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Release date: February 7, 2017

Publisher: Grand Central

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb: 

A housewife is the target of a shocking, methodical killing.

Shot with a hunting rifle through her kitchen window, the woman is dead before she hits the ground. Though murdered in England, it turns out that the woman, Sofie Parker, is a Danish citizen–one who’s been missing for almost two decades–so Louise Rick is called on to the case. 

Then the police discover that the woman, Sophie, had been reported missing eighteen years ago by none other than Eik, Louise Rick’s police colleague and lover. Impulsive as ever, Eik rushes to England, and ends up in jail on suspicion of Sofie’s murder. Unsettled by the connection, and sick with worry for Eik, it falls to Louise to find the killer in what will become her most controversial case yet… 

Review: 

I have to start by thanking Abby at Crime By The Book for putting Sara Blaedel and her novels on my radar. She’s always recommending the most fantastic books, and I’ve seen her mention the Louise Rick series several times, so when an opportunity arose to review this one, it was a no brainer for me. Thanks Abby! ❤️

This is the first book I’ve read in the Louise Rick series, but it most definitely will not be the last. (Poor Mount TBR) Anything relevant that I needed to know involving Louise’s background was provided in The Lost Woman so you can easily jump into the series just as I did. 

The story opens when a woman is shot through her own kitchen window as she’s doing the dishes. Upon her death, it’s discovered that the woman is Sophie, who was reported missing by Louise’s partner and boyfriend, Eik. To say this complicates the case is an understatement and as Louise starts her investigation, Eik is arrested on suspicion of the murder. Soon enough, Louise uncovers things Eik was hiding from her, but is he really a cold blooded killer? 

This was a slow burning thriller, heavily character driven with a pacing that was fluid and composed. Their is an air of sophistication about her writing, there’s something very cultured about it. I was very impressed with the way Blaedel tackled the sensitive issue of assisted suicide, she did so in an extremely compassionate manner. You can tell this is a topic close to her heart and one that she researched. 

The best way I can think of to describe this one is to say it’s an intellectual thriller. It’s profound and thought provoking as it addresses many moral issues. I found myself wondering what I thought about assisted suicide and how I would feel if one of my loved ones wished to die with dignity. I’ve always loved when a book challenges me to question my own morals and values and this one did just that. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for my review copy. 

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Release date: February 2, 2017

Publisher: Blackstone

Genre: Psychological Thriller 

Blurb: 

A debut thriller that channels Gone Girl, from the newest writer to watch, Catherine Ryan Howard

The day Adam Dunne’s girlfriend, Sarah, fails to return from a Barcelona business trip, his perfect life begins to fall apart. Days later, the arrival of her passport and a note that reads “I’m sorry–S” sets off real alarm bells. He vows to do whatever it takes to find her.

Adam is puzzled when he connects Sarah to a cruise ship called the Celebrate–and to a woman, Estelle, who disappeared from the same ship in eerily similar circumstances almost exactly a year before.

To get answers, Adam must confront some difficult truths about his relationship with Sarah. He must do things of which he never thought himself capable. And he must try to outwit a predator who seems to have found the perfect hunting ground …

Review: 

This opened with my favorite type of prologue, just enough to get you curious about what lead to a dramatic event, but leaves enough to the imagination that you’re still utterly clueless. 

Adam and Sarah have been together ten years, and things are going well for them. Or are they really? Adam has finally sold his script to a Hollywood production company and they finally have more breathing room financially. Then Sarah heads Barcelona for a work conference and never disembarks from the plane home. Suddenly, Adam realizes that there are things he doesn’t know about his girlfriend. When he seeks help, the local Garda are unconcerned and feel he has nothing to worry about. He has no choice but to take matters into his own hands and unwittingly finds himself in grave danger. 

Psychological thrillers are, dare I say it? My favorite genre, I read them every chance I get. This one is a standout and one I can highly recommend for fans of the genre. There are several perspectives; Adam as he searches for Sarah, Corinne, a woman who works on the Celebrate, and Romain, though his are mostly told in flashbacks starting in the nineties. Corinne’s sections made sense as there was an obvious connection to Adam and Sarah, but I drove myself crazy trying to figure out how Romain would tie in. When all these storylines are finally weaved together it’s incredible, Ryan Howard truly knows how to craft a complex plot. I felt a bit like Adam must have as I was trying to fit puzzle pieces together, like I was missing something obvious, but what?! 

Apparently a cruise ship is the perfect place to commit a crime as maritime law makes things very muddled and confusing. Jurisdictions are murky and most times, heads are turned as it’s easier to avoid the headache. Being made aware of this by the author added an extra layer of tension as the story unfolded, and it was already on the suspenseful side to begin with. I’m so appreciative of a tragic ending, but also one that is able to shock and awe me, and this one managed to do both. It also broke my heart, if you’ve read this, you’ll know exactly what I mean. What a remarkable debut, I’ll be watching Catherine Ryan Howard’s career closely. 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to Blackstone for my review copy. 

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Release date: January 17, 2017

Publisher: Lake Union 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

Blurb: 

On a cozy street in Philadelphia, three neighboring families have become the best of friends. They can’t imagine life without one another—until one family outgrows their tiny row house. In a bid to stay together, a crazy idea is born: What if they tear down the walls between their homes and live together under one roof? And so an experiment begins.

Celia and Mark now have the space they need. But is this really what Celia’s increasingly distant husband wants? Stephanie embraces the idea of one big, happy family, but has she considered how it may exacerbate the stark differences between her and her husband, Chris? While Hope always wanted a larger family with Leo, will caring for all the children really satisfy that need?

Behind closed doors, they strive to preserve the closeness they treasure. But when boundaries are blurred, they are forced to question their choices…and reimagine the true meaning of family.

Review: 

The idea of a communal family intrigued me right away, maybe because it’s so far out of my own comfort zone and something I would NEVER consider in a million years. Six friends and neighbors decide to go ahead and take a chance after one family wants to move in order to have more space. This was such a compulsive read for me, I was surprised by how quickly I was wrapped up in their lives. 

There are seven different points of view here, I know that sounds like too many, but it truly works seamlessly here. Mark and Celia have three kids and both have demanding careers. They are the ones that initially want to move, but they change their minds after Mark has a serious health scare. Stephanie and Chris  have one child and both work as well. They’re happy with their son as an only child, but also intrigued by the idea of giving him a larger, untraditional family. Hope and Leo also have one daughter and Leo is a sommelier while Hope stays at home. They’ve been trying to have another child for two years and are thrilled to expand their family anyway they can. Lastly, there is Nikki the new neighbor on their block. 

Of course things get messy and complicated pretty fast, but the way things got muddled shocked me. Lines get blurred and boundaries get crossed as three separate families try to merge into one. Large family dynamics are very different than those of a single family unit, and many relationships are put to the test. The women have always been extremely close, but events drive a wedge between them. The men love to get together for a beer or an occasional guys night out, but when things get complex, they feel the after effects as well. Then there are the always convoluted male and female relationships, especially when secrets are being shared, and NOT always between spouses. 

This was a provocative read, but one with heart and great characterization. It explores parenthood, marriage, work woes and friendships, all in an interesting way. What truly defines a family? Can a non traditional family really work, to the benefit of both the adults and the children? This is especially difficult as they’re keeping this arrangement under wraps in order to avoid judgment. This was one that grabbed me from the start, at no point did I want to put it down. I’m wowed that this was LeBan and DePino’s first collaboration and am desperately hoping it’s not their last!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to Lake Union and Little Bird Publicity for my review copy. 

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Release date: February 1, 2017

Publisher: Lake Union 

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery 

Blurb: 

The year is 1928. Kate Moore is looking for a way out of the poverty and violence of her childhood. When a chance encounter on a transatlantic ocean liner brings her face-to-face with the handsome heir to a Chicago fortune, she thinks she may have found her escape—as long as she can keep her past concealed.

After exchanging wedding vows, Kate quickly discovers that something isn’t quite right with her husband—or her new family. As Mrs. Matthew Lemont, she must contend with her husband’s disturbing past, his domineering mother, and his overly close sister. Isolated at Lakecrest, the sprawling, secluded Lemont estate, she searches desperately for clues to Matthew’s terrors, which she suspects stem from the mysterious disappearance of his aunt years before. As Kate stumbles deeper into a maze of family secrets, she begins to question everyone’s sanity—especially her own. But just how far will she go to break free of this family’s twisted past? 

Genre: 

Historical fiction is not usually one of my go to genres, but when this beauty showed up in my mailbox I was immediately interested. Besides the gorgeous cover, (really it’s stunning, more so in person) the blurb gave me pause. I’ve always been taken in by the 1920’s, things seem so glamorous and chic, but throw in a crumbling family mansion hiding old secrets and I’m in! 

Twisted characters never cease to appeal to me, but when there is an entire family that is twisted and shrouded in mystery? Be still, my heart. Kate is a young woman on a mission to find a husband. Not just any man will do, he needs to be of a certain status and able to provide the sort of life she’s only dreamed of. She was raised by a single mother and their life was a struggle, so when she meets Matthew Lemont and he is swiftly taken by her, she’s thrilled. They marry very quickly and before she can protest they’re living in his family home in Chicago with his mother Hannah and sister Marjorie. Expecting to start her brand new fairytale life, Kate is overwhelmed and apprehensive upon their arrival. Lakecrest is not as grand as it once was, the estate gives off a very sinister and creepy vibe, then there is her mother in law, a very controlling and ruthless woman who Kate struggles to connect with. 

Kate finds herself very isolated and lonely, so her boredom leads her to start digging into the disappearance of Cecily, her husband’s aunt. That’s all I want to say about the plot, but the gothic vibe of the book worked very well for me and I was reminded of V. C. Andrews, whom I read all the time as a teenager. Blackwell covers a variety of taboo topics here, especially for the time period, and there are plenty of shameful family secrets lurking inside the walls of Lakecrest. I love a surprise ending and this one got me, I really liked where Blackwell left things in the end. If you’re a fan of darker, atmospheric historical fiction, check this one out. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Lake Union for my review copy.