Tom and Rachel Frazer and their 4-year-old son, Sam, have just moved into their new home off the coast of Cornwell. Tom has spent months r3.5 Stars
Tom and Rachel Frazer and their 4-year-old son, Sam, have just moved into their new home off the coast of Cornwell. Tom has spent months renovating the house while Rachel and Sam were in Manchester. They can afford this due to an inheritance from Rachel’s father. Tom was made redundant from his job as a banker, and Rachel works as a journalist.
On their first night together, a woman named Chloe lets herself into the house and walks in on them together. Tom says she works for the estate agents from which they purchased their home. He also admits that he knew her from the former banking firm he left. Although she seems lovely to Rachel, Tom claims she’s dangerous and to stay away from her. What about these two? It takes Rachel a while to suspect something is up— but what and why did Tom want to make this move?
The next day, Tom takes his son Sam to his new nursery—school. But the piece of resistance was the surprise Tom presented her with in their garden, which sent her spiralling back to the nightmare of her past. To Rachel’s utter horror, it was a swimming pool. Why would he do that to her?
Tom receives a chance for a two-week job in Scotland, and Rachel will look for journalist jobs. But Rachel is reluctant to see him go as she feels strange and unsettled about the house as if something isn’t right.
More sinister things happen, things appear, then disappear. Rachel begins to see people in her home, and she believes she knows who is behind all of this, but her accusations bring censure from others. However, until a genuinely frightening event happens, Rachel realizes who is behind these nasty things. Even figuring that out doesn’t mean she knows who is responsible. Nothing is as it seems. Many twists and turns kept me wanting to know what would happen next. That kept me invested and turning those pages late into the night.
I often screamed at Rachel to wake up and get a clue— your husband isn’t who you think he is! I found Rachel quite frustrating to read, especially her unwavering trust and devotion in her husband despite knowing he had already gone behind her about the swimming pool. I was desperate for her to find out the truth. One little thing bothered me: I found the author dragged out and was repetitive of Rachel’s fear. It didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. I found Chloe not believable as an antagonist; she was OTT and annoying, needy, and whiney. I found Tom an odd and creepy character who lacked depth, wanted to isolate his wife, and didn't like Rebecca’s friends, none more so than her closest friend, Rosa, who is a nurse practitioner and had been Rebecca's best friend since nursing her father through his illness. Rosa finds Tom rude, and there seems to be no love lost between the two most influential people in Rachel’s life. I wasn’t expecting the shocking twist at the end. It was my first time reading Sue Watson, and I look forward to reading more of her books. It was my first time listening to Tamsin Kennard as a narrator; she did a fantastic job of emoting the whiny personalities of many of the characters and made the atmosphere vivid and realistic. I went back and forth on my rating from 3 stars to 3.5 stars. It would have been three stars if I read it without pairing it with the audio. I look forward to listening to more of Tamsin Kennard.
Thank you, Bookouture, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley, for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All options are my own....more
The Paris Widow is an exciting mystery about the dark underbelly of the art world, stolen antiquities and second chances.
Stella has left h3.5 Stars
The Paris Widow is an exciting mystery about the dark underbelly of the art world, stolen antiquities and second chances.
Stella has left her old life behind and has finally found the love of her life. Her husband, Adam, is a handsome, charismatic, sweet, methodical thinker who deals in antiquities. When he goes missing after an explosion at the Parisian cafe they had just eaten in, Stella is in a state of shock. After digesting what happened, she realizes that too many details aren’t adding up.
As Stella searches for Adam and the answers surrounding the increasingly mysterious circumstances she finds herself in, Stella vows not to leave Paris without Adam, no matter what— In the days that follow, her life is in imminent danger. Still, she is fearless in finding the answers. And the more she finds out, the more questions arise— what has her husband been hiding from her? Our past always finds us—
This story is relatively short but immensely engaging and entertaining. There are layers of intrigue, betrayal, scheming, lies and tension, but also a more in-depth look at human motivation, the complexities of fully trusting and of love, and ultimately, second chances at life and the choices we make to set us on that journey.
I want to thank NetGalley Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row, for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I've become a devoted fan of Helen Fields' work since I discovered and devoured the DI Callanach series and her stand-alone books. I eagerly anticipatI've become a devoted fan of Helen Fields' work since I discovered and devoured the DI Callanach series and her stand-alone books. I eagerly anticipated reading Profile K, which did not disappoint! It is a Masterpiece.!!! This compulsively dark and taut novel delivers with its horrificly violent and disturbing murders, presenting a gripping and dark narrative. The Killer is depicted as genuinely depraved and unsettling, making this book a spine-chilling read— unsuitable for the faint-hearted. From the opening chapter to the final page, it's a fast-paced and intense novel that kept me immersed from the beginning until the end, and It had me squirming on the edge of my seat and my heart racing.
Helen Fields shines through in her character development, which is a hallmark of her writing. The characters are fully developed, flawed, likeable and distinct, quickly drawing me into their lives. Fields has a talent for creating realistic and compelling characters, making them relatable and with whom readers can empathize.
In addition to the riveting corporate corruption and murder scenes, the narrative delves into Midnight Jones' relationship with her twin sister, Dawn, their absentee parents, and her unconditional love for her sister, regardless of the demanding responsibility she has had for most of her life. The emotional depth adds a poignant layer to the narrative, making it difficult not to be affected by their difficult circumstances. Doris, who brings much-needed light relief, becomes a beacon of hope when she befriends Jones and Dawn. Her presence adds a touch of warmth to the story, balancing the darker elements.
One of the strengths of Fields' character development is evident in Jones, the heroine. While some heroines' decisions may seem impractical and questionable in some thrillers, Jones' motivations are clear and validated. Fields' detailed character development allowed me to empathize with Jones and understand her deep concern and decision to become deeply involved in solving the serial killings in her community, even at the risk of her safety and others.
The portrayal of the technology company Necto is so vivid it almost feels like a character in itself. This depiction adds a layer of complexity to the story, highlighting corporate entities' impact on individuals and society. This aspect of the novel serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the implications of our increasingly tech-driven world. It reminds me of the consequences that powerful technological corporations can cause worldwide if they go unchecked. It is genuinely terrifying.
Overall, Profile K stands out as a brilliant thriller that offers a unique and gripping concept that sets it apart from other novels in the genre. Fields' skillful storytelling, compelling characters, and intricate plot development kept me fully invested and flipping the pages until 5:00 a.m. I highly recommend you read this book. Be forewarned you may wake up with a book hangover, which isn't a bad thing.
Please check authors website some themes that may be triggering for readers.
I want to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK for allowing me to read the ADC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The premise was so intriguing, and I was hoping I would love it as much as I did Before She Finds Me, but unfortunately, it was just a complete miss fThe premise was so intriguing, and I was hoping I would love it as much as I did Before She Finds Me, but unfortunately, it was just a complete miss for me.
This slow-burn thriller centers around Leyna, who is still looking for her older sister, Grace, who vanished into thin air more than ten years ago. When a girl with a striking resemblance to Grace goes missing as well, Leyna goes home to get answers from the mother who is keeping secrets from her and the family whose son she thinks had a hand in her sister's disappearance. All this is set against the deadly California wildfires, raging and threatening to spread to Leyna's home.
What We’ll Burn Last is told from three perspectives- Leyna, Leyna's cold mother; Meredith, and Olivia, whose son Adam also went missing at the same time as Grace, who happened to be his girlfriend. The story also bounces back and forth between the present and the past. Overall, Meredith and Olivia's narratives are unnecessarily angry- instead of trying to work together to find their children, they spew insults and blame each other- and I found the shifts and storytelling very choppy. Leyna's whole life for the past sixteen years has revolved around finding her sister. Suppose the fires are a metaphor for the mystery burning underneath her childhood home. In that case, the unfinished housing development Meredith and Olivia still live in seems to be a fitting metaphor for Leyna's stunted life and Meredith and Olivia's inability to move forward in many ways.
Not much happens for two-thirds of the novel, and the last third is almost overly action-packed to make up for it. While the pacing and lack of likeable characters made it hard for me to get invested, my mind wandered, and I found myself swiping the pages; the mystery of what happened to Grace and the new missing girl kept me turning the pages. The final reveal of what happened was a total letdown. Not only was it needlessly complex and convoluted, but once I sat back to absorb it, it just didn't make any sense. The ending kept me trying to figure out how the pieces fit together—they just didn't. ...more
No Road Home tells the story of Toby, a single father whose new wife is the granddaughter of a televangelist tycoon. Toby and Alyssa's relationship waNo Road Home tells the story of Toby, a single father whose new wife is the granddaughter of a televangelist tycoon. Toby and Alyssa's relationship was a whirlwind; from their meeting when Toby was working as a teacher's aide at a private elementary school, and Alyssa rolled down her window and said you’ve been expecting me— she was picking up a friend's child—to marriage, they were together for only six months. Now, Toby and Alyssa venture back to Texas to her family's estate. Toby meets Alyssa's odd, wealthy family and is a bit worried about the influence they will have on his son. Soon, a storm hits, the roads are blocked, and Jerome, the patriarch televangelist, is found murdered on the roof. It's now up to Toby to protect himself and his son while unravelling family secrets he'd rather not know.
I thought this book had an excellent premise: Toby is trying to keep his seven-year-old son, who is trying to figure out who he is, let him be his true authentic self, and try to keep him as safe as possible from the world's bigotry. At the same time, his wife exposes them to her family's world of ultra-wealthy, ultra-conservative, ultra-religious televangelists. As Toby goes through the book, I hope for slightly better "secrets." The author had good ideas, but I believe too many ideas were incorporated into the plot at once, making for uneven pacing and choppy writing. Without giving spoilers, I thought the reveals were OTT— I believe there are so many ways the author could have written to include certain secrets while staying away from other familial relationships.
Although I enjoyed the idea of the book, I think the writing missed the mark. Overall, I didn't enjoy this book as much as others may have enjoyed it. I wanted something better. I wanted to root for Toby to unravel this family's bigotry and hatred in a realistic yet thrilling way, exposing them to their hatred. Ultimately, I found it was underwhelming—
I found the writing choppy. There is excessive repetition of events from previous chapters. There were too many characters to keep track of. At the beginning, there is a page entitled THE WRIGHTS WHO MATTER, two and a half pages long. There are ten family members (characters to keep track of). I couldn’t connect with any of the characters except for Toby and his son Luca. The whole plot felt convoluted at times. I think there was too much telling than showing the reader. Please read the trigger warning before reading. There is an offence word frequently used to describe a woman's genitalia—offence language bigotry.
I want to thank Atria and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own....more
My expectations for Daughter of Mine were high as I am a longtime fan of Megan Miranda. I liked the mystery aspect of it, but I wasn't hang3.50 stars
My expectations for Daughter of Mine were high as I am a longtime fan of Megan Miranda. I liked the mystery aspect of it, but I wasn't hanging on the edge of my seat in anticipation and couldn't become fully immersed in the story as a whole. I also didn't connect with the main character and secondary characters. The ending was abrupt and underwhelming, and the pacing was too slow. Also, the countdown of the days of the drought as a header at the beginning of each chapter was annoying. A few moments were suspenseful, and IMO it was underwhelming and short-lived. I enjoyed reading her last ADC of The Only Survivors more than Daughter of Mine, but I will anxiously await her next book.
"When Perry Holt, a longtime resident of Mirror Lake and local detective, dies suddenly from a heart attack, his daughter Hazel Sharp becomes drawn back to the town she left behind almost a decade earlier and to her family and friends she left behind to attend her father's memorial. She receives unexpected news from her uncle Roy, a lawyer, who informs her that she has solely inherited the family home and all its contents. Her brothers, especially Caden, are shocked upon hearing this. But Hazel's not the only relic of the past to return: a drought has descended on the region, and as the water level in the lake drops and exposes long-hidden secrets, buried begin to emerge, including evidence that may help finally explain the mystery of her mother's disappearance." and dark family secrets, betrayal: Is her mother alive? Was she murdered by someone close to her? Will the answers tear this family apart or bring them closer together?
I want to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an ADC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Daughter of Mine is now available to buy.
Will post a review later… I am very overwhelmed my the news of my dogs health and taking care of him and trying to keep myself as healthy as I can in my current situation....more
It was my first time reading Sarah Pekkanen. A twisted family with secrets, I found House of Glass a dark and twisted story, well-paced, chilling, creIt was my first time reading Sarah Pekkanen. A twisted family with secrets, I found House of Glass a dark and twisted story, well-paced, chilling, creepy, full of taut, suspense-filled, riveting moments and had me on the edge of my seat. l liked how the author let us see the insight of 9-year-old Rose with secrets and uncontrollable dark impulses that are downright creepy and terrifying. I paired my e-ARC with ALC, which Laura Benanti narrated. It was my first time listening to her. She did a fantastic job narrating, bringing a distinctive voice to the main and supporting characters.
I look forward to reading more of Sarah Pekkanen's books. I highly recommend you grab a copy; you won’t be disappointed. The author's prose was so vividly descriptive that I felt like I was right there as an observer watching the twisted story unfold. I had difficulty putting it down— I stayed up all night listening spellbound.
I want to thank St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for allowing an e-ARC and ALC of House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own....more
Honestly, this book fell flat for me and lacked character development I found the characters to be insufferable. I almost DNF a few times but3 Stars
Honestly, this book fell flat for me and lacked character development I found the characters to be insufferable. I almost DNF a few times but decided to hang in and finish the story. I did not feel a connection with any of the characters and found the story too slow of a burn and a little confusing with the many different POVs. It was hard for me to get into, and I had a hard time finishing it. I enjoyed other books by this author, such as The Guest List and The Hunting Party, but this one was not my favourite. I will continue reading books by Lucy Foley.
Others enjoyed this more than I did, so please read their reviews. We can’t love them all, which is the case with this book.
I want to thank NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine....more
Lucy is unable to remember what happened the night her best friend, Savannah, whom everyone calls Savvy, got murdered. Everyone in her hometown town oLucy is unable to remember what happened the night her best friend, Savannah, whom everyone calls Savvy, got murdered. Everyone in her hometown town of Plumpton, Texas, believes Lucy is guilty since they left the wedding together, and soon after, she is the one found wandering the road covered in Savvy's blood after the gruesome murder. But why would Lucy murder her? She married the dreamiest guy in town and had everything she ever wanted. Or did she? Savvy was also the social butterfly around town, always kind and welcoming with a smile to everyone. They were known for being best friends around town. After the murder, Lucy leaves Texas to live in Los Angeles and start a new life. But when a podcaster, Ben Owens, investigates Savvy's murder for the second season of his famous podcast, Lucy returns to her hometown after speaking with her grandmother, who guilts her into attending her eightieth birthday and informs Lucy of her mother's broken leg. While in town, Lucy ends up investigating the murder. So, will she recall what happened that night? And uncover herself as the murderer? Or will she find something more dangerous and shocking?
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did! I usually take a hard pass when I see a podcast mentioned in books. However, this book was getting a lot of hype, and I had FOMO Feelings. I finally took the plunge and picked it up, and I am glad I did! Listen For The Lie is my first time reading a book by Amy Tintera, and I was surprised in the best way. And I am looking forward to seeing what she writes next. It's a twisty whodunit with grit and humour; I don't think I've laughed so much reading a thriller, and it was for all the right reasons. This book had from the beginning. The character development in this book is top-notch, with each primary and secondary character having a distinct personality and fully developed, making every interaction so much fun to read. The dialogue was so witty and fresh. Lucy had this dark, sarcastic humour about her that made me laugh out loud and instantly connect with her and her grandma, Beverly, but I can't say there wasn't a character I didn't think was entertaining. Listen For The Lie is not your traditional thriller; as much as I wanted to know what happened to Savannah, lovingly known as Savvy, I was not rushing to find out because I loved reading about everything happening in Plumpton, Texas—the snarky and shady back and forth between the characters were clever. It kept me on my toes and kept me guessing.
The other great thing about this book is that the author hits the mark with the right tones at the correct moment. (IMO) There are some hilarious parts, but the author doesn't forget that the police must also investigate someone who committed a gruesome crime. And those parts are riveting and intense in equal measure. There are enough twists in the story that it's not easy to figure out who is ultimately guilty of killing Savvy, so the author also does the thriller portion of this book justice. I paired my ADC copy with the ALC for I was lucky enough to get this book in both digital and audio formats, and while both are fabulous, the audio was brilliant. I liked that there was a podcast format within the book. I liked that we had an unreliable narrator and that she didn't even know what happened again until the end, making the audiobook great to listen to. It sounds like a podcast with the theme music played at the beginning and end and the different characters' POVs throughout the podcast. I felt like I was listening to an actual podcast. January Lavoy and Will Damron did a fabulous job narrating. They both brought life to the primary and secondary characters and made me feel like I was with them. It was a realistic and fully immersive experience. I highly recommend listening to this on audio ...more
Mind Games was both riveting and compelling. I paired the e-arc with the audiobook, narrated by January LaVoy, which is one of my favourites. January Mind Games was both riveting and compelling. I paired the e-arc with the audiobook, narrated by January LaVoy, which is one of my favourites. January LaVoy was excellent at differentiating between the many characters throughout the storytelling. Lavoy emotes the characters' grief, heartbreak, and joy through her narration. She did an outstanding job. She brought me along for the ride. With bringing them alive, I could picture them in my mind's eye. It was well-paced and cleverly written. I was captivated from beginning to end and had difficulty saying goodbye to the characters.
John and Cora Fox lived the ideal life with their two children, Thea, their twelve-year-old daughter and Rem, Thea's 10-year-old younger brother, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The family lived in Virginia in a beautiful neighbourhood and lived comfortably. Thea's parents worked together. John specialized in Real Estate, and Cora was an Interior Designer. They had a healthy and happy marriage that had not lost any of its spark or magic even after all these years. Every year at the end of June, Thea and Rem receive a special treat they look forward to all year. John and Cora packed up their car and headed to Kentucky, where Thea and Rem spent two weeks with their Grammie, Lucy. Their parents enjoyed some alone time at home in Fredericksburg while the children were with Grammie. Redbud Hollow was Thea's and Rem's favourite place to visit. Thea and Rem spent two weeks with their Grammie and loved every minute. Lucy lived on a farm where she grew many fruits and vegetables and raised several animals, including chickens and goats. She also made homemade soaps, lotions, candles and special homemade medicinal remedies called Mountain Magic that she sold and bartered to the people in their community in Redbud Hollow
Shortly after Thea and Rem arrived at Grammie Lucy's house, Thea was awoken from sleep one night by a horrific and vivid vision. Like all the women on her mother's side of the family, Thea had a unique and special gift. She was born able to see things sometimes before they occurred and sometimes while they were happening. That night, Thea was able to see a man break into her parent's house while her parents were sleeping in their bedroom. Not only could Thea see what this terrible man was doing, but she could read his mind. They knew he was planning to murder her parents. As the intruder passed Thea's portrait in the hallway, he felt like someone was watching him; Thea realized that this man possessed the same ability as she did. Thea witnessed the horrific murder of both of her parents. She watched and was defenceless, though, to save them. Thea and Rem lost both of their parents that night. The only good thing was that Thea knew precisely where and who the man who murdered her parents looked like, and because she was able to read his mind, she knew exactly where he was planning to go after he left her childhood home. Thea, with Grammies's encouragement, helped the police catch the man who had murdered her parents by supplying them with all the details Thea had recovered by getting inside the man's head. She helped put him in prison for the rest of his life with the details she was able to tell the police officers. Cora's mother and Thea's and Rem's grandmother, Lucy Lannigan, had been named as the legal guardian for Thea and Rem by Cora and John Fox in their will if anything ever happened to them. Grammie Lucy embraced both Thea and Rem and lovingly made a safe and nurturing home for both Thea and Rem. Both Thea and Rem healed over time, but Thea never forgot. Even though the murderer was in prison, he was often able to torment Thea and get inside her head as the years progressed. They made good friends in Redbud Hollow, attended college, built lucrative and successful careers, and Thea eventually found love. Through all those years, though, the inmate's voice and actions never left Thea's mind. And it was starting to take its toll on her mind and body. How could Thea sever the connection and rid herself of him once and for all?
I enjoyed listening to Mind Games by Nora Roberts. It portrays the true meaning of family, finding friendship, romance, and purpose in life. It exemplified the way the same gift could produce different outcomes. Both Thea and the man who murdered her parents had the unique ability to see things, but Thea used her gift to help others and for good causes, and the man used him to perform evil acts, which often involved using violence. Over time, Thea learned to trust others again. I enjoyed the cast of characters in Mind Games. The ending was satisfying, and all the loose pieces tied together nicely. I didn't want this book to end. I am hoping there will be a sequel. I am keeping my fingers crossed. ...more
The Boy Who Cried Bear is a well-written, meticulously plotted, entertaining mystery with multifaceted characters set in a quirky town with a communitThe Boy Who Cried Bear is a well-written, meticulously plotted, entertaining mystery with multifaceted characters set in a quirky town with a community that feels like family. The book has it all: murder, secrets, corruption, mystery, and plenty of suspense and atmosphere that keeps readers turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning; I would highly recommend it.….…
I have enjoyed everything I have read from author Kelley Armstrong and The Boy Who Cried Bear; the second book in her Haven's Rock series is no exception.
Haven's Rock is a small hidden town in the wilds of Yukon, Canada, a haven for people who need a place to lay low. Built by a wealthy benefactor, Haven Rock is so remote that it is a perfect place to hide. When Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, start bringing people in, no questions asked. They live in close quarters and, although consisting of vastly different personalities, they get along for the most part. For the first time, the town has let in children; a young Mother, Dana and her two young sons, Max and Carson, find refuge there after witness protection fails to protect them, leaving Dana widowed and severely injured to care for her children. Much to his brother's dismay, Max thrives as the only child in Haven's Rock. Max loves the wilderness and spends time getting trained by a group led by Eric and Casey on how to survive in the woods. On a group hike, ten-year-old Max believes he saw a bear stalking the hikers, but no ordinary bear; it walked on two legs and had human eyes. Although Casey and Eric take Max's sighting seriously, they both agree it is just a bear, but it is still concerning, as it is out of the bear's normal behaviour.
When Max fights with his older brother, he runs away to sit by the woods only to be blindfolded, kidnapped, and taken deep in the woods by a man dressed head to toe in bear skins. After days and nights spent in the woods searching for Max, Casey becomes ill, but there seems more to it. The town comes together, and strange notes appear as the investigation remains fruitless, implying that someone from Dana's past has returned to exact revenge. The more they dive into the case, the more the leads point in different directions, including to the town's neighbours, a corrupt mining company with a mysterious facility secured by armed guards.
Once again, Armstrong delivered a well-written, compelling mystery with multifaceted characters set in a quirky town that kept me glued to the pages. Alternating between Casey and Max's POVs, the reader has insight into what Max was going through while Casey and Eric searched for him. I couldn't swipe the pages on my iPad fast enough!
The book has it all: murder, secrets, corruption, mystery, and plenty of suspense and atmosphere that keeps readers turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning; I highly recommend it! I look forward to the next book in the Haven's Rock series. I was lucky enough to get an ADC and ALC I paired the ADC and ALC (IMO) Therese Plummer did an fantastic job narrating this story. She is one of my favourites and this performance was up to her usual high standards. I felt like I was there with Casey and Eric, trying to find this boy in the woods. The voices she used for the characters brought the story to life, and I thought she added just the right amount of emotion to her performance, which fully immersed me in the plot.
Plot 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Audio 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the ADC and ALC in exchange for an honest review....more
Tara (I’m back and trying to get caught up!!!)
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