One evening, on a normally quiet street, a man is hit by a passing car, during the torrential downpour of a booming thunderstorm…
The hit and run accidOne evening, on a normally quiet street, a man is hit by a passing car, during the torrential downpour of a booming thunderstorm…
The hit and run accident was never solved, but a man and a woman DO know something about that night…they just aren’t telling.
A year later, Caleb’s mom Paige is still grieving and still very ANGRY!
She is determined to solve this crime, since the Police seem incapable of doing so-convinced that it was one of her neighbors. After all-who else would be entering or exiting the gated community, late at night?
So, she has begin spying on them.
She lets herself into their garages. She watches with binoculars. And, she takes photos with her new Nikon D850 camera purchased specifically for her new task.
Doing some surveillance of her own, is Paige’s friend and neighbor, Cora.
Purchasing a camera from Amazon, with features like night vision that pairs with her phone, she is not only trying to catch her husband cheating-but she is also suspicious of her neighbor, Lucas. Something seems off about him. And, she has become concerned about his reclusive wife, Georgia.
And, why does Georgia never go any further than her front porch? She didn’t even thank Cora for the baked goods she brought over to welcome her to the neighborhood. Nor, has she reciprocated in any way. Cora sure does miss her old neighbor…
Told from the POV’s of all three women, nothing is what it initially seems to be…
YES, we have gaslighting, cheating and abuse BUT instead of the women drowning their sorrows in alcohol they ban together to right some wrongs!
In fact, Paige reminds me a bit of FINLAY DONOVAN with her “no nonsense, get things done” approach to things! Maybe, not quite as funny but very resourceful!
The author’s 2020 offering, “”Someone’s listening” was just a 3 ⭐️ (meh) read for me, so, I hadn’t tried another one of her books until now-but many of my friend’s rave reviews convinced me to give her another try!
And, it’s hard for me to pass up a juicy neighborhood, domestic suspense story!
I am glad that I did-as this one was fun!
Thank You to my local Public Library for the loan!...more
There is a new book coming out in September
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which will have twelve new “Miss Marple” mysteries each penned by a different mystery writer fThere is a new book coming out in September
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which will have twelve new “Miss Marple” mysteries each penned by a different mystery writer from our generation.
I thought it would be fun to listen to the original “Miss Marple” story to refresh my memory, so I can see which of the new ones best captures the flavor of the originals.
This BBC production from 2003, was the first of a series of full cast dramatizations, starring June Whitfield as Miss Marple. It feels like you are listening to a movie, with a range of sound effects such as tea being poured, or crowds chatting in the background, etc.
It is the story of Colonel Protheroe, the most detested man in the village of St. Mary Mead, who is found dead in the Vicar’s study.
As the investigation begins, it is Miss Marple who provides the best eye witness account, and provides a list of seven suspects.
A trap is set and the amateur sleuth’s theory is put to the test.
NOTHING gets past Miss Marple, and this 2 hour 20 minute production is a fun way to get acquainted with her if you haven’t read any of her stories.
Thank you to my local library for the borrowed copy!...more
The Thursday Murder Club has selected its next case…the murder of Bethany Waites.
So, they have set up an interview with her former co-host from “SoutThe Thursday Murder Club has selected its next case…the murder of Bethany Waites.
So, they have set up an interview with her former co-host from “South East Tonight” as a ruse to see if Mike Waghorn, might have some inside information that would help them solve the case. Ron will be interviewed for a piece on “retirement living” and then the gang will invite Mike to join them for dinner and serve him enough red wine to hopefully loosen his tongue.
Bethany had been investigating a huge VAT fraud involving mobile phones that had made millions for Heather Garbutt and Jack Mason. Heather went to jail, and Bethany went off a cliff in her car but her body was never found.
Jack somehow remains a very rich, free man.
In a sub plot, someone new isn’t happy with Elizabeth and she is warned that she must KILL or BE KILLED. And, “The Viking” is threatening her friend’s lives as well.
But, you know Elizabeth-she doesn’t even flinch as she takes care of the threat with a little help from her friends.
This is a COZY series that has improved with each installment!
Not only do the mysteries keep on getting better but the character development has me feeling like these are friends of mine who I am catching up with whenever a new book gets released!
Joyce (and her humorous journal entries) continue to fill us in on the details, and she has definitely earned her spot in the Club as she “googles” for answers.
Elizabeth continues to show us not only her grit but also her softer side, as she grapples with her beloved husband’s dementia, and realizes that she now considers Joyce to be her best friend!
And, Ibrahim and Ron continue to become more vulnerable as they grow confident by the loyal friendship that this Club has given to all four members.
All of your favorite supporting characters are back, along with some new faces who may be sticking around, but we have gotten to know everyone so well, that it isn’t hard at all to keep up with the growing cast.
A Book #4 has been announced but as of yet, it is untitled, and with a only a tentative publication date of September 2023, but you can be sure that I will ready to rejoin my friends at Cooper’s Chase for their next case, whenever that may be!
This installment is available now!
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of the book and the delightful AUDIBLE, as I enjoyed toggling between the two as I read the story!...more
When John and Maggie, the proprietors of Dark Fell Barn receive a beautifully wrapped gift, and note for their next weekend guests, they are assuming When John and Maggie, the proprietors of Dark Fell Barn receive a beautifully wrapped gift, and note for their next weekend guests, they are assuming it will be a pleasant surprise for them. After all, the instructions attached ask them to place the gift prominently on the kitchen table, facing the door, with letter leaning against it, so it will be the first thing they see when they enter the room, and stressed the importance of their attention to detail.
Their guests, Jayne, Ruth and Emily will have a girls night on Friday night, because each husband has found an excuse to arrive LATE-their husbands planning on joining them for the rest of the weekend, on Saturday.
But more than one storm is a brewing!
The note attached to the gift, claims that one of their husbands will be murdered that night, and with ...more
It’s the following Thursday in Cooper’s Chase and the Thursday Murder Cub has gathered over lunch to discuss a new cold case that they are consideringIt’s the following Thursday in Cooper’s Chase and the Thursday Murder Cub has gathered over lunch to discuss a new cold case that they are considering and to catch up with one another on the things that have kept them busy since they closed their last case.
Joyce is considering getting a rescue dog, and Ron is offering advice. The dog’s name is Alan, (who calls a dog, Alan?) but she won’t be pressured into keeping that name despite being told that dogs do NOT adjust well to suddenly being called something new!
Ibrahim has been reading “You” by Caroline Kepnes and is sympathizing with Joe. He also sympathizes with dogs outliving their human companions and is advising against adoption.
And, Elizabeth is distracted because she has just received a letter from a man from her MI5 days, who she believed to be dead, inviting her to share a bottle of wine with him….
But, not so distracted that she can’t offer a comment to Joyce that she knows full well that her mind as already been made up about the pooch in question!
After parting ways , Joyce shares with us in her journal that although learning to navigate Instagram has been fun, she really wishes something exciting would happen again. Perhaps a fire where nobody gets hurt or someone’s grandson going to prison?
Little does she know that “The Thursday Murder Club” will soon be embroiled in a dangerous new case involving 20 million dollars in stolen diamonds, MI5 spies and even the New York City Mafia!
It was fun to reunite with the members of “The Thursday Murder Club” from book one of the series, (as well as many of the other supporting characters) and I strongly recommend that you get acquainted with them by reading or listening to the first in the series-to better appreciate the growth of the relationships in this installment.
The strength of a “Cozy” is its characters and it’s what I enjoy MOST in this series although the mystery is THIS book was much stronger and more entertaining than the one in the first, for me!
Ibrahim suffers a brutal mugging, but these friendships grow because of it, especially with Ron and his young grandson who comes to visit.
Joyce continued to share her HUMOROUS observations with us in her journal, and I really enjoyed seeing Elizabeth SHINE as she puts her MI5 skills to use to solve this case in real time, with new “partner in crime” Joyce!
I had the pleasure of listening to the Audible narrated by the VERY talented and engaging Lesley Manville and I do hope she will be continuing her work with book three in the series, “The Bullet That Missed” which has an expected publication date of September 20, 2022.
I am looking forward to listening to that one, and can hardly wait! ...more
Eliza Curran is trapped in her marriage to Martin, as he holds a secret from her past over her head. He is controlling, mHi! I’m Dan…your new tenant!
Eliza Curran is trapped in her marriage to Martin, as he holds a secret from her past over her head. He is controlling, manipulative and one of the most despicable characters that you will ever meet. My heart went out to Eliza. ...more
In the opening scene, it looks like someone may have killed Harper’s husband Ben, despite a suicide note, and staged the scene to look like a Suicide.In the opening scene, it looks like someone may have killed Harper’s husband Ben, despite a suicide note, and staged the scene to look like a Suicide.
So when Harper finds Ben and the note, she calls her brother Lane in a panic. He arrives and the two stage the scene to make it look like a murder instead.
After all, there is life insurance money to collect and policies don’t pay on Suicides.
But with the investigation ongoing, and the money being withheld, Harper feels like it would be best to rent out her house to get some income and escape the memories…so she packs up her two kids and arrives, suitcases in tow, at Lane’s doorstep.
There is just one problem-Lane has married Candace after a whirlwind romance and failed to tell her.
Whoops!!
Candace isn’t happy when Lane refuses to turn his sister and the children away and neither woman is happy to learn that she has a “sister-in -law” -especially because the two are just about polar opposites in every way!
Which woman will drive the other one out of Lane’s house? ...more
Well, unfortunately for the characters in this novel, none of them have learned that lesson!
Or t3.5
You know what happens when you ASSUME something….
Well, unfortunately for the characters in this novel, none of them have learned that lesson!
Or that keeping secrets rarely works out well…
Rebecca and Paul have been married for 20 years, despite Paul’s infidelities and Rebecca’s addiction to the opiates she pedals as a pharmaceutical rep. But, now Rebecca has discovered that their joint savings account has been wiped out, and it appears to Rebecca that Paul may be ready to move on this time.
NOT SO FAST
Rebecca devises a plan of her own. But, she may have met her match this time, in the other woman.
E.G. Scott is the pseudonym for two writers (Elizabeth Keenan and Greg Wands) screenplay writers and friends who have been collaborating on projects for over twenty years. I discovered their work when I listened to their sophomore novel, “In Case of Emergency” with a friend recovering from surgery. We really enjoyed that one and decided to listen to this one, their debut, next.
Although we didn’t enjoy it QUITE as much as their other novel-(it does get pretty OTT) I have to give props where props are due.
Charlotte’s promising career in neuroscience imploded when a patient died during surgery, but a support group and Rachel, a TRUE best friend, helped hCharlotte’s promising career in neuroscience imploded when a patient died during surgery, but a support group and Rachel, a TRUE best friend, helped her to rebound. Now she has an acupuncture practice and Peter, a new boyfriend she is excited about.
Until he ghosts her.
When the police contact her to make an ID on a dead body, she expects that it will be Peter. But, it’s a “Jane Doe” on the table-not a “John Doe”. Relief becomes confusion when she is told that she was called because she was listed as the woman’s “in case of emergency” contact.
But, she has never met the woman.
With no explanation for the two detectives on the case, Silvestri and Wolcott, she becomes a suspect. Is she being framed? Does this have anything to do with Peter? And, can she prove her innocence in time?
This story has intrigued me, since it was published, and now I wish I had gotten to it sooner! I loved the complexity of the mystery surrounding ALL of our characters, as bits and pieces were revealed slowly as the story progressed. I felt like Charlotte was reliable, but I could never be quite sure.
⚠️ Warning: If you haven’t read Agatha Christie’s “And, Then There Was None” and you want to OR plan to-READ it BEFORE you read this one, or THIS book⚠️ Warning: If you haven’t read Agatha Christie’s “And, Then There Was None” and you want to OR plan to-READ it BEFORE you read this one, or THIS book will SPOIL it for you!
* * *
The promise of a luxury vacation at a secluded wilderness spa has lured eight guests with SECRETS to a secluded location outside of Kluhane Bay.
EIGHT guests who have LIED about something.
But nothing is what it seems, and soon each will realize that this trip isn’t the getaway that was expected.
It’s a TRAP.
“Nine Little Liars thought they’d be late. One missed the plane, and then there were eight.”
Clues at the abandoned lodge, allude to Agatha’s Christie’s novel, “And, Then There Were None” and as another guest succumbs to an untimely death, each will wonder who can, and can’t be trusted.
And, WHO might be next.
But, what links these “guests” to one another? And, who has brought them together?
“One Little Liar thinks he has won. For in the end, there can only be one. But maybe…there shall be NONE.”
Alerted about the vanished party of strangers, homicide cop Mason Deniaud and search and rescue expert Callie Sutton must team up to find them.
Told, from the alternating perspectives of EACH of the guests at the “THE LODGE” and from the alternating perspectives of Mason and Callie, during “THE SEARCH” we will be given the pieces of the puzzle that put this all together.
Maybe because I have read SO MANY books this year that have included a secluded location and Agatha Christie’s classic story as a main focal point, or maybe because it’s hard to keep a thriller, THRILLING for 404 pages-this was my least favorite Loreth Anne White book to date, though I have loved everything else that I have read by her!
It is worth noting though, that this was written in 2019, BEFORE most of the others I recently read, so it could be a matter of TIMING-as this was a big winner for most of my friends!
A buddy read with DeAnn! Be sure to watch for her review for additional insight and to see if we agreed about this one, or if she was more enamored with it than I was!
We left off in book two of the series, with FBI profiler, Reed Markham discovering new information about his birth mother, who was brutally stab3.5 ⭐️
We left off in book two of the series, with FBI profiler, Reed Markham discovering new information about his birth mother, who was brutally stabbed to death 40 years ago, while he lay in his crib, just steps away.
Ellery Hathaway, a young girl he rescued from a serial killer, years prior, and then wrote about in a book, has since become a friend, and the two have teamed up to solve a number of cases .
Since she is still suspended from the Police force, as they investigate a shooting she was involved in- and her own father, who left his family behind years prior, is trying to reconnect with her, much to her chagrin, nothing sounds better to her, than to assist Reed in Las Vegas as he tries to solve this very personal, very COLD CASE.
Just like in book ONE, I suspected the perpetrator early on, and I was correct BOTH times!
If I had started with book one in this series when it was new-I probably wouldn’t have continued but I am committed to reading the series through book 5, which releases in January. Partly because they have been a bit predictable and partly because I don’t care for the romance which is developing between Reed and Ellery-I find myself MUCH more partial to her new series, which begins with GONE FOR GOOD-Detective Annalisa Vega.
I can definitely see why so many of my Goodreads friends, really love this series though-there is no doubt that the stories are engaging and easy to read and I did enjoy one surprising revelation at the end of this installment.
I am buddy reading the series with DeAnn, who just may be one of those friends who are more enamored with these characters than I am….Be sure to check out her thoughts in her wonderful review!
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