemingly falls off the grid, Sera is curious to know what happened. She decides to take a drive and check out what she knows of Rachel's life from her podcast. Thinking maybe Rachel could have ended up like one of the unfortunate girls on her podcast, Sera is determined to find out the truth. But does she find more than she bargained for?
My Thoughts
When I heard about this book, it sounded right up my alley. I recently read The Night Swim, also about a podcaster, and I really enjoyed it. If I Disappear was a bit different in that it was told from the point of view of a podcast listener instead of the podcaster. Sera is an interesting character. Personally, I found her not very likable. Doesn't it seem kind of out there to be so into a podcast that you hop in your car to go check things out when the podcast stops? I mean, maybe Rachel just got tired of it. But Sera was convinced that this wasn't the case, and she didn't want to stop until she had the answers.
Once Sera gets to Rachel's hometown, things just keep getting weirder and weirder. I found myself wondering why she stayed. But the deeper I got into the book, the more I also wanted to know what was going on with Rachel, her parents, and the people in her town too. If I Disappear was a strange novel, but in a good way. It sucks you in and makes you just like Sera, not wanting to stop until you know the truth. And the creep factor was very high, which I love! I really enjoyed this adult debut from Eliza Jane Brazier. I look forward to talking to her and finding out more about her and what she's got coming next. If I Disappear will be released on January 26, 2021 in hardcover and ebook format. Pick up a copy and check it out for yourself!
Rating: 4/5
The book starts out as Lucy, the main character, is leaving her home and her now ex-boyfriend, Davis. She secretly moves from New York to Woodstock, hoping to find a quieter place to get away from the abusiveness of Davis. She meets her new neighbors, Vera and John, and immediately hits it off and starts spending a lot of time with them. But as soon as she has found them, she finds out she might lose them. They are also trying to get away from their past and are making plans to go so far as to fake John's death and leave town. Rather than lose them, Lucy decides that it might be in her best interest to help them. Except things don't quite go as planned...
All the Broken People truly is about just that... broken people. But that honestly made it all the more interesting to me. We're all broken people, and the characters in this book are certainly good examples of that. The characters were fleshed out just well enough that you got to know them – or at least you thought you did. You were still left guessing as to who did what even to the very end. I liked that this book didn't take the typical path; I wasn't able to guess all the answers by the end just by guessing “the twist”. It was enjoyable getting to know everyone in the book. They even sounded like they might be interesting to know!
I would categorize All the Broken People as a psychological thriller. It just makes sense given the name of the novel. It is also very much suspense, keeping you hanging on until the very end. You'll definitely be trying to figure out what really happened. But where this book shines is its characters, who you'll both enjoy getting to know and who will also continuously keep you guessing.
This one is a perfect weekend read to dive into this summer. But be careful, it might just take over your whole weekend!
Plot Details:
Emma is a downstairs neighbor to Paul, Steph, and Freya. She can't help but eavesdrop on their lives sometimes. Until one day, she realizes that Freya, Paul and Steph's teenage daughter has gone missing. What happened to her? Are things with this family not as great as they seem? Are Paul and Steph hiding something that led to Freya's disappearance? Emma has her own problems to deal with, but it seems that her neighbors' problems are affecting her as well.
My Thoughts:
Wow, was there a lot going on in this book! So many secrets being hidden. I loved this book for all that it had going on. I love finding out secrets and what characters are hiding. And of course, there's a twist. What really happened to Freya? I'm usually horrible at guessing these things, and this book was no exception. I loved the ending and the things that tied together. The characters were very likable, even if you had to suspend disbelief a bit on some things. I gave this book 4/5 stars, only docking one star because I thought that having so many characters to learn about seemed to make it so that you never got to know and relate to any of the characters as well as I'd like to.
Plot Details
The Push is the story of a barbecue gone wrong. Six couples (or what were couples), four babies, and one teenage daughter. Sounds like a heck of a party, right? Well, maybe it was until something went wrong. Someone slipped and fell to their death off of an upstairs balcony. But wait... did they fall? Or was there a... push? (See what I did there?) That's what Alison and her detective partner Diana are determined to learn. Upon interviewing everyone at the party, it's easy to tell that most of them are lying. But about what?
My Thoughts
I loved this book! It was another quick read for me. Kind of a locked room mystery, but not exactly. I love how the chapters jump back and forth and bit on the timeline of when the soon-to-be parents all met and what happened at the party. It's a great way to fill in the details at just the right pace. I honestly was able to guess most of what was going on, but that's not such a bad thing. Sometimes it's fun when you're right about the plot twists! The Push definitely had plenty of them. All of the people in this book really seemed to have some kind of issue going on. But not all of those issues were related to the death at the party. Perhaps the most fun part of it was trying to figure out what did and didn't have anything to do with the fall from the balcony and how and why it happened.
This was a nice little crime thriller with just enough to keep you guessing. I also enjoyed the deep dive into all the characters. Great mystery, and one I'd recommend is worth checking out. The Push by Claire McGowan is out soon, on November 12. Grab a copy and give it a read!
Rating: 4/5
I was excited to get a review copy of this! I've seen it on a lot of lists, and it sounded like a story I would be interested in.
Plot Details
Matt is a college student whose brother Danny was convicted of murdering his girlfriend and is in prison for life. A documentary series made the case well-known, and the public's thoughts are divided on whether or not Danny is actually guilty. Matt is honestly not even sure, but his dad and sister are out to prove Danny's innocence. They end up taking a trip to Mexico in pursuit of evidence, where Matt's entire family except for him and Danny end up dying from a gas leak - supposedly. What's really going on?
My Thoughts
I had a hard time getting through this book, but it wasn't because I didn't enjoy it. I read it over a small vacation that also happened to be over the week of the election in the US, so between my vacation activities and watching election coverage, I just had a hard time focusing on it.
I love the premise. Books that are starting to include modern-day things like Netflix documentaries seem more real and interesting to me, and I liked that about this one. I think ordinarily it would have been a quick read. And I definitely didn't see the ending coming! The characters in Every Last Fear were interesting to get to know, especially Matt and Maggie. I enjoyed reading about their journey through all of this.
Definitely a good one to check out! I'd give it 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up to 4 because I think that half a star is only due to my own distraction and not because of the story at all.
Well, the first thing I have to say about The First to Lie is that it is probably the most twisty novel I've read in a while. And yes, I said twisty – not twisted. Maybe the question shouldn't be about who is or was the first to lie, but who ISN'T lying? Wow. This one really threw me for a loop. I started reading it and kept asking questions all the way through.
Plot Details
The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi RyanIt's so very hard to describe exactly what this book is about! Essentially, there's a company – Pharminex – that is run by a family, the Vanderwalds. Pharminex has some kind of iffy business practices, and they've made money off of doing some things that have hurt people. I don't want to get into it too much because I don't want to spoil anything. But some of those people are out for revenge. And that's all I'm going to say. For anything more, you really need to read the book!
My Thoughts
Well, I definitely had a hard time putting this book down. When I first picked it up, I honestly just kind of wondered what was going on. It started off with multiple viewpoints from multiple characters and it took just a bit of time to pick up. You didn't know until a little ways into the book what was really going on. And then – more characters and more viewpoints! Once you figure out the story, though, you do get sucked in.
The biggest question that I found myself asking myself while reading The First to Lie was “who's who?”. There are several characters introduced both in the present and from the past. It's easy to get a sneaking suspicion about some of the characters from the present actually being some of the characters from the past, but it's also really hard to guess what the truth is. I have to admit, I do like not being able to figure out what is going on. I like a story that can keep me guessing.
This book did prove to be hard to put down, and I do plan to read more from the author. The only thing I found that I might not have liked with it was that it was maybe TOO twisty? I can see how in some ways it could seem like the goal was just to throw you for a loop just for the sake of throwing you for a loop. But I also have a hard time judging it by that because of the fact that I actually did like the story, and I do like some good twists!
Overall, if you do like a good novel with a twist or two that keeps you guessing and hanging on throughout, I highly recommend this one. It also does have a good story that I feel could have been expounded on even a bit more. The First to Lie is out THIS Tuesday. If you're looking for something good to get hooked on, definitely check it out!
Rating: 4/5