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I Think I Was Murdered (by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker)
I have enjoyed several books by coauthors Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. However, once I opened up this book and started reading, I wondered if they were actually the authors. The AI focus was interesting and a new aspect for a book I have read. There were so many characters and their issues that it took away from the primary characters. There are some trigger situations that the reader should be aware of before deciding to pick this one up ... Parkinson’s Disease, loss of a s

Ms. Ladybug
5 hours ago1 min read
Tell Me Her Name ~ Margot Phalen FBI #1 (by Kate Wiley)
What a wonderful book to start a new series. And this is one I will be devouring as soon as a new book is released. In fact, after reading several reviews, I plan to go back and read the books in the Detective Margot Phalen series. This book will have you sitting on the edge of your seat as you work with Margot to solve the investigation … and as her partner, Wes, is accused of murder. Margot's persona as an FBI agent is admirable … especially once you are clued in to her pas

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 121 min read
Stakeouts and Strollers (by Rob Phillips)
The synopsis of this book caught my attention and I looked forward to a fun read. There are quirky characters but that was about all that appealed to me. The dialogue … of which there was A LOT!!! … was off-putting. I know the author was attempting to be funny and serious at the same time. But unfortunately, it fell flat for me. There are several positive reviews, so I would recommend you see if it appeals to you. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my advanced revi

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 81 min read
The First Widows ~ Broken Vows #2 (by S. E. Reed)
This book was difficult to get invested in and it wasn't until about halfway through that it actually became suspenseful. And though I did not read the first book in the Broken Bows series, I do not think it affected me reading this one. It worked well as a standalone. One big negative for me … and almost made it only worth 2 stars … was the foul language. Too much! Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 81 min read
The Stranger in My Bed (by Amanda McKinney)
I do love getting lost in the pages of a psychological thriller. You know when you open up the book, things will not be what they appear to be. But when does the truth end and the misleading twists and turns begin? There is a gradual building of tension and I found myself questioning what I thought was reality. The big reveal at the end is shocking and I was glad this rollercoaster of a ride through the pages was coming to an end because I was not sure my heart could handle t

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 41 min read
Evil Bones ~ Temperance Brennan #24 (by Kathy Reichs)
I love the books and the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs. This one was good, but I miss some of the typical Tempe attitude and spunk. I felt like we were experiencing a water down/off-her-medication version. Enjoy it when the murder mystery takes place in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is just down the road from me and I can picture the setting and hear the southern accent in the dialogue. The books in this series will have some grizzly descriptions of the cases in w

Ms. Ladybug
Aug 121 min read
Stolen Family ~ Detective Josie Quinn #24 (by Lisa Regan)
Oh my goodness! When I open up a Lisa Regan book, I know I will be in for a roller coaster ride of mystery and thrills. When I see, she is releasing a new book, it automatically goes to the top of my to-be-read list. The murder mystery and abduction pulled me in from the very beginning. The author does a stellar job of trickling in clues and twists to keep you invested in the story without losing interest. The main character, Josie Quinn, is back at it with full force, and it

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 301 min read
The Country Road Murders (by James Patterson and Mike Lupica)
This is an edge-of-your-seat, hanging on by a thread, nail biting mystery thriller. Great characters, a wonderful well-related story, and nonstop thrills will have you flipping through the pages as fast as possible. I fell in love with Silas Tucker and his grandmother. I loved their relationship. There are so many things going on as you get sucked into the story ... from the loss of a lifelong dream, loss of special friends, murder, kidnapping, drug abuse, misuse of power, se

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 211 min read
A King's Ransom ~ Recovery Agent #2 (by Janet Evanovich)
When I open up a Janet Evanovich book, I know I will be in for a thriller ride. A little bit of danger, a touch of snarky humor, and a splash of romance will have you flipping the pages as fast as possible to see what adventure you will experience with Gabriela. Factor in time spent with her ex, Rafer, and his buddy, Harley, and you will be traveling the world, attempting to outsmart the bad guys, and recovering long lost treasures. Just a fun series in which to spend your ti

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 211 min read
Want to Know a Secret? (by Freida McFadden)
This was the first book I have read by the author, Freida McFadden. After a friend raved about her books, I was excited at the opportunity to read this one. It had so much potential. And I really did stay with it to the end ... though there were so many times I wanted to set it aside. The characters did not pull me into the story and make me care about their lives. In fact, I don’t think I liked a single one! Things were not as they appeared to be and there were definitely a

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 31 min read
Murder at 30,000 Feet (by Susan Walter)
I enjoy reading mystery thrillers. However, this one did not appeal to me. There were too many characters and I just did not care about any of them. I was not pulled into the story and the multiple POVs and timelines were overwhelming. All I can say is that as I read the last word, I closed the book and rolled my eyes. Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. For more reviews, please visit my blog at:.

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 31 min read
Coyote Hills ~ Clay Edison #6 (by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman)
I have read a few books in the Clay Edison series by father and son duo writers, Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman. So I was looking forward to getting lost in the pages of the latest release. I love Clay’s dry sense of humor and the acerbic bantering between Clay and PI Regina Klein is entertaining. While party a police procedural book, you also get a taste of the medical aspects of a murder mystery. There are a lot of characters who help bring twists and turns throughout the sto

Ms. Ladybug
Jun 231 min read
Until Midnight (by Luanne Rice)
I am loving Luanne Rice’s new releases. Her thriller books pull me into the story and hold me captive until the very end. I have always wanted to enjoy a vacation in Rhode Island. So getting lost at the picturesque Ocean House Hotel was the icing on the cake. Murder, lies, deceit, secrets, human trafficking, kidnapping ... you will be absorbed in the pages and on the edge of your seat to see what will happen next. As you peal away the many layers, you will enjoy the fast-pace

Ms. Ladybug
Jun 231 min read
Evergreen ~ Evergreen #1 (by Buck Turner)
I had no idea what I expected when I opened this book and began to read. I initially did not realize it was a young adult book. And, though I'm not the target audience, I love the story! The characters pulled me into their lives. Some of the relationships were gracious and caring, while others were vicious and based on evil. There is a thread of the supernatural, but Faith was a major aspect in the lives of several characters. As Cole transitions from life in the city to a sm

Ms. Ladybug
Jun 231 min read
The Ghostwriter (by Julie Clark)
I am not sure I knew what to expect when I opened this book and got lost in the pages. I have enjoyed previous books by the author and was excited for the opportunity for a rollercoaster ride of suspense. Reading a Julie Clark book is like working a puzzle. There is the basis of a dysfunctional family, the history of trauma and tragedy, a current health crisis, and the untangling of clues. You will be absorbing every word, every emotion, every glimpse into the lives of Olivia

Ms. Ladybug
Jun 171 min read
The Women in White (by Sarah Pekkanen)
After reading the synopsis for this book and having enjoyed previous books by Sarah Pekkanen, I really looked forward to reading it. From my experience of working in a university Psychology Department of 38½ years, I was exposed to a variety of research projects. I basically cringed while reading this book. I know there are plenty of unethical researchers so I had to just accept that, while I did not like the methods used, it was the basis for the story. However, I just did n

Ms. Ladybug
Jun 161 min read
Conspiracy ~ Sanctuary #3 (by Colleen Coble)
This third book in the Sanctuary series packs a punch. Once again you are treated to an intense, action-packed, emotional adventure through the pages with Paradise, Blake, Jenny (Blake’s mother), and Isaac and Levi (Blake’s young brothers). But Paradise’s half brother, Drew, is along for the ride and plays a significant part in navigating the dangerous incidents that will pull you into the story. Edge-of-your seat moments will have you holding your breath to see who will surv

Ms. Ladybug
Jun 161 min read
Jigsaw ~ Alex Delaware #41 (by Jonathan Kellerman)
Once again Jonathan Kellerman has pulled me into the story from the beginning and held me captive until the end. Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis are the perfect murder mystery solving team. I love how their thoughts are shared in working the clues ... putting the pieces of the puzzle together to solve the crime. The psychological viewpoint provided by Alex is a trip into the dark recesses of the human psyche. One of my favorite series to read and I look forward to whatever dep

Ms. Ladybug
May 311 min read
The Couple's Secret ~ Detective Josie Quinn #23 (by Lisa Regan)
Oh my goodness! When I open up a Lisa Regan book, I know I will be in for a thrilling roller coaster ride of excitement and adventure. I love the characters in the Josie Quinn series and have enjoyed observing their relationships develop and how they have matured and become the adult adults. they are today. This is a wonderful series, but you need to read it from the first book to understand the background of the characters and the group dynamics. The murder mystery … both a

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 271 min read
Remain (by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan)
As I opened this book and started reading, I expected some of the M. Night Shyamalan suspense and spine-tingling moments. To say I was disappointed is a gross understatement. I could not get invested in the story and the characters were blasé. I loved what one reviewer said, "… turns out I just got Nicholas Sparks with a flashlight. End of quote perfect description. This was a lot of time I wasted trying to enjoy something that was misrepresented as thriller and suspense. I m

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 271 min read
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