Month: February 2019

Review: Why We Lie by Amy Impellizzeri @AmyImpellizzeri #TallPoppyWriters

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Release date: March 5, 2019

Publisher: Wyatt McKenzie

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Rising star politician and lawyer, Jude Birch, is clearly keeping secrets about his past from his wife, Aby Boyle. And Aby worries that Jude’s relationship with his campaign manager, Laila Rogers, is more complicated that he has let on. Jude has been the bystander victim of a seemingly gang-related shooting, but as the secrets Jude and Laila have kept since law school begin to unravel – with the help of a zealous news reporter and the Capitol Police – Aby is forced to consider that Jude might not have been an unintended victim of the shooting after all.

Meanwhile, Aby’s own secrets are revealed, despite her best efforts to clamp a lid down on a past marked by abuse and lies, and even a false accusation that still haunts her. 

Unpredictable and unexpected, WHY WE LIE is a contemporary political thriller that examines the real life consequences of those who tell the truth about abuse and those who don’t, and asks the question: is the truth always worth the cost? 

Review:

I don’t read many books that fall under the umbrella of political thrillers, no real reason, just not something that usually piques my interest, but after having loved The Truth About Thea I knew I had to give this one a try. I was surprisingly captivated but the world of politics and totally sucked into the drama surrounding Aby and Jude’s lives.

This was a shorter read that packed a solid punch, it was pacey and moved along at a steady clip. After Jude is shot he literally can’t lie anymore, is that a blessing or a curse?! I’m not sure what I really think, but it definitely gives you something to ponder. Besides Jude’s secretive history Aby has her own skeletons in her closet and getting to the truth about them both individually and together was one hell of a wild ride.

The political angle ended up being so intriguing, many of the scenarios portrayed could’ve been ripped straight from the headlines, and while I was highly entertained, it was also scary to think stuff like this happens in DC all of the time! If you like books full of secrets, betrayals and a whole heap of lies check this one out.

Why We Lie in three words: Deceptive, Fast and Entertaining.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy.

Review: The Beautiful Strangers by Camille DiMaio

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Release date: March 5, 2019

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Historical Fiction

Blurb:

A legendary hotel on the Pacific becomes a haven where dreams, love, and a beguiling mystery come alive.

1958. Kate Morgan, tethered to her family’s failing San Francisco restaurant, is looking for an escape. She gets her chance by honoring a cryptic plea from her grandfather: find the beautiful stranger. The search takes her to Hotel del Coronado, the beachfront landmark on the Southern California coast where filming is underway on the movie Some Like It Hot.

For a movie lover like Kate, it’s a fantasy come true. So is the offer of a position at the glamorous hotel. And a new romance is making her heart beat just as fast. But as sure as she is that the Coronado is her future, Kate discovers it’s also where the ghosts of the past have come to stay. Sixty years ago a guest died tragically, and she still haunts the hotel’s halls.

As the lives of two women—generations apart—intertwine, Kate’s courageous journey could change more than she ever imagined. And with the Coronado wending its way through her soul, she must follow her dreams…wherever they may lead. 

Review:

DiMaio wrote one of my favorite HF last year, The Way of Beauty so I’ve been eagerly awaiting her latest since then. When I read the blurb for this and realized it was set in the late fifties while a movie was being filmed I was even more excited and I’m thrilled to say that I loved this one just as much as TWOB!

This is told via dual perspectives, Kate as she sets out on her own for the first time in her life and the other POV is so unique and unexpected that I don’t want to say anything about it, except it was really cool and unusual. Kate was such a darling character, I was endeared to her immediately and following her to the Hotel del Coronado was a blast. DiMaio worked in cameos from Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis in an authentic and believable way, she truly brought this era to life and made it so effortlessly easy to envision the story.

Much like her last book this had a little something for everyone, a light romance, a stunning setting and even a light mystery that kept things exciting. Totally recommend for HF fans and even for those that like old Hollywood glitz and glam!

The Beautiful Strangers in three words: Glamorous, Dramatic and Classic.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: The Lost Night by Andrea Bartz

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Release date: February 26, 2019

Publisher: Crown

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

What really happened the night Edie died? Ten years later, her best friend Lindsay will learn how unprepared she is for the truth.

In 2009, Edie had New York’s social world in her thrall. Mercurial and beguiling, she was the shining star of a group of recent graduates living in a Brooklyn loft and treating the city like their playground. When Edie’s body was found near a suicide note at the end of a long, drunken night, no one could believe it. Grief, shock, and resentment scattered the group and brought the era to an abrupt end.

A decade later, Lindsay has come a long way from the drug-addled world of Calhoun Lofts. She has devoted best friends, a cozy apartment, and a thriving career as a magazine’s head fact-checker. But when a chance reunion leads Lindsay to discover an unsettling video from that hazy night, she starts to wonder if Edie was actually murdered—and, worse, if she herself was involved. As she rifles through those months in 2009—combing through case files, old technology, and her fractured memories—Lindsay is forced to confront the demons of her own violent history to bring the truth to light. 

Review:

I absolutely love any sort of book that deals with old murders and unsolved cases and this one appealed to me even more so because it’s unknown whether Edie was even murdered or if she committed suicide like the cops assumed. There was a lot of unknown factors in the one across the board and while it only left me guessing for about half the time, it maintained my interest throughout.

The bulk of the narrative is shaped by Lindsay with a handful of chapters from her old friend group scattered about. Lindsay is a tough character to describe, on the one hand she’s not likable at all, but it’s not really in a fun way, like a love to hate character. Instead she was pretty immature and whiny for a thirty something grown ass woman. It even kind of felt like a YA novel at times due to her lack of maturity, she got on my nerves quite a bit. Edie herself was actually pretty terrible too, she wasn’t portrayed as a very kind person and it was kind of difficult to toss any sympathy her way.

While the characters were pretty awful I was drawn in by the authors writing style, though it was slightly verbose. Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of long chapters, especially in a mystery. I much prefer the fast paced, cliffhanger type chapters that propel me forward and urge me to keep reading just one more chapter. But Bartz’s style was captivating, almost poetic at times and she did bring me back to NYV circa 2009 with surprising ease. I would suggest this one to anyone that’s new to thrillers or someone looking for a lighter style mystery, it was lacking that punch and darkness that I crave when I’m wholly invested in a thriller.

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Blog Tour: After the Eclipse by Fran Dorricott @franwritesstuff @TitanBooks

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Release date: March 5, 2019

Publisher: Titan

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Blurb:

Two solar eclipses. Two missing girls.

Sixteen years ago a little girl was abducted during the darkness of a solar eclipse while her older sister Cassie was supposed to be watching her. She was never seen again. When a local girl goes missing just before the next big eclipse, Cassie – who has returned to her home town to care for her ailing grandmother – suspects the disappearance is connected to her sister: that whoever took Olive is still out there. But she needs to find a way to prove it, and time is running out. 

Good morning everyone! As part of the blog tour for After the Eclipse I have a fabulous guest post from the author to share about powerful places!

Guest Post:

Powerful places

 

As part of my research for After the Eclipse, which is set in a small English town cobbled from some of my favourite Derbyshire villages (and which also has a strong preoccupation with the superstitious) I spent a lot of time reading about common superstitions people hold, and how they differ around the world. For instance, did you know that many 19th century Vermont farmhouses were built with slanted windows so witches couldn’t fly in? Or that in Egypt leaving scissors open is bad luck? And sleeping with them beneath your pillow is believed to prevent nightmares? Superstitions are a part of most cultures, and they vary from place to place.

 

Solar eclipses, it seems, are viewed differently from culture to culture but the consensus is generally negative. In Bishop’s Green they have become synonymous with loss and grief. But on a lighter note: below is a fun collection of what I like to call Powerful Places located around the world. These are places you’d definitely want to see for yourself if you were nearby.

 

1. The Charles Bridge – Prague, Czech Republic

The 14th-century bridge that connects Old Town and Mala Strana is lined with statues – an impressive sight to behold. Perhaps most interestingly, a travel superstition that endures is that rubbing the plaque below the statue of the martyred St. John of Nepomuk will bring you good luck and a safe return to the city. I visited Prague a few years ago and even I wasn’t immune. I’ll think myself very lucky if I get to go back!

 

 

(photo credit: https://www.amazingczechia.com/sights/charles-bridge/)

 

2. The Blarney Stone – Cork, Ireland

Here’s one for the introverts among us. An old superstition says that if you climb the steps of Blarney Castle, lean backwards and upside down, and kiss the Blarney stone (a rock that’s been in the castle since 1446) then you will be blessed with the gift of the gab. That is, the ability to flatter and speak with eloquence – perfect for salesmen, or booksellers, might I add! It used to be that visitors would risk life and limb to kiss the stone, hanging precariously over the edge with the aid of an assistant, but now there’s a very sensible guard rail. Clearly a research trip to Ireland is in order, though I don’t fancy the upside down part…

 

3. Carnac Stones – Brittany, France

In Brittany more than 3,000 stones have stood in careful rows since as early as 4500 BCE. One popular legend has it that when the Roman army was marching on Brittany the wizard Merlin appeared and turned them to stone. Or they could simply have existed to delineate a sacred space and lead people towards an area of worship, but where’s the fun in that? As with many of these megaliths, it’s the mystery that has always intrigued me.

 

 

(Image credit: https://www.amusingplanet.com/2016/06/the-carnac-stone-alignments.html)

 

4. Hagia Sophia – Istanbul, Turkey

Christian cathedral, Ottoman mosque, and now modern museum, the Hagia Sophia is renowned for its stunning mosaics and revolutionary dome. But perhaps what intrigues me most is the legend that if you stick your thumb in a small hole in the “Weeping Column” and it emerges damp then all of your illnesses and ailments will be cured! Mhmm maybe I won’t do that.

 

5. Stonehenge – Wiltshire, England

No list on Powerful Places would be complete without it! I went here one summer and it was stunning. The size of the stones is remarkable (each one is 7 feet high and weighs 25 tons!), and you do feel a little buzz, although whether that’s just the reverent atmosphere is hard to tell. Once again some legends credit that fabled wizard Merlin with its creation, but any which way you look at it, it’s something special. The Triplet Stones in After the Eclipse have nothing on this beauty but they’re certainly inspired by it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Image credit:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/06/20/stonehenge-builders-used-pythagoras-theorem-2000-years-greek/)

Review: Dead Memories by Angela Marsons @WriteAngie @Bookouture

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Release date: February 22, 2019

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

She ruined their lives. Now they’re going to destroy hers. 

‘Someone is recreating every traumatic point in your life. They are doing this to make you suffer, to make you hurt and the only possible end game can be death. Your death.’ 

On the fourth floor of Chaucer House, two teenagers are found chained to a radiator. The boy is dead but the girl is alive. For Detective Kim Stone every detail of the scene mirrors her own terrifying experience with her brother Mikey, when they lived in the same tower block thirty years ago. 

When the bodies of a middle-aged couple are discovered in a burnt-out car, Kim can’t ignore the chilling similarity to the deaths of Erica and Keith – the only loving parents Kim had ever known. 

Faced with a killer who is recreating traumatic events from her past, Kim must face the brutal truth that someone wants to hurt her in the worst way possible. Desperate to stay on the case, she is forced to work with profiler Alison Lowe who has been called in to observe and monitor Kim’s behaviour. 

Kim has spent years catching dangerous criminals and protecting the innocent. But with a killer firmly fixed on destroying Kim, can she solve this complex case and save her own life or will she become the final victim? 

The heart-stopping and totally addictive new crime thriller from multi-million copy number one bestseller Angela Marsons will have you completely hooked.

I couldn’t be more thrilled to be one of the stops on the blog tour for the latest installment in the Kim Stone series!!

Review:

Before I begin sharing my thoughts on this book I want to let you know that if you’re not caught up with this series yet, I may be unable to avoid spoilers in this review. Not for this particular book of course, but for the last couple of books, it’s kind of unavoidable and I would hate to ruin things for anyone. If you’re not caught up get cracking and if for some reason you haven’t even started this series then stop reading this now and go buy the first book in the series, I have a feeling you’ll be back to thank me later!

Alright, so the past few books in this series have been tough on Kim and team to say the least, you have the devastating loss of a team member, the usual scumbag murders to catch, but my friends, things couldn’t get any worse than the events of this book. Kim, Bryant, Stacey and Penn are trying to catch a killer who is recreating extremely traumatic events from Kim’s own life. We all know about some of the horrors she’s lived through at this point in the series but even more is revealed and it broke my heart in two. Can you have respect and admiration for a fictional character? Because I sure as hell do, this woman has been through hell and back and sure, she’s deeply flawed and has issues, but the fact that she’s a functioning member of society and a police officer nonetheless is so astonishing.

While Kim is a highly complex and incredibly well developed character by this point in the series, Marsons doesn’t skimp on the others characters whatsoever. Bryant, Stacey and Penn are all also multifaceted and interesting, and true to form, more is unveiled about each of them as well. The bond between the team is enviable, they truly care about each other and when one of their own is targeted, watch out!

Marsons is one of those rare authors who really takes each book to a whole new level, she ups the ante with every single aspect too. You are always guaranteed to get a book full of excitement when you dive into a KS book, but you’ll also get to spend time with characters that feel like old friends too. And the surprises?! They always leave me shocked, I swear no other author manages to continually blow my mind. I highly recommended not only this book, but also the whole series, and that’s not something I say lightly, I truly believe this one of THE best (if not the best) crime series available.

Dead Memories in three words: Thrilling, Intricate and Pacey.

Overall rating: 5/5 (quick side note, I’m almost positive this is the only series where I’ve easily rated every single book a 5!)

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides @AlexMichaelides @OrionBooks #TheSilentPatient

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Release date: February 7, 2019

Publisher: Orion

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Blurb:

Only she knows what happened.
Only I can make her speak.

**************

I love him so totally, completely, sometimes it threatens to overwhelm me. 
Sometimes I think- 
No. I won’t write about that.

ALICIA
Alicia Berenson writes a diary as a release, an outlet – and to prove to her beloved husband that everything is fine. She can’t bear the thought of worrying Gabriel, or causing him pain.

Until, late one evening, Alicia shoots Gabriel five times and then never speaks another word.

THEO
Forensic psychotherapist Theo Faber is convinced he can successfully treat Alicia, where all others have failed. Obsessed with investigating her crime, his discoveries suggest Alicia’s silence goes far deeper than he first thought.

And if she speaks, would he want to hear the truth?

Review:

If you’re at all involved in the bookish community there is simply no way that this book has flown under your radar, it’s been talked about for months now, it’s been literally everywhere and rightly so. It has such a clever premise and was executed flawlessly, it truly is a must read for psychological thriller fans.

What can I really say about this one that hasn’t been said a hundred times already?! Probably nothing new, but I’m going to say it all anyway because it’s that good. The structure is fantastic, you have Theo a psychotherapist who is absolutely convinced he will be the one to gain Alicia’s trust and get her to speak and then Alicia’s POV is revealed through her journal entries before her husband’s death. Reading someone’s innermost secrets via their diary is always so interesting, it provides such an intimate glimpse into their psyche, and her whole persona fascinated me. Theo himself was also interesting, his personal history and how that played into his career was completely captivating.

I’m not going to go on and on about the big twist because sometimes I think that ruins a reading experience, so don’t even worry about that. Don’t try and figure it out or guess when reveals are coming, just sit back and enjoy the ride because it’s a wild one!

The Silent Patient in three words: Clever, Captivating and Cunning.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: Keep Her Close by Erik Therme @ErikTherme @Bookouture

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Release date: December 5, 2018

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Blurb:

Someone took your daughter. And nobody believes you … 

Then: 
Three-year-old Ally was found alone in a parking lot. 
She was barefoot and dressed only in a yellow sundress. In the middle of winter. 
What kind of person would abandon their daughter? 

Now: 
Fifteen years later and Ally has a new family. 
But her real father has sent her a letter. 
And now Ally is missing. 

Review:

Phew, what a crazy, intense read this one was! You know those one sitting, edge of your seat type of reads that only come along occasionally? Keep Her Close is that kind of read, it was wild.

The less you know about this one, the better, there are so many insane twists and turns all the way through that I can’t say much more than what the blurb reveals or I would be verging into spoiler territory. It’s incredibly fast paced, exciting and played off all of my worst fears as parent. I will say that there were a couple of instances where I had to suspend a little disbelief, but I honestly didn’t care because I was so entertained. This had the type of ending that shocks and awes, totally explosive and unexpected. I kept thinking this would make for a great action movie too, it had that same great adrenaline rush and nonstop action. Overall just a really fun, entertaining read!

Keep Her Close in three words: Tense, Explosive and Addictive.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher and the author for my review copy.

Q & A with William Myers, A Killer’s Alibi @williammyersjr

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It’s publication day for one of my recent favorite reads, A Killer’s Alibi and I have a Q & A with the author himself to share. First, here’s some more information about the book, this one comes highly recommended by me!

Blurb:

For attorney Mick McFarland, the evidence is damning. And so are the family secrets in this twisty legal thriller from the Amazon Charts bestselling author of A Criminal Defense.

When crime lord Jimmy Nunzio is caught, knife in hand, over the body of his daughter’s lover and his own archenemy, he turns to Mick McFarland to take up his defense. Usually the courtroom puppeteer, McFarland quickly finds himself at the end of Nunzio’s strings. Struggling to find grounds for a not-guilty verdict on behalf of a well-known killer, Mick is hamstrung by Nunzio’s refusal to tell him what really happened.

On the other side of the law, Mick’s wife, Piper, is working to free Darlene Dowd, a young woman sentenced to life in prison for her abusive father’s violent death. But the jury that convicted Darlene heard only part of the truth, and Piper will do anything to reveal the rest and prove Darlene’s innocence.

As Mick finds himself in the middle of a mob war, Piper delves deeper into Darlene’s past. Both will discover dark secrets that link these fathers and daughters—some that protect, some that destroy, and some that can’t stay hidden forever. No matter the risk.

Q & A:

Share the first sentence of the book. How did you come up with it? What is its significance?
“Eight are with him at the table.” This is the first sentence of the Prologue and I wanted it to have some punch. I also wanted it to feel a little ominous; although the scene begins with jubilance and bonhomie, it ends very darkly. It is also a pivotal point in the life in one of the books antagonists, Philly crime lord Jimmy Nunzio.

How did you come up with characters’ names and/or the title of the book?
A good question. For main characters, like Mick McFarland, Piper McFarland (his wife) and Tommy McFarland (Mick’s brother), I played around with the names a lot and settled on the ones I chose once they “felt” right. With Mick and Tommy I wanted solid, traditional names. Piper has a little more whimsy to her, though, as a character, she becomes a stronger person with each new book. I chose “Christina” Nunzio’s name because I like irony (one you read the book, you’ll know what I mean).

Review: The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray

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Release date: February 19, 2019

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Blurb:

The Butler family has had their share of trials—as sisters Althea, Viola, and Lillian can attest—but nothing prepared them for the literal trial that will upend their lives.

Althea, the eldest sister and substitute matriarch, is a force to be reckoned with and her younger sisters have alternately appreciated and chafed at her strong will. They are as stunned as the rest of the small community when she and her husband Proctor are arrested, and in a heartbeat the family goes from one of the most respected in town to utter disgrace. The worst part is, not even her sisters are sure exactly what happened.

As Althea awaits her fate, Lillian and Viola must come together in the house they grew up in to care for their sister’s teenage daughters. What unfolds is a stunning portrait of the heart and core of an American family in a story that is as page-turning as it is important. 

Review:

Ugh I hate writing super negative reviews but I just really didn’t like this one you guys. I’m not going to spend a bunch of time bashing this just because it didn’t work for me, seriously I just scrolled the goodreads reviews for this and a lot of my friends like this, so clearly I’m in the minority on this one.

Let me point out that my reasons for not enjoying this one have absolutely nothing to do with the authors writing, in fact she’s a great writer. What didn’t work for me was the story itself and my lack of a connection with any of the characters. This follows one family after one sister gets sent to prison and the two other sisters are left to pick up the pieces of her life, mainly in the care of her teenaged twin daughters. The problem for me was that I just didn’t care about these people, I wasn’t invested in their lives at all so then I was just bored. I pushed through and really probably should’ve just gave up, because it was a pretty miserable experience for me in the end. I kept waiting for something to happen and it never did, it just ended. Overall, I’m just not the right reader for this one unfortunately.

Overall rating: 2/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: Never Tell by Lisa Gardner

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Release date: February 19, 2019

Publisher: Dutton

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

A man is dead, shot three times in his home office. But his computer has been shot twelve times, and when the cops arrive, his pregnant wife is holding the gun.

D. D. Warren arrives on the scene and recognizes the woman—Evie Carter—from a case many years back. Evie’s father was killed in a shooting that was ruled an accident. But for D.D., two coincidental murders is too many.

Flora Dane sees the murder of Conrad Carter on the TV news and immediately knows his face. She remembers a night when she was still a victim—a hostage—and her captor knew this man. Overcome with guilt that she never tracked him down, Flora is now determined to learn the truth of Conrad’s murder.

But D.D. and Flora are about to discover that in this case the truth is a devilishly elusive thing. As layer by layer they peel away the half-truths and outright lies, they wonder: How many secrets can one family have? 

Review:

For me February isn’t about Valentine’s Day, it means a new LG book which is way better than any chocolates or flowers anyway. When that LG book also happens to be a new D. D. Warren book AND features one of my new favorite additions, Flora Dane, then I’m excited beyond belief. Gardner is one of those writers that truly gets better with each book, her style gets more honed, her plot lines get more intricate and her subject matter gets darker and more bold, she’s truly one of the best crime writers around.

If you’ve been following this series then you already know that D. D. and Flora don’t agree 99 percent of the time and their contentious relationship is part of what makes reading about them so much fun for me. They have so much in common, yet at the same time they really don’t, and watching them square off is always entertaining, especially in the midst of some pretty disturbing crime scenes. You also see a little more of D. D.’s inner sweet side again, which is an aspect of her character that I’ve grown to love. She’s still a hard assed, take no prisoners woman most of the time, but motherhood has softened her a bit and made her relatable.

Besides D. D. and Flora you have a third perspective here, Evie who is found holding a literal smoking gun over her husband’s dead body. There’s always more than meets the eye in a LG book and this was no exception, this isn’t an open and shut case by any means and the race to the finish line was fast, exciting and oh so satisfying. Also, for Evie only being introduced in this book, she was shockingly well drawn, LG never skimps on character development and it always makes me even more invested in her books.

This entire series comes highly recommended by me, and it’s tough to stand firmly behind a series as long as this one. Most times there’s at least a few duds, but each of these books is downright amazing. If you’re already a fan then you’ll be happy, and if you’re new then at the very least I would highly suggest going back three books and beginning with the ones that introduce Flora. Total must reads for crime fiction fans!

Never Tell in three words: Rapid, Intricate and Unputdownable.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.