1.29.2022 - Black Cake

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital copy of the extraordinary debut novel by Charmaine Wilkerson - 5 stars!

When Eleanor Bennett dies, she leaves a voice recording with her lawyer with instructions that it is to be shared with her two children, Byron and Benny.  The recording stuns the siblings, giving them background information into secrets that Eleanor kept from them their entire lives, including that they have another sister.  Benny has been estranged from the family for years and Byron still holds that resentment deep within.  Will their mother's recording help heal their relationship?

This is a gorgeously-written book that explores how secrets, resentments, stories, culture, skin color and even recipes can shape who we are, how we are seen, and how we think about our place in the world.  The perfect book club selection, this book will have you thinking about so much from the environment, to racial issues, women's roles.  Ultimately it is a story about what we will do for love in all shapes, the sacrifices and risks we will take, loss and regrets.  Each of these characters is so fully developed - I didn't want the story to end.  An absolute must read, do not miss novel - I'll be thinking about this book and these characters for quite a while!  Plus - sure would love to try black cake!

1.27.2022 - The Appeal

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Janice Hallett - 4.5 stars rounded up!

A local theater group, The Fairway Players, is preparing for a production of Arthur Miller's, All My Sons, when tragedy strikes the founding family.  Director Martin Haywood and wife, Helen, the star, have a granddaughter, Paige, who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.  The family, troupe and community gather together to raise the needed money to procure needed medicine from the US for Paige.  

Told in the form of all types of communications - letters, texts, emails, post-it notes, we learn that there has been a murder and someone is in jail.  Two law students are presented with all the correspondence and are tasked to figure out exactly what happened and who is responsible.  This is such an intriguing way to read a mystery and I was pulled in from the first email!  There is a big cast of characters all with secrets and ulterior motives.  You will try to solve the mysteries as you follow along with the law students as all the information is presented - good luck and enjoy this creative tale!

1.25.2022 - The Overnight Guest

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing Park Row for gifting me a digital copy of the latest by a favorite author, Heather Gudenkauf - 4.5 stars rounded up for an atmospheric thriller!

In the summer of 2000, brutal murders took place at an isolated farmhouse in Iowa.  Twenty years later, true crime writer Wylie Lark is staying at that same farmhouse, escaping from a troubled relationship with her son and ex, with the excuse of needing quiet time to finish her latest book.  When a blizzard strikes and she finds a small child half frozen outside her door, she goes seeking answers.   But someone else is looking for her too.

This is one of those stories to go into without too much information.  Told in two timelines, 2000 and present, there are also additional chilling excerpts in between.  The atmosphere plays a huge role in this book - from the brutal summer heat to a blizzard - and adds to the tension of the story.  You may figure some things out along the way but certainly not everything and it's a wild ride.  Another winner from this author - don't miss it!

1.23.2022 - The Village

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital copy of the latest thriller by Caroline Mitchell - one of my favorites.  She is an ex-police detective so she definitely writes what she knows!  5 stars because I just couldn't put it down!

Ten years ago, the Harper family disappeared from their small village - it looked like they just disappeared from their home.  Former crime journalist, Naomi, has been obsessed with the crime and when their house became available, she convinced her new husband to buy it, without telling him or her stepdaughter of its history.  That isn't the only secret; the villagers seem to know more about the Harper's disappearance than they've ever shared and are none to happy to welcome a new family into the house.

This is a quick read - mainly because I was racing to see how it would all work out.  It's full of interesting characters, great plot twists, and lots of suspense.  Don't miss this one - and be sure to read her DI Amy Winters series as well!!

1.22.2022 - Secrets of Our House

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Rea Frey, wonderfully narrated by Samantha Desz.  4 stars!

Desi, her husband, Peter, and daughter, Jules, live in Chicago but Desi designed their beautiful NC mountain home, named the Black House.  When they arrive to spend the summer before Jules heads to NYC for college, tensions between the three peak.  Peter seems checked out of their marriage and Desi spent so much time on her career that her and Jules are far apart.  Jules is experiencing her own issues - madly in love with Will and not sure about leaving for college.  Plus everyone is keeping secrets.

This book really drew me in - especially the latter part of the book when everything is so tense.  Each of the characters are fully developed and you can, in turns, sympathize and agonize with all of them.  It's a story of family, regrets, secrets.  I also loved how atmospheric it was - everything from the house itself to the wilderness just added to the drama.  

I alternated between the digital and audio - the narrator was wonderful voicing all the characters, including the males.  

1.21.2022 - The Accomplice

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Lisa Lutz - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Luna and Owen have been best friends since they first met in college.  Years later, they are both married to other people and living within blocks of each other, having remained best friends.  Luna finds Owen's wife dead body in a cemetery and Owen is considered the prime suspect.  All of this brings to mind another woman's death - Owen's on/off girlfriend, Scarlett, was found dead when they were in college and again Owen was considered a suspect.  The investigation tears open secrets that both have been keeping.

This book is told in two timelines - the background story while they were in college and present day.  It's also told in multiple POVs - sometimes switching in the same paragraph.  I actually loved this style of writing - it felt like I was privy to all these characters' thoughts.  Everyone is keeping secrets here which threaten all of their relationships and behaviors.  I was held captive to this story and these characters.  Another winner by Lisa Lutz!

1.21.2022 - Last Seen Alive

Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and St Martin's Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest in the wonderful police procedural series by Joanna Schaffhausen - 5 stars!  While the author certainly gives enough background information that you could enjoy these books as stand alones, you must read this series because it's so good!

Boston Detective Ellery Hathaway has a very complicated relationship with FBI agent Reed Markham.  He rescued her when she was a teenager being held captive by a serial killer, Francis Coben.  Ellery and Reed started a personal relationship as well, but Ellery decided she needed to end it.  Then Coben told the FBI that he had killed others and would only give up the information if Reed brought Ellery to him.  The situation is complicated by the fact that there seems to be a copycat killer on the loose as well.

I raced through this book because I love these characters and the writing.  This is a must read series.  You are constantly rooting for Ellery after all she's been through and how hard she has fought to get over being a victim.  Don't miss this latest installment - I can't wait for the next one!

1.21.2022 - Somebody's Home

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital copy of the latest book by Kaira Rouda - 4 stars.  If you haven't read Best Day Ever by this author, grab it now - it's definitely a favorite of mine.

Julie Jones has left her marriage to Roger, a wealthy man who viewed Julie only as arm candy.  Their daughter, Jess, isn't interested in living with her mother in the house she just bought on the wrong side of the tracks of their hometown.  But Julie is excited about her fresh start.  There's just one problem - her house has a carriage house on the property where the former owners' son is currently living.  He has to be out according to the contract but doesn't seem interested in leaving.  He's more interested in his new plan for revenge.

There's a lot going on in this book and none of the characters are very likable.  But it was an intriguing domestic suspense novel that I enjoyed.  Lots of lessons here about what's really important in life.  

1.19.2022 - Honor

Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for the honor of reading the latest book by Thrity Umrigar - 5 glorious stars!

Indian American journalist Smita has returned to India to help out her fellow journalist, Shannon, complete a story.  Smita swore she would never return to India after her family left for America when she was a teenager.  Shannon was writing about the case of Meena, a Hindu woman who followed her heart to marry Abdul, a Muslim.  Meena's family orchestrated a horrific attack on the couple because of the marriage, and Meena is trying her best to fight back to restore honor to her husband's name.  Smita is suddenly faced with her own past, where Indian tradition rules over all.

What an amazing book this is - a definite must read for the new year!  The author immerses you into the Indian culture, especially in small villages, where women have no say to their life path.  That such horrific crimes still exist in this world in the name of honor should make every human being stand up in protest.  I read this book with my heart in my throat - you will feel so much emotion for these characters.  The title is so apt - honor has many different meanings and this book highlights them all.  Can't recommend this one enough!

1.18.2022 - Joan is Okay

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of this very relevant novel by Weike Wang.  4.5 stars!  I didn't read her first book, Chemistry, but it's now on my TBR!

Joan is a Chinese American who never quite fits into her world.  Very smart and dedicated, she's now working as a doctor in NYC.  Her Chinese parents immigrated to the US where Joan was born; her older brother, Fang, joined them years later.  Once the children were settled, her parents moved back to China.  When her father dies suddenly and her mother comes to the US for a visit with Fang, Joan's world starts changing even more.  Family differences are at the forefront, as are things in her own home environment.  And it's right before the pandemic, which of course changes everything.

This book is fascinating - lots of immigration topics to ponder, as well as family, work/balance, men/women roles in work and home environments, as well as personal choices and fulfillment.  Joan is quirky - I love quirky characters!  

1.10.2022 - I Came All This Way to Meet You

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ecco Books and Harper Collins for gifting me a digital ARC of this memoir by Jami Attenberg.  If you haven't read The Middlestein's and All This Could Be Yours - read them now!  4.5 stars for a great glimpse into this author's background, thought and writing process.

This is such an open, honest book about how the author became who she is now, and I'm sure there will be another book load of stories to come from her as she continues to grow and live her life.  Ms. Attenberg looks at how her family, her life experiences and choices shaped her - and she gives us the good and bad, not just the pretty social media pics.  This book is also part travelogue, as her wanderlust carries her around the world with us as her companions.  I loved reading about the underground, otherworldly parts of cities that exist.  If you are an aspiring author, this would be a must-read as well.

This book has made me all the more anxious to read her next fiction work!  

1.7.2022 - A Flicker in the Dark

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful debut thriller by Stacy Willingham - 5 stars!

When Chloe was only 12, six teenage girls went missing in her LA hometown.  Soon her father was in prison, convicted of killing them.  Chloe, her brother and mom were left to navigate their new world where they were hated, and try to make a new life.  Twenty years later, Chloe is living in Baton Rouge where she has a private psychology practice and is soon to be married.  Once again, her summer is shattered when two young girls go missing.  

What a gripping debut!  I tore through it and even though I had my suspicions on how it would end, there were so many well-crafted plot turns that had you questioning everyone.  The setting was perfect - you could feel the heat and humidity of a LA summer mixing with the tension of the characters.  I alternated between the digital copy and the audiobook - I felt the narration by Karissa Vacker was good, but with so many different voices, I felt it could have been improved with another male narrator.  This book was purchased by Emma Stone for her to star in - can't wait for that as well as more to come from this debut author.