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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
Carole F. has commented on (80) products
What She Found
by
Robert Dugoni
Carole F.
, October 23, 2022
What She Found by Robert Dugoni is the ninth instalment in the Detective Tracy Crosswhite series but this mystery reads very well as a stand-alone. Having read several Dugoni books previously, I found that the usual well-written novel and diverse and interesting characters are as expected. This is a satisfying read and does not seem repetitive. Detective Crosswhite has been assigned to cold cases, mainly because of new scientific discoveries available now that were not developed when the crimes were committed. Her usual attention to detail and respect for the victims’ families lead her to a twenty-five year-old case: an investigative journalist disappeared and was never seen again. A supposed suicide occurred in the vicinity of the location where the journalist was last seen. This will disturb a hornet’s nest of huge proportions and will involve many important people who are adamant about not being investigated. This is a police procedural that takes the reader through the steps and procedures in a detailed accounting of a cold case. Robert Dugoni does not disappoint. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Do No Harm A Lucas Page Novel
by
Robert Pobi
Carole F.
, October 14, 2022
Do No Harm by Robert Pobi is a medical thriller that completely captured my interest. This is the third instalment in the Lucas Page series but it reads well as a stand-alone. However, you probably will want to read the first two novels after reading this one. I know I will be feasting on the two previous mysteries as soon as possible. What a treat. Lucas Page is ex-FBI and a multiple amputee. He is a polymath, a husband and a father of five children. Page becomes aware that more doctors have died recently than the norm. It is becoming obvious to Page that many could have died under suspicious circumstances. When his spouse, who is also an MD, has her life threatened, he avidly investigates and will not stop until there are answers. The characters are well-drawn and make this thriller stand out. The plot moves at breakneck speed and is a pure pleasure for the reader. If you like your books with intense suspense and with a great story, this one is for you. You will be hooked from page one. Robert Pobi has proven himself to be an exceptional author. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Stay Awake
by
Megan Goldin
Carole F.
, October 09, 2022
Stay Awake by Megan Goldin is a fast-paced thriller that maintains the suspense throughout the mystery. Liv Reese is in a taxi in New York City and she has no idea where she is coming from or what her destination is. She has forgotten everything from the last two years and she has no clue what could have caused this and she has resorted to writing important information on her hands and arms to remind herself of what is going on. When she notices a tv item about a murder that occurred the previous night, she is shocked to recognize herself leaving the scene of the crime. This was recorded on a street camera. And someone is hunting for her and he is stalking her. The police are looking for her as well and Liz does not know who she can trust to help her. The characters are detailed and interesting and this plot is superbly tense. Stay Awake is a great choice for readers of thrillers. I hope to read more novels written by Megan Goldin. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Deepest Black
by
Randall Silvis
Carole F.
, October 02, 2022
I do not know where to begin with my review of The Deepest Black by Randall Silvis. It should also be noted that I did not want to finish reading, but finish it I did in the hope that all would become clear about these characters and this plot. Oddly, the author has inserted himself as the main character which made this feel like true crime rather than fiction. Three murders have occurred in Pennsylvania and Randall Silvis is approached by a stranger who gives him the details about these murders, assuring him that he should look into the case. From that point on, the story becomes muddled with characters popping in and out, here and there, some supposedly hallucinations. This is not my first Silvis novel and I was disappointed but this is probably just a one-off. The author was aiming for something completely different and that was accomplished at the expense of a good story. This is only my opinion and readers should form their own. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Blood Ties
by
Ruth Lillegraven
Carole F.
, September 18, 2022
Blood Ties, written by Ruth Lillegraven and translated by Diane Oatley, is the second instalment in the Clara Lofthus series but it works somewhat as a stand-alone. Clara is a politician in Norway and has recently been promoted to Minister of Justice. This leaves little time for quality time with her twin boys, Andreas and Nikolai. The boys need her attention more than ever because their father, and Clara’s husband, has recently died. The plot heats up when the twins are kidnapped. This novel held promise but I did not feel interested in the characters, especially Clara. The story development is lacking in realistic situations. The potential is lost while the reader reads about one predicament to another, none of it making much sense. I am a fan of the Nordic noir genre but was disappointed with Blood Ties. This is only my own opinion and I am confident that many will enjoy this psychological thriller. Thank you to Amazon Crossing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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This Place of Wonder
by
Barbara O'Neal
Carole F.
, September 04, 2022
I asked for the opportunity to read This Place of Wonder by Barbara O’Neal in spite of the fact that women’s fiction is not one of my favorite genres. And I can’t say that I enjoyed this family relationship story. It begins with the sudden death of Augustus, a famous chef. We soon learn that his ex-wife Meadow, herself a famous foodie, is trying to be everything to everyone. Augustus’ daughter, Maya, in rehab at the time, returns home. His flavour-of-the-month, Norah, is shattered and Meadow’s daughter Rory tries to comfort all. So we have these four women, who remain devoted to this adulterous, selfish man who obviously was so adorable and could do any wrong. I was disappointed because I expected this to lead to strong women getting on with a difficult situation. Each chapter is narrated by one of three of the four women, not sure why one was left out. Poor deceased Augustus is one of the main characters, emphasizing what an unappetizing human he was. This Place of Wonder had a lot of potential but it gets mired in too much drama and unrealistic situations. This is only my own opinion and I’m sure this novel will suit many. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Fatal Witness: The unmissable new Erika Foster crime thriller!
by
Robert Bryndza
Carole F.
, August 30, 2022
Fatal Witness by Robert Bryndza is the seventh instalment in the Detective Erika Foster series but it reads well as a stand-alone. This is such a tightly written novel that I now will be looking to read all the preceding books. This is a murder mystery in its highest form. The police procedural is so well-detailed that the reader feels like they are observing the action in person. The mystery begins with a vicious murder, before the victim is introduced to the reader. It shocks and captures the attention. Detective Erika Foster is immediately involved in the case because, while walking in her new neighborhood, she hears a scream which brings her to the murder site. The victim, believed to be Vicky Clarke, is a true crime podcaster who has been investigating a serial predator who preyed on students years ago. All the evidence she had painstakingly uncovered is missing. This leaves Erika and her team without much to go on. This mystery has an original and fascinating plot. The characters, whether good or criminal, are shown in great detail and the reader will have no clue who the criminal is. The tension keeps the pages turning and the author takes his time with the conclusion. This is a superior novel to be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys a plausible mystery. Highly recommended. Thank you to Raven Street Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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We Lie Here: A Thriller
by
Rachel Howzell Hall
Carole F.
, August 25, 2022
I was looking forward to reading We Lie Here by Rachel Howzell Hall because most times family dramas and mysteries are a good read. And I had read that this author’s writing career was to be admired. But Yara Gibson and her family add so much dysfunction to this story that it is almost impossible to find a character who is at least bearable. Yara is a television writer in California and she uses her vacation time to organize a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary celebration for her parents in Palmdale. Sounds pretty good. But the more I read, the more I wanted to get to the end quickly. So many chapters are spent discussing Yara’s inhaler and other uninteresting subjects. There are a lot of possibilities here but most are not put to good use. The drama in this family is over the top and even a great ending does not make this novel shine. I will make a point of reading other books by Rachel Howzell Hall because I assume that We Lie Here is a one-off. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Abiding Conviction: Volume 3
by
Stephen M. Murphy
Carole F.
, August 22, 2022
Abiding Conviction by Stephen M. Murphy is the third legal thriller in the Dutch Francis series but it also reads well as a stand-alone. Francis is an attorney whose services have been retained by an important judge accused of murdering his wife. Just as the trial is due to begin, the attorney’s wife is kidnapped. Why was she taken? She is a news broadcaster and may have upset a viewer to the point of doing her harm. Or could this be retaliation for one of Francis’ cases gone wrong. This is where the story begins to depart from the believable. Although I understand that this is a work of fiction, there should still be a modicum of reality. The accused judge will not release the attorney from defending his case. Francis then finds himself balancing an important case while investigating the disappearance of his wife. The story becomes difficult to follow and the action is hyper-active. Either of these storylines would have been interesting but both together is confusing at best. The characters are strong and well-drawn and there is a lot of potential here. I would like to read other Stephen M. Murphy novels because this could be strictly my own opinion. Thank you to Oceanview Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Reputation
by
Sarah Vaughan
Carole F.
, August 16, 2022
Reputation by Sarah Vaughan is psychological fiction at its best. It is a mystery and a thriller and a family drama all rolled into one. This drama introduces the reader to Emma Webster, a teacher turned politician. The book highlights the difficulties a woman encounters when she devotes herself to public service. A double standard is definitely in play. In the age of social media, which permits anonymous slander and threats with no consideration for the harm done, there is no protection. This is exactly what Emma is devoting her political career to. She seeks to get protection through the law for those who are targeted with online harassment and cruelty, which much too often leads to suicide. Emma has sacrificed her marriage in order to make a difference. Being a parliamentarian makes her a target and she becomes worried about her own safety. She is nothing without her reputation and it is continually threatened by the press and anyone who disagrees with her. And then, the worst happens: a journalist is found dying in her home. Where does a woman in public life go when her reputation is torn to shreds? This novel brings to the fore the difficulties and unfairness women face as politicians and other occupations and it will keep you on the edge of your seat. Sarah Vaughan has written a story that reflects the times we live in. Highly recommended. Thank you to Atria Books, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Mother of All Secrets
by
Kathleen M. Willett
Carole F.
, August 01, 2022
Mother of All Secrets by Kathleen M. Willett is a book about secrets, many secrets. This is a review that is difficult to write because not much can be divulged without giving away too much information about this great plot. Jenn is a first-time mother of a newborn daughter. She finds herself out of her element until she joins a young mother’s group. She finds companionship and empathy among the young women from her neighborhood. Things are looking up until the leader of the group, Isabel, disappears suddenly. Jenn feels drawn to the mystery and worries about Isabel’s safety and attempts to involve the other mothers. This is where the secrets begin to be revealed, ever so slowly, peeling back the layers of an unpredictable plot. The characters are so well drawn that the reader feels as if they know these women. Each one contributes much to the story, good and bad. The plot is fresh and original : the reader will hold their breath till the conclusion. This is a great revenge novel, the kind that draws us in and does not let go. I will reread Mother of All Secrets, just to examine each character now that I know what happens. This is my first book by Kathleen M. Willett and I hope to read more in the future. Highly recommended. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Little Sister A Novel
by
Gytha Lodge
Carole F.
, July 31, 2022
Little Sister by Gytha Lodge is an excellent example of the British police procedural model. This is the fourth instalment of the Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens series but it reads well as a stand-alone, with the author updating the reader of any pertinent details from the previous novels. Two young girls are at the center of this mystery. One sister, Keely, shows up at DCI Sheens’ pub, with a jumbled tale, so intriguing that he can’t help but give her the benefit of the doubt. It appears that her younger sister, Nina, is missing. Both girls had been in care for several years, following the death of their mother. The mystery starts there and will lead the DCI and his detectives on a path of confusion and danger, while time is running out. Nothing is as it seems. The girls had gone from foster home to foster home, the last being worse than the previous. The DCI’s team are totally dedicated to getting to the bottom of Nina’s disappearance and that journey makes for a fascinating read. The characters are colourful and well-drawn. The plot captivates as the reader attempts to solve this mystery. Little Sister is well worth the read. This is my first Gytha Lodge book but I look forward to reading the others. Highly recommended. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Catch
by
Alison Fairbrother
Carole F.
, July 15, 2022
The Catch by Alison Fairbrother is a debut well-worth the time. The protagonist, Ellie, will take the reader on a journey of her father’s life and, in doing so, find her own self during a difficult time. Her father, James, married three women and fathered four children, Ellie being the eldest. After his sudden death in his early fifties, she handles her grief by digging through her father’s history, only to find that she had not known him at all. This will have an influence on her affair with an older married man, her attitude towards her first job as a journalist and her insecurities about her future. The characters in The Catch are a motley bunch of people who are simply trying to go through life as best they can. The plot flows well as it deals with Ellie’s and her father’s life. It is a simple story about not so ordinary characters. If you enjoy fiction about family dynamics, this book is for you. Alison Fairbrother has written a worthwhile debut and I look forward to reading her next novel. Highly recommended. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Half Sisters
by
Virginia Franken
Carole F.
, July 07, 2022
Half Sisters by Virginia Franken gives a whole new meaning to family drama. As per the title, the main characters are Maddy and her half sister Emily, who moves into Maddy’s family home in her teens, when Maddy was a few years younger. Until then, the girls had not known of each other, which made the transition to a new family dynamic difficult, to say the least. But the family did its best until a terrible incident resulted in Emily being forced to leave, not to return until the death of their father, decades later. This is when everyone’s true colours are revealed. Virginia Franken has drawn complicated characters . It’s difficult to determine which of the sisters is the most detestable and dishonest. There are also great secondary characters who make this story even more challenging. The plot evolves in a most satisfying manner, giving the reader plenty of characters and incidents to love &/or hate. The story alternates between the sisters’ teen years and their reunion as adults many years later. Half Sisters is fast-moving and akin to watching a car wreck. It’s always difficult to determine which one is the bad seed. Highly recommended. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Iris in the Dark
by
Elissa Grossell Dickey
Carole F.
, July 01, 2022
Iris in the Dark by Elissa Grossell Dickey is a book I was looking forward to reading. The description sounded enticing. The opening chapters were well-written, setting up the story and I was pleased to be digging into this thriller. This is the tale of Iris and her young son Finn, who live in South Dakota and the gist is that she moved to the country to evade a brutal past. When she learns that her job at the local paper may not last, Iris moves to a lodge to find out if managing it will be a good fit. There will be the usual caretaker who quickly becomes the love interest in a most unrealistic fashion. There are indications that her past may be following her. I gave up on Iris in the Dark with forty pages left to read and I could not have cared less about the ending. Many of the characters were bland and whiny. The plot was completely without realistic scenarios. I understand this is a work of fiction but it should be at least somewhat believable. This is only my own opinion and I am sure that many will enjoy this novel. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Midcoast
by
Adam White
Carole F.
, June 26, 2022
The Midcoast by Adam White is a mystery, a crime drama and a family saga all rolled into one. It takes the reader along in such a way that you feel like a voyeur, observing the personal lives of strangers that you wish you knew. The Midcoast is in Maine and the state is beautifully depicted here. The characters in Damariscotta are realistically drawn New Englanders, surely due to the fact that the author grew up in the very same town. This is the story of the Thatch family: Ed, Steph and their two children and the story is narrated by Andrew who is from Maine and is observing and writing about the mystery of how Ed Thatch, who used to be a humble lobsterman, has achieved wealth and popularity during the time that Andrew was away from Damariscotta. The rest of the novel you must read for yourself. The story moves moves along at an unpredictable pace and will have the reader second-guessing throughout. The Midcoast is Adam White’s first novel and that comes as a surprise. The book reads like it was written by someone with many novels already in his writing career. Hopefully, there will be many more to come. If you are looking for a book that is different from many, this novel would be a great choice. Highly recommended. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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It All Comes Down to This
by
Therese Anne Fowler
Carole F.
, June 19, 2022
It All Comes Down to This by Therese Anne Fowler is a sensitive family drama about the Geller sisters: Beck, Claire and Sophie. Their mother dies leaving undivulged secrets and instructions to settle her estate between all three women. She also specifies that the family “camp” on Mount Desert Island in Maine be sold and also divided between all three. The problem is that Beck wants to keep the cottage and Claire and Sophie want it sold and monies disbursed as per their mother’s instructions. The best features of this novel are the characters. The reader is introduced to each sister’s past and present, denoting the differences between all three. The chapters generally alternate between Beck, Claire and Sophie. The cottage is at the center of the novel and each woman’s future revolves around it. This is a quiet and enjoyable book. Therese Anne Fowler has created great female characters and the book is a reminder that all families have their issues, large or small. I look forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Messy Lives of Book People
by
Phaedra Patrick
Carole F.
, June 08, 2022
The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick is the story of two women whose paths and lives become surprisingly entwined. Surprising, because Liv Green and Essie Starling lead completely different lives. Liv is a married mother of two boys in their late teens. She works at three jobs as a cleaner to make ends meet. Essie is the reclusive author of a popular series of books who lives alone in a penthouse apartment. The relationship of these two women is at the heart of this charming novel. I must note that I don’t often read “charming” books but this one captured my interest from the very beginning. This is a story with a good, solid plot and the characters are well-drawn, exposing their flaws, their problems, their joys and their tribulations. Phaedra Patrick now has me as a fan and I look forward to reading her other novels. If you are looking for a good, simple yarn with a lot of heart, The Messy Lives of Book People would be a good choice. Highly recommended. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Bloomsbury Girls
by
Natalie Jenner
Carole F.
, May 17, 2022
What is not to like with a novel about an English bookshop, a group of diverse employees and famous writers here and there. Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner is that book. Although this is not listed as a sequel, there is a link to The Jane Austen Society in the person of Evie Stone who is an important character in both books. The time is after World War II. The place is London, which is beautifully described as characters wander there on their days off. Bloomsbury Books has been in business for a hundred years and not much has changed in that time. The management of this establishment are all male. There are three female employees: Vivien, Grace and Evie. Life is not easy to navigate for the women in more ways than one. The relationship between men and women is at the centre of this intricate plot. The rest of the story you must read for yourself. Natalie Jenner has written a thoughtful, honest and fair look at life in a post-war London bookshop and reading Bloomsbury Girls is an absolute pleasure. This is historical fiction at its best. A cup of tea, a comfy corner and this book is all you need for a satisfying read. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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My Wife Is Missing
by
D. J. Palmer
Carole F.
, May 11, 2022
My Wife Is Missing by D.J. Palmer is one of those books that combines family drama with psychological thriller. The novel starts with Michael returning with dinner to the family hotel room in New York City, only to find his wife and two young children have disappeared, leaving behind nothing but a cherished teddy bear. Telling you what happens after that would be impossible due to a plot that has so many subplots that you must read this book for yourself. My Wife Is Missing will take you on a thoroughly unpredictable ride. Each chapter brings something new. Just when the reader thinks they are beginning to figure things out, off on another tangent the story goes. D.J. Palmer has a winner here: the plot is original and challenging, the characters are interesting and sometimes deceiving. I have immensely enjoyed this novel and would not hesitate to read many more books from this author. If you like your books to surprise and excite you, pick this one up. You will be glad you did. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Watch Out for Her
by
Samantha M Bailey
Carole F.
, May 01, 2022
If you are looking for a psychological thriller that will give you the shivers, Watch Out for Her by Samantha M. Bailey will surely fit the bill. Sarah lives with her six-year-old son, Jacob and her husband, Daniel. In order to free up some time in Sarah’s busy life, Holly, a twenty-two-year-old, is hired to look after Jacob. Before long, a suspicious Sarah is casting a suspecting eye on the baby-sitter. A series of events will occur, upsetting the family so much that they will re-settle in another city, far away. But moving does not seem to solve their problems and strange occurrences are still happening around the young family. The characters in this book are well-developed and deliciously flawed and will fascinate readers. The plot has tension upon tension. Every turn of the page will bring more surprise, shock and, at times, terror. Watch Out for Her is a superior thriller that keeps intrigue and lies flowing and the ending is shocking. I look forward to reading more novels by Samantha M. Bailey. Thank you to Simon & Schuster, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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The Darkest Web
by
Kristin Wright
Carole F.
, April 22, 2022
The Darkest Web by Kristin Wright is second in the Allison Barton series but reads quite well as a stand-alone. Jane Knudsen, an exceptional beauty, is a lawyer working for a legal firm which values billable hours over the staff’s wellbeing. Her looks have always been a disadvantage because most people do not look at the person beneath the exterior. When her boss is murdered in his office, Jane is soon charged with his murder. Because she will need expert legal representation, she goes to Allison Barton, her roommate for their first year of law school. The two women have not seen each other since school a decade ago and are feeling unsure how the relationship will work. It will be up to Allison to determine who could have been responsible for the murder and there are many possibilities. Jane will need to overcome the memories of her horrible childhood which has cast a pall over her entire life. The book alternates between chapters by each woman, which works extremely well for the reader to get to know Jane and Allison. The Darkest Web is a tense and taut legal drama and the characters are realistically flawed. I look forward to reading more books by Kristin Wright. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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The Echo Man
by
Sam Holland
Carole F.
, April 21, 2022
The Echo Man by Sam Holland is a British police procedural. Detectives Cara Elliott and Noah Deakin are stymied by the investigations of several vicious murders. What makes these murders puzzling is the fact that the crimes are all committed what different modi operandi. Who could be doing this? Who will be next? How are the victims selected? What is the reason for all this viciousness? The detectives soon discover that the murders are copycat killings: the perpetrator is mimicking the killings of famous serial killers, which explained why each murder was different. I found The Echo Man to be tense and suspenseful and the characters flawed and varied. What kept me from rating this novel with five stars was the brutal, excessively violent plot and the sometimes unrealistic storyline. What started out as a mystery soon devolved into the horror genre. This is Sam Holland’s debut novel and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Last Dance on the Starlight Pier
by
Sarah Bird
Carole F.
, April 17, 2022
Last Dance on the Starlight Pier by Sarah Bird provides the reader with a unblinking look at the misery in America during the Great Depression. By the telling of the story of Evie Grace Devlin, the author exposes the hardest of times. Evie had been a very young performer in the days of vaudeville, having been pushed on the stage by an unloving, selfish and abusive mother. When the days of vaudeville began to wane, she worked diligently to become a nurse, only to be sidelined before graduation. Because she needed employment and income, she found herself absorbed into the cruel and rough world of dance marathons. I thought Last Dance on the Starlight Pier was well-researched but what kept me from giving it a higher rating was the slow-moving plot. The book begins to drag due to overly long chapters that seem repetitive. However, the characters bring the book to life, providing the reader with a feel for the era. Evie Grace Devlin is a memorable character, someone readers will cheer for. This is my first book by Sarah Bird and I would enjoy reading more. If historical fiction is a favorite genre, you will enjoy this book. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Younger Wife
by
Sally Hepworth
Carole F.
, April 11, 2022
The Younger Wife is the third Sally Hepworth book that I have had the pleasure to read and I look forward to many more. This is a family drama with a difference. There are five main characters: Stephen, a surgeon in his sixties who is married to Pam, who has dementia; Heather, a woman in her thirties, who is engaged to Stephen; Tully and Rachel, the daughters of Stephen and Pam, who are learning to face the fact that their father is marrying someone who is the same age as them. I know this sounds like a soap opera but the story develops into something that the reader will not see coming. There is a huge secret in this novel! The Younger Wife has a tight and tense plot. The characters are so well-drawn that the reader feels like they know them. The second half of the book wavers back and forth between drama and suspenseful mystery. The ending is a stunner. If you enjoy reading family dramas with a terrific cast of characters and a great deal of tension, this one is for you. Sally Hepworth has done it again. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Or Else A Thriller
by
Joe Hart
Carole F.
, April 03, 2022
Or Else by Joe Hart is a mysterious story that begins with an illicit affair. Andy Drake had moved back to his hometown to look after his father who is suffering from the onset of dementia. The two men live across the street from each other and down the street lives Rachel, a married mother of two. Andy and Rachel had been childhood friends and soon the two find solace in an affair. Before long, Rachel’s husband is found shot to death and Rachel and her children have disappeared. There are numerous subplots in Or Else but the novel keeps the reader interested throughout. The pace is quick and the characters are varied and well-drawn. This is an old-fashioned whodunit and the body count grows. The novel unwinds in an unexpected fashion, making this a satisfying read. Joe Hart has written a solid mystery and I look forward to reading more of his books. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Heights
by
Louise Candlish
Carole F.
, March 02, 2022
The Heights by Louise Candlish is one of those twisty and misleading family dramas with a strong dose of mysterious goings-on. Not much can be revealed about the excellent plot as, no matter what the reader perceives, there will be many curves along the telling of this story. Therein the reader finds parent-child relationships, ex-spouses’ connections, crimes, mental illness and all forms of love. Louise Candlish has put together a wonderful group of characters: some will frustrate, some will confuse but all appear real in the scope of most troubled families. The reader is led astray many times along the way. You will not figure out the ending until the literal last word. I found myself reading quite slowly so as to appreciate this very original mystery. If you are searching for a book with a difference, this one certainly fits the bill. I will most assuredly be reading more Candlish novels. Highly recommended. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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The Silent Sisters: A Charles Jenkins Novel
by
Robert Dugoni
Carole F.
, February 23, 2022
The Silent Sisters by Robert Dugoni is the third instalment in the Charles Jenkins series but it holds up well as a stand-alone although I now wish to read the two preceding novels. The silent sisters are Russian women who have dedicated their lives to passing on secrets to the U.S. After two of them have not been heard from for an unrealistic length of time, Charles Jenkins is dispatched to Russia to find out what happened to the women and, if possible, bring them to America in order for them to begin a safe new life. Charles is on a death list in Russia and will be in grave danger while there. And then the action heats up. This is a well-paced cat-and-mouse thriller. What I found especially fascinating are the varied Russian settings. The characters are convincingly well-drawn and the plot moves at a break-neck pace. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat until the conclusion. This is a definite bad-guy, good-guy yarn. As usual, a Robert Dugoni novel never disappoints and I look forward to his next novel. This is a thriller well worth the time. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Unmissing: A Thriller
by
Minka Kent
Carole F.
, February 16, 2022
What did I just read? Unmissing by Minka Kent has a storyline that packs many punches. There are three main characters : Luca Coletto, a restaurant owner and developer; Merritt Coletto, Luca’s pregnant wife; and Lydia Coletto, Luca’s first wife, who disappeared without a trace ten years ago and was presumed dead and officially declared as such. Life is fairly good for Luca and Merritt, when out of nowhere appears Lydia, wife number one who had been kidnapped and tortured for years. And that is as far as I can go with this. The rest is up to the readers. No matter how much I attempted to guess how this mystery would unfold, I was always wrong. Unmissing’s plot is so original and well-developed that the book takes the reader on quite a ride. Who kidnapped Lydia? Why did she not go to the police when she escaped her captor? Which wife will Luca chose over the other? Why does Merritt want to befriend Lydia? I have thoroughly enjoyed Unmissing and I would not hesitate to read more books written by Minka Kent. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Evil Intent: A Dark and Twisted Thriller from Bestselling Crime Author Jane Isaac
by
Jane Isaac
Carole F.
, February 11, 2022
Evil Intent by Jane Isaac is the fourth instalment in the DCI Helen Lavery series but reads quite well as a stand-alone. The police procedural takes place in Hamptonshire, where the DCI and her investigators are on the hunt for a serial killer of young women. His gruesome signature is the upside-down pentagram that he carves on his victims’ chests. The book deals with Helen’s personal life and the day-to-day investigative work done to solve these horrid crimes. Jane Isaac brings a humane touch to this violent story by showing that the victims’ families are treated with compassion and personal attention. The characters are varied and interesting and the resolution of Evil Intent is developed slowly and logically but remains a surprise for the reader till the end. This police procedural is a great way to spend a winter day. I look forward to reading more mysteries written by Jane Isaac. Highly recommended. Thank you to Legend Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Catch Her When She Falls
by
Allison Buccola
Carole F.
, February 06, 2022
Catch Her When She Falls by Allison Buccola is a mystery about a murder committed ten years ago. Micah Wilkes’ best friend, Emily, was killed and Micah’s boyfriend was found guilty of murdering her. Ten years later, Micah is the owner of a coffee shop in the same town when strange clues begin to pop up here and there, leading her to believe that all was not as it seemed ten years before. I found the storyline difficult to follow and the more I read, the less I cared about the outcome. There were too many absent characters, people that Micah spoke of but who were not personally included in most of the novel. This book has promise but I felt that it needed more clarity. It was interesting enough that I would like to read future novels by Allison Buccola. This is my own personal opinion and I’m sure most readers would enjoy this mystery. Thank you to Random House, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Catch Her When She Falls
by
Allison Buccola
Carole F.
, February 06, 2022
Catch Her When She Falls by Allison Buccola is a mystery about a murder committed ten years ago. Micah Wilkes’ best friend, Emily, was killed and Micah’s boyfriend was found guilty of murdering her. Ten years later, Micah is the owner of a coffee shop in the same town when strange clues begin to pop up here and there, leading her to believe that all was not as it seemed ten years before. I found the storyline difficult to follow and the more I read, the less I cared about the outcome. There were too many absent characters, people that Micah spoke of but who were not personally included in most of the novel. This book has promise but I felt that it needed more clarity. It was interesting enough that I would like to read future novels by Allison Buccola. This is my own personal opinion and I’m sure most readers would enjoy this mystery. Thank you to Random House, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Christie Affair
by
Nina De Gramont
Carole F.
, February 01, 2022
There was hesitation on my part as to whether or not I wanted to read The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont. Like many, I was familiar with the reporting of Agatha Christie’s eleven day disappearance, which remains a mystery to this day. To say that I was surprised by this novel is an understatement. The author tells a fictional story surrounding the Christie mystery by using subjects such as the sexual mores of the early twentieth century, love affairs gone wrong, the First World War, unwed motherhood, murders, extra-marital affairs, and so much more. This is such a convoluted, mysterious blend of several characters’ lives that the reader is treated to an original and mesmerizing tale. It becomes difficult to remember that this is a work of fiction. Giving more details about this novel would give away information that readers will enjoy discovering for themselves. This is a book for those readers who like their mysteries with a slice of personal drama. Nina de Gramont has taken an actual event and written a fascinating book of fiction around it. I look forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Greenwich Park
by
Katherine Faulkner
Carole F.
, January 26, 2022
Greenwich Park, a debut thriller by Katherine Faulkner, is a fantastic way to begin a reading year. This is the story of three couples linked by family and friendship, over several years, beginning when most of them are at university together. In the present, Helen meets and becomes friends with Rachel, as they are both attending pre-natal classes. Rachel then shows up here and there in Helen’s daily life, appearing in odd places at odd times. She is slowly infiltrating the life of her new friend, as well as the lives of her other friends. What does Rachel want from Helen and friends? Greenwich Park is a convoluted thriller that is completely unpredictable. It is at times creepy, at times emotional. The author, Katherine Faulkner, is a journalist and it largely influences the way the novel is written. The characters are multi-faceted and deceiving and the reader will have difficulty figuring out what is going on. This is a thriller with a difference. It captures and keeps the reader’s attention throughout and the conclusion is unbelievable. If you enjoy tense and emotional storylines, Greenwich Park is for you. I look forward to future novels by Katherine Faulkner. Highly recommended. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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The Village
by
Caroline Mitchell
Carole F.
, January 18, 2022
I’ve just finished reading a book that is completely entrancing and well worth the time. The Village by Caroline Mitchell is a psychological thriller which is set in the village of Nighbrook in the UK. It concerns Ivy Cottage, which is almost a character in this book. Ten years ago, the Harpers, who were living in the cottage, disappeared, never to be seen again. The house was found empty, with cookies ready for the oven and other normal signs of a family getting on with their day. All were gone except for the family dog. Fast forward to the present and Naomi, a journalist who has always been fascinated with the Harpers’ story, purchases Ivy Cottage when it comes on the market and moves in with her husband and step-daughter. And that is when it becomes clear that the people of Nighbrook have many secrets. The Village is completely suspenseful and it feels like it has several endings. Just when you think you have figured it out, the plot veers into another direction. The author, Caroline Mitchell, is a former police detective and the narrative shines with her experiences. This is my first Mitchell book but I will make a point of reading many more. This book stands apart from the usual in this genre. Highly recommended. Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Somebody's Home
by
Kaira Rouda
Carole F.
, January 18, 2022
Somebody’s Home by Kaira Rouda is the story of two families who have one house in common. Julie has left her wealthy and negligent husband and moves to a suburb, which causes major problems with her teenage daughter. The previous owners of Julie’s new home are a pastor and his family. As part of the sale contract, the pastor’s adult son Tom will remain in the small cottage in the home’s backyard for a few extra days. Tom does not wish to leave his family home to strangers and refuses to move. And there the trouble begins and the tension will progressively build until the very end. The novel’s storyline is original and well-developed. The characters are troubled, flawed and interesting, making this a worthwhile read. This is my first book written by Kaira Rouda but I would not hesitate to read more. I highly recommend Somebody’s Home. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Final Case
by
David Guterson
Carole F.
, January 11, 2022
The Final Case by David Guterson is a legal drama with a difference. The lawyer in the story is an octogenarian who does not have a car and relies on his son for his commute to and from the courthouse. The son, also the narrator, is in a position to describe all that happened before, during and after the court case. The case concerns a young Ethiopian girl, Abeba, who has been adopted by a fundamentalist Christian couple with an unorthodox way of raising children. Abeba dies on a day when she is left in the back yard of her house for an entire day, on a cold and rainy day, in order to punish her for a minor infraction. The old lawyer is hired to defend the mother. This is a difficult subject matter but well worth the time. David Guterson’s prose shines because of its simplicity and beauty. Every sentence, every word keeps the pages turning. This is a book that could easily be re-read, for the simple pleasure of a story well told. The subject matter is serious and, at times, difficult but The Final Case will not disappoint. Highly recommended. Thank you to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Buried in Secret
by
Viveca Sten
Carole F.
, January 11, 2022
Buried in Secret by Viveca Sten is Scandinavian noir at its best. This is the tenth instalment in The Sandhamn Murders series but reads fairly well as a stand-alone. The story begins with the discovery of human bones buried on an uninhabited island in the Sandhamn Archipelago. Two detectives are tasked with the murder investigation. Two unrelated women went missing around the same time ten years ago and the detectives need to identify whose bones were found, considering that the bones were too old to provide DNA information. The novel moves between two time periods: ten years ago and in the present. It also switches from one missing woman’s story to the other, keeping the reader interested and guessing. What really works here are the short paragraphs with a cliffhanger at the end of each one. Viveca Sten has written a smart, fresh mystery that never lags. I look forward to reading more books by this author. Highly recommended. Thank you to Amazon Crossing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Last House on the Street
by
Diane Chamberlain
Carole F.
, January 11, 2022
I will remember The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain for a long time. The story takes place in North Carolina during two periods of time. In 1965 Ellie plans to spend her college summer break to help in the registration of black voters, which will turn her family and friends against her. In 2010 Kayla, a young architect, is moving into her dream home that she and her late husband designed. The paths of the two women will cross when Kayla moves down the road from Ellie and it seems that there is much opposition to the move. Ellie’s past appears to be related to the land that Kayla’s new home occupies. Horrific crimes of the sixties will affect both women. The poverty, bigotry, cruelty and violence of that time will bring their lives full circle in the new millennium. This is a very difficult read but remembering the past can help bring better attitudes in the present. Diane Chamberlain has written about a very painful subject with her usual sensitivity. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Gated Prey
by
Lee Goldberg
Carole F.
, December 09, 2021
Gated Prey by Lee Goldberg is the third instalment of the Detective Eve Ronin series but it reads well as a stand-alone. Detective Ronin is partnered with Duncan Pavone, a detective who has only a few weeks to work until retirement. This police procedural takes place within the purview of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department. Most of the action occurs in gated communities in the area. Eve and Duncan’s relationship adds much to the story: the odd pair provides the reader with many funny and touching moments. The action is unrelenting and two storylines dominate in the mystery. The pages just fly by and the unexpected is consistently around every corner. It’s always interesting and more realistic when the protagonists have personal problems and flaws. It makes the characters more relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed Gated Prey and I look forward to reading more of Lee Goldberg’s novels. If you like police procedurals with a difference, this one is for you. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Oh, William!
by
Elizabeth Strout
Carole F.
, December 05, 2021
Having just finished reading Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout, I have an incredible urge to go back immediately to the beginning for a second reading in order to treat myself again to this author’s beautiful prose and story. Lucy Barton has returned to the page and what a pleasure that is. As you can tell by the title, this book is about Lucy’s ex-husband, William. The two of them have stayed in each other’s lives, partly because of their adult daughters. Lucy and William do not have a future as husband and wife but each needs the other for varying reasons. A trip to Maine to seek out someone from William’s past provides the crux of their relationship. This short novel is a gem. The characters, as usual, are brought to you in such a way that only Elizabeth Strout can write. The details are such that it feels like the reader knows these people intimately. The strengths and weaknesses of Lucy and William are exposed, sometimes excruciatingly. This is relationship fiction in its finest form. Highly recommended. Thank you to Random House, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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And the Bridge Is Love
by
David Biro
Carole F.
, December 02, 2021
And the Bridge Is Love by David Biro is the story of the friendship between three women in their fifties and sixties. Gertie is choking on her food in a park at the foot of the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge in New York City, when Maria and Corinna rush to save the stranger. This leads the trio to become fast friends. Gertie is a divorcee and parent to an estranged adult daughter. Maria is a widow still in love with her deceased husband. Corinna is devoted to the seniors at the residence where she works. They meet once a week at the same park and watch the boats going out into the world as they develop a supportive friendship, over a period of twenty years. But life changes and the three women find their friendship is fracturing for many reasons. This is relationship fiction at its finest. The author’s words lead the readers to feel as if they know these women and want to spend more time with them. The characters are multi-faceted, flawed and interesting. I look forward to reading more books by David Biro. Highly recommended. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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In Another Light
by
A J Banner
Carole F.
, November 28, 2021
In Another Light by A.J. Banner is a family drama, a mystery and a psychological thriller all rolled into one. Phoebe is a mortuary cosmetologist who finds her work to be just what she needs: three years ago, her family was killed in an accident. She is living a quiet life while trying to get through the days. Until a body is brought to her mortuary and the woman looks just like Phoebe. She has a tattoo that she has seen before and she finds a photograph of herself in the deceased’s personal effects. What is going on? The rest you must read for yourself. This is a book with a storyline that cannot be anticipated. Phoebe’s search for explanations will take her to more confusion than answers. And nothing will be as it seems. The plot is like a maze that takes the reader along for quite a ride. There is nothing predictable here and I really enjoyed following the clues even if I was unable to guess the outcome. This mystery will stay with readers for a long time. Well done, Ms. Banner. Highly recommended. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Panic Attack
by
Dennis Palumbo
Carole F.
, November 23, 2021
Panic Attack by Dennis Palumbo is the sixth entry in the Daniel Rinaldi series. I found the frequent references to the previous novels in the series to be unnecessary as they did not enhance this story. The Pittsburgh mystery opens with the shooting death of a team mascot on the playing field in front of many in attendance. Daniel Rinaldi, a psychologist specializing in the treatment of trauma, is in the audience. Because he is also a consultant for the Pittsburgh police department, he becomes involved in the case, which soon escalates. Before long, he turns up at other crime scenes, making him unpopular with the police. The action moves at an adequate pace. The characters are diverse but sometimes one-dimensional: the FBI, the police, the victims, the families of the victims, the criminals and, of course, the psychologist, who shows up in odd places. I enjoyed Panic Attack because the story touches on subjects that are very pertinent and relevant in today’s world. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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The Devil's Choir: A Victor Lessard Thriller
by
Martin Michaud
Carole F.
, November 23, 2021
The Devil’s Choir is a translation of one of Martin Michaud’s thrillers with Detective Victor Lessard. The story begins in Montreal where Lessard is called to investigate an apparent murder-suicide of parents and their two children. However, the detective finds it difficult to believe that this was caused but the father and will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of this mystery. There are a few areas of the book that prevented me from rating this book higher. There are a few too many side-storylines which confuse more than inform the reader. This being a work of fiction, I understand that the truth can be stretched but some instances were too implausible. I found it irksome that the female police officers are described in terms of their sexual attributes instead of their capabilities, this done by a detective who is supposedly in the throes of a failed love affair. In the era of me-too, this adds nothing to the story. I have read and enjoyed previous Martin Michaud books and I expect that this is a one-off and that mysteries to follow will be great. Thank you to Dundurn Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Necklace
by
Matt Witten
Carole F.
, November 17, 2021
The Necklace by Matt Witten has left me astounded and breathless and although the novel deals with extremely difficult subject matter, it is well-worth the time to read it. The story alternates between two periods of time: twenty years ago when Susan Lentigo’s daughter is murdered and in the present day when she goes on a road trip from New York and North Dakota to witness the execution of the convicted murderer. Not much more can be revealed about the content so you must read the book yourself to discover a storyline like no other. The tension increases chapter by chapter. The author, Matt Witten, is a screenwriter and TV writer and therefore it would be easy to imagine this as a movie. The characters are good and bad and some both at the same time. They are interesting, sympathetic, cruel and devoted, providing the reader with a broad range of emotions. And, even when the reader begins to grasp the denouement of the mystery, there are unexpected developments galore. The Necklace will remain as one of my favorite mysteries this year. I look forward to reading more books by this author. Highly recommended. Thank you to Oceanview Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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The Living and the Lost
by
Ellen Feldman
Carole F.
, November 03, 2021
The Living and the Lost by Ellen Feldman is the story of one Jewish family in Berlin during and after the Second World War. The Mosbachs are the parents of three children: Meike, David and Sarah. For reasons beyond their control, the family is torn apart. The parents and young Sarah were left behind and Meike and David travelled safely to the U.S. where someone sheltered and took care of them to adulthood. The novel moves from the war years to the return of David and Meike to Berlin as adults to help return the devastated city to its prewar glory by seeking out hidden Nazis and helping Jews to travel to safety. This will take its toll on the siblings. I have read several books about the holocaust but this one is different. Ellen Feldman has written a book that puts the reader on the streets of Berlin at the worst time and she also delves into the emotions and realities of the victims but also of the survivors. This is my second book by this author and I was not disappointed. The prose is beautiful and at times achingly unbearable. The flawed and authentic characters take us to some of the worst times in history. This is a difficult read but it is well worth spending time on its pages. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Denial
by
Beverley McLachlin
Carole F.
, October 28, 2021
Before writing a review of Denial it’s important to inform that the author, Beverley McLachlin, served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada from 2000 to 2017. She is the longest serving Chief Justice as well as being the first woman in that position. Because legal thrillers are one of my favorite genres, I was delighted that McLachlin has turned to writing legal fiction in her retirement. This is the second instalment in the Jilly Truitt series but it reads well as a stand-alone. Truitt is a successful criminal defense lawyer who can pick and choose her clients. When asked to defend Vera Quentin, the wife of a legal acquaintance, she is hesitant. She is accused of murdering her mother who had been battling cancer for a long time. The press have called it a mercy killing but Vera maintains her innocence. The courtroom scenes are at the heart of this novel and the author’s career surely gives them authenticity. The characters are varied and the reader will sometimes have difficulty telling the good from the bad. Just a note to point out that there is an interesting interview with John Grisham and Beverley McLachlin at the back of the book. Denial is highly recommended. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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We Are the Brennans
by
Tracey Lange
Carole F.
, October 23, 2021
We Are the Brennans is Tracey Lange’s first novel and it is a very worthwhile beginning. This is the story of the Brennan family, an Irish-American family from New York. Sunday Brennan left her family of brothers and the love of her life behind five years ago and moved to Los Angeles to try to forget an ordeal that occurred back home. Upon her return, she seeks to find her place in the family again and to figure out her relationship with her ex- boyfriend. What made her run away from all who love her all those years ago? Who caused her such harm that she cannot get over it? Is the perpetrator still around? Will her brothers find out what happened to Sunday? Will she remain in New York or go back to Los Angeles? This is a family saga that turns into a mystery. The plot revolves around the relationships of the Brennan siblings. The characters are authentic and interesting, proving that all families have skeletons in their closets. Tracey Lange has written a novel that begs for a sequel because readers will want to spend more time with the Brennans. Highly recommended. Thank you to Celadon Books, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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An Unreliable Truth
by
Victor Methos
Carole F.
, October 18, 2021
An Unreliable Truth by Victor Methos is third in the Desert Plains series, after A Killer’s Wife and Crimson Lake Road. However, it reads well as a stand-alone novel. Two young couples are camping in an out-of-the-way forest when they are brutally attacked and three of them are murdered. A few miles down the road, Arlo Ward is stopped by police and he is covered in what proves to be the victims’ blood. He admits his guilt and confesses to the brutal murders. He tells police that he is suffering from schizophrenia. The sentence for these crimes could be the death penalty. Dylan Aster and his law partner Lily Ricci believe him to be innocent and feel that, because of his illness, he has confessed to crimes he did not commit in order to be famous and attract attention. The trial is the focus of An Unreliable Truth and it is so well-orchestrated that the readers will find themselves in the jury’s shoes. And you will be shocked! This is a tense thriller and legal drama. This is the second book by Victor Methos that I have had the pleasure to read and I hope there will be many more to come. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Shadow Hill
by
Thomas Kies
Carole F.
, October 14, 2021
Shadow Hill by Thomas Kies is the fourth instalment in the Geneva Chase series but it reads well on its own. The book begins in Greenwich, Connecticut at the high-end home of Julia and Morris Cutter, where they are discovered deceased. Both have been shot and the police quickly come to the conclusion that this is a case of murder-suicide. Morris is the retired CEO of an oil and gas conglomerate. Geneva Chase, a private investigator, is hired by the son to look into his parents’ deaths because he believes they were both murdered for reasons unknown. His father had been about to deliver a report on Capitol Hill that would prove climate change was not caused by the petroleum industry. Who killed the Cutters? Why were they killed? Who was worried about what Morris might do? Why is Capitol Hill part of the story? This is a David and Goliath story. Shadow Hill is a fast-paced thriller that becomes more and more intense with the turning of each page. Gemma Chase is a believable strong protagonist who makes this mystery a success. I look forward to reading more books by Thomas Kies. Highly recommended. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Maiden Voyages: Magnificent Ocean Liners and the Women Who Traveled and Worked Aboard Them
by
Si�n Evans
Carole F.
, October 12, 2021
Maiden Voyages by Sian Evans is an account of the women aboard ocean liners at the turn of the twentieth century and beyond. Up until that point, women aboard ship were considered back luck by the all-male sailors. The ocean liners enjoyed a great deal of popularity and facilitated the crossing of the Atlantic with comfort and speed. The women sailed as tourists, employees of the cruise line and there were also women looking to better their lives on a new continent. They could be found on all three levels of the liners. There were women whose fame came from wealth, the theatre and such who enjoyed the comfort and luxury of ocean travel. There were also women who worked on board, some of them spending their entire working life on the seas: they were especially needed to look after the female passengers and their children. There were also women who travelled in steerage with their children, having scraped together all of their money to pay for passage in order to find a better life. Maiden Voyages is a fascinating look at an important part of maritime history. It’s evident that Sian Evans has thoroughly researched this subject. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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The Wrong Side
by
Robert Bailey
Carole F.
, October 04, 2021
Legal thrillers are one of my favorite genres and The Wrong Side by Robert Bailey is a perfect example. This is the second instalment in the attorney Bocephus Haynes series but it reads very well on its own. The setting is small town Pulaski in Tennessee. It is Friday night and football is on everyone’s mind. The game will be followed by a concert with a local band fronted by the young lead singer Brittany. Before the night is out, Brittany will be dead and the town football hero and her boyfriend has been arrested and Odell is charged with her murder. Bocephus Haynes is a local lawyer who has sworn off criminal law but is drawn to Odell’s case because he knows the young man well and feels he may be innocent. The townspeople do not approve of this and life becomes difficult for the lawyer. What makes this novel stand out is the trial. It is so well-written that you feel like you are sitting in the courtroom. There are plenty of possible suspects but nothing is revealed until the trial climax. The characters in The Wrong Side are well-drawn and feel like you know them. I look forward to reading the next Bocephus Haynes legal thriller by Robert Bailey. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Night We Burned A Novel
by
S F Kosa
Carole F.
, September 28, 2021
The Night We Burned by S.F. Kosa is a thriller with two timelines. Dora, the protagonist, had joined a cult twenty years ago. Today she is a fact-checker for an online magazine. She has changed her name and her history in order to hide her identity because of what happened all those years ago. The chapters alternate between life in the cult and Dora’s life in the present. This works well for the reader. When a murder occurs, the victim is someone who has a link to the cult. Dora fears the same thing may happen to her. She is afraid her co-workers will learn about her past. The cult chapters are an accounting of life in a cult, but there is nothing new there: male leaders playing mind games with female members, everyone behaving like they can’t think for themselves. The other chapters have a high level of tension and suspense and deal with Dora’s attempt to protect her secret and maybe protect her life. The Night We Burned was worth reading and I would read more books by S.F. Kosa. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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When All Light Fails
by
Randall Silvis
Carole F.
, September 25, 2021
When All Light Fails by Randall Silvis is fifth in the Ryan DeMarco series but it works well as a stand-alone. However, reading this one is a great incentive to read the other books in the series as well as other novels written by Randall Silvis. Ryan DeMarco is an investigator who gets involved in finding the unknown father of a nine-year-old girl in Michigan. This is a case he cannot resist and, along with his life partner Jayme, he begins the search. Tragedy strikes almost immediately and the case becomes even more urgent. This thriller is beautifully written and is above and beyond the usual mystery: the author deals with near death experience, philosophy etc., making this a thoughtful novel. The plot is original and keeps the suspense alive throughout. Just when you think you have solved the mystery, off you go on another tangent. The characters are compassionate, believable and provocative, making the book realistic. When All Light Fails is a novel not to be missed. Highly recommended. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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In My Dreams I Hold a Knife A Novel
by
Ashley Winstead
Carole F.
, September 22, 2021
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead was not what I expected. I had looked forward to enjoying this novel and was prepared to give it a glowing review. After finishing the book, I read many reviews and they were four and five stars for the most part. I felt like I had not read the same book. The characters were especially not well-drawn. The plot is divided between the college years of six friends and then ten years later around the time of their college reunion. The college-age people behaved like fourteen-year-olds. The thirty-somethings were like eighteen-year-olds. Their behaviour was puerile, nasty and immature. If I had not known better, I would have assumed this was a YA mystery. So much time was wasted on trivial passages that were totally unnecessary and certainly did not enhance the story. I understand that this is a work of fiction, but a semblance of reality would have helped. Please know that this is only my opinion and not all books appeal to everyone. I would very much like to read Ashley Winstead’s next book. Thank you to Harper Collins Canada, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Did I Say You Could Go
by
Melanie Gideon
Carole F.
, September 18, 2021
It’s not often that a novel about female friendships is also a tense and suspenseful mystery. Did I Say You Could Go by Melanie Gideon is the story of Ruth, a rich divorcee, and Gemma, a hard-working widow, and their daughters Marley and Bee. The two women met when their daughters were starting kindergarten and became fast friends until a falling-out several years later. The moms reunite when Marley and Bee are teenagers but the friendships of mothers and daughters have changed in strange ways. The author efficiently uses tools like Instagram and social networking. The characters are wonderfully original and well-developed and the plot leads the reader on a path that is confusing and tense. You will be astounded as the chapters zip by quickly and you reach the unexpected conclusion. Highly recommended. Thank you to Simon & Schuster, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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What's Left Unsaid
by
Emily Bleeker
Carole F.
, September 13, 2021
What’s Left Unsaid by Emily Bleeker is a relationship drama as much as a mystery. Either way, it is a most engrossing read. Hannah’s life as she knows it has imploded in an unexpected fashion. She is a journalist with the Chicago Tribune, that is, before she is summarily released from her position. Because her grandmother has suffered a serious injury, Hannah moves to Senatobia, Mississippi to take care of her while she tries to get her life back together. In order to keep occupied, she gets a job at a small local newspaper. While doing clean-up work in its archives, she finds a series of letters written to the newspaper. The letters from the 1930s had never been published. Piecing the letters together, Hannah detects a story which should see the light of day, no matter how many locals wish to stop the publication. This novel has a varied cast of characters, some you will like more than others but all you will enjoy reading about. What’s Left Unsaid has it all: love, mysteries, secrets and a fascinating ending. This is the first Emily Bleeker book I have read and I look forward to reading more in the future. Highly recommended. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Therapist
by
B A Paris
Carole F.
, September 04, 2021
The Therapist by B.A. Paris is a British mystery. Alice leaves her country home to move in with her lover, Leo. Their new home in London, The Circle, is a gated community, consisting of a small group of houses with close-knit residents. Most of them appear to know everyone’s business, creating a stifling atmosphere, especially for Alice. Halfway into this story, the plot starts to sag. Alice, the protagonist, is all over the place, making unrealistic decisions, while trying to investigate a crime that occurred at her house before Leo and Alice moved in. The other residents of The Circle are a mishmash of unsympathetic and uninteresting characters who confuse the reader with too many clues. The Therapist had the potential of being a great mystery but it got bogged down in the details. I did finish reading this book, in the hope that the plot would improve. B.A. Paris is praised for the quality of her fiction and I will read some of her other work, to be fair. This review is my own opinion and I am sure that most would probably enjoy The Therapist. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Other Passenger
by
Louise Candlish
Carole F.
, August 30, 2021
The Other Passenger by Louise Candlish is most certainly one of my favorite suspense books of this year. That is hard to believe considering I almost quit reading The Other Passenger because I thought it was too slow to get started. However, it is well worth hanging in there and you will not regret it. James and Kit become commuting buddies on a ferry in London and they enjoy each other’s company until Kit is reported missing by his wife. James appears to be the last person to have seen him. A witness from the ferry says that the two were having a violent argument the night Kit disappeared. James’ world quickly unravels. Not much more can be revealed so as not to spoil the plot. The more you read, the more confused you become and then you will think you figured out what happened and then everything changes again. This is a thriller well worth spending time with. This is my first Louise Candlish novel but it certainly will not be my last. Highly recommended. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Such a Quiet Place
by
Megan Miranda
Carole F.
, August 25, 2021
Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda takes place in Hollow’s Edge, a small community where all the neighbours know each other and everyone feels secure and safe. Until a couple are murdered in their bed. Then everyone begins living in fear. No one feels safe and even their homes become unsalable as the vacant murder house remains empty. Fourteen months after Ruby Fletcher is convicted of the double murders, her conviction is overturned and she returns to Hollow’s Edge. Why has she returned and how will the residents react to her living in their midst? From this point on, not much can be revealed. This is a minute by minute thriller and absolutely nothing is as it seems. Just when you get the impression that you have solved the mystery, another clue appears to change all you know so far. There are some great characters here: some you will sympathize with, some you will mistrust. The plot is ever changing and there will not be a boring sentence. This is a tense thriller that grabs the reader from the beginning sentence to the shocking ending. Megan Miranda is an author to follow. Highly recommended. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Grandmother Plot A Novel
by
Caroline B Cooney
Carole F.
, August 20, 2021
The Grandmother Plot by Caroline B. Cooney is a book that I was prepared to really like and enjoy. I had read Before She Was Helen a few months back and got such a kick out of the writing and the characters. This one is the story of Freddy, a young man lacking in ambition in most things but he is totally devoted to his grandmother. He has been living in her house since she was admitted to a memory nursing home because of her advancing dementia. Most days she does not recognize Freddy but he persists in spending quality time with her. When a patient in the room next to his grandmother’s is murdered , Freddy’s life becomes more complicated. This book has the potential to be a great one but it stalls halfway through, leaving me not caring for the characters or what happens next. There are too many details that interfere with the smooth flow of the outcome and several characters add nothing to the plot. This is strictly my own opinion and I am sure that The Grandmother Plot will appeal to many. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Far Gone
by
Danielle Girard
Carole F.
, August 15, 2021
Far Gone by Danielle Girard is second in the Badlands series. I have not read the first book but found the author has done well in updating the reader with pertinent details of the previous one. The mystery starts shockingly with the brutal murders of a couple in their home in the town of Hagen in North Dakota. Each chapter is written from the point of view of three individuals. Kylie, a detective, finds herself tasked with investigating the double murders. Lily, a nurse, who’s violent past has marred her adult life, becomes embroiled in the murder investigation, through no fault of her own. Hannah, a fourteen-year-old girl is involved in the mystery as well, but in what way? The characters are multi-dimensional and well-drawn, and reading their story makes this mystery enticing and utterly difficult to put down. There are several mysteries within mysteries here and the plot is fast-moving and suspenseful. I look forward to reading other mysteries by Danielle Girard. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Tell Me the Truth
by
Matthew Farrell
Carole F.
, August 09, 2021
Tell Me the Truth by Matthew Farrell is part of the Adler and Dwyer series but reads well as a stand-alone. Jenny Moore is months away from leaving home to attend college. But, sadly, she is found in the woods behind her house in the middle of the night and she has been stabbed to death. Adler and Dwyer are tasked with assisting the local police force as they investigate the horrid murder of this young girl in Lewisboro, New York. It becomes apparent that no one is telling the truth about what happened the night that Jenny went into the woods and never returned. Her wealthy father, her strict mother, her confused teenage brother, his friend who has a crush on Jenny, her best friend all have different versions of what might have happened. The clues are plenty but readers will be led down the wrong paths many times. This is what makes Tell Me the Truth such an excellent thriller. The tension is intense and the original plot never quits keeping the reader’s attention. This is a great read for all mystery fans. I look forward to reading more titles by Matthew Farrell. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Haven Point A Novel
by
Virginia Hume
Carole F.
, August 04, 2021
Family sagas have always been a favorite genre and Haven Point by Virginia Hume has ticked all the boxes. Haven Point is a summer enclave in Maine, where families have spent their vacations, generation after generation. The usual politics apply between old families and people from away are not always well tolerated. Maren came to this community as the young wife of the son of an old well-established family. The time was the forties. Over time their young family grew, with two sons and a daughter, Annie. She is the second generation of this saga and the time period is the seventies. Annie’s daughter, Skye, was born in the new century and she too came to Haven Point . Through seven decades, three generations of these flawed and fascinating women have lived their lives in and out of the summer community. This is relationship fiction at its best. The novel is beautifully written by Virginia Hume and I hope there will be more to come. She has given life to three women that will stay in your head for quite a while, remembering their joys and pains. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Paradox Lake
by
Vincent Zandri
Carole F.
, July 29, 2021
This is my first Vincent Zandri novel, and I am now wondering what took me so long. Paradox Lake is many things: relationship fiction, a mystery, a thriller and last but not least a horror story! Rose Conley is a sculptor and professor, raising her twelve-year-old daughter on her own, since the death of her husband. She takes a leave of absence from school and moves for a few months to Paradox, a small town in the Adirondacks. She leaves behind her love interest, who does not approve of her departure. Mother and daughter move into a quaint cottage on Paradox Lake, and they soon find out that there is a history there that goes back to thirty years ago. The characters in the novel are well-developed and the relationships are interesting. The story moves along at a quick pace. The reader is caught between the fear of turning the next page and wanting to know what comes next. This is not a book to read alone at the cottage. I look forward to reading many more of Vincent Zandri’s books. Highly recommended. Thank you to Oceanview Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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City Problems
by
Steve Goble
Carole F.
, July 26, 2021
City Problems by Steve Goble is a rural police procedural. Detective Ed Runyon has left New York for a quieter and more peaceful life in Ohio. A horrid murder in New York drove him to look for a place where life is simpler and less violent. All is well until a detective from Columbus shows up looking for a missing teenage girl and she has reason to believe that the girl might have been taken to the rural area. The investigation proceeds in a haphazard way. The characters are numerous and appear here and there, with most of them seeming to be guilty at one time or another. I found the plot confusing at best and boring and unrealistic at worst. However, I’m sure many will enjoy this mystery. My opinion is not a reason to prevent other readers from enjoying this book. This is the first in a new series and there is no doubt that what will come next will be well worth the read. Thank you to Oceanview Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Beyond the Headlines: Volume 4
by
R. G. Belsky
Carole F.
, July 21, 2021
Beyond the Headlines by R.G. Belsky is the fourth instalment in the Clare Carlson series but reads well as a stand-alone, although I would be very interested in reading the previous three novels. Clare Carlson is a news director for a television network in New York City, when her path crosses with Laurie Bateman, whose husband has been found murdered in the couple’s luxurious home. Laurie moved to the U.S. from Saigon when she was an infant and rose to fame as a model and an actress. She was married to a wealthy business man. Because Clare investigates the murder, her research and interview of Laurie clears Laurie’s name and the search is on for who is the murderer. Then more murders and suspicious deaths begin to surface. The action moves from Vietnam fifty years ago to the present-day New York City. This is a fast-moving mystery and the reader is kept guessing, with new leads popping up everywhere. This is a novel well-worth reading and most mystery fans will enjoy it tremendously. Highly recommended. Thank you to Oceanview Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Black Ice
by
Carin Gerhardsen, Ian Giles
Carole F.
, July 18, 2021
Black Ice by Carin Gerhardsen takes place on Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. It is wintertime and the roads are dangerously icy. A vehicular accident occurs and a crime is committed. These events will have serious repercussions for three women who are unknown to each other: Sandra, Jeanette and Kerstin. The story develops over a period of four years, during which time the women’s lives will intersect, for good and for bad. Not much can be divulged about the plot, so as not to reveal spoilers. The characters in Black Ice are flawed in a fascinating way. The plot is unusual and original and makes this a challenging mystery. Black Ice is so interesting and enjoyable that I will probably read it again, to solve the puzzles all over again. This is a fast-paced story full of secrets and will satisfy the curiosity of most mystery readers. Highly recommended. Thank you to Penzler Publishers, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Cave Dwellers
by
Christina McDowell
Carole F.
, July 06, 2021
The Cave Dwellers by Christina McDowell takes the reader to Washington, DC for a close-up look at the so-called elite denizens who populate a city always in transition. The politicians may come and go but the upper-crust just keep on living their self-involved little lives, as they always have. We observe several families living life in their bubble, looking down on anyone who is not one of them. Their children are growing up with the same arrogance, in their private schools. The author knows of which she writes about as she grew up in the rarified air of Washington. As I read this book, I realized that this high society is made up of selfish, unkind and despicable people whose sole purpose is to pursue the same tired existence, generation after generation. The characters are the driving force in The Cave Dwellers, most of them being as horrible people as they can be. The more you read, the less you like them. There seems to be a lack of a storyline though, making this a somewhat difficult read. Thank you to Simon & Schuster, NetGalley and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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No Going Back
by
T. R. Ragan
Carole F.
, July 03, 2021
No Going Back by T.R. Ragan is the third instalment in the Sawyer Brooks series but reads very well on its own. Sawyer is a crime reporter working on an investigation into suspected vigilantes. Five women have formed a group with the eventual intent to seek vengeance on sexual predators who have ruined their lives. The public knows them as The Black Wigs. Sawyer must identify each woman and establish who harmed them. Then a copycat starts on a rampage of their own, confusing the police and the press. Sawyer is madly chasing leads while trying to prevent more crimes while the police are resenting her interference. This is a cautionary tale about revenge and its effect. You be the judge and the jury. This is a well-executed thriller: the suspense is intense and the characters are believable yet flawed. This is a strong series and I look forward to the next instalment. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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In Her Tracks: Tracy Crosswhite
by
Robert Dugoni
Carole F.
, June 27, 2021
In Her Tracks by Robert Dugoni is the eighth instalment in the Tracy Crosswhite series. However, it reads well as a standalone, filling the reader in on her past as the story develops. Tracy is a detective with the Seattle police department and has been put in charge of cold cases, an assignment she does not welcome gladly. When asked by her former partner to help with the disappearance of a young female jogger, she takes on that job as well. The woman was last seen on a forest trail. Tracy is also investigating the disappearance of a child who has not been seen for five years. Her parents were involved in a messy divorce and both are considered suspects. This police procedural deals with two completely different cases, which makes In Her Tracks a challenging and suspenseful read. The series portrays the ups and downs of police work, highlighting the dedication of detectives working difficult cases while trying to maintain a private life. Hopefully there will be more instalments by Robert Dugoni. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Reluctantly Home
by
Imogen Clark
Carole F.
, June 20, 2021
Reluctantly Home by Imogen Clark is about two women. Pip Appleby, a human rights lawyer, returns to her family’s farm in Southwold, UK after a tragic incident occurs. It becomes clear that the recurring panic attacks would drive her from her life in London. Evelyn Montcastle, a struggling actress, finds her professional life put on hold due to unavoidable circumstances and moves in with her sister in the family home in Southwold. A diary will bring the two women together, as they realize that they share parallel events in their lives and both have suffered tragedies that seem insurmontable. The characters in Reluctantly Home are flawed, yet sympathetic and interesting. Imogen Clark has written a novel about two troubled women whose paths cross, giving both a different perspective on their lives. This is a slow and moving drama that I found to be enthralling. Sometimes a quiet story well-told is all that is needed to capture a reader’s attention. This is one of those. Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Before She Was Helen
by
Caroline B Cooney
Carole F.
, June 13, 2021
You might think that Before She Was Helen by Caroline B. Cooney, which takes place in a retirement community , is a cozy mystery but cozy it is not. This is the story of the two lives of one woman. Helen lives in a villa in Sun City in South Carolina. She has made a life for herself, enjoying the lifestyle and making new friends. She has left her past behind because it was a horrible past. The novel alternates between Helen’s life in the present and her life fifty years ago. When her past threatens to ruin her quiet retirement, she finds herself trying to avoid the unsavoury people who persistently stand in the way of her anonymity. There is a diverse and interesting cast of characters and the plot contains numerous mysteries and these will keep the reader guessing. This is a well-written mystery with plenty of suspense throughout. I look forward to reading more books by Caroline B. Cooney. Highly recommended. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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The Perfect Daughter
by
D. J. Palmer
Carole F.
, June 07, 2021
The Perfect Daughter by D.J. Palmer is a suspenseful family drama. Grace’s family is in turmoil: Penny, the sixteen-year-old daughter, has been found at the scene of a vicious murder. She suffers from a multiple personalities disorder and has been admitted to the state psychiatric hospital until her trial. Grace must hire a lawyer and get to the bottom of how her child could possibly have found herself in such a situation. Penny’s multiple personalities complicate the case because each one is unaware of the existence of the others. The mystery is off to a good start but it begins to lag in the middle. There are sub-plots that seem unnecessary and add nothing to the story. However, there is an unpredictable and surprising ending which more than makes up for the length of The Perfect Daughter. The author’s use of multiple personalities disorder adds an original and interesting angle and gives the reader an opportunity to learn about the trauma of such a disorder. This is an intense family drama. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Good Sister
by
Sally Hepworth
Carole F.
, May 31, 2021
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is a family drama with a twist. Rose and Fern are fraternal twin sisters, and there the similarities end. Fern is a librarian with sensitivities to loud sounds, bright lights and any deviation from the daily stream of things. She is very close to her sister Rose and has supper with her three times a week. Because Fern depends on her, Rose is the domineering alpha twin. When Fern realizes that Rose is unable to conceive a child, she decides to become pregnant in order to give Rose a baby. That is how strong their bond is. The novel alternates from the twins’ adult life to their past, with their mother. But the past intrudes on their present. And their lives will be turned upside-down. This is a family drama that quickly evolves into a thriller. Each chapter reveals more and more suspenseful information, confusing the reader and leading to an explosive conclusion. The Good Sister is tense and cringe-worthy but it is also mesmerizing. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Margreetes Harbor
by
Eleanor Morse
Carole F.
, May 26, 2021
Margreete’s Harbor by Eleanor Morse tells the story of ten years in the life of a family. Margreete, an elderly woman with decreasing faculties, almost burns down her house by accident. She does not want to leave her home on the coast of Maine so it is up to her adult daughter Liddie to move her family from Michigan to Margreete’s home. Her husband Harry and children Eva and Bernie will have to adapt to an entire new life. From the fifties to the sixties, this family will face many problems. These are turbulent times but each person will grow close to Margreete as she becomes an important part of their lives. This is a story of ordinary, everyday life told in beautiful prose. It is a true pleasure to read Margreete’s Harbor. The author, Eleanor Morse, tells a simple story in an extraordinary way. This family drama is definitely worth a read. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Her Dark Lies A Novel
by
JT Ellison
Carole F.
, May 21, 2021
Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison takes place in Italy. A talented artist, Claire Hunter, has arrived at Isle Isola at the invitation of the wealthy Compton family. She is to be married to one of the Compton sons, Jack. Their families and friends will be joining them for the private affair. But plans begin to change, due to a fierce storm. Claire begins to realize that she may not know Jack as much as she thought. Then an unidentified body turns up and there is a power failure on the island and other disasters occur. The possibility of having a wedding on the estate seems to be less and less doable. This book felt familiar and I then realized it reminded me of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. It has the same gothic feel and the plot and characters are quite comparable. But Her Dark Lies lacks the dark suspense and the story at times seems to drag. Also, maybe the book is longer than necessary. If you enjoy reading about the lifestyle of the wealthy, you will love this book. If you are looking for a thriller, this may not be it. This is my opinion only and I am sure many will love this book. Thank you to Harlequin-Mira, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Search for Her
by
Rick Mofina
Carole F.
, May 16, 2021
Every now and then, a reader has the good luck of reading a mystery that completely ticks all the boxes: Search For Her by Rick Mofina is that book. A blended family from San Diego have rented an RV to drive cross-country, on the way to a new job and a new beginning. Dad and his teenage son, Blake and Mom with her teenage daughter, Riley are trying to make a go of their new family. Because of a terrible misunderstanding, Riley is left behind at a giant truck stop, located on the edge of a desert. The family soon realizes their mistake but by then Riley has disappeared. What follows is a massive search involving police from California and Nevada and a large group of friends from San Diego. Then it becomes clear that each and every one of these family members have secrets, huge secrets. Where is Riley? Did someone kidnap her? Did she leave of her own accord? Will she ever be found and will she be alive? What makes this book so captivating is Rick Mofina’s writing style. Each chapter finishes with a cliff-hanger that is not explained until several chapters later. The reader is kept in the dark, imagining all kinds of possibilities. This is a thriller that will not be soon forgotten. Highly recommended. Thank you to Joffe Books, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Every Last Fear A Novel
by
Alex Finlay
Carole F.
, May 11, 2021
If you are looking for a book that will take your mind off today’s headlines, Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay is the one for you. This is a mystery involving the Pines, a family whose problems are caused by one tragedy after another. Danny Pine, the eldest son, is in prison for a life sentence because he was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, many years ago. His brother Matt is in college when the FBI seek him out to notify him that his parents, his teenage sister and six-year-old brother have been found deceased in their accommodations while on vacation in Mexico. But it may not be a gas leak as detected and foul play is strongly suspected. From then on, nothing will be predictable. The story is narrated from different points of view and alternates between the past and the present, between Mexico and Nebraska. This is a thriller like no other: never a boring moment and the reader will be fascinated all the way through. You will never guess how this mystery unwinds and you will not forget the Pines anytime soon. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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