7.31.2020 - The Eighth Detective

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company, and Alex Pavesi for the opportunity to read his debut novel.  4.5 stars for the most imaginative and smart detective story I believe I've ever read!

Decades ago, Grant McAllister self-published a book of 7 detective stories.  He came up with a mathematical rule that all detective stories share - they must have a victim, suspect(s), killer(s), and a detective(s).  And of course there are many permutations of those rules to make a myriad of different stories.  His 7 stories all showcased these rules.  Now, McAllister lives a reclusive lifestyle on a Mediterranean island.  Julia Hart, an editor, wants to republish these books for her company and makes a visit to the author.  She reads each of the stories and they discuss them; however, she finds inconsistencies in the stories that she points out to McAllister.  And is there a connection to another murder?

This story is told in such a creative fashion - we get to read each of the 7 detective stories in between chapters where Julia and Grant discuss the story and point out the inconsistencies (which I dare say you will never find all of them!).  It's definitely mysteries within mysteries, all harkening back to an era of old-time detective stories.  What an amazing debut - I can't wait to read more from this author who himself has a PhD in mathematics.

7.29.2020 - Convince Me

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Nina Sadowsky for the opportunity to read and review her latest thriller - 5 stars for a great read (and best dedication of the year!).

Justin has it all - a successful company, Convincer Media (great tie in with the title!), set to go public, works with his college best friend, Will, married to Annie, and has a close relationship with his mom, Carol.  But when Justin is killed in a car accident and is found to have Valium in his system when he was opposed to drug use, that is just the beginning of the questions facing those left behind.

This book is told from the viewpoints of Will, Annie and Carol.  Each character has their own history and view of Justin, obviously, but each voice gives us more information into their feelings and background.  And the lies - who is lying here and who are we to believe?  Each chapter left me hungry for more until the final twist.

Fabulous writing from a must-read author for me - highly recommended if you are in the mood for a great psychological thriller.

7.28.2020 - Bear Necessity

Many thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and James Gould-Bourn for the opportunity to read and review this charming debut novel.  4.5 stars!

Danny and his son, Will, are still reeling from the death of their wife/mother in a car accident a year ago.  Will hasn't spoken a word since the accident.  Danny had been working construction but was recently fired when new management took over.  Adding to their troubles, Danny is behind on the rent and his nasty landlord has threatened bodily harm if he doesn't pay up.  When Danny sees street performers in the park making money, he buys an old panda suit and attempts to perform.  While in costume, Danny sees kids bullying Will and comes to his rescue while keeping secret his identify.  For the first time, Will opens up to the panda.  Since Danny has kept his job loss and issues secret from Will, he can't reveal his true identity.

This book had me at that wonderful cover - swoon!  You will fall in love with the characters in this book - especially some of the secondary ones like Ivan and Katrina.  This is a wonderful story of grief, family, friendship, working together for a cause.  You will laugh at the predicaments Danny finds himself in and feel so much emotion for this family as they struggle to form a new normal.  The writing is spot on and you'll keep reading to see exactly how all this works out.  I can't wait to read more from this author!

7.27.2020 - Being Lolita

Many thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books and Alisson Wood for the privilege to read her memoir.  5 stars for a beautifully written book that should be required reading for so many people - men, young women, teachers, parents.

Alisson is a lonely teenager who has struggled with depression and self-harm.  After spending part of her junior year at a more-nurturing school for troubled teenagers, she goes back to her high school for her senior year.  Desperate to be seen and understood, she is paired with Mr. North, an English teacher 10 years her senior, for special tutoring in her writing.  He gives her his copy of the book Lolita and grooms her to believe that it is about a special love.  Tutoring turns into meeting at a diner in the evenings with the promise of a complete relationship once she turns 18 and graduates.

Only with reflection as she eventually moves away from the abusive relationship and gains the wisdom of hindsight does she see how much power Mr. North had over her.  But instead of defining herself negatively by this experience, she chose to use it for good.  She now teaches young women of the power of words and how they impact the reader.

This was an immensely powerful, beautifully written memoir.  It read like a gripping novel - I couldn't put it down.  Ms Wood puts you back in the teenage mindset of wanting to belong and feel that you are loved and understood.  You want to scream at parents and teachers for not seeing what was happening, but we all know from our own experiences that teenagers are masters of manipulation.  I especially loved how the author took power away from Mr North by referring to him as "the teacher."  This emphasized the relationship they should have had and the very abusive nature he changed it to be.

The author stated in this book that her deepest desire was "to create something beautiful from something so terrible."  Bravo for a job well done!  My highest recommendation - this book needs to be read!

7.27.2020 - His & Hers

Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for gifting me an ARC of this fabulous thriller by Alice Feeney.  Publishing tomorrow, 7.28.20, clear your calendar and your mind and prepare yourself for a wild ride!  5 stars for such a well-written thriller that will really keep you guessing until the end.

As the title states, the book is written in His and Her voices to tell the story of murders happening in the small town of Blackdown in Surrey, England.  His voice is of DCI Jack Harper who is called in to first investigate the murder of a young woman.  He knows the woman killed but is keeping that information to himself.  Her voice is of Anna Andrews, a TV announcer who is called in to report on the murder.  She too knows the woman.  We also hear from the killer's voice - the only completely truthful voice we hear - but who is it?

I don't want to give anything away here because this is such a well-written book that just has your mind going from person to person to figure out the truth.  I loved learning all the background of both Jack and Anna as well as the other players involved but it only added layers to this thriller.  The chapters are small to keep you reading between these two viewpoints until you finally arrive at the truth.  Highly recommended!

7.25.2020 - When She Was Good

Many thanks to NetGalley, Scribner Books, and Michael Robotham for the opportunity to read his latest book and the second in the Cyrus Haven/Evie Cormac series.  If you haven’t read Good Girl, Bad Girl - you must!  5 stars for another gripping read by a must-read author for me!

Criminal psychologist Cyrus Haven is still in close contact with Evie, the girl who was rescued from a secret room after a horrible crime, and with whom he has a tight bond.  The woman who found her, Sasha, comes back into the picture as well.  Evie is now living in a supposed secret children's home but she believes that people are following her and know where she is.  But no one believes her until it is too late.  Meanwhile, Cyrus is investigating the mysterious death of a fellow police officer who was looking into the case of someone involved with a child sex ring that has possible ties back to Evie's case.

The book is told in short chapters with the voices of Cyrus and Evie, but go back in time to learn more about what happened to Evie.  A lot of this is hard to read because of the subject matter, but in Robotham's skilled hands, it is a gripping story that you will have a hard time putting down.  He has created characters that you will love and want to know deeper.  Evie's superpower is that she can detect when anyone is lying; she is such a resilient, feisty character that you will be rooting for the entire time.  I can't wait for the next book!

7.22.2020 - The Suicide House

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Charlie Donlea for the opportunity to read the second book in the Rory Moore/Lane Phillips series following Some Choose Darkness.  While all of Donlea's books can be read as stand alones, definitely read that one first because it's so good.  This is another 5 star read!

On the summer solstice on campus of Westmont Preparatory High School, a boarding school in Indiana, two murders took place of students in a deserted faculty house on campus.  But that wasn't the end of the deaths - the teacher suspected of the murders tried to commit suicide and two surviving students killed themselves as well.  A popular podcast, The Suicide House, is investigating the deaths as is a local news reporter.  Lane gets asked to help with the podcast so Rory also gets involved in the investigation.  But the deeper they look into the case, the most twists and turns they discover.

Aren't boarding schools just creepy in nature?  This one sure is - complete with secret societies, games and pranks to creepy grounds and houses to required therapy for each student.  The book is told in different timeframes - from the past leading up to the night in question, to journal entries, to present time.  It's a lot to keep track of because you aren't always sure whose voice you're reading but definitely worth it to see all the pieces come together.  I was glued to the pages and can't wait for the next in this series!

7.21.2020 - The Wife Who Knew Too Much

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Michele Campbell for the opportunity to read and review her latest thriller - 4 stars for a great read!

The book opens with a diary entry from Nina, a very wealthy woman getting ready to host her annual July 4th party.  Afterwards, she intends on telling her husband, Connor, that she wants a divorce.  She also is making it known that if something happens to her, Connor is the one who did it.  From there, we learn all the back stories of Connor, his ex-girlfriend, Tabitha, and how all these lives eventually intersect.  When Nina is found dead, Connor and Tabitha quickly reignite their old flame.  But old secrets never stay hidden and before long, no one is trustworthy.  What happened to Nina?  Is someone framing Tabitha?

Besides a peek into the world of the ultra-wealthy, this is a great cat and mouse thriller.  No one is completely trustworthy and everyone has their own agendas, plus there are lots of twists that you won't see coming.  Michele Campbell's writing will keep you at the edge of your seat waiting to see how everything will play out.  You won't be disappointed!

7.20.2020 - The Vacation

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and TM Logan for the opportunity to read his latest thriller.  Definitely was a good way to spend most of the day reading!  4 stars.

The perfect vacation - a gorgeous villa in Southern France, 4 best college friends celebrating their 40th birthdays and including any spouses or children.  But everyone involved is keeping secrets!  Kate discovers messages on her husband's phone intimating that he is having an affair with one of her friends; her husband, Sean, is definitely acting suspicious.  But secrets abound in this book - everyone has one or two, even the children.  When the secrets come out, as they always do, will anyone be safe?

None of these characters are extremely likable but as with all TM Logan's books, the story is well written and you are glued to the pages to figure out just what's going on.  At some point, I questioned everyone!  The short chapters from different characters' viewpoints easily moved the book along plus each chapter left you with enough of a cliffhanger to keep you from putting the book down.

7.19.2020 - Playing Nice

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and JP Delaney for the opportunity to read his latest gripping novel - this is a must-read author for me and another 5 star read!

Pete is the stay home dad to two-year old Theo and is shocked when he answers the door at his house one day to Miles, who says that he has proof that he is actually Theo's father and their children were switched at birth.  At first, Pete and Maddie try to play nice with Miles and Lucy and hope to work out an arrangement that will work out for both families.  But things don't quite end up so nicely.

I don't want to give anything away because this book is gripping.  You've read about these kinds of incidents happening but this book really puts you in the mindset to have to make Solomon type decisions about your children.  Then there is the nature vs nurture discussion as well as family differences in parenting styles and incomes.   JP Delaney is a master at these ethical quandaries - I couldn't put this book down!

7.17.2020 - How Lulu Lost Her Mind

Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Rachel Gibson for the opportunity to read this poignant story about mothers, daughters, family, loss - 4 stars!

Lou Ann, aka Lulu the Love Guru, has built an empire teaching women how to navigate love.  She's single, wealthy and loving her Seattle life.  However, her mother, Patricia, has Alzheimer's and the latest home where she lives just required her to leave the facility.  Lou Ann takes her home and hires a nurse, Lindsey, but Patricia is soon begging Lou Ann to take her back to her family home in Louisiana.  Deciding to put her mom before her business, Lou Ann does just that with Lindsey in tow.

This book obviously has a difficult subject matter - caring of aging parents and losing them to dementia - but there is a lot of wonderful, light-hearted humor to keep it from being sad.  It's also a wonderful tribute to figuring out what's important as Lou Ann takes a somewhat difficult and contentious relationship with her mom and turns her mom's last days to making memories.  Good life lessons for us all.  Loved the humorous names of the chapters as well.

7.15.2020 - Shadow Garden

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Alexandra Burt for the opportunity to read and review this novel.  3.5 stars rounded up for an intriguing, but somewhat confusing, mystery.

Donna Pryor is living in a luxurious, secluded condo and has a full-time caregiver with her during the days.  She is recovering from an accident that she can't quite remember.  Her husband, physician Edward, and daughter, Penelope, don't call or answer her calls.  Things aren't quite right in the condo either - things appear and then disappear.  Finally, Donna decides that needing answers outweighs anything else.

I was very intrigued to figure out exactly what happened to all these characters.  I liked hearing the very different perspectives in alternating chapters of Donna, Edward and Penelope.  However, it was a bit confusing because of course the story was a bit different in each voice and the time period changed from different points in the past to the present as the story unspooled.  It was a very creepy mystery and I still enjoyed getting to the conclusion!

7.14.2020 - The Pull of the Stars

Many thanks to NetGalley; Little, Brown and Company; and Emma Donoghue for the opportunity to read and review her latest work - 5 stars for such a well-written novel that couldn't be more relevant in today's COVID-19 landscape.  I have been a huge fan of Emma Donoghue's since I read Room - I don't think there's anyone better at putting you in a story, feeling the environment and the characters' pain.

Set in Dublin, Ireland, in 1918, during the Influenza Pandemic that killed an estimated 3-6 percent of the world's population, we are drawn into three days in the life of Nurse Julia Power as she works in the maternity flu ward at the hospital.  Two other amazing characters are introduced - Dr Lynn (a real doctor so be sure to read the author's notes at the end) and Bridie Sweeney, a young woman from the local orphanage sent to help.  These three women fight to save the lives of the women brought to them as well as the lives of their babies.

There is much to be gained from looking back at our history - this book explores how women and orphans were treated like slaves, how vastly medicine and medical practices have changed, and how government responses to crises may not have changed as much as we would like - but the human factor in this story as well as our own is what rises above all.  While some may struggle with the medical procedures and resulting gore in this book, you can't help but feel an incredible pull towards the story of people going through a pandemic while we are living through a new one.  And there is hope because of course the world survived this one, so we will survive our current one.  "The human race settles on terms with every plague in the end....Or a stalemate, at the least.  We somehow muddle along, sharing the earth with each new form of life."

Highly recommended for a book and characters that will continue to haunt me.

7.12.2020 - Well Behaved Indian Women

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Saumya Dave for the opportunity to read this wonderful debut novel - 5 stars!

Three generations of Indian women, struggling to fit into family and societal expectations and still maintain some sense of their own wants and needs.  We meet Simran, studying to be a psychologist and engaged to her childhood sweetheart but suddenly not sure if either path is right for her.  Simran's mother, Nandini, working as a physician after putting her husband's career path, his family and their children first and not feeling satisfied with her life either.  Nandini's mother, Mimi, still living in India and trying to make a difference in young girls' lives as well as support her daughter and granddaughter.

This would be an absolutely perfect book club selection - there is so much to discuss in this well-written book.  The Indian culture of arranged marriages, familial expectations, women's and girl's roles and the wedding planning were fascinating to learn more about.  But there are issues here affecting every woman today - the feeling of not being able to live up to having it all, putting everything on hold for families, discrimination in the workplace, family secrets and expectations.  Highly recommended!

7.10.2020 - The Safe Place

Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Anna Downes for the opportunity to read and review her debut novel - 4 stars for an entertaining read.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Emily is trying to make her way as an actress but nothing ever quite pans out.  She's doing temp work to help pay the bills but coming up short on that as well.  In one day, she loses her agent, her job and her apartment.  Even asking her adoptive parents for money didn't work out and Emily is desperate.  When her boss saves her from a panic attack in the street, he offers her a job as a caretaker of sorts at his family estate in France where his wife and young daughter live.  Emily jumps at the chance and soon finds herself as happy as she has ever been and growing very close to the couple, Scott and Nina.  But when she discovers that things aren't what they appear, everything is in danger.

First - what a gorgeous cover!  The story is told in alternating viewpoints of Scott, Nina and Emily.  A quick read with plenty of weird happenings that leave you guessing - and even though you may guess the ending, it's no less enjoyable.

7.9.2020 - Dear Emmie Blue

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and Lia Louis for the opportunity to read this wonderful story - 5 stars for a charming book filled with characters you will love.

Emmie Blue has had a tough life - a mostly absent single mother, no dad in the picture, and then an incident at school leaves her friendless and an outcast.  When a school project has them send balloons with notes attached, Lucas found it and contacted her.  Suddenly, she had a best friend and a family that took her in for holidays and their shared birthday celebration.  And Emmie was in love.  As time marched on, Lucas and Emmie shared everything - but when he announces that he's getting married and wants Emmie to be his best man, Emmie is devastated.  She realizes she has put everything aside for this relationship and now she is even more alone.

A book filled with so much heart, you will adore Emmie Blue and be cheering for her throughout the story.   And her friends, Louise, Rosie and Fox are the best.  This is a book about friendship, truth, loyalty and love - don't miss it!

7.7.2020 - What You Wish For

Thanks so much to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Katherine Center for the opportunity to read and review her latest novel.  5 joyful stars!  Katherine Center is a must-read author for me and this book is just as wonderful as her previous ones.

Samantha (Sam) is a school librarian at a very progressive, encouraging elementary school in Galveston, TX.  After leaving CA escaping an unrequited love, Duncan, she has fought to become a different person - one who embraces joy, loves bright colors, has pink bangs!  This transformation was put into place with the loving attention of her surrogate parents, Max & Babette, owners of the school.  But when Max suddenly dies and Duncan is hired as his replacement, it's an unrecognizable Duncan.  This Duncan no longer is joyful - he's changing the school into a fortress for protection, wiping away the very fabric of the school.

As in her other books, this author is a master of feel-good novels that make you want to live better!  This one is all about joy - how it is something we choose, not something that just happens.  A good lesson for all of us!  But her writing style just pulls you into the story until you turn the last page.  There is a group of fabulous characters in this book - Alice and Clay were favorites!  Plus - the descriptions of these teachers and how they made school such a fabulous place to be for students is truly inspirational.  I wish I could see that library!  Highly recommended!

7.6.2020 - The Patient

Many thanks to NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Jasper DeWitt for the opportunity to read this debut novel sure to cause a few nightmares - 4 creepy stars!

Parker was a mewly-minted rising star psychiatrist when he was assigned to his first position at a state-run mental institution in New England.  The story is told in a series of online posts explaining how he came into contact with the institute's most dangerous patient - sent to the hospital at the age of 6, Joe has been given no official diagnosis.  Joe is now 40, and the cause of many deaths and unexplained psychological issues to everyone who comes in contact with him.  Parker is convinced that he can diagnose and hopefully cure Joe - but will it cost him his sanity as well as everyone he holds dear?

This is a creepy horror story - the monster under the bed variety that will definitely keep you awake and terrified!  I loved the way the story was spooled out in a series of posts, giving some narration and context as the story spooled out.  Definitely for Stephen King fans, this book is also being made into a movie by Ryan Reynolds.  Will be anxiously (with a little fear!) awaiting more from this talented writer.

7.5.2020 - The Golden Cage

Many thanks to NetGalley, Knopf Publishing and Camilla Lackberg for the opportunity to read and review this fabulous read - 5 stars for the perfect escape novel!

Faye and Jack have been sweethearts since they met in business college.  They married, Faye dropped out of school to support Jack as he started his business - one that she was a major player in beginning.  Now Faye is just where Jack wants her - in her golden cage at their beautiful home, mother of Julienne, spending her days with the other rich women in their circle.  When Jack begins to be cold and uncaring towards Faye and she discovers he is having an affair, watch out!  Faye's dark past collides with her future to enact the perfect revenge scheme.

Told in alternating time periods of Faye's past and present, this is a wild ride of sex, money, revenge.  It's the story of how women change to be what their men want and when they change, their men no longer want them.  But it's also the story of loyalty, love, friendship.  This is a great novel to just get lost in a totally different world!

7.4.2020 - Mother Daughter Widow Wife

Many thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and Robin Wasserman for the opportunity to read and review this book.  4 stars for an intriguing book that will certainly activate all that gray matter in your brain!  This is a somewhat complicated read, both with the massive amount of information given on memory as well as the way it is written.  But stick with it - it's definitely worth it!

Mother, daughter, widow, wife - all various roles women play in our lives.  But are those how we define ourselves or how others define us?  And what does it cost us to put ourselves in those different roles?  We are presented with 3 female characters in this book:  Wendy Doe - a woman who took a bus to Philadelphia and is in a state of fugue amnesia - she has no recollection of her past and no memories whatsoever.  Wendy's chapters are told in the past timeframe.  Lizzie is the graduate student working for the esteemed Benjamin Strauss at his memory clinic.  Wendy Doe is her research subject.  We hear Lizzie's voice in the past as she's working with Wendy and in the present as Elizabeth, the widow.  Alice is Wendy's daughter - we hear from her in the present time.

With me so far?  This is a wonderful character study of women and their roles, their self-esteem, and how they change to fit men's ideals of them.  It's definitely one of those books that makes you think - it's not an easy, breezy read.  But it would be a wonderful bookclub selection.

7.2.2020 - The Day She Came Back

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Amanda Prowse for the opportunity to read and review her latest novel - 4 stars for another great read!

With both her parents dead before she even knew them, Victoria's world consisted of her beloved grandmother, Prim.  When Prim passes away, Victoria feels completely alone.  Then a stranger shows up to Prim's funeral and says that she is Victoria's mother.  Victoria feels that everyone who loved her lied to her and she doesn't know how to come to grips with her new reality.

You really feel for this young woman as she is forced to confront all her family's secrets without anyone there to guide her.  This book is filled with the topics of grief, loyalty, love and forgiveness.  I especially loved the character of Daksha.