4.8.2024 - The Gathering

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, CJ Tudor - 5 stars!

Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampyr killings, is sent to a small town in the mountains of Alaska to determine the cause of the slaying of a teenager. in town, found with his throat ripped and his blood drained.  The townspeople know that it is the work of a member of the Colony, a community of vampires living in an abandoned mine settlement in the woods.  If it is proven to be the cause, Detective Atkins can authorize a cull.  But she's not convinced.  She brings in a former sheriff to help her investigate, since he investigated a similar murder years ago and knows the Colony well.  But the pair are in deeper trouble than they anticipated.  Who exactly are they hunting?

I love Tudor's books but I think this is my favorite - and do I dare hope that this might be a series featuring Detective Atkins?  This was such a tense,  chilling, atmospheric read  but really never delved into too much gore, which is perfect in my book.  It was a small town atmosphere, with mob mentality - while this book focused on vampyres, the lessons are easily adaptable to any group persecuted for any reason.  Atkins' character was so realistic - she was a bit overweight, not quite fit, yet her sharp mind made for a smart police procedural.  The ending was perfect - highly recommended!  

4.6.2024

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company, and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this beautifully-written book by Fiona Williams, perfectly narrated by Ben Allen, Lee Braithwaite, and Jessica Hayles - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Just like their house in the English countryside is made of broken bricks, so is the family of Tess and Richard.  They have "rainbow twins" - one appearing White and the other Black.  Tess longs for the city life in London, where she wasn't the only Black person, while Richard thrives in the outdoors.  Told over 4 seasons, we hear from each family member.

This is such a wonderfully, atmospheric story with beautiful writing - you'll be able to see the birds and the crops, taste the food, feel the weather.  But where the story shines is in its character building - each member tells the story from their viewpoint, letting the reader figure things out, and seeing if they will be able to come together and move forward.  You'll feel Tess' isolation and her yearning to be among more familiar people and setting; you'll see Richard step back inside himself, trying to figure out how to process; and how each of the boys, different in temperament and appearance, navigate all that's around them.  Took me a bit to resettle after the twist, but it was so well done.  The ending was perfect - hopeful.  High recommended!

4.5.2024 - A Better World

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Sarah Langan - 5 stars!

The world is tumbling into chaos and the Farmer-Bown family doesn't know how they will survive after Russell loses his job at the EPA.  But then they are offered a unique opportunity - a chance to live in a company town where the air and water are clean and the streets are safe.  So Linda and Russell, along with their twin teenagers, Hip and Josie, move to Plymouth Valley.  But from the start, the family doesn't seem to fit in and they are getting hazed by the other town residents.  Once Linda is invited to join a group run by powerful women, everything changes.  Suddenly, they are fitting in and feel confident that they will get the golden ticket, allowing them to stay in the community.  Until Linda realizes that something is very, very wrong.

I was a huge fan of Langan's previous novel, Good Neighbors. and this one is similar in that it takes real world issues and extrapolates them into a dystopian future that will scare you in its reality!  The writing kept me glued to the pages - you could feel the tension from all sides and you just knew things weren't going to end well.  Those rituals and festivals were so creepy!  The family was trying to do what was best, but at what cost?  Plus, this book really explored the relationships between the family members - Linda and Russell were set in their marital patterns, building resentments but not solving anything.  While Josie flourished back in the real world and Hip didn't fit in, the tables turned in Plymouth Valley.  Sticking to your belief systems in a world that promotes strict rules to get by is a tough road indeed.  This author is a must read for me!

4.4.2024 - The Rush

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut thriller by Michelle Prak, the audio wonderfully narrated by Jodie Harris - 4.5 stars!

Four strangers set out on a road trip across Australia.  Hayley and her boyfriend, Scott, are on a break from university and found two other people to share the expenses of the trip.  But they are still strangers.  Andrea and Matt own and work at a remote pub, where Quinn also works.  When a storm comes, they must prepare with sandbagging, and Matt is called away to help a neighbor, leaving Andrea alone with their young son.  Quinn is on the road when she spots a body - and stops to help. 

This story takes place over 48 hours, going back and forth in time, from multiple viewpoints.  This author nails the atmospheric tension of the desolate landscape and impending storm, coupled with the fears that all women alone face.  I was terrified for all of them!  Each different storyline will have you on the edge of your seat, and the ending was perfect.  Fabulous debut - can't wait to read more from this author!

4.3.2024 - The North Line

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Matt Riordan - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Adam is a college student, an athlete, never quite feeling like he fit in.  But one big mistake lands him in serious trouble - he lost his scholarship and needs to earn $26,000 to finish his last year of school.  Through an acquaintance, he gets a job with an Alaskan fishing crew and he learns what he's really made of.  A strike among the fishing crews ignites a whole different powder keg.  

Wow - if you would have told me that a book about fishing would be this tense and gripping, I wouldn't have believed it!  This is why people watch reality shows such as Deadliest Cast.  It sure puts a different definition on the word "work" so that the rest of us can buy our frozen seafood neatly shrink-wrapped into individual portions without too much thought about where it came from or who made it possible.  This is gritty, realistic (Riordan did this work and it shows), and your heart will be in your throat.  Amazing debut!

4.1.2024 - Young Rich Widows

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of this wild ride of a thriller by Vanessa Lillie; Layne Fargo; Cate Holahan; Kimberly Belle - 4 stars!  I also realized it was available free on Audible, so after reading most of it digitally, I switched to the audio - and the voices made it even better!

In 1985, four partners of a prominent law firm die in a mysterious plane crash outside NYC.  Back in Provincetown RI, their widows have to come together to figure out what happened as well as save their own lives and inheritances.  The women are very different - Justine, a former model and now mother; Camille, a trophy wife; Krystle, looking out for her sons to take over the firm; and Meredith, a stripper secretly involved with the only female partner.

This was loads of fun - the women couldn't be more different but they are forced to work together to save themselves and each other.  There are laugh out loud moments, snarky comments, and an over the top plot - who can resist?  You'll be rooting for these women - and there's going to be a sequel, so sign me up!

4.1.2024 - The Other Side of Disappearing

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for gifting me a digital ARC by a new-to-me author, Kate Clayborn - 4 stars!

Jess has spent the last 10 years raising her younger half-sister after their mother took off once again and never returned.  Only 18, Jess had to put her life on hold to become mom to Tegan.  Now as Tegan prepares to go off to college, she discovers that Jess has had some clues into her mother's disappearance that she kept secret; namely, that the man their mom ran off with was an infamous con man and subject of a true crime podcast.  When the podcast host and producer show up at their door with a proposition, Jess is not in, but she will also not let Tegan go on her own.  So the four set out on a road trip, following postcards sent by their mom, to discover the truths.

I love a good road trip story and this was a good mystery and romance as well.  But it's really a discovery of what happens when someone disappears from your life?  Can you easily let them go, especially when it's a parent?  It's learning to trust yourself and your feelings, and let those you love do the same.  You will absolutely fall in love with Adam as he falls in love with Jess, wanting only to never hurt her.  Of course, that's not reality either.  I felt for both sisters as their relationship went through changes.  A great read!