Sheryl
The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten had all the ingredients I enjoy in a thriller: a remote island, a long-unsolved mystery, and a group of people who aren't quite as safe as they think they are. The concept was intriguing, especially the idea of a hidden island that only a few people know about, and the dual timelines kept the pace moving.
That said, while the setup was compelling, the execution didn't completely wow me. The twist was fairly easy to spot early on, and I never really connected with the characters. They felt a bit flat or hard to root for. Still, the atmosphere was great and the story kept me turning the pages.
If you like locked-door mysteries or thrillers set in isolated locations, this one is definitely worth a read. It's not groundbreaking, but it's an entertaining escape with just enough suspense to keep you hooked.
I really enjoyed The Mirror House Girls by Faith Gardner. It's about a group of people who start out living happily together as a close community, but things take a dark turn and end in tragedy. The story is centered around a cult, which I find super interesting, and it kept me hooked from start to finish.
What I loved most about the book was how well we got to know the characters. Each person had their own personality and story, which made the whole thing feel really real. The way their relationships changed over time was fascinating, and it made the ending hit even harder.
The book was an easy and quick read, which made it even better for me. My only complaint is that I wish we learned more about the cult leader and what made him tick. That would've added even more depth to the story.
Overall, I'd give this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you're interested in stories about cults or just want a fast-paced, character-driven story, I'd definitely recommend The Mirror House Girls.
The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia is a gripping and twisty thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story follows two women, Stephanie and Jasmine, who seem like they couldn't be more different but end up connected in shocking ways. Stephanie is on a business trip, while Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship. At first, they don't know each other, but their lives take a dark turn when they both send their friends eerily similar, increasingly strange text messages about a man named Trent McCarthy.
And then, they both disappear.
From there, the mystery takes off. As their loved ones try to figure out what happened, the story gets even more suspenseful. Who is Trent McCarthy, really? What happened to Stephanie and Jasmine? Are they victims, or is there more to their story? The twists and turns made it impossible to guess what was coming next.
One of the things I loved most about this book was how it was laid out. Different chapters are told from different points of view, which gives you a deeper understanding of the characters and keeps you wondering who to trust. I had a feeling something wasn't right, but I was completely blindsided by the big twist. It was so well done!
However, the reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that parts of the story felt a bit outlandish and far-fetched. While the twists were exciting, some of them stretched believability a little too much for me. That said, it didn't ruin the book—it just made it a bit less realistic than I'd hoped.
If you love thrillers with shocking twists and stories that keep you on the edge of your seat, I still highly recommend The Business Trip. It's fast-paced, unpredictable, and the kind of book you'll want to talk about as soon as you finish it!
House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen is a quick, suspenseful read that dives into family secrets and the aftermath of a mysterious death. The story follows Stella Hudson, an attorney working to help a young girl, Rose, who has stopped speaking after her nanny's tragic death. As Stella gets deeper into the case, she discovers dark truths about the family she's trying to help, while also dealing with her own painful past.
The book has an intriguing plot and enough twists to keep you reading. It's easy to get through, and the mystery surrounding Rose and the family's secrets made me want to see how it all ended. That said, I wasn't really hooked on the characters. Some of their choices didn't always make sense to me, and I found it hard to connect with them emotionally. There were even a few parts I skimmed because I just wasn't that interested.
Still, I enjoyed the twist at the end, and I think fans of psychological thrillers will like this one for its fast pace and engaging mystery. It's not a book that will stick with me for long, but it's a solid option if you're in the mood for something light and suspenseful.
Molly the maid is back! If you enjoyed The Maid by Nita Prose, you'll be happy to know that in The Mystery Guest we get more of Molly's background story as well as a new mystery at the Regency Grand Hotel.
Molly Gray takes her job very seriously as Head Maid at the Regency Grand, so she is shocked when she is witness to another death in the hotel. J. D. Grimthorpe, famous mystery author, has dropped dead shortly before making what was supposed to be a major announcement. It's up to Molly and her friends to prove that it's not “always the maid” who is to be blamed yet again.
I loved The Maid after finally getting around to reading it earlier this year. Molly's story is refreshing, interesting, and written with care. It's easy to sympathize with Molly as she navigates her job as a maid at the Regency Grand. Her passion is cleaning, and she relies on solid advice from her late Gran to navigate the world. She's excellent at what she does, if sometimes misunderstood, but to know her is usually to come to love her. It was great seeing another mystery with Molly at the center.
Thanks to Nita Prose for this unique mystery story. The characters in The Maid series are fun to get to know, and I hope Molly will continue to return for more new adventures!
Leela has a problem. A big one. People she knows keep dying. But before they do, they send her an apology note, as all of them are someone from her past that she had beef with. But are they really all committing suicide, or is something more sinister going on?
I loved this book! Definitely one of my favorites so far this year. This book is part of the Jolvix universe, all written by the same author. Each book revolves somehow around a different piece of technology made by a company called Jolvix. This one happens to involve an interesting twist on VR.
I don't want to give away anything about the story, but I do enjoy how the characters are well-developed, including both Leela and those around her. There are some tidbits dropped early on that we aren't given information about until later in the book, but that's what kept me hanging on to find out more. I needed all the details in addition to finding out how the story was going to end!
Faith Gardner is quickly making it to my favorite author list. If you are into thrillers, she is definitely an up-and-comer to add to your reading list, including The Slaying Game, out next month.
Alice is shocked when a young woman shows up at her door one day claiming to be her husband's daughter from before they were married. And what poor timing - they were getting ready to leave in a few days to sail around the Mediterranean together after his retirement. Alice is surprised, but is everything as it seems? Is this woman really his daughter or is something not quite right here?
What an interesting plot with just the right amount of twists! Written from both Alice and her husband's points of view, this story clues you in to what's going on just the right amount at a time, with definitely the right amount of twists. This was an intriguing novel with great character development. Looking forward to checking out some more from this author.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Release Date: August 6, 2023
Although a bit worried about the trip, Anna was looking forward to spending some time with her fiancée Joel in his favorite place - the African bush. After being invited for a job interview, the two of them take the long journey to South Africa to enjoy a stay at the Twivali lodge.
Anna's enthusiasm for the stay disappears when she realizes that her strange ex happens to be staying at the lodge too. How is it just a coincidence that he's there at the same time? Her suspicion increases as it starts to look like maybe he's not and something more sinister is going on.
This was a unique read for me. I loved the setting in South Africa. It added so much to the atmosphere of the story. It would have been creepy enough even without the threat of wild animals in the dark!
The characters were developed well while still allowing for some mystery about them. It definitely kept me hooked until the very end. I look forward to checking out more books by this author.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Release Date: July 26, 2023
Merged review:
Although a bit worried about the trip, Anna was looking forward to spending some time with her fiancée Joel in his favorite place - the African bush. After being invited for a job interview, the two of them take the long journey to South Africa to enjoy a stay at the Twivali lodge.
Anna's enthusiasm for the stay disappears when she realizes that her strange ex happens to be staying at the lodge too. How is it just a coincidence that he's there at the same time? Her suspicion increases as it starts to look like maybe he's not and something more sinister is going on.
This was a unique read for me. I loved the setting in South Africa. It added so much to the atmosphere of the story. It would have been creepy enough even without the threat of wild animals in the dark!
The characters were developed well while still allowing for some mystery about them. It definitely kept me hooked until the very end. I look forward to checking out more books by this author.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Release Date: July 26, 2023
Zoey thought she had escaped the past troubles of her life when she returned to her hometown, until one day in her job as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, she receives a call from someone who seems to want to expose all her secrets. Or rather, for her to expose them in exchange for a young girl's life.
Jack has been in love with Zoey for years, but just recently got the opportunity to reconnect with her when she moved back to their hometown. Is this his real chance finally, or will a mysterious 9-1-1 call ruin all of that? Her every secret by G. L. Redding takes the thriller and romance genres and merges them together in her debut novel out this fall on 9/26.
I like the way this is a mix of a thriller and a romance. The author did a good job of making you care about the characters while still wondering what was going to happen to them in the end. I enjoyed the style of writing with flashbacks throughout the book that were related to what was going on in order to clue you in on Zoey's background little by little.
Overall, I think this was a great debut novel, if not a bit too straightforward compared to what I'm used to reading. It did keep me hooked, though, and I look forward to seeing what's next from G. L. Redding in the future!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Release Date: Sep 26, 2023
This might be my favorite book by Rachel Hawkins so far! The Heiress is about Ruby McTavish, infamous heiress of Ashby House. Kidnapped when she was three years old and then found and returned to her family, Ruby grew up and went on to marry four times and become a widow four times. Now her adopted son Camden is back home to take care of the fortune and house that Ruby left him. But what secrets are Ashby House and the McTavish clan hiding?
I loved the concept of The Heiress and thought it played out well. The plot was interesting and seemed like something new and fresh compared to all the mysteries and thrillers out there. Ruby was a fascinating character and seeing her side of things from letters she wrote made the story all the more unique. I tend to read books faster and get into them easier when you can get to know the characters, and this was no exception. I had NO idea how the story would end up, but was definitely curious to find out what happened to Camden, his wife Jules, and the crazy McTavish family. Definitely check this one out if you're interested in stories about interesting family relationships!
I think I've had multiple books of Sally Hepworth's on my TBR list for years, and somehow this is the first one I've actually read! Why are there so many good books out there? But I'm not complaining.
Darling Girls is the story of three girls - Alicia, Jessica, and Norah. While not actually related, the years they spent in foster care with Miss Fairchild have brought them close enough to call themselves sisters. After all, trauma can do that. Although their time with Miss Fairchild is not really something that any of them want to remember, a discovery at the farmhouse that they lived in with her brings to light an old mystery that they feel compelled to revisit.
This book packed in a lot! Definitely a story that I got sucked into, and the twists and turns kept coming. It is a tale of found family, tragedy, and how even if you are brought up in a bad situation, the choices you make are still your own. If you are looking for a mystery that will give you something to think about long after putting the book down, definitely pick this one up when it releases on April 23, 2024.
The Echo Wife is the story of Evelyn, a brilliant scientist, and her husband, Nathan. Oh, and her clone, Martine. What?? This book is only slightly science fiction, and I really liked that aspect of it. I was quick to get into the story, and I was very excited to see what happened, but I think I was a bit disappointed by the ending. I'm not sure what I wanted to happen, but it just didn't seem like enough to me.
The concept was very intriguing, and surprising that with a story like this it became very relational. The characters were developed well, most of them, and it was interesting getting to know them. Somehow Evelyn was relatable but a bit unlikable at the same time. Overall, I loved the concept and really got into the book. It was an easy read. But I think I just wanted more out of the ending.
I loved this book so much! Reading the description of it, I honestly wasn't sure if I'd be into it or not, but it definitely exceeded all my expectations. It was an easy start to the book and kind of even featured a twist right at the beginning!
The new vicar moves to a village called Chapel Croft that has a history. But so does the vicar. The vicar's daughter, Flo, was also an interesting character, and I ended up liking both of them as the centerpiece of this book. Multiple stories, viewpoints, and characters were in the mix, but the book made it easy to follow along and keep track of them.
I felt like this story was so original and interesting. The main characters were likable, the book kept a steady pace, and there were plenty of twists that I definitely didn't see coming. This was my first book by C.J. Tudor, but it won't be my last! Looking forward to digging into more of her stories.
Harry left his hometown in England years ago to move to Canada. Now he's back after his friend Richard has been accused of murder. But this isn't the first time that Richard has been involved with a murder. When they were kids, Harry and Richard stumbled on a body in the woods one day. But what really happened? Was Richard involved in either murder? Or does he just have a case of really bad luck?
This book was definitely a page-turner. I'm not sure why, but for some reason I kept reading it as if Harry was a female. Maybe I've just been reading too many books with female main characters lately. But Harry, Richard, and Paige were an interesting trio. I like that the book delves into their past lives and piece by piece reveals their childhood and what really happened.
This one will suck you in and you'll want to hang on for the ending! A great mystery and hard to put down.
Merged review:
Harry left his hometown in England years ago to move to Canada. Now he's back after his friend Richard has been accused of murder. But this isn't the first time that Richard has been involved with a murder. When they were kids, Harry and Richard stumbled on a body in the woods one day. But what really happened? Was Richard involved in either murder? Or does he just have a case of really bad luck?
This book was definitely a page-turner. I'm not sure why, but for some reason I kept reading it as if Harry was a female. Maybe I've just been reading too many books with female main characters lately. But Harry, Richard, and Paige were an interesting trio. I like that the book delves into their past lives and piece by piece reveals their childhood and what really happened.
This one will suck you in and you'll want to hang on for the ending! A great mystery and hard to put down.
Plot Details:
This complex story takes place in the Joshua Tree desert, far from any civilization. Bronson Powers, a current Mormon and former Hollywood stuntman, lives with his two wives and 10 children on the large amount of land that he happens to own. But what happens when someone stumbles across his life inadvertently and wants to make some money off of it? Bronson's life changes completely when he ends up agreeing to let 3 of his children head to a public school for the first time.
My Thoughts:
First of all, I love the originality of this story! There's a lot of depth to it, and a lot of characters. With such a cast of characters, it's not easy to expand on all of their stories and personalities, but I think this story hit the mark. We get to know not only Bronson, but several of his family members as well. Putting three kids in school that have been raised solely by their parents up to this point was bound to have some kind of explosive outcome, but who could tell what it would be? The story is told not just about the kids, but about their parents and others involved in the situation as well.
I wasn't sure what to expect going into this. There's a lot of setup in the first few chapters, but it's necessary, as Bronson has quite a story. Once you get to know and care about the characters, it's easy to get interested in how this will all play out in the end. This was certainly a very original idea, and honestly, I'd love to hear more about this family in a sequel. I hope we have that to look forward to!
Plot Details:
This is the second book in a series about Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner, two detectives in Denmark. I started reading the first book but haven't finished it yet. But I found this one to be more appealing, at least so far. Bodies have started popping up in fountains around Copenhagen, seemingly dead by a very cruel instrument designed to cause the victim to bleed out. A very painful way to die! Detective Werner is dealing with her newfound motherhood, but very much missing her job. Detective Kørner is struggling to find the perpetrator in this case. Meanwhile, Esther, a novelist and also the landlady in The Tenant (the first book in the series), is having difficulties of her own.
My Thoughts:
This book was very intriguing, and I enjoyed it, but it was a bit slow at times. I did enjoy the character development and learning more about both Esther and the two detectives. Their lives were incorporated into the story, and they weren't just detectives with no lives outside their jobs. The mystery and different viewpoints was fascinating to read, and I hope to find out more about the story of these two Copenhagen detectives in future books in the series.
Plot Details:
This book jumps back and forth between two different timelines, current day and back when Claire aka Mac was attending “The Program”. She runs into her former friend/rival Gwen. Mac looked up to Gwen and basically wanted her life at the time. Now they have an awkward reunion rehashing the past.
My Thoughts:
I liked the concept of this book more than how it played out, I think. I was very interested in seeing exactly what happened between Gwen and Mac and why they weren't friends anymore and hadn't seen each other in years. The characters were fascinating, but to me they were too ingrained in academia to be relatable. I disliked all the focus on what the professors taught and it was difficult to understand what Claire was really doing in her life in the present day.
The ending was revelatory, but I still thought that both Gwen and Mac weren't really all that likable as characters, nor were any of the other characters really. I think if the setting had been more relatable, it would have made a lot of difference, but “The Program” was honestly too vague. Not a bad story, but just not really my thing.
If I Disappear was special in that it was a very original concept and story, in my opinion. I hope to see more from Eliza Jane Brazier soon!
Plot Details
Sera has been a bit down on her luck lately. She's been married and divorced and really doesn't feel like she has too much to show for her life. But she is addicted to true crime podcast, especially a particular one by a podcaster named Rachel. But when Rachel stops releasing new episodes and seemingly falls off the grid, Sera is curious to know what happened. She decides to take a drive and check out what she knows of Rachel's life from her podcast. Thinking maybe Rachel could have ended up like one of the unfortunate girls on her podcast, Sera is determined to find out the truth. But does she find more than she bargained for?
My Thoughts
When I heard about this book, it sounded right up my alley. I recently read The Night Swim, also about a podcaster, and I really enjoyed it. If I Disappear was a bit different in that it was told from the point of view of a podcast listener instead of the podcaster. Sera is an interesting character. Personally, I found her not very likable. Doesn't it seem kind of out there to be so into a podcast that you hop in your car to go check things out when the podcast stops? I mean, maybe Rachel just got tired of it. But Sera was convinced that this wasn't the case, and she didn't want to stop until she had the answers.
Once Sera gets to Rachel's hometown, things just keep getting weirder and weirder. I found myself wondering why she stayed. But the deeper I got into the book, the more I also wanted to know what was going on with Rachel, her parents, and the people in her town too. If I Disappear was a strange novel, but in a good way. It sucks you in and makes you just like Sera, not wanting to stop until you know the truth. And the creep factor was very high, which I love! I really enjoyed this adult debut from Eliza Jane Brazier. I look forward to talking to her and finding out more about her and what she's got coming next. If I Disappear will be released on January 26, 2021 in hardcover and ebook format. Pick up a copy and check it out for yourself!
Rating: 4/5
This book was pretty short, but I enjoyed it. It's definitely got some mixed reviews. It seems very polarizing!
Plot Details
James and Amelia agree to go on a unique first date - canoeing on a lake. But then they find what appears to be a secret spot... a smaller lake with a house submerged in it. Finding it very strange, they decide to check it out. But what happens when they do?
My Thoughts
As mentioned, it seems there are a lot of people who really enjoyed this book, and a lot of people who didn't or were very unsatisfied at the ending. Honestly, I could see there being a sequel. The book was interesting, and definitely kept you reading as well as guessing how everything would play out in the end. I enjoyed reading about James and Amelia's emotions and thoughts as they explored the house, and I thought they were well-written characters. The only thing I really didn't like were the unanswered questions the story left you with. I felt like there was a lot more that could be told, but I can also appreciate that the author left it up to the reader's interpretation.
If you are interested in a quick read that injects a bit of thoughtful mystery into your head, I'd recommend it!
Rating: 3.5 out of 5, rounded up to 4 stars
I was excited to get a review copy of this! I've seen it on a lot of lists, and it sounded like a story I would be interested in.
Plot Details
Matt is a college student whose brother Danny was convicted of murdering his girlfriend and is in prison for life. A documentary series made the case well-known, and the public's thoughts are divided on whether or not Danny is actually guilty. Matt is honestly not even sure, but his dad and sister are out to prove Danny's innocence. They end up taking a trip to Mexico in pursuit of evidence, where Matt's entire family except for him and Danny end up dying from a gas leak - supposedly. What's really going on?
My Thoughts
I had a hard time getting through this book, but it wasn't because I didn't enjoy it. I read it over a small vacation that also happened to be over the week of the election in the US, so between my vacation activities and watching election coverage, I just had a hard time focusing on it.
I love the premise. Books that are starting to include modern-day things like Netflix documentaries seem more real and interesting to me, and I liked that about this one. I think ordinarily it would have been a quick read. And I definitely didn't see the ending coming! The characters in Every Last Fear were interesting to get to know, especially Matt and Maggie. I enjoyed reading about their journey through all of this.
Definitely a good one to check out! I'd give it 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up to 4 because I think that half a star is only due to my own distraction and not because of the story at all.
Plot Details
The Push is the story of a barbecue gone wrong. Six couples (or what were couples), four babies, and one teenage daughter. Sounds like a heck of a party, right? Well, maybe it was until something went wrong. Someone slipped and fell to their death off of an upstairs balcony. But wait... did they fall? Or was there a... push? (See what I did there?) That's what Alison and her detective partner Diana are determined to learn. Upon interviewing everyone at the party, it's easy to tell that most of them are lying. But about what?
My Thoughts
I loved this book! It was another quick read for me. Kind of a locked room mystery, but not exactly. I love how the chapters jump back and forth and bit on the timeline of when the soon-to-be parents all met and what happened at the party. It's a great way to fill in the details at just the right pace. I honestly was able to guess most of what was going on, but that's not such a bad thing. Sometimes it's fun when you're right about the plot twists! The Push definitely had plenty of them. All of the people in this book really seemed to have some kind of issue going on. But not all of those issues were related to the death at the party. Perhaps the most fun part of it was trying to figure out what did and didn't have anything to do with the fall from the balcony and how and why it happened.
This was a nice little crime thriller with just enough to keep you guessing. I also enjoyed the deep dive into all the characters. Great mystery, and one I'd recommend is worth checking out. The Push by Claire McGowan is out soon, on November 12. Grab a copy and give it a read!
Rating: 4/5
Plot Details
Ava and Matt's daughter Abi has disappeared. Ava was only upstairs for a few minutes, but when she came back down, Abi was gone and the front door was opened. After days of searching, Abi still was nowhere to be found with no explanation of what happened.
One year later, Ava and Matt's neighbors are having a housewarming party to show off their expansive new kitchen and house renovations. Everyone is happy, a bit drunk, and some details start to pop up a bit more about the day that Abi went missing. What really did happened? Does someone know something and isn't telling?
My Thoughts
I liked the premise of this book, but I thought it started out really slow. The first 25% of the book was really just about Abi's disappearance and the little that was known about it, which wasn't much. It covered a lot of Ava's thoughts over and over, I felt like, and started to drag a bit. The last half of the book did pick up some, and I liked the conclusion and the way it played out. The book had a bit of a message to it, which I enjoyed. It was just a very slow burn and hard to get through. I would've rated it 3.5 stars if I could, but to me it didn't quite make it to 4.
Merged review:
Plot Details
Ava and Matt's daughter Abi has disappeared. Ava was only upstairs for a few minutes, but when she came back down, Abi was gone and the front door was opened. After days of searching, Abi still was nowhere to be found with no explanation of what happened.
One year later, Ava and Matt's neighbors are having a housewarming party to show off their expansive new kitchen and house renovations. Everyone is happy, a bit drunk, and some details start to pop up a bit more about the day that Abi went missing. What really did happened? Does someone know something and isn't telling?
My Thoughts
I liked the premise of this book, but I thought it started out really slow. The first 25% of the book was really just about Abi's disappearance and the little that was known about it, which wasn't much. It covered a lot of Ava's thoughts over and over, I felt like, and started to drag a bit. The last half of the book did pick up some, and I liked the conclusion and the way it played out. The book had a bit of a message to it, which I enjoyed. It was just a very slow burn and hard to get through. I would've rated it 3.5 stars if I could, but to me it didn't quite make it to 4.
Plot Details
My Sister's Husband is the story of two sisters, Brooke and Freya, who were raised by their aunt, Alice. Brooke left home ten years ago and is now returning for Freya's wedding. Simple enough, right? Not exactly. Who is Freya's soon-to-be husband, and how does Brooke know him? What secrets are their Aunt Alice hiding? One after another, each secret is revealed. Will their family be able survive the revelations or will it fall apart before the wedding even happens?
My Thoughts
There are SO many secrets revealed in this book! You know from the beginning that something is going on, and everything is not as it seems. But what's the backstory? What really happened to Brooke to make her leave her family for ten years? And what is Freya hiding?
I really got into this book. Brooke and Freya had an interesting relationship, for sure. The book is also sprinkled with chapters from Alice's point of view, so what's really going on is revealed gradually. The timeline is almost a “meet in the middle” sort of story, as the chapters about Alice get closer and closer to present day.
There are so many things to figure out in this book, and I loved that about it. It was right up my alley. I've been into mysteries since Nancy Drew as a kid, and I even wanted to be a detective as a kid. Nothing makes me more interested than a book where you are continuously trying to figure out exactly what's going on. My Sister's Husband fits that perfectly. I also liked that the timeline wasn't quite linear with the different viewpoints, but was still easy to follow at the same time.
I'd kind of liken this one to The First to Lie that I read recently. The story is very different, but if you like either of these, I think you'll enjoy the other. Both are quick reads that will keep you paying attention and guessing something new as you keep turning the page.