3.28.2022 - Beneath the Stairs

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Jennifer Fawcett - 4.5 stars rounded up!

When Clare and Abby were teenagers, they went into an abandoned and rumored haunted house buried deep in the woods known as the Octagon House.  Neither came out the same.  The house was the scene of a multiple murder years ago, where a man was convicted of killing his entire family.  Clare finally left her upstate NY hometown but came back twenty years later after receiving word that Abby had gone back into the house and was now in a coma.  But Clare can't deny she feels the same pull to go back into the house.

What a gripping debut!  There are multiple points of view as well as different timelines but the author seamlessly made all the transitions.  This was part horror, part mystery, part thriller all wrapped up in a book that I couldn't put down.  I really liked all the characters (well, most of them!) and could feel their emotions, plus the creepy woods vibe added to the story!  Extra points for a setting and author from Upstate NY where I live!  Can't wait to read more from this author.

3.27.2022 - The Younger Wife

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me a digital copy of the latest book by a favorite, Sally Hepworth - 4.5 stars rounded up!  The audiobook was expertly narrated by  Barrie Kreinik; Caroline Lee; Jessica Douglas-Henry; Zoe Carides - they added much to the enjoyment of this book!

Ahh...the younger wife.  Steven Aston has just announced to his grown daughters, Rachel and Tully, that he is engaged to much younger Heather.  While that may be a lot to absorb, Steven is still married to their mother, Pam, who has dementia and is in a nursing home.  Needless to say, the daughters aren't totally welcoming.  And everyone has secrets.

Told in varying viewpoints, from the wedding date and in the past, we learn all those secrets.  I loved these characters (most of them at least!) and I couldn't put this book down until I figured out all the twists.  I've read some reviews that questioned the ending, but to me things were clear enough and I liked it.  I love books that have you questioning everyone's motives behind their actions and behaviors.  There's also some good life lessons in here as well - the harm that held secrets do to ourselves and relationships and believing in ourselves.  I enjoyed the afterword as well, with the author's story of the book's beginnings.

3.27.2022 - What Happened to the Bennetts

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putname/GP Putnam's Sons for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by an all-time favorite, must-read author - Lisa Scottoline.  Another 5 star read of course!

Coming home from their daughter's lacrosse game, a carjacking goes horribly wrong and the Bennett family will never be the same.  The next thing they know, the FBI is at their door explaining that the suspects were part of a drug-cartel and that the Bennett's are in danger.  They must become part of the witness protection program.  But that starts a whole different chapter of trouble for the family.

From the opening paragraph, this book will grab hold of you and won't let go.  It's a tense, pulse-pounding thriller that shows how an average family can get swept up into events that are out of their control.  As always with Scottoline's books, the characters become real and you feel for all of them.  Highly recommended - don't miss this thrill ride!

3.25.2022 - The Family Holiday

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Shalini Boland - a favorite of mine.  4 stars!

Beth is thrilled that her author husband, Niall, finally agreed to take a family holiday with their two boys.  He found a perfect house on the Italian coast on a house-swap website; that family will spend their holiday in their cozy English cottage.  Sounds idyllic, right?  

This is best to go into blind - don't even read the publisher synopsis!  It's a quick, gripping read with lots of twists and turns.  I thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in this book today, as well as dreaming about a vacation in either house!  Not sure quite how the cover relates to the story though!

3.22.2022 - The Book of Malcolm

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for gifting me a digital copy of this book - 4 stars!

This is the story of Malcolm and his struggle with schizophrenia, as written by his father, a well-known Canadian poet and critic.  The book is written is sections - the first detailing Malcolm's death, the second going back in time to Malcolm's history, then dealing with his mental health struggles.  The afterword explains the devastating toll this took on the family.

This was a sad book - how could it be otherwise when written by a father about his deceased son?  It's about how mental illness is such a struggle for all involved - patient, family, doctors.  I lost a bit of interest in the book when it was dealing with some of Malcolm's thoughts, and it could have been the formatting of the ARC that led to a bit of confusion.  But a worthwhile read.

3.21.2022 - The Unsinkable Greta James

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the adult debut novel by Jennifer E. Smith - 4.5 stars!

Greta is an indie guitar star - her mother, Helen, was always her biggest fan while her dad, Conrad, just wanted her to have a different, more stable life.  When Helen passes away suddenly while Greta is out of the country, the divide between her and her dad widens.  Then Greta has a viral breakdown while performing on stage and loses all her confidence and motivation.  The Alaskan cruise that was to celebrate her parents' 40th anniversary looms and Greta's brother convinces her to join their dad on the trip.

I just loved this book - Greta and her dad are both struggling to cope with Helen's death but without her to run interference, can't relate to or help each other.  There's loads here about family, parenting, grief, as well as hope and second chances.  I loved all these characters!  The author was also magnificent in describing the Alaskan cruise experience - it became an integral character as well.  Great book - can't wait to read more from this author!

3.21.2022 - French Braid

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Publishing Doubleday for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by an absolute favorite, Anne Tyler - 5 stars!

In the 1950s, the Garrett family - dad, Robin; mom, Mercy, daughters, Alice and Lily; and son, David - leave Baltimore for their first and only real vacation, a week at the beach.  We then follow this family through to present day times, going along with the good and the bad of family life.

No one does family like Anne Tyler - she is such a gifted writer and I loved immersing myself in this family.  We see Mercy's struggles to figure out her need for her alone time with her parenting and family responsibilities, and how that affects her relationships.  We see the very different daughters, their different roles in the family, and how they relate to each other as well as to the family as a whole.  And then there's the baby, David, who marches to his own beat, no matter how hard his dad tries otherwise.  These are the themes that echo through most of our families in some ways - the pull of the family as well as the need to push away.  I adored spending time with this family and Tyler's writing, who has the gift of making me laugh and cry at the same time.  Highly recommended!

3.19.2022 - The Resting Place

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Camilla Sten, wonderfully narrated by Angela Dawe.  4 creepy stars!

Eleanor arrived for her regular Sunday dinner with her grandmother, only to find that Vivianne had just been murdered.  Because Eleanor suffers from face blindness, she couldn't tell the police who she saw fleeing the scene of the crime, so the killer is still out there.  When the will is read, Eleanor discovered her grandmother had a house in Sweden that she left jointly to Eleanor and her Aunt Veronika.  Along with Eleanor's partner, Sebastian, the trio head to the house to meet the probate lawyer to take stock of the property.  

Add a missing caretaker and a blizzard to the creepy house and you have all the makings of a thriller!  Eleanor's face blindness adds a different layer to this mystery because anyone could be a culprit - and I was left questioning everyone!  The book is told in two timelines - the 1960s from the viewpoint of Anuska, a made in the house, in the form of a diary found on the property, as well as the present.  This was a tense read, wonderfully narrated, that kept me guessing to the end.

3.19.2022 - The Next Thing You Know

 

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 Jessica Strawser, perfectly narrated by Christa Lewis - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Nova is an end-of-life doula, helping those who are dying to have the best death possible, on whatever terms that looks like for them.  Her partner, Kelly, deals with the elderly patients while Nova takes on the younger or more difficult cases.  They've developed a family-type situation, with Nova helping with Willow, Kelly's tween daughter.  When Mason comes to see Nova, she doesn't recognize him as the popular musician he is, but only as someone whose debilitating condition has brought him to seek her assistance.  Neither knows how difficult their relationship will become.

I love Jessica Strawser's books - she always hits the right tone of deep emotion and wonderful characters, while making you think about difficult subjects.  And death is pretty much the final difficult subject we will all face.  This story plays out in the voices of Nova, Mason, Kelly and other minor characters, both in the past and present.  Besides giving plenty of good advice as far as planning for the inevitable, this book makes you feel hopeful about second chances, making the best of situations, and the value of sharing ourselves with others to get through life.  

3.18.2022 - Ocean State

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for gifting me an audio ARC of the newest book by Stewart O'Nan, narrated by Sara Young.  4 stars!

From the opening sentence, we learn that Marie's sister has helped kill someone.  From that opening, we hear the story from the perspectives of Angel (Marie's sister); their mother, Carol; the victim, Birdy; and Marie.  Birdy and Angel are both obsessively in love with the same boy, Myles.  

There's no mystery in this book since we know what happened from the beginning, but there is so much character study to delve into.  The pervasive feeling of struggle and sadness running through these families in this small town feels like a character as well.  The book studies the impact this crime has on all those involved.  You'd like to think that as a society we would have taught women that no man or boy is worth this kind of fighting for, but teenage girl hormones are a beast themselves.  It was a compelling read, made more so by excellent narration.

3.17.2022 - The Villa

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Clare Boyd, always a must-read author for me.  4 stars!

The matriarch of the family, Nora, books a two-week vacation for her two daughters and their families in a gorgeous French villa.  While the family thinks they are there for fun and relaxation, Nora has another agenda in mind.  But she's not the only one with a secret to share.

Best go into this one with as little info as possible.  This is a book about motherhood, parenting, family, and secrets - both past and present - and how they affect not only ourselves but our relationships with others.  All of these characters and their feelings felt real to me and their various journeys alternately joyful and heartbreaking.  Don't miss this one!

3.15.2022 - Kaiju Preservagtion Society

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Tor/Forge for gifting me a digital copy of the latest sci-fi novel by John Scalzi - 4.5 stars rounded up for such an entertaining escape novel!

When Covid hits NYC at the same time that Jamie Gray is fired from her job, he is forced to take a job delivering food.  But a delivery to an old friend will change his life.  Because when Tom opens the door to Jamie, he offers him a job as a "grunt" on an adventure with the animal rights organization he works for.  With no other prospects in sight, Jamie signs on.  Little does he realize that he will be traveling to an alternate Earth, one where huge kaiju (think Godzilla with wings) rein supreme and are being studied by a group of scientists.  Unfortunately, this otherwise human-free world is about to get even more dangerous.

This is the perfect book to curl up with and escape to an alternate universe - who couldn't use a bit of that in their life right now?  This is sci-fi light - filled with humor, pseudo-science, and great characters that will have you laughing at the same time you are fearing for their lives.  These characters are so spot on too - you really feel their distinct personalities and the camaraderie they share.   You grow to love them as they try to save the day - and the kaiju.  Don't miss this book - and I hope someone makes this into a movie!

3.13.2022 - The Stepchild

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital copy of the latest thriller by Nicole Trope - 4.5 stars for a book that's hard to put down!

Leslie left her 3-year-old daughter, Millie, with her stepdaughter, Shelby, while she ran some errands.  Then Shelby called her hysterically that Millie was missing and Leslie's world shattered.  When the police are interviewing Shelby, Leslie can tell that her stepdaughter is not being completely truthful.  Then Leslie receives an anonymous text saying, Your husband is not who you think he is.  Plus Leslie is feeling guilty because she hid the real reason that her errands took longer than expected.  

Told from the viewpoints of Leslie, Shelby, and Ruth, everyone has secrets they are hiding and Millie is still missing.  This is a tense, well-written thriller that will literally have you flipping through the pages as fast as possible.  Besides the mystery, it's a story of family, the secrets we keep from each other and ourselves, and coming to grips with our past.  Another must-read from Nicole Trope!

3.12.2022 - Chevy in the Hole

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this novel by Kelsey Ronan, gorgeously narrated by Janina Edwards.  4 stars!

Gus has overdosed in the bathroom of the restaurant where he works in Detroit.  His sister bails him out again and takes him back to Flint.  When he meets Monae, who wants to be an urban farmer, he can start to see a new life.  Told over generations of this interracial couple, we see how both family and community meld to form our lives, and the troubles that exist when the city fails its people.

I began reading this book but quickly switched to the audiobook, where Janina Edwards' beautiful voice was the star.  I really liked hearing about Gus and Monae's story but sometimes felt a bit lost in the switches to the past.  It is a walk down memory lane with the music and culture of those times however.  The Flint water crisis and how it affected those who live there was always in the background of this story.  A good read but a better listen!

3.12.2022 - The Match

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Harlan Coben, and follow-up to this book, The Boy in the Woods.  This book could easily be read as a stand-alone but it's much better having some of the background information.  4.5 stars!

Wilde grew up knowing nothing about his family; he has only memories of growing up alone in the woods.  When he gets a hit from a DNA website that he has relatives, he starts investigating.  His first hit is to possibly his father but that turns into a dead end.  However, his investigation starts linking to a group of online doxxers - a group of vigilantes trying to out and make right those internet trolls causing so many others pain.  But Wilde himself might have put himself right in harm's way.

I loved getting reacquainted with these characters and thoroughly enjoyed this book.  There were plenty twists and turns, many which didn't get solved until the very end,  It also brings up a very relevant topic of DNA websites and the many secrets they can uncover.  This was another fast-paced thriller and a must read for Coben fans!

3.10.2022 - The Suite Spot

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful new book by Trish Doller - 5 stars!  This is book two about the Beck Sisters, following The Float Plan, but it would read perfectly as a stand-alone as well.  But read Float Plan because it's wonderful too!

Single mom to young Maisie, Rachel loves her job in an upscale Miami Beach hotel, until she is fired by an incident not of her doing.  She decides to take a job as a manager at a new brew pub/hotel which is her dream job, except that it is located on a Lake Erie Island, Kelleys Island, in NE Ohio.  But she takes a breath and moves.  There she meets Mason, owner and brewmaster, who is floundering and has exaggerated the state of the facility when he offered Rachel the job.  

I adored this story, just as I did Float Plan.  It's a wonderfully-written story of second chances, trusting, community.    These characters feel like friends, ones you want to sit with on an island with a beer.  I've done just that on Kelleys Island, so I loved the setting.  Each chapter opened with a foreign word or phrase that perfectly captured the topic of that chapter.  I alternated reading the digital copy and listening to the wonderful narration by Sarah Naughton.  Don't miss this heartwarming story!

3.9.2022 - In Love

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me this amazing memoir by Amy Bloom - 5 stars!

Amy started noticing changes in her husband, Brian, that became too hard to ignore.  When a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's came, they were both devastated, but Brian was determined to exit life on his own terms.  Together, they made the decision to travel to Dignitas in Switzerland who facilitates assisted suicide.

No matter your feelings on assisted suicide, this is a beautifully written love story.  Unfortunately, all great love stories end in death - something none of us are comfortable thinking about.  Amy alternates chapters dealing with preparing for and their trip to Switzerland with their love story, family life and her grief.  It's a story she tells with humor, truth and compassion.  I couldn't put it down and my heart aches for all involved!

3.8.2022 - Booth

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Karen Joy Fowler - 4 stars!

Junius Brutus Booth moved his wife, Mary Ann, to a secluded farmhouse near Baltimore; it was there that they went on to raise 10 children, though only 6 made it to adulthood.  Junius was a Shakespearian actor who spent much of his time on the road performing and drinking.  His children both loved and feared him and their family revolved around the theater.  As the nation grows increasingly towards war and civil unrest, the family also fractures.

I love that the author wanted to explore the family of a notorious villain with less emphasis on the killer himself.  This book explores in depth all of the siblings' lives and how the males all followed in their father's footsteps into the theater.  It also delves some into President Lincoln’s life as well.  It's an introspection of slavery, racism and classism - which all harken to mind the saying, The more things change, the more things stay the same.  Ties to more recent political and race unrest go without saying.  The book was a bit of a slow read to me but fascinating.

3.7.2022 - The Party at No 12

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Bookouture Audio for gifting me both a digital and audiobook ARC of the latest thriller by Kerry Wilkinson - 4 stars!

After her divorce and inheriting some money, Hannah has decided to travel.  Her family insists on throwing a small party before she leaves, so a house is rented and family and friends invited.  Hannah is nervous because there are issues between most of the attendees but she's anxious for everyone to be friends again.  But no matter her best intentions, one of those attending won't live through the night.

This is one of those books that I couldn't figure everything out until the very end - there were lots of twists and turns and lots of suspense.  Everyone had secrets and motives and very questionable behavior!  The book was wonderfully narrated by both Tamsin Kennard and Andrew Kingston.

3.6.2022 - The Lightning Rod

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow/Custom House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by one of my favorite authors, Brad Meltzer, which means it's a shining 5 star review from me!  This is the second in the Zig & Nola series but there's enough detail that it could be read as a stand alone.  However, go back and read The Escape Artist because it's equally wonderful!

Archie Mint seems to have the perfect life until he's killed when he tries to stop a robbery in his home.  But there were many secrets he took to his grave.  "Zig" Zigarowski, former mortician at Dover Air Force Base, is called in to prepare the body.  He soon discovers there is a connection between Mint and military artist, Nola Brown, who saved his life two years ago and who has a connection to Zig's daughter.  Nola's brother joins Zig in trying to find Nola before anyone else - because there some secrets people will kill to protect.

I absolutely loved falling back into Zig and Nola's world and the writing perfection of Brad Meltzer.  This was a tense thriller that kept me flipping the pages as fast as I could.  You'll learn lots about some of the inner workings of the government as well and I continue to be humbled by the care and love shown to fallen soldiers and their families, as portrayed in this series.  I loved the writing style used too - some paragraphs would open with sentences such as, "This is Nola at thirteen."  And then go on.  So there was a narrator guiding the reader with hints of both past and future.  This is a highly recommended series - don't miss it!  Fingers crossed that there is book #3 quickly in the works!

3.5.2022 - The Summer We Buried

 

Many thanks to NetGalley,  Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audiobook ARC of the latest mystery by Jody Gehrman - 4 stars!

Tansy and Selene were great friends twenty years ago, but guilt about an incident that happened then caused Tansy to sever the friendship.  But now Selene is back and is telling Tansy that she owes her for covering up what happened all those years ago.  Selene is worried about her daughter, Jupiter, and her current relationship.  Tansy is a guidance counselor at the school Jupiter attends and Selene wants Tansy to break them up.  But getting involved with the Rathbone family again will cause Tansy to relive all those memories.

This was a good character study of people dealing with abuse, trauma and mental illness.  You really felt for these characters, the situations they were in, and what they would do for those they care about.  That's not to say that those situations were handled the right way, but you can definitely understand the motivating factors.  An entertaining mystery that was wonderfully narrated by Emily Ellet.

3.5.2022 - The Fell

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for gifting me a digital ARC of this book by Sarah Moss - a different look into the pandemic's affect on individuals.  4.5 stars!

In England, Kate has been exposed to Covid, though she is not sick, and is under strict quarantine and not allowed to leave her home or she risks jail time and heavy fines.  She is a single mom to teenager Matt, who is spending most of his quarantine time on the computer.  Kate has reached her limit and needs to take a break outside, so she heads out for a walk.  She is spotted by her neighbor, Alice, who had cancer so is very vulnerable to the virus.  All is fine until Kate takes a fall.

Told in stream of consciousness narratives from these individuals plus Rob, a mountain rescuer.  Once you get used to the narrative style, I really liked delving into each of these people's thoughts on everything from the pandemic to the mundane.  It's an interesting look at the toll that social isolation takes on people, even when necessary.  I'm glad I read this as we are (fingers crossed!) hopefully coming out of the pandemic as opposed to being in the midst of it, but the pandemic still has a varying degree hold on all of our thoughts and is still extremely relevant.

3.4.2022 - The Golden Couple

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audiobook ARC of the latest thriller by the writing team of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.  4.5 stars rounded up for an intriguing thriller!

Avery Chambers lost her therapist license which now gives her the license to practice therapy without any restrictions.  She has developed a 10-session plan to "fix" people's issues.  But her techniques are completely encompassing and intrusive.  After reading about her successes with clients, Marissa Bishop schedules an appointment to meet with Avery to try and fix her marriage to her husband, Mathew.  Marissa made the biggest mistake of her life and cheated on Mathew; she is desperate to make things right.

Told in different storylines between Avery and Melissa, you will soon discover that everyone is keeping secrets.  This is an intriguing, tense thriller that will keep you glued to the pages and wonderfully written by Hendricks/Pekkanen.  There are lots of twists and turns that will have you second guessing everyone. This is a great read and another winner by these authors.  I alternated between reading the digital book and listening to the audiobook - which was wonderfully narrated by Karissa Vacker and Marin Ireland.  

3.1.2022 - Girl in Ice

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for gifting me a copy of the latest atmospheric thriller by Erica Ferencik - 4.5 stars!

Val struggles through her days, with the help of anxiety meds and alcohol, as a university professor in linguistics, studying ancient languages.  But her fears keep her from traveling or from much of any type of life, especially since her twin brother, Andy, died by suicide while studying climate issues in Greenland.  Then Andy's mentor, Wyatt, contacts her from their remote Greenland lab, asking her to travel there to help him.  Wyatt and his team recently found a young girl encased in deep ice; they were able to thaw her out and she's alive.  But they have no way to communicate with her and need Val's help.  Val has to get up her courage to travel there and to use the time to also investigate her brother's death.

Erica Ferencik is the queen of atmospheric thrillers - you'll need to cuddle up with a few more blankets when you read this book!  It's an intense thriller, made more so by the brutal environment of the Arctic.  I loved the relationship between Val and the young girl as they struggled to communicate.  There's something so frightening about these remote science labs with small teams that have you questioning everyone.  Plenty to think about in terms of climate change as well - I'm now terrified of ice winds!  

3.1.2022 - Listening Still

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful book by Anne Griffin - 4.5 stars!

Jeanie Masterson can hear the last words of the dead, a trait passed down to her by her father who runs the family funeral home in their small Ireland hometown.  But her father doesn't always pass down the true words spoken by the dead, instead giving the grieving family platitudes.  Jeanie struggles with her gift, alternately feeling that it is a curse, holding her to stay stuck in her life.  When her parents let her know that they are retiring and moving away, leaving Jeanie and her husband, embalmer Niall, to run the business, Jeanie starts reflecting on her life, her choices and her future.

I started out reading the digital copy but totally got sucked into the beautiful narration by Nicola Coughlan on the audiobook.  I loved imagining Jeanie's gift - that the dead had but a brief time to impart any last wishes to someone left behind.  This really is a book that lets you think about dying, grief, but also living your best life.  Jeanie felt stuck in her life and into her family style of not really communicating truthfully, so much so that she was paralyzed in moving forward or knowing what she wanted.  Lots of life lessons here with a touch of magical realism.