8.12.2022 - The Blame Game

 

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 Sandie Jones, wonderfully narrated by a favorite of mine, Karissa Vacker - 4 stars!

Naomi is a psychotherapist specializing in domestic abuse, having survived her own terrible childhood.  She is working with Jacob, a man who is being abused by his wife and is terrified; as well as with Anna, struggling after the loss of her son and disintegration of her marriage.  Both of these patients need her help and she struggles to draw the line about getting too involved.  But when Jacob's files go missing from her office and then he goes missing, the spotlight of suspicion points right to Naomi.

This was another fast-paced thriller by Sandie Jones.  There are plenty of twists and turns and I was kept guessing until the epilogue wrapped everything up!  There aren't any real likable characters here, although I certainly felt for Naomi and her desperation to help others out of bad situations.  The audio narration was perfect - Karissa Vacker is a master of different voices and I found myself gravitating to the audio more than the digital copy.  Pick this one up for any remaining trips to the beach this summer!

8.12.2022 - Haven

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little Brown & Company and Hachette Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest treasure by a favorite, Emma Donoghue, hauntingly narrated by Aidan Kelly - 5 stars!

Taking place in 7th Century Ireland, a monk, Artt, has a dream that he needs to take two other monks, young Trian and older Cormac.  The dream states that they must leave the sinful world and travel to a deserted island to start a monastery.  They must leave behind all but the barest of essentials and travel to what is known today as Skellig Michael.  

I started reading the digital copy but soon switched full time to the audiobook, because the narrator's haunting voice added so much feeling to the words.  Emma Donoghue has once again created an entire world in which to immerse yourself, only to make you pause, think, and grow - which to me is what reading is all about. This book has so much to think about - as the three monks faced so very many trials, are these problems that God sends to teach us or are they from the devil to tempt us towards sin?  And the arrogance of so many religious leaders that do terrible things to others in God's name.  I am a Catholic and loved listening to the prayers and rituals of these monks.  The faith these men showed was so commendable but God also gave us free will to think about our actions, so maybe not such blind faith in man and more in God.  This book shows how fanaticism usually always leads down the wrong path.

Not an easy book or one for everyone, but one that I highly recommend!

8.10.2022 - The Housekeeper

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by one of my long-time favorites, Joy Fielding - 4.5 stars!

Jodi Bishop is stretched - she's the main breadwinner in her household while her husband, Harrison, works on his novel.  She works as a real estate agent in her father's company and they have two small children.  Her mother has Parkinson's disease and it has progressed enough that her father needs help with her care.  Jodi hires a live-in housekeeper, Elyse, to provide assistance.  Elyse seems like a dream come true and even watches Jodi's children when necessary and proves to be a good listener to Jodi's problems.  But be careful when things seem too good to be true!

I'm a huge fan of Joy Fielding's books - and this one was no exception.  It was a quick, satisfying read with plenty of twists to keep things interesting.  I also loved how the author had Jodi's voice give us clues as to events to come.  This should also be a cautionary tale, as the events in this story are sadly all too common.  Pick this one up for a good read! 

8.9.2022 - You're Invited

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Berkley Books for gifting me a digital copy of this very intriguing mystery novel by Amanda Jayatissa - 4.5 stars!

Amaya is surprised to get a personal invite to her ex-best friend's lavish wedding in Sri Lanka, especially since she and Kaavi haven't spoken in five years.  And because Kaavi is marrying Spencer, Amaya's ex-boyfriend.  But how can she not go?  She must stop this wedding.  When Kaavi goes missing and is presumed dead, Amaya quickly becomes the top suspect.

This was an expertly crafted mystery novel and I couldn't put it down.  It is told in the alternating voices of both Amaya and Kaavi, interspersed with interrogation transcripts of family members and other wedding guests.  There are plenty of secrets and lies among all the characters, in addition to the social media perspective thrown in.  Trust me, you will never see all the twists and turns coming your way, not until you turn that last page!  Lots of interesting facts about Sri Lanka weddings as well.  Definitely a must read!

8.6.2022 - Bend Toward the Sun

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press/St Martin's Griffin for gifting me a digital copy of this wonderful romantic story by Jen Devon - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Rowen is a botanist, burned by love and life, now licking her wounds on a friend's couch while she figures out her next moves.  Her friend takes her to a gathering where she meets Harrison, part of a big, loving family.  Harrison has his own issues - he's a doctor with anxieties that have driven him to take time off away from his practice in California.  He's staying with his family at their newly-purchased vineyard in Pennsylvania.  Can they make a connection?

My favorite reading genre leans more to the mystery/thriller side, but I'm also a sucker for a good, romantic story.  This was it.  I probably could have done without so much sex detail, but the rest was perfection.  Two broken people trying to come to terms with their pasts, each digging in to their own issues but unable to deny the sparks they feel.  I actually welled up with tears twice - the grape jelly and cloud tide stories - which rarely happens to me.  I fell in love with these characters and the Brady family as a whole.  

This was a fabulous debut and I loved hearing that the author is from Ohio and has an engineer for a husband (hmm...I'm from Ohio with an engineer husband!).  I loved learning about the plant and wine world in such a low key way.  Don't miss this one - can't wait to read more from this author!

8.3.2022 - Catch Your Death

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for gifting me a digital ARC of this mystery/police procedural by Lissa Marie Redmond - 4.5 stars!

Cold Case Detective Shane Reese runs into an old high school friend who invites him to a class reunion of sorts at an upscale spa/hotel he is opening in Upstate New York.  Shane brings along his friend and partner, Lauren Riley.  Shane was in a small class of gifted/talented students in school and one of their classmates was murdered, the killer never found.  Shane has been quietly investigating the case and is looking forward to the reunion because all the top suspects in her murder will be there.  But there will be another case to solve while they are there.

I love a good locked room mystery where everyone is suspect.  Add to that a remote spa that isn't open to guests yet on the eve of a huge snowstorm that shuts down the area and you have a thriller!  I have read Redmond's stand alone novels but was new to this series and it didn't subtract from my enjoyment.  I'm sure I would have liked it even more if I would have been privy to the complete backstory of Riley and Reese, but enough background was provided.  I loved the atmospheric element to this story, including the shout out to all the essential workers of Upstate NY!  I am on the other side of the state but feel as the author does about all those that keep the lights on and the roads clear under sometimes extraordinary challenges.  Can't wait to read more in this series!

8.2.2022 - Such a Good Mother

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by Helen Monks Takhar - 4 stars!

Rose O'Connell feels like she is keeping everything afloat by herself - her husband's jobs have dried up, they are living on a dime, and she desperately wants son, Charlie, to go to the famed Woolf Academy.  But from the first open night, she realizes she doesn't fit in with the other moms, especially those in the inner Circle, headed by school head, Amala.  When one of The Circle dies, Rose is surprisingly picked to join.  Suddenly the world opens wide for her and her family - but at what cost?

This was a well-written book even though most of the characters are very unlikeable!  It can be broken down to its basic premise - what does it mean to be a good mother?  And who is judging that?  Just what would we do to ensure the happiness of our children and family?  There are lots of mysteries and twists here, as Rose tries to escape from the hold her past has on her, yet not being able to forget those lessons her dad taught her.