9.29.2023 - The Second Chance Hotel

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Sierra Godfrey.  I was a huge fan of her debut, A Very Typical Family, and really liked this one too - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Amelia is running away from all of her problems - and there are quite a few of them.  Her mother is driving her crazy, her ex-boyfriend and coworker deliberately sabotaged her and she got fired for throwing a mug at him; and her best friend isn't talking to her.  She travels around Europe and ends up on a small Greek island to figure out what to do next.  She's staying at the small hotel where her parents honeymooned and she meets James, another traveler trying to get space from his own issues.  But after too much alcohol at a wedding they attend together, they get a blessing from the priest which turns out to be a real marriage.  Then they are also gifted the hotel, which has lots of problems on its own.  They have to work together to figure out the mess they are in.

While there's some things here that you just have to go along with, in Godfrey's wonderful hands this was a truly engaging read.  I loved the whole cast of characters, the beautiful setting, the food descriptions, the community feeling, and the second chance possibilities.  It's a light, tender read that is hopeful, funny, and a perfect reminder to be true to your heart and open to life's possibilities.  

9.28.2023 - The Stranger Upstairs

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Ballantine Books Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut thriller by Lisa M. Matlin - 4 stars!

Sarah, a therapist and social media influencer, and her husband, Joe, are fleeing from their past and buy a house cheap because a gruesome murder-suicide happened there.  They have plans to refurnish the house and sell for a quick profit, while Sarah posts about the experience.  But the reality is much different - the house is creepy with sounds coming from the attic, Joe is totally checked out, and the neighbors angry.

I love a creepy, haunted house story with unreliable narrators and characters abounding!  This was a smart, twisty thriller that kept the tension high throughout.  I can't wait to read more from this author!

9.28.2023 - Bright Young Women

 

Many thanks to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster Simon Element/Marysue Rucci Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the wonderful new book by Jessica Knoll - 5 stars!

In January 1978, Pamela Schumacher, president of her sorority at Florida State University, is startled awake in the early morning by a noise and chooses to investigate.  She catches a look at a man fleeing the house, first thinking he is one of her sister's boyfriends.  The horror soon sets in that the man brutally murdered two of the sisters and injured another before fleeing.  Pamela is soon thrust into the investigation which will last for decades.  On the other side of the country, Tina has been tracking the man she believes killed her girlfriend, Ruth.  When she hears about the slayings in Florida, she travels there to meet with Pamela.  They meet up with an investigative reporter, Carl, who as a man has access they don't.

This is a fictionalized story of the Ted Bundy murders, known only as The Defendant in this book.  The focus of the story is on the bright young women in his path instead of on him, which I loved.  It portrays him as average, instead of the smart, good looking man portrayed in the media.  The story is told from both Pamela's and Tina's POV, in different timelines presented in such a creative way.  Hard to read because you know it's based on facts, but I couldn't put this one down - highly recommended!

9.26.2023 - The Traitor

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Ballantine Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of the second in this wonderful spy series by Ava Glass - 5 stars!

Emma Makepeace has a new assignment - evidence that a Russian oligarch is selling chemical weapons that murdered an MI6 officer.  This officer had been investigating two oligarchs, while a third man's identify is unknown, and is of the utmost importance in the case.   Emma goes undercover as Jessica, working on one of the oligarch's yachts.  But the danger may be closer than she could know.

I love this series and adore Emma - a very bad ass female James Bond character.  She has her reasons for her drive and sole work focus, but she shows her heart as well.  If you didn't read the first in this series, Alias Emma, this book works perfectly as a stand-alone read, but definitely read it because it fills in lots of the back story and is just so good!  These books are tense, thrilling, and never a dull moment reading, so clear your calendar!  Anxiously awaiting more Emma!

9.25.2023 - Her Husband's Mistake

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest thriller by Daniel Hurst and wonderfully narrated by Tamsin Kennard and Nathaniel Priestley - 3.5 stars rounded up!

Jack and Lorna used to live in NYC with their two children, Maddie and Alex, but moved to London.  They swore they would never return, but Maddie begged them to go there to celebrate her birthday.  But the trip was far from a celebration.

I'm a fan of Daniel Hurst and I really enjoyed the audiobook narration of this one.  It's a short book though, so go into it with as little info as possible so as not to ruin any surprises.  Neither of the parents are very likable characters but I felt bad for their children.  Told from multiple POV, this was a quick, tense thriller.

9.22.2023 - Bright Lights, Big Christmas

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and St Martin's Press for giving me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest seasonal novel by the queen, Mary Kay Andrews, and wonderfully narrated by another favorite, Kathleen McInerney - 5 stars!

Kerry is back home living with her mother after being let go from her job.  When her dad becomes ill, Kerry has to take his place at their annual corner in Greenwich Village with her older brother selling Christmas trees from their family farm.  They have to share a tiny vintage camper that sounds more charming than it is.  Kerry soon becomes close with nearby neighbors and becomes to think of them as family.  Then there's Patrick, a single dad raising his son, Austin, whom she has instant chemistry with.  But with time ticking, is there any chance for them?

Although it's not quite fall, any chance to read a Mary Kay Andrews Christmas novel is perfect!  Her writing invokes all the sights, smells and feelings of the season, and I was totally in!  This book hit all the romance notes, but also family loyalty and bonds, and a community looking out for each other,  Filled with great characters, it's the perfect start to Christmas!

9.22.2023 - Starter Villain

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by John Scalzi - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Charlie is just scraping by, working as a middle school substitute teacher and living in his deceased dad's house.  Even the house isn't his - it's shared by his step-siblings that have nothing to do with him.  He dreams of buying the local pub where he has good memories, but has no money to do so.  So when he gets a mysterious visit from someone who says that his uncle whom he hasn't seen since he was 5 left him his company, he was intrigued.  But discovering that his uncle's in the supervillain business and you are now tasked with protecting it is a whole other thought process.  And it gets weirder from there.

I was a big fan of this author's previous book, The Kaiju Preservation Society, and loved this one too.  It takes place in present time, but quite a different reality underneath the surface.  Super-smart cloned spy cats in management?  Talking dolphins wanting to unionize?  Super villains trying to outsmart each other?  Buckle up - this is a fun, sci-fi light book that will have you laughing while flipping the pages to see how it will all end.  Highly recommended - especially if you like cats!

9.19.2023 - Ghosted

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and W. W. Crown, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest book by Sarah Ready, perfectly narrated by some favorites, Sarah Naughton and Rob Brinkman - 4 stars!

Jillian is a dating and relationship expert for her job, but in real life is incapable of speaking to men.  If they’re living, if they’re breathing, it’s game over.   She moves into a tiny NYC apartment and quickly finds it's already occupied - by Daniel, a gorgeous shirtless man is is apparently dead.  Only Jillian can see him and she can talk to him like she can't talk to any other man.  Daniel decides it's his mission to get Jillian a real man so that he can move on.  Only they both seem to realize they have feelings only for each other.

While you definitely have to put aside reality (there are ghosts involved!), this is such a fun, sweet, book.  And it includes many, many Star Trek conversations, so that alone gets a good rating from me!  I've only read the last two books from Sarah Ready, but she is definitely a must read author if you are in the market for a great rom com with lots of heart.

9.19.2023 - The Heart of It All

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Melville Publishing House for gifting me a digital ARC of this beautiful novel by Christian Kiefer - 5 stars!

Set in failing small town in central Ohio, this quiet novel focuses on three families:  the Bailey's, a white family who have deep roots in the community and are undergoing a very personal tragedy; the Marwats, an immigrant family that owns the town's largest employer, and whose parents have just moved in with them from Pakistan; and the Shaws, a Black family consisting of Anthony and his aunt.  

This book is a definite must read - putting aside national politics and unrest, this is how a community should work.  It's how people step up for each other, putting aside their differences.  I related to so much in this book, besides the fact that I'm from Ohio and recognize this world.  I empathized with Mary Lou and the Marwat's, expanding their family to include their elders, no matter the personal consequence, and all the feelings that brings up, both good and bad.  Each sentence in this book seemed to invoke such beautiful feeling.  In the end, everyone has a story and remembering that would go a long way to making our towns and our country better.

9.17.2023 - While You Were Out

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this beautifully-written memoir by Meg Kissinger - 5 stars!

Meg grew up in the 1960s in a wealthy suburb of Chicago, one of eight children.  Looking in, life seemed to be perfect.  But inside, it was a different story.  Her maniac father was prone to violence and her mother was medicated and hospitalized for anxiety and depression.  The thread of mental illness wove itself through her siblings as well, even though no one could discuss any of it.  Meg took her personal struggles and made it her professional mission - to expose our country's flawed mental health care.

This book touched me on so many levels and I couldn't put it down.  The first part of the book, focusing on Meg's family, was so engrossing.  The family used humor as a coping mechanism and that humor softened the edges of reading about such tragedy.  The second half of the book focused more on the failures of our country's and society's approach to mental illness.  While the book definitely focuses on a difficult subject matter, and will deeply touch those who have been affected by mental illness, there was still a lightness and hope for the future in this book.  I also loved Meg's strong Catholic faith and appreciated her including that part of her story.  A must read!

9.16.2023 - Terrace Story

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Ecco for gifting me a digital ARC of this magical book by Hilary Leichter - 4 stars!

Annie, Edward and their young daughter, Rose, live in a tiny apartment.  However, when their new friend Stephanie visits, a closet magically transforms into a beautiful terrace.  Without thinking of the consequences, they continue to have Stephanie over and spend time on the terrace.  But there is a cost for everything.  

There are four somewhat-interrelated stories here, all involving love and loss in such a magical way.  A good reminder that actions have consequences for us and those we love.  In this book, both space and time change; the writing is beautiful, invoking both sad and happy feelings. 

9.15.2023 - The River We Remember

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon Books, Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by William Kent Krueger - 5 stars!

In small town Jewel, Minnesota, wealthy Jimmy Quinn is found dead in the Alabaster River.  Sheriff Brody Dern is tasked with the investigation of his murder.  Rumors start immediately that the killer must be Noah Bluestone, a Native American vet who returned to Jewel with a Japanese wife.  Anger sweeps through the town threatening even more violence.

Krueger is the master of totally immersing you into a time period and a story full of characters you won't soon forget.  There is a lot to unpack here - it's a captivating mystery, a look at small town America in the 1950s, racism, classism, and the long-lasting damage done by war.  The writing is beautiful and the story makes you think - highly recommended!

9.13.2023 - This is How We End Things

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by RJ Jacobs - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Five graduate students are working under Professor Joe Lyons, conducting experiments into the science behind lying.  When one of the students is found dead, everyone's secrets start to come out.  Is one of them capable of committing murder?

This one hit all the marks for me - I love a dark academia thriller, a locked-room type mystery where everyone is suspect, and add in a once-in-a-century NC snowstorm for good measure!  In fact, I could have had more insight into the study of lying, because I thought that was so intriguing.  Why do we lie?  Can you tell if someone is lying to you?  Should these type experiments even be done?  This book kept me glued to the pages and I didn't have a clue about the culprit.  Don't miss this one!

9.11.2023 - Speech Team

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Tim Murphy - 4 stars!

News of a high school classmate's suicide comes to the attention of Tip Murray, especially because his suicide note mentions his treatment by his high school speech team coach, Gary Gold, as a cause.  Tip and his fellow speech team alum decide to track down a few other teammates.   As they do, they discover that each of them had been hurt by Mr. Gold's inappropriate comments and behavior.  They also discover that he's still alive and is living out his retirement in Florida.  They decide to take a trip to confront him.

The story is told through Tip's POV, as he works through his own demons. The main theme of this book is a cautionary tale of how long lasting comments made by others can stay with someone and the continued power they have.  It's also a look into the power taken back when moving on.  All of this is done with a nostalgic look at 1980s adolescence, complete with humor and heart.  

9.11.2023 - Beneath the Surface

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Kaira Rouda - 4.5 stars!

Billionaire CEO Richard Kingsley and his new wife, Serena, invite his children and their spouses to join them on a cruise to Catalina Island in their new multi-million dollar yacht,  Each of his sons, John and Ted, thought they were the sole invitee and were quite surprised to see the other onboard.  Because it's time for Richard Kingsley to make his succession plan for the company, and each of his sons feel it's their due.  Then Richard's estranged daughter, Sibley, crashes the party.  Everyone is hiding secrets and with so much at stake, much can go wrong.

I am a big fan of Rouda's books and am so excited that this is the first in a Kingsley family series!  It was full of family drama, lies, and unlikable characters.  The atmosphere of the storm on the sea added to the turbulence going on between all the people on the ship.  There were twists and turns that will keep you glued to the pages, and the ending was perfect.  Can't wait to read the next book in this series!

9.10.2023 - The Librarianist

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ecco Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Patrick deWitt - 4 stars!

This is the story of Bob Comet.  Now in his 70s and retired from his job at the library, he begins volunteering at a home for seniors.  The book goes back in time and covers Bob's life from childhood when he ran away from home, to meeting his friend Ethan, and getting married to Connie.  The book eventually comes back full circle.

This was just a quiet, character study of one man's life and the wonder in the ordinary.  It's sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, sometimes charming.  There were some parts that dragged a bit in the middle, as we meet characters in Bob's past, but those times shaped Bob and who he would become.  For a book named The Librarianist, I would have liked to have more book references, but I enjoyed the story and Bob's journey.

9.10.2023 - A Good Family

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor/Forge Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this book by Matt Goldman - 4 stars!

From the outside, Katie's life seems perfect - she has a good job, two great kids, and a beautiful home in an exclusive area in Edina, Minnesota.  But her marriage to Jack is falling apart.  He is always on his phone, disappearing from the house, even gaslighting his own kids.  But he won't talk to her about any of it.  When a mutual friend from college, Adam "Bagman" Ross, shows up and moves into their extra space, the tension seems to increase.  Katie is worried that he's hiding a big secret.  When she starts investigating, things just get worse.

I love a good neighborhood/family drama - there's just something about pulling behind the curtains of seemingly perfect lives to uncover all the messiness.  This book has lots of messiness!  I thought the writing was good, with lots of tension and questionable characters.  It kept me turning the pages until the satisfying epilogue.  This was a new-to-me author, and I'd happily pick up his next book!

9.9.2023 - Her, Too

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for gifting me a digital ARC of this gripping story by Bonnie Kistler - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Kelly McCann is a lawyer, specializing in defending men accused of sex crimes.  Her detractors call her a traitor to her gender, but it doesn't bother her because she simply loves to win.  The story opens with yet another victory, securing an acquittal for a famous scientist who developed an Alzheimer's treatment.  But later on that day, she too falls victim to a brutal assault.  If she reports it, she loses her career.  But Kelly comes up with a plan and joins forces with her rapist's other victims.  However, someone is on to them because people are dying.

Wow - this was intense from the beginning until that unexpected ending.  Obviously there are triggers here, but this was a wonderfully-crafted relevant tale that I couldn't put down.  I loved the personal story of Kelly and her family, and how it all intertwined.  To me, that personal side softened the brutal reality of the main story plot.  Plus, this brings up other aspects that are always thought-provoking, such as the responsibility of defense attorneys.  This author was new to me and now I can't wait to read more from her!

9.8.2023 - Sure, I'll Join Your Cult

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Gallery Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this non-fiction book by comedian Maria Bamford - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Maria has been dealing with a lot since childhood - OCD, eating disorders, debt issues, relationship issues, career issues.  She has tried about every possible way to help herself, including many 12-step programs and psychiatric institution.  She holds nothing back in this book and is brutally honest about her own struggles and the systemic troubles with the mental health crisis in this country - and all by being herself and hilarious.

Mental health issues are such a taboo in our conversations and thought processes, leaving those suffering with not only their issues but the attached stigma.  Let's hope this book takes away some of that.  We are all dealing with something and we need to be able to be kinder and more accepting of each other.  This book is both hilarious and important - don't miss it!

9.7.2023 - Beware the Woman

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, GP Putnam Sons, for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Megan Abbott - 4.5 stars!

Jed and Jacy, newly married and expecting a baby, head out on their first trip to visit Jed's father, Dr Ash, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  Jacy likes Dr Ash, but their house manager, Mrs Brandt, less.  Soon Jacy has a healthy scare and is taken to visit a doctor friend of Jed's dad, where she feels violated by all the men talking about her in another room.  Now Jacy feels trapped in the cottage and that her every move is being watched and scrutinized.  All she wants to do is leave, but that doesn't appear to be an option.  

I'm surprised at the reviews for this one - I felt such a creepy, horror vibe that I raced through it.  The ending was a bit abrupt, but I don't have to have all endings wrapped in a pretty bow, so I was okay with that.  Set in a remote location where everyone is suspect, Jacy is pregnant and feeling completely vulnerable.  There's a theme running through it about motherhood, women being controlled and their feelings ignored, which just added to the sinister vibes.  I was totally surprised by the twist too!  Don't miss this one - another great book by Megan Abbott!

9.7.2023 - The Museum of Ordinary People

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Mike Gayle - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Jess Baxter is grieving the loss of her mother, made worse by her having to sort through all her mom's belongings to get her house ready to sell.  She comes across an old set of encyclopedias that were gifted to her, that changed her life and opened it to possibilities.  She couldn't part with them, so brought them home to the apartment she shares with her boyfriend, Gus.  Gus hates clutter and harps on her to get rid of the books.  Then Luce, her best friend, tells her about a Museum of Ordinary People, full of belongings from others that they couldn't bear to part with.  She visits the site, which is in the back of a warehouse owned by Alex, who wasn't even aware of this hidden treasure trove.  Jess convinces Alex to let her open the museum to the public.  Jess also uncovers other secrets long buried in the process.

I love Mike Gayle's books, full of heartwarming stories, people that you can relate to, and lots of emotions.  I love this idea - that the things we keep are so valuable to us shouldn't be tossed with the trash.  That it isn't only the rich that deserve to have their things in a museum.  This book touched my heart on a personal level as well.  Being older and starting to think about what will be left behind for the next generations, it's sad to know that no one wants our collections of dishes, memorabilia, even photo albums.  Those things that we have held on to, moved from state to state, will probably just end up in the trash.  Too bad this museum doesn't exist for all of us!  Loved this book - highly recommended for a heartwarming read!

9.7.2023 - The Breakaway

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Jennifer Weiner - 4 stars!

Abby is sort of living the life she thinks she wants - but not quite.  She still hasn't found her career passion, her apartment looks like she just moved in, and she isn't completely bought into a future life with her boyfriend, Mark.  But she can't help thinking about Sebastian sometimes, her one and only one-night stand, who made her feel beautiful like no one has ever done before.  Abby has made peace with her body, but she still struggles, plus her mom is there is remind her that she would be happier if she were thinner.  Biking has always been her salvation and when she gets an opportunity to lead a bike trip from NYC to Buffalo, she is happy for the time and experience.  Until she realizes that Sebastian is in her group.  And her mother.  

While Weiner's books usually feature a beach, if you follow her on instagram, you know that she lives the biking world she wrote about.  Her real world trips and travels are amazing, so all of that rings totally true in the book.  Since I live even more upstate NY than this trail, I liked tagging along the trip.  While there are a few too many coincidences in this story and plenty of controversial subjects, it was a good book and definitely promoted body positivity.  I also enjoyed the growth of the mother-daughter relationships..  I would say the story would be good for young girls, but there's some steamy scenes to begin with and pro-choice messages so maybe best for adults.  

9.5.2023 - The Wife in the Photo

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Bookouture Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Emily Shiner and perfectly narrated by Todd Kramer, Kate Handford - 4.5 twisty stars!

Evan's wife, Lola, died from a fall down the stairs.  Evan is the town police chief and is having trouble keeping up with his job, the home, and taking care of their teenage daughter, Jessica.  He hires Ariel as a housekeeper, but she has an ulterior motive - to find out what really happened to Lola.  Ariel is convinced that the evidence that Evan killed is wife is in the house; she just needs to find it.

Told from the POV of Evan, Ariel and Jessica, along with diary entries from both Lola and Jessica, this story kept me gripped and surprised with each twist and turn.  Every time I thought I had things figured out, I was wrong.  None of the characters were particularly likable, but most of their actions were understandable.  Most of them.  It was a quick read, full of tension and twists - another great book by this author!

9.5.2023 - Amazing Grace Adams

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut novel by Fran Littlewood and wonderfully narrated by Claire Skinner - 4 stars!

Grace Adams gave birth, blinked, and now suddenly she is forty-five, perimenopausal and invisible.  Today of all days, when her estranged daughter, Lotte, is turning 16 and she is desperate to make things better between them, everything is going wrong.  Grace is so worried about Lotte's recent behavior and is at a loss to make things better.  Because things used to be so good.  Ben and Grace, both polygots, seemed perfect together and Lotte made them a family. Grace just needs to prove to them and herself that they can work.

Told between three different timelines, we see Grace then and now.  While I found myself sometimes yelling at Grace's behavior, I also felt her pain.  Life interferes for all of us and it all becomes too much sometimes.  I really enjoyed the language factor in this book - how Grace was so easily able to express herself in so many languages, until her words failed her when she needed them the most.  It's a story of growing older and missing our younger selves and lives, while hoping to change the future for the better.  Grace was a funny, fierce, emotional character and I enjoyed this debut novel fully!

9.4.2023 - The Sight

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Melanie Golding and wonderfully narrated by Ella Lynch - 4 stars!

Faith has a gift - the ability to see someone else's death by looking into their eyes.  But even though a similar gift has been passed through generations, Faith's ability has caused her to be ostracized even by her family and the circus they own.  When she sees herself in a man's death, she begins to really be afraid.  Desperate for money to take care of her mother, she and her only friend, Betsy, decide to take control and profit from her gift.  

This was a mixture of genres, and if it would have been set in the past when circuses were more popular, I think it would have added to the horror aspect.  There was a good twist involved that caught me unawares, and the book kept me interested until the end.

9.4.2023 - Happiness Falls

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Hogarth for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Angie Kim.  I loved her debut, Miracle Creek, and couldn't contain my excitement about reading her next book.  It surpassed my expectations - 5 glowing stars!

A bi-racial Korean-American family is all back under one roof during Covid.  Twin college students, John and Mia, are home with their parents and special-needs brother, Eugene.  Eugene has both autism and Angelman Syndrome, leaving him unable to speak.  When their dad and Eugene go out to the park, only Eugene comes home, bloody and hysterical, unable to express what happened.  The mystery is on to figure out what happened.

This story is told in Mia's voice, complete with footnotes to let the reader in on her thoughts, which to me was a very powerful writing technique.  Loved the Star Trek references too!  You got a look into the family dynamics and relationships, as well as their history and their belief and trust in each other.  But how much do we truly know others' thoughts and feelings, especially when one person cannot speak?  How does that change the family?  This is a wonderfully-written book, full of science facts to make you think and maybe change the way you look at people, especially those who don't look or communicate like you do.  In addition, it's a tense mystery that I just couldn't put down.  Highly recommended - a must read!

9.2.2023 - Killing Moon

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest Harry Hole novel by Jo Nesbo - of course it's a 5 star read!

Harry Hole needs cash - a lot of cash - to try and save an elderly actress he met in LA that reminds him of his mother.  So he's made a deal and is back in Oslo to help solve the murder of two young women.  Harry is trying to prove that his client did not commit the murders, but it doesn't help when the client's wife is murdered as well.  

As his typical with Nesbo's novels, this is a complex, graphic, twisty story but I love Harry Hole and getting lost in his latest world.  This one finds him a mess but trying to curb his alcoholism yet again.  And I loved the relationship with Harry and Gert - hoping for more of that in future books.  Nesbo provides plenty of back story if you haven't read the other books, but this is such a good series to read, so I'd definitely encourage you to do that!  Meanwhile, I'll be anxiously awaiting the next one.