9.6.2025 - The Dirt Beneath Our Door

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of this memoir by Pamela Jones, narrated by Carrier Brewer.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Pamela Jones grew up in a violent and misogynistic fundamentalist Mormon cult that kept her constantly pregnant and broken.  She has 61 siblings, 5 sister wives, and 9 children.  This is the story of how she escaped and became a self-made millionaire.  

I was anxious to listen to this story after watching the documentary, Daughters of the Cult, from a different branch of this same evil, violent cult.  I'm always amazed at the horrors people commit in the name of religion, and Pamela's father's brutal beatings were an example.  It's the story of being able to pull strength of character out when you've been bullied and belittled your own life.  Pamela's grit and resilience to make a new, better life for herself and her children was inspiring.

9.6.2025 - What About the Bodies

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Crime for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Ken Jaworowski.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Three people in small town Locksburg, PA.  Carla, a single mom poised to finally break free from her cycle of poverty, must risk it all, including her morality, to help her son hide a terrible secret.  Reed, an autistic young man, sets out on a journey to keep a deathbed promise to the mother he just lost.  And Liz, an aspiring musician on the cusp of a breakthrough, needs to quickly come up with the cash she owes a brutal ex-con. 

Wow - I loved this author's book Small Town Sins, also set in Locksburg, and this one is just as fabulous if not more.  He's definitely been cemented as a must-read author for me.  The author has nailed down small town America to a tee, with the desperation of the inhabitants in a location where time has moved on.  Each of these main storylines are so compelling, and I felt the angst and struggles right along with the characters.  The writing is wonderful, and the story suspenseful and taut.  I held my breath so many times just hoping for the best for these characters who are just trying to do right for those they love.  I already miss them.  Highly recommended!

9.5.2025 - Watching You

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK | Avon for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Helen Fields.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

A killer is active on the streets of Edinburgh, and police are getting desperate.  The deaths seem unconnected but DS Lively and forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine know they are related; they just have to prove it.  In the city’s hospital, renowned surgeon Beth Waterfall is grieving the loss of her only daughter who was being stalked, and now she feels he's after her.

Wow - what a thriller!  Told with alternating chapters from the investigation and from the POV of The Watcher, the tension and suspense were high throughout the book.  I liked how the characters felt real and I was emotionally involved.  And that ending - mind blown!  This is part of a series and I'm wanting to read the others, but it works great as a stand alone.  

9.4.2025 - Chasing Evil

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press | St Martin's Essentials for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of this non-fiction book by Retired FBI Agent Robert Hilland and psychic John Edward.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In 1998, FBI Agent Hilland was obsessed with a cold case that he couldn't solve and had nowhere else to turn, when he kept getting pulled to call the famous psychic.  What Bob never imagined was that the call would lead to a shattering of all his preconceived notions, a huge break in the cold case, and an unlikely crime-solving partnership that spanned twenty-five years.

While this book centers on the investigation of the murders by John Smith, what fascinated me most was the struggle between good and evil in the world, as well as the discussion between science and psychic abilities.  The book says that John Edward predicted everything from 9-11 to helping to solve multiple crimes around the world - I don't have enough knowledge to refute that but it made for interesting reading.  It was also personally interesting to me because John Smith lived in the same county I used to in Ohio, and much was mentioned about the area.  This book will definitely make you think a bit differently!

9.3.2025 - All This Could Be Yours

 

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 Hank Phillippi Ryan, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Sarah Mollo-Christensen.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Debut sensation Tessa Calloway is on a whirlwind book tour for her instant bestseller, All This Could Be Yours. In a different city every night, Tessa receives standing ovations from adoring fans while her husband Henry and their two children cheer her on from their brand-new dream house.  But Tessa soon learns that she's being stalked by someone who is intent on not only sabotaging her career, but destroying her family as well.

This was another fabulous thriller by Hank Phillippi Ryan - it was so tense and suspenseful just thinking about a stalker following your moves.  I was so anxious to find out all the secrets that I kept turning the pages long after I needed to stop.  The book goes back in time to give the reader some history into Tessa's childhood.  It was also a fascinating look into an author's life, going from solitary writing to being on the road for long stretches.  The narration was great too, and pulled me even more into the story.  Highly recommended!

9.2.2025 - The Cross

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this novella by a favorite, Steve Cavanagh, narrated by Adam Sims.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Eddie Flynn is an ex con artist turned defense attorney, and his new firm is about to collapse.  If he loses his latest trial, it could be the end of the firm.  And this is no easy case.  The widow of a man who died in a confrontation with a police officer is seeking justice.  The victim was accused of killing a man in a robbery gone wrong.  As Flynn investigates, the corruption goes deeper and deeper.  It will all come down to his cross examination.

I'm a huge fan of the Eddie Flynn series - always an intriguing legal thriller/crime fiction story.  Eddie is just a master in court!  I missed some of the earlier books in this series, so it was interesting to me to see how it all began, when Flynn was married and just starting his new career.  Highly recommended if you love Eddie or just like a good legal thriller - the narration was perfect and the audiobook production great.

9.2.2025 - Please Don't Lie

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, MB Communications, and Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer for my ARC copies of this thriller by the collaboration of Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Two years ago, Hayley Stone lost everything - her family died in a fire and her sister overdosed, leaving her the heir to the family fortune as well as part of a media circus.  When she meets Brandon and he suggests a fresh start at his secluded mountain home in the Adironidacks, she's ready.  But the mountains hold darker secrets than she ever imagined.

First, since I live there, I loved the Adirondack setting.  Obviously it was set in a more secluded area than mine, but the descriptions of the beauty and serenity are spot on.  The atmosphere played a big part in this novel, as Hayley tries to adjust to being off the grid after living in NYC.  She must depend solely on Brandon, but things feel off and she doesn't what to believe.  The tension kept ramping up throughout the book and I just couldn't stop rooting for things to work out for Hayley.  The best part?  This is the first in a series set in Crystal River and I can't wait for more from this duo.