I took a chance and listened to the audio version via Libby.
Someone unexpectedly dies while her friend is visiting. One of them is a literA Big MEH!
I took a chance and listened to the audio version via Libby.
Someone unexpectedly dies while her friend is visiting. One of them is a literary darling and the other is a wannabe best-selling author.
I've read this premise before, but this one gets very heavy inside the publishing world, some parts were just boring and seemed to drag on (speed up the narration at this point).
This one might work better as a book club read where topics of seeking personal gain, prejudices, capitalism, plagiarism,and some internet trolling could be discussed.
There are mixed reviews, and it does have some moments of wanting to know what will happen and wanting to continue. In the end though, I wish I'd given it a skip!
Audio Version from Libby / A Reese Pick/ Came out on May 16, 2023...more
I was intrigued by the Greek private island setting and the idea of a group of friends that get trapped there.I love a game of cat and mouse, so I wasI was intrigued by the Greek private island setting and the idea of a group of friends that get trapped there.I love a game of cat and mouse, so I was all in and getting vibes of And Then There Were Ten by Agatha Christie (Then there were 7 in this case though).
The writing style is very meta and I was beyond annoyed with Elliot (Can you stop talking Elliot?!). The other characters/friends on the island seemed to dislike each other, possibly hate.I didn't connect with a single one. When the drama comes, it hits like a FURY! The evil eyes popping amongst them. ...more
I did enjoy this one, but it was slow moving and took me awhile to finish it.
I really enjoyed the setting of an apartment building in Murra3.5 STARS
I did enjoy this one, but it was slow moving and took me awhile to finish it.
I really enjoyed the setting of an apartment building in Murray Hill, NY. It has a dark, haunted past. All of its secrets are slowly revealed in two separate timelines. One in present day and the other follows Willa and her escapades in 1963.
Chad and Rosie inherit one of the apartments and strange happenings begin. The doorman, especially creeped me out.
If you don't mind a slow burn and some supernatural elements, you may enjoy this one too.
Thanks to EW for my arc. OUT on March 5, 2024...more
Ernest Cunningham returns in book two with another clever metafiction mystery.
I really enjoyed the train/locked room setting and set-up of a 50th AusErnest Cunningham returns in book two with another clever metafiction mystery.
I really enjoyed the train/locked room setting and set-up of a 50th Australian Mystery Writers Society festival. The train is packed with the who's who of crime writers ( 7 in all, including Ernest).
I thought the premise was fun, but with so many characters and discussion about who the murderer was, who had motive, who had opportunity, misdirection, etc AND Ernest's commentary on every situation, it became a lot of work! I was more in the mood to just read and follow some crumbs.
I wanted to finish and find out who the murderer was, but wasn't in a hurry to flip any of the pages to get there. I will read the next, but hope the author goes for "less is more" as this one was a bit drawn out.
I think my expectations were too high! The title sounds like a juicy page-turner, but wasn't at all. IMHO I think my expectations were too high! The title sounds like a juicy page-turner, but wasn't at all. IMHO ...more
The League of Extraordinary Women #4 in the series.
Catriona Campbell is our main focus in this one. She is living in a remote castle trying t3.5 STARS
The League of Extraordinary Women #4 in the series.
Catriona Campbell is our main focus in this one. She is living in a remote castle trying to work on her book and stay away from distractions at Oxford like socializing with friends, the suffrage cause and an unrequited crush.
There was quite a bit going on this one and it was more of a slow-burn, but I did enjoy the characters and learning more about Catriona. I enjoyed all the banter between the characters, the new love interest and some funny scenes. Around the halfway mark, the historical info. took over and really bogged down the pace. This series has always had a nice balance of history and romance, but this one was def heavy on the historical politics and antiquities info.
I do love these characters and I am a huge fan of this author. This wasn’t my favorite of the series, but I’m looking forward to reading whatever she writes next. This was the last in this series which makes me sad.
Thanks to Berkley/ NG for my ARC. This one will be OUT on December 5, 2023...more
Daphne is experiencing a sort of life lottery. A premonition involving her love interests.
Slips of paper/postcards appear with dates. New man = new pDaphne is experiencing a sort of life lottery. A premonition involving her love interests.
Slips of paper/postcards appear with dates. New man = new paper with an "expiration date" of how long their relationship will last.
She tries to navigate how to handle this situation. Is it something good or a curse? Where oh where will destiny take her?
If you enjoy some magical realism, this is an interesting premise. There were some emotional and sweet moments that were cute, but not sure the chemistry felt right and the flow was also a bit slow for my taste.
Thanks to NG for my arc. OUT on March 19,2024...more
A new detective series from a bestselling author (my first by him).
I knew I wanted to give it a try, but after pretty good start, it ended up2.5 Stars
A new detective series from a bestselling author (my first by him).
I knew I wanted to give it a try, but after pretty good start, it ended up in the lackluster pile.
The detective, Declan Miller, was likeable enough, but his humor got cheesy after a while. He is assigned to a new murder case while he is still recovering from the death of his wife (unsolved).
The mystery was middle of the road, but I did like the reveal of the killer. The wife's murder is unresolved though.
I'll wait to decide if I'll give book two a chance.
Twenty five years ago a female student disappeared at Briarwood College's campus. A writing professor, Hugo Moss, died while searching for he3.5 STARS
Twenty five years ago a female student disappeared at Briarwood College's campus. A writing professor, Hugo Moss, died while searching for her.
The book is written in Then and Now chapters.
It is a locked room mystery featuring the old college, urban legends, bones that are found in a cave, stories of an ice cave girl, and a reclusive author. Some twists and turns along the way.
It was entertaining, but I struggled to get invested. I was hoping for a faster paced story. Others have really enjoyed this one, so be sure to check out more reviews!
Thanks to NG for the arc. OUT on Sept 5, 2023...more
I enjoyed, but it was a bit drawn out and could have been shorter (384 pgs).
I was pulled in early with the cleaning lady and the mysterious w3.5 STARS
I enjoyed, but it was a bit drawn out and could have been shorter (384 pgs).
I was pulled in early with the cleaning lady and the mysterious wife upstairs! Sound familiar? I have read quite a few books featuring a nosy maid character recently.
I liked the different pov's from all the players and the chapters that alternated between excerpts of interrogations, newspaper postings, and even a peek at the crime scene in the beginning.
There is a lot of delving into the personal lives of the main characters and it became a bit slow in parts which affected the pace. If you love character driven, you'll enjoy discovering the secrets that unravel. You'll get some good story telling if you can hang with the characters and their questionable behavior.
The ending was a little nuts, but I will say it surprised me!
Thanks to Celedon from my arc. OUT June 13, 2023...more
A mystery, a family drama, and a truly emotional journey!
I changed my opinion about what happened to tWas I hooked?
YES
Was it problematic?
YES,( for me)
A mystery, a family drama, and a truly emotional journey!
I changed my opinion about what happened to the missing mother, Jane Larkin, many times. Of course, the husband is always a suspect! In this case, he is a criminal defense attorney named Dan Larkin. The three children have their own opinions about whether their father killed their mom. The question in my mind that was always swirling was "Did he do it?" Also, I kept thinking of the real life trial of Alex Murdaugh who was also accused of murdering his wife (he was found guilty).
There is a very meta feel to the way the story unfolds from the pov of a writer who tells parts of this story and I really enjoyed that aspect. Miranda was my favorite character and she surprised me all the way to the end.
A slow burn, character driven family drama. There were parts that seemed to wander into mundane conversations, this had me wanting to skim. I didn't need all the meaningless banter, get to the point please! I wanted more suspense and a more even pace, with no meandering.
The biggest shock for me came around the halfway point and it was RIVETING!
I had to know how it would end! Would the truth be revealed? Well, you'll have to read it to see.,but for me it was problematic. I was somewhat shocked and very frustrated. I'm still thinking about it, I still have questions, but there won't be any answers.
This was a library loan and came out March 7, 2023...more
Very much a slooooow burn, but I wanted to finish.
I passed on this as an arc, but when I saw the audio on Libby, decided to give it a l3.5 Mixed STARS
Very much a slooooow burn, but I wanted to finish.
I passed on this as an arc, but when I saw the audio on Libby, decided to give it a listen. Also, picked up the kindle version because I was getting a bit lost just listening. Narration helped with the Welsh names.
Mixed bag for me!
Really enjoyed the two detectives and was invested enough to finish the book. Even though I wasn't glued to it at any point. Also , enjoyed the double twisty twist at the end.
The author spends a lot of time on background stories, too drawn out and too much filler that wasn't interesting. Get to the point!
Some good twists that came in the last third really surprised me. I disliked the victim so so much that I almost didn't care who killed him!
If you like a huge cast of suspects, a bunch of potential suspects with motives (many were boring though), and lots of misdirection, you may enjoy this one. Just know it is a long, drawn out one and you need to pay attention!
Audio was 13 hours, 17 minutes
Narrated by: Chloe Angharad Davies *side note- one of the characters is also named Angharad!...more
This husband gets the award for "The Darkest Past Ever"!!!
Becca's husband, Rick, has some scary skeletons in his closet. Becca is getting some suspiciThis husband gets the award for "The Darkest Past Ever"!!!
Becca's husband, Rick, has some scary skeletons in his closet. Becca is getting some suspicious vibes and starts googling him from work. She is a librarian, so she can sneak in some research time.
She takes bizarre and desperate measures. So much so that I found her actions hard to comprehend. It seems very far-fetched.
I haven't disliked a husband character this much since Jack from Behind Closed Doors (B.A. Paris). I felt so bad for Becca and couldn't wrap my head around how she could let Rick manipulate their marriage.
You probably have the picture here. The ending wasn't predictable, but made me feel very conflicted.
Thanks to Edelweiss + for my advanced copy. OUT March 21, 2023...more
I felt uneasy from the first sentence, on edge as I quickly flipped through the pages with bated breath! It really set the tone forHeck of a Prologue!
I felt uneasy from the first sentence, on edge as I quickly flipped through the pages with bated breath! It really set the tone for the rest of this tension filled snowball ride.
Very early, we learn there has been a shocking murder, too close for comfort in this wealthy neighborhood. My intense curiosity, along with the slow burn suspense, roped me in. The whodunnit aspect had me questioning motives, watching for signs and collecting the bread crumbs!
There are teenagers involved, multiple POV's, a shadow lurking in the woods, domestic drama, secrets with agendas, unexpected turns and a thought-provoking end.
An intense slow-burn that didn't push the limits to the point of "that could never happen". The intrigue is high, and the twists convincing. Some parts were a bit heavy on backstory, but kept my interest overall.
I did guess the killer in the last third, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. The end baffled me, it wasn't tied up in a neat bow (and that was okay). I wanted more closure, but it made me think, "Oh, this could blow up in someone's face"!
What a way to start and finish a novel!
Thanks Celadon for my arc. OUT January 17, 2023...more
Not a fan of Meg or Kat. I couldn't relate to them and didn't find either very likeable.
Meg is a conniver and Kat has wanted to exposUnpopular Opinion
Not a fan of Meg or Kat. I couldn't relate to them and didn't find either very likeable.
Meg is a conniver and Kat has wanted to expose her for 10 years.
Well, guess what? Meg is back in town. This time as a real estate agent in L.A. and the game is on once again.
Neither of them are outstanding women. Revenge isn't justice, it is actually a poison pill. I was exhausted by the back and forth chapters of these two.
Besides the POV's , the backstory, the real-estate talk, and wordy descriptions made it a slower burn which affected the pace for me. I like a good revenge story, but not the message of all men bad, this was annoying.... Sigh.
I devoured Grisham's 2021 novel, The Judge's List, unfortunately, this one dragged too long (464 pages) and I eventually lost intereSlow burn.........
I devoured Grisham's 2021 novel, The Judge's List, unfortunately, this one dragged too long (464 pages) and I eventually lost interest.
Its about two rival families in Biloxi and the corruption that invade their coast. It is a good set-up with palpable tension between the families.
Strip clubs, gambling, shady deals, greed, and a jumping timeline. I struggled with the large cast and couldn't get interested in any particular character. Which makes me as a reader "not care" and that made this one a miss for me.
Check out the other reviews because many were fans!
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc. OUT October 18, 2022...more
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this wasn't it.
The beginning setup was intriguing, but the further I read the more frustrated I felt. Both the I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this wasn't it.
The beginning setup was intriguing, but the further I read the more frustrated I felt. Both the main characters- Jules and Amber were insufferable. I felt nothing for either of them and then we go into a plot of a serial killer that has been stalking the community.
I just wasn't invested in any of it and wasn't even interested in what happened to Isaac! He goes missing, everyone is acting bizarre, someone has lost it, and who cares? Not me. Every single character annoyed me and the ending was just nonsensical.
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc. OUT January 10, 2022...more
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