The premise of this book appealed to me and I loved the way the book pulled you into the story from the first page. The dual POV narration was appealing and I enjoyed discovering the dynamics of relationships between the former university friends. I do not think it is one of the best psychological thrillers I have ever read. But it was an okay book and may appeal more to others. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts

I enjoy reading books in the historical fiction genre. And while this was a different focus than my typical read, it had a lot of positive aspects. I love the focus of a strong female character who demonstrated intelligence and strength. Set in a period of time when women were not recognized for these positive characteristics, this was a breath of fresh air.Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.   Fo

The synopsis of this book grabbed my attention. I could not imagine grieving the loss of a friend while being surrounded by death on a daily basis. It is a macabre setting. And Ruth’s ability to cope with death encourages her to make poor decisions. And that, as well as her internal thoughts made her a character I did not like. However, the mystery itself will hold your attention. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and though

I enjoy reading mystery thrillers and the synopsis of this book caught my attention and I thought I would like getting lost in this new series. However, while it is touted as the first book in a new series, it seems that it is just a continuation of the Hugo Marston series. Though he is now retired and starting a new career as the owner of a bookshop, he is still the same annoying character from books in the previous series. There are some positive aspects to the book ... the

I have been a fan of the Cork O’Connor series for several years and have had the pleasure of reading or listening to the audiobook versions of all of them. The characters are well developed and the setting of Tamarack County in Minnesota comes to life on the pages. This particular book has a flashback to earlier in Cork’s life during his time as sheriff before returning to the present day. There are a lot of twists and turns that will have you invested in the story and anxiou

I enjoy reading historical fiction books. However, this was a different focus from most of my reads. Unfortunately, this one just seemed to take too long to tell the story. I struggled to stay focused. It had promise but I did not feel like it delivered. The Roaring Twenties, murder mystery, and PTSD aspects could have developed into a relatable and inspiring story. Plus the random use of the “F-bomb” was totally unnecessary. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my a

I am loving the books in the Cozy Capers Book Group series by Maddie Day. The characters have begun to feel like friends. This particular book was a little more emotional with Mac’s sister-in-law missing. So you actually have two mysteries going on ... a murder and a missing relative. Mac and Tim also have the added responsibility of caring for his sister, Jaime’s, two young children. But the way they worked together along with family and friends to provide love and care for

Oh my goodness! Such a story of lies, manipulation, hidden secrets, revenge, and suspense. I enjoyed the aspect of how each character, Amelia and Vivienne, expressed their personal point of view. And how psychopathic and manipulative was one particular character! (You will have to read the book to know who I am talking about!) This book will pull you in at the beginning and you will be in for a psychological thriller of a ride. A quick read that will have you giving a gasp in

What an emotional read! James Patterson and Viola Davis have teamed up to bring a highly charged thriller. This story pulled me in from the beginning and I did not want to stop reading it until the end. I loved Judge Stone and the person she represented as a judge and member of the community. Her no-nonsense approach to dealing with people in her courtroom was admirable. Her willingness to care that true judgment was carried out instead of caving in to the pressure of those i

This fourth book in the DS Malkie McCulloch series by Doug Sinclair is a nail-biter. A very emotional read for many reasons ... a child being bullied, sexual exploitation, abduction, serious health issues, assault, shoplifting. As is typical with this series it is graphically violent and at times you will be cringing at the abuse Elizabeth endures. While a fast-paced read, there were moments in the book that the action seemed to drag and I wanted Malkie and his police officer

The Tea by the Sea series by Vicki Delaney is one of y favorites. As soon as a new book has been released by the author, it is on my to-be-read list. This particular book does not take place in the typical location of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. But you are treated to a trip to Yorkshire, England and the Thornecroft Castle where Lily’s grandmother, Rose, used to work. And once again Lily is pulled into a murder investigation. Luckily her cohorts from Cape Cod are with her on thi

The synopsis of this book caught my attention and it sounded like something I would enjoy. However, this was not the case. I do not enjoy reading books where the characters do not develop and are simply mean girls. I could not get invested in the story and the dialogue between the characters was irritating. So, unfortunately, this was only a 2-star read for me and I am probably being gracious to give it that many stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advan

When I open up a book by Sally Hepworth, I know I will get lost in the pages of a thrilling adventure. The main character, Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, is one you will not forget any time soon. As you explore Mabel’s past and present you will soon begin to wonder if she is as “mad” as she is rumored to be. Mabel has lived a life that is riddled with tragedies and the whispered assertions become fact in the eyes of her classmates and neighbors. This is not just a mystery; it is an

I love reading historical fiction books. This one was a different focus than my typical read. Though it does occur during the WWII time period, it does not focus on the horrors of the war. An amazing cast of characters. I was not familiar with the Hollywood Victory Caravan or the efforts actors engaged in to support the war effort and encourage patriotism. The primary character, Jackie, is not a pleasant individual. However, she does have her positive qualities and joins forc

This is the first book I have read in The Widow’s Detective Club series. The book was a slow start and I struggled to stay invested in the story. I am not sure how much of that is due to not having read the first two books. But once you are well into the story, there is suddenly a lot of activity that will grab your attention. Between the murder, kidnapping, being abducted at knifepoint, etc., it was non-stop action for the final third of the book. The characters were well de

I am a huge J. A. Jance fan and the Ali Reynolds series is one of my favorites. Between Ali; her husband, B; Frigg, the AI creation; and Cami, you are treated to a wonderful cast of characters. The story has multiple mysteries to be solved and they do not detract from each other. I love how the people of High Noon Enterprise work together in whatever case they are dealing with or in personal matters. I especially enjoyed observing Frigg gain knowledge with lingo and various w

I love historical fiction books and the mystery aspect of this one was a positive spin that I really enjoyed. Metting Freddie Archer, a columnist of Gotham Magazine was enlightening. Freddie’s character was based on one of the first female columnists at The New Yorker. Life as an independent and strong female in the 20s was difficult. But Freddie was up for the challenge. Experiencing this time period and the speakeasies, bootlegging, fashion designers, and glamorous lifestyl

This is the first book I have read in the Dakota Green series. But I enjoyed it so much that I will go back and read the first one and will definitely read any future books in the series. Even though starting with the second book, it did not affect my ability to connect with the characters. I love the character of Dakota Green and look forward to seeing how the future unfolds for her and her beau, Charlie, who is the sheriff. The murder mystery will keep you invested in the s

The Domestic Diva is one of my favorite series. I love getting lost in the pages of an adventure with Sophie Watson. Between the murder mystery and the delicious food, you will not be able to put the book down until you have inhaled every word and helped solve the crime. There are delightful characters who are so supportive of each other. Lots of twists and turns and misguided clues that keep you invested in the story. The fall season was a nice touch and getting to know Aunt

I have read all but three of the earlier books in the Secret, Books, and Scone Society series. And I know I will go back and read them too. The characters are well developed and the setting of a psychic reading in the Miracle Books bookstore has you flipping through the pages to figure out who committed murder. There are a lot of clues and twists and turns that will take you on an emotional journey with The Secret, Book, and Scone Society. The coded messages in the psychic’s