crmacgal

[crmacgal]

October Suspense

Since I've run into a few roadblocks on my new site, it looks like I'll need to keep posting here for awhile. And even though we are quickly entering my favorite reading season, I'm still playing catch-up with my TBR list as well. Here's a few to hold you over - enjoy!

The Last To Vanish by Megan Miranda

Abby Lovett has worked and lived at the Passage Inn for over ten years, time in which she’s learned all about the string of unsolved missing persons cases just off the Appalachian Trail.  Now that she’s lived there while another person has gone missing, she experiences the town’s secrecy herself for the first time.  Pushing past her feelings of still being an “outsider,” Abby starts probing a little harder, potentially making herself a target by the person (or people) who would rather keep their secrets hidden and buried.  I listened to this as an audiobook, so it’s hard for me to tell if it was just a little slow-moving, or if that was just the style of the narrator.  It still kept me guessing until the very end though, which is a win for a mystery book with me!

4 Stars

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The Senator’s Wife by Liv Constantine

When Sloane’s beloved husband and Whit’s wife are killed, they manage to find solace (and more) in one another.  But when Sloan’s very straightforward hip surgery triggers a flare up of her lupus, Whit and Sloan’s home health care assistant, Athena< are there to step in and help care for her.  Except Sloan’s not getting any better, and while Whit and Athena seem to be growing closer, Sloan’s future seems to be quickly fading away.  Another ending with a twist from Liv Constantine, which I very much enjoyed.  The overly dramatic dialog and lack of action from the lead character of Sloan, however, wasn’t really for me.

3 Stars (Rounded Up)

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Four Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards

Jo and her coworker friends are working the very last shift at the movie theater before it’s closed along with the mall it’s attached to forever.  The group is looking forward to going out for a celebration dinner after their shift, but when the power goes out while their closing up, they realize something’s really, really wrong.  And when they find one of their own murdered and they realize their manager is the killer, the evening becomes a true-life game of cat and mouse.  This book is an easy read and I enjoyed it quite a bit.  Lots of tension and just enough background information to keep me wanting to turn the pages.  All in all, a solid YA thriller.

4 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[crmacgal]

Final Post Here

It's time to say goodbye to my Tumblr posts as I move on to a blog site that will be a little more in line with what I need for my book reviews. I'll still have my previous content from the last few years here to read, but hopefully I'll have better archiving and search capabilities with the new site. Fingers crossed!

Beware The Woman by Megan Abbott

Jacy and Jed have been married for a couple years, and now that they are expecting a baby, they’re finally going on a road trip to spend some time with Jed’s widowed father in Michigan’s isolated UP.  Although the visit starts off wonderfully, with Jacy feeling all of the love and hospitality from Jed’s father, Dr. Ash, after the first few days, things start falling apart with everything being pushed back on Jacy as paranoia…but is it?  I liked this book but felt like much of it was a fever dream---not sure if these things were really happening or if they were just Jacy’s imagination.  Personally, I would’ve preferred a little more clarity on what was really going on, as well as what everyone’s motives were.  For me, this was just okay.

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Spare Room by Andrea Bartz

Kelly has just broken up with her fiancé and is coming to stay with an old high school classmate and her husband.  It’s during the height of the pandemic, so being sequestered in their big, fancy house could turn into a lot of fun, or a huge nightmare.  But when Kelly keeps coming up with questions that her hosts either can’t or won’t answer, something has to give.  This book definitely had me wondering where it was heading and kept me guessing all the way until the very end, which isn’t always easy give all of the suspense fiction I read!  Some mild spice is included in this one, so consider yourself warned!

5 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Jennette’s autobiographical account of growing up with a helicopter mom (to say the least) and how this impacted her life as a child actor.  I listened to this as an audiobook since I wanted to hear directly from Jenette, and I’m glad I did.  It was clear Jenette loved her mom very much---maybe too much---but it also showed the destructive impacts pleasing her mother had on Jenette.  All parent/child relationships can be complicated, but this one definitely takes it to another level.

5 Stars

Survive The Night by Riley Sager

When Charlie’s roommate and best friend is killed by the campus serial killer, she finds that she can no longer focus on school, her boyfriend, or really anything.  The desire to go home and be with her grandmother is so overwhelming that she doesn’t even want to wait until the weekend for a ride from her boyfriend.  Instead, Charlie finds a ride share headed to Ohio from the message boards, except this ride might not take her home at all, and by the time Charlie realizes this, it may be too late for her.  Like all of Sager’s books, this one was hard to put down.  Even though I wasn’t a huge fan of Charlie and the “movies” she’d see play out in her mind, I still found the story compelling and couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen.  Not my favorite of Sager’s, but still a good read!

4 Stars

[crmacgal]

Changes Coming!

Although posting my reviews on the tumblr format has worked out over the past couple of years, I’m realizing having a bit more functionality to my site might be helpful. So this is what I’m working on – a brand new site, with fully reviews and summary sections.  I’m also hoping for some quick look-up capabilities just to help making reading referrals a bit easier.  I’m not sure when I’ll get to publish, but stay tuned, and in the meantime, check out a couple good ones below!

Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paige Toon

Wren is living in the UK, happily engaged and planning her wedding until her fiancé calls it off. In hopes of finding some distraction to help her get over her heartbreak, she takes a trip to visit her father and his family in rural Indiana for the summer where she realizes there’s a lot more going on than just corn growing in the fields.  Growing closer to her father, bonding with her half-sister, and meeting the “not-too-hard on the eyes” neighbors definitely helps her take her mind off of some things…mainly her ex.  Although love stories and romance aren’t generally my go-to for reading, I found it difficult to put this book down.  And when weeks and months go by and I’m STILL thinking about the characters, I know it’s a good one for sure.

5 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering

Billie West is not a kidnapper.  She doesn’t even want children of her own.  But in a state of chaos, she’s done exactly that---she’s taken her best friend’s baby, with absolutely no forethought or plan on what she’s going to do next. This book lured me in and hooked me from the first page.  With a combination of suspense and emotional evolution of the characters, this book had me turning the pages until the very end. Another great book by Lovering! Read it; you’ll see what I mean.

5 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[crmacgal]

Falling Behind

Every year I set a completely arbitrary reading goal. It’s arbitrary because, let’s face it, I’m going to read books every year until the day I die so it’s not about the quantity.  Instead, I read now to be entertained, and depending on my mood and what’s going on in my life, that can mean different things.  I recently had surgery and found myself at home for seven full weeks without work.  Seven weeks! That should be at least 10-14 books if I were pushing for my reading goal.  Instead, I found myself catching up with friends & family, surfing the web for all sorts of household items (we’ve been remodeling so now it’s the fun part!), and watching tons of shows that I’d missed and now they’re all streaming.  I’m back at work again this week and since I find it helpful to have a routine, I’m back to reading every night.  Maybe I’ll make up some lost time with my reading goals? We’ll see. 😊________________________________________________________________

I Will Find You by Harlan Coben

David is in jail for life for brutally murdering his young son. Five years later, his sister-in-law visits him in jail with a photo she’s come across…a recent photo that seemingly shows David’s son in the background.  As David strives to do the impossible (break out of a maximum-security prison, get his son back, and clear his name), we get to go on the wild ride with him as we try to wrap our heads around the fact that the dead boy they held a funeral for may actually have been a stranger.  I love Coben’s books---he is one of my go-to authors that I don’t even need to know what the book is about because I know I’m going to read it. Although this wasn’t one of my favorites (there’s the believability factor, for sure), I still absolutely recommend.  

3 Stars 

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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 With My Little Eye by Joshilyn Jackson

Meribel enjoys being a semi-famous TV actress, even with some of the drawbacks.  But when a “fan” starts becoming more and more threatening, it becomes way more serious than just a “drawback.”  Even when Meribel moves her and her pre-teen daughter from LA to Atlanta to get away, this super-fan (aka stalker) manages to find and follow her.  I absolutely love Joshilyn Jackson’s books, and this was no exception.  I’ll admit, there were enough twists in this book to make me think I was missing some stuff, but it all ironed out in the end.  My favorite book of hers?  No… Still recommend?  Definitely!

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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When in Doubt, Add Butter by Beth Harbison

As a private chef, Gemma focuses on cooking and caring for other people.  She has a full life, is plenty busy, and feels very content with where she is in her career and personal life.  But as things start to get a little unpredictable with her jobs, Gemma realizes that life doesn’t come in exact measurements the way her recipes do. Following up on an exciting not-quite-date with a stranger and branching out into new territory with her job, she realizes that maybe taking on more of the “different” might not be a bad thing.   Very sweet book with relatable content, good characters, and easy to read storyline.

5 Stars

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The Second Husband By Kate White

Emma’s first husband was killed in an unsolved street crime---likely a mugging gone horribly bad.  Now that she’s happily remarried to Tom, she’s eager to move forward in her new life, both professionally and personally.  This isn’t as easy as she had hoped, since the police still consider her first husband’s murder unsolved, and they’re definitely still interested in what happened. As they continue to question Emma after all this time, and now Tom, too, Emma starts second guessing everything that brought her to her present state, including whether or not she’ll ever have her happily ever after.  Fast-paced book with lots of twist---a very fun read, especially if you’re looking for a beach-book this summer!

3 Stars

[crmacgal]

A Hit, A Miss, and the In-Betweens

So if you read a book that’s not necessarily your favorite, does that annoy you or does it make you that much more appreciative for the ones that are really, really good?  In my case:  BOTH.  Although if I read too many that aren’t so great in a row, I get crabby---seriously.  Life is too short for just “so-so” books, right?  But on the other hand, how do you know when a lousy book is going to make some incredible shifts and turn out to be one of the best things you’ve ever read??  I don’t really think that happens very often, to tell the truth…but that doesn’t stop me from plowing through with hope, because you just never know!

Last Known Location by Eva Mackenzie

Gwen’s been having issues with her ex-boyfriend; he wants to play mind games and since she was in too deep, it’s hard for her to break free and move on.  When she goes on a quick hiking trip in her area, she meets a very nice, VERY good-looking man, but he’s left the campsite when she wakes up the next day so that’s that.  Until a few days later when Gwen is on her shift as a nurse at the hospital and this stranger is brought in---bloody and without a memory.  The story takes off from there, and while Gwen is trying not to get too involved with this stranger (who might be dangerous), it’s not until she realizes she’s being stalked that she knows for certain that something is up.  I think this story had a pretty good premise, although Gwen comes across as a bit naïve at times.  The problem was I didn’t find her very likeable, and then I found areas where the leaps of logic were just too great.  I wanted to like this one more, but in the end, it was just okay for me.

3 Stars (rounded up)

Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay

One day in 1975, Jane Larkin goes out to run some errands and never comes home, leaving her husband and three young children in an constant state of wondering what happened to her.  As the children grow up, the younger two (and investigators) begin to believe their father is responsible, and that their mother is likely dead.  Since there’s no proof and no body to be found, Jane’s husband is never charged with a crime…and even after her remains are found some 20-yrs later, there still aren’t any suspects.  This is the same author who wrote Defending Jacob, and just like with that book, I found myself completely immersed in the story.  The characters are so real, the descriptions so good, that I could practically see this all play out in my head like my own little movie.  Highly recommend!

5 Stars

Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Not That Kind Of Ever After by Luci Adams

Bella is an almost-30yr old singleton, living in London, dreaming about the perfect “happily ever after” she always read about as a girl and now mourns the fact that she simply cannot find it for herself.  After a particularly awful “date” (the term is being used very loosely here) and a very frank conversation with her best friend’s brother, Bella writes up her fairytale evening turned nightmare…and it goes viral.  So even though Bella was having a hard time before, now she has a full blown following, all waiting to see what comes next, and she’s  more than happy to oblige—at least until it all starts to spiral out of control.  Cute book, kind of predictable and a bit unrealistic, but a nice “chick lit” type of book to pass the time.

3 Stars

Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson

As a follow-up to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, it’s now the early 1950s.  Although some progress has been made in favor of females and the “blue folk,” it’s really not to the point where 16yr-old Honey Lovett, the adopted daughter of Jackson Lovett and Cussie Mary (“Bluet”), can be truly free.  During a period of time when her parents can’t care for her, Honey needs to use her smarts and the kindness of her friends from Troublesome to gain independence---although, just like with her mother, this is easier said than done.  Even though both of these books can be emotionally distressing at times, given the fact that these women have to live during very hard times in places where the law is not in their favor, they are also incredibly rewarding.  Richardson is a brilliant writer, and I found myself falling in love with her characters---hoping she finds a way to give us more.

5 Stars

Not A Happy Family by Shari Lapena

It’s Easter Sunday, and the Merton family is gathering together at their parent’s home in upstate NY, the estate where each of the children were raised.  During the course of the dinner, Fred Merton (the father and patriarch of the family) manages to insult each of his three children, lording his extreme wealth and success over them until they reach a breaking point and all leave.   Two days later, the housekeeper finds Fred and his wife brutally murdered, and with millions of dollars as a motive, a father who is downright cruel and a mother who sits silently by, it’s only natural that the police look to the adult children as possible suspects.  Like her other works, this is a fast paced, hang by the edge of your seat mystery that I could not put down.  Without spoiling the ending, I’ll just say that all the the characters were a bit unlikeable, so I don’t think the “who dunnit” really mattered all that much!

4 Stars

When In Doubt, Add Butter by Beth Harbison

Gemma works as a personal chef, which doesn’t leave her much time for her own personal life.  But on a unexpected evening out with a friend, she meets a guy that she can’t seem to get over.  Unfortunately, with her work life going haywire, the last thing she has time to worry about is her love life.  At least, that’s the case until something comes up that makes her realize she’s going to have to make time---and soon.  Great story with fun, descriptive characters.  I love all of Beth Harbison’s books, especially when I need something a little lighter---would make a perfect vacation book!

5 Stars

[crmacgal]

Slow Start

Since I wasn’t able to read as much as I had planned/wanted for the beginning of January, I feel like I’m already behind on my count!  BUT - it’s not about the quantity, but the quality, right?  And even more so, I think it’s about the enjoyment - and I did enjoy these, so it’s a win!

Earth's the Right Place for Love by Elizabeth Berg

When Arthur becomes friends with the prettiest girl in class, he’s over the moon.  The only problem is:  He wants to be more than just friends.  As the “prequel” to Elizabeth Berg’s other Arthur Truluv books, we get to learn how Arthur’s life growing up in Mason shapes the perspectives that will stay with him his whole life.  Although I always enjoy Berg’s books, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to read this one…I mean, come on!  Another book about this town and these people?  But I was wrong.  It caught me hook, line, and sinker and I very much enjoyed it.  Not a very long book, but one that left me with a smile on my face for sure.

4 Stars 

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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What Have We Done by Alex Finlay

Young teens who experience a shared bond in a group home each grow up to find moderate success in life.   Now, as adults, one of them is killed, and the others begin to be blackmailed, they gather together once again to get to the bottom of things.  Told in multiple POVs, I found this to be an interesting book and I definitely looked forward to picking it up at the end of the day, but there wasn’t anything necessarily “new” about the book.  I feel like there are many books out there that are similar to this, so I was really looking forward to that twist or turn that would make this one special, but it never really came.  Still a good page turner---excellent vacation book for when you want to just escape for a little while.

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

It’s Kentucky during the Great Depression, and Cussy Mary has gotten herself a job as a packhorse librarian.  Now that her mother has passed away, it’s just her taking care of her Pa, which isn’t easy since he’s dealing with lung issues from working in the coal mine.  Then there’s the fact that they are poor, hungry, and…blue.  Yes, Cussy Mary and her father have blue skin---and the color only deepens during times of stress or high emotion.  Not exactly an asset to have, given the already high racial tensions of the times.  A fictional account of the true story of the Kentucky “blues,” I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book, especially since I found the beginning of it to be fairly sad and a bit depressing.  But it held my interest, so I kept going and I’m so glad I did!  One of the best books I’ve read in a while---and now I’m eager to the sequel.  I highly recommend!

5 Stars

[crmacgal]

December Reading

Although I always seem to think I’m going to have a ton of time for reading over the holidays, that never seems to happen…ever!  This year was no exception:  Even after I added an audiobook from the Libby online library, I still fell short of my goal. No matter though—the goal is a nice number that I put out there, but it’s the reading that actually matters.  It looks like I read 60 books, and I can’t think of any that I thought were actually “bad,” so that’s definitely a win!

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The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

Gabe and Pippa have moved their family to a little cottage right on the cliff, overseeing a beautiful view of the sea.  Unfortunately, they’ve come to realize it’s a location where some choose to end their lives by jumping.  Gabe has become a bit of a local hero though, since he’s been able to talk so many away from taking this leap---except one night after dinner, a woman both Gabe and Pippa know, comes to jump.  Or did she? Interesting story, although I expected a bit more.  More drama, more suspense, more motive.  Maybe on the next one!

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Gone Again by Minka Kent  

Celia disappears on her 40th birthday, during which time we get to learn about her history growing up with a very strict and religious family, her younger sisters, and how Celia comes into the life she’s happily living prior to her disappearance. This was an easy read, with enough suspense to keep me turning the pages, although not one of my favorites from this author.  Maybe a little more insight into the sisters growing up, as well as the night Celia goes missing, might’ve been helpful when circling back to the ending.

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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The Family Bones by Elle Marr

Olivia is close to finishing her grad school dissertation in psychology, which is a bit of a headscratcher for many since she comes from a multi-generational family notorious for their crimes, especially murder.  When Olivia I invited to her family’s weekend reunion in a remote hunting lodge, she decides what better opportunity will she get to interview subjects on the “nurture v. nature” topic for her thesis.  Mixed in with the POV of a true-crime podcaster, looking into a cold case from 20yrs prior, there’s enough suspense to keep these pages turning for sure.  I wasn’t as happy with the ending as I had hoped, but still a good book, nonetheless.

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[crmacgal]

Reading Weather

My favorite season for snuggling in with a good book...or three.  

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The Stranded by Sarah Daniels

Esther is a med-student, but instead of being at university or a hospital, her classes are on the ship she and her family live on---the same ship she’s lived her whole life on. Nik has also spent his full life on this ship, but he and his family are on the side of the rebels, the group planning to take the ship ashore and liberate all of the passengers.  After the war, the ship has remained off the coast of the Federated States, but now Esther and Nik are forced to work together since Esther’s role as a do-gooder are going to try and do some good for the other side.  A YA novel set in a dystopian future, the book moves fast, not always clear on why everyone has been stranded out to sea (other than perhaps a vague political threat). At times, a little difficult to follow just due to the hectic running around and the chaos of the scenes.  Definitely held my interest, so I will likely read the second book, coming out next year.

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

Alex is in a slump. She has been since the big fight with her best friend, Wren. Nothing seems to be going right:  Her job, her dates, and especially her writing are all a mess.  And then Alex gets the opportunity of a lifetime to attend a writing retreat for month at her favorite author’s personal estate.  The only drawback is that Wren will also be attending—that, and the fact that the estate is haunted.  This gothic-style book is a true page-turner, with lots of twists and turns to hold your interest.  Unfortunately, a few things fall apart at the very end, but I think it’s a great indulgent read anyway.

4 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Such Pretty Flowers by K. L. Cerra

Holly has been a wreck since her brother, Dane’s, suicide.  When she starts spending time with Dane’s ex-girlfriend, more questions come up than answers, to the point where Holly is determined to get to know Maura better and do some investigating on her own, even if it means her own sanity and life are both in danger.  Told in a gothic-style in spooky Savannah, this spooky book has a very strong start.  Unfortunately, it goes off the rails a bit toward the end and we’re still left with some questions.  Lots of potential here, so I’m not completely writing this one off---I couldn’t put it down, and when it was good, it was very good!

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[crmacgal]

Good Problem To Have

I currently have over 15 books in my TBR pile.  Well, there’s probably closer to 1500, but there’s 15 that I have put aside (either in e-book or regular book) that I’m planning to read in the next month.  The only negative thing I can say with this problem is that it makes me want to rush through my reading---to the point where I might not be enjoying them as much as I could/should.  So am I complaining?  Absolutely not.  Am I wishing I had more hours in the day?  ALWAYS!!

Five Survive by Holly Jackson

 Red and five of her friends are taking an RV to spring break---it’s a good way to save some money, and it’s a fun trip.  At least it’s fun until they find themselves a bit lost on a road, with no cell service to navigate forward.  When they attempt to turn around and go back, they get a flat tire, which turns into for flats, which turns into actual bullets flying past their heads as they run back to the RV for shelter.  It doesn’t take long for them to realize they’ve been targeted, and someone in the group isn’t really there for spring break.  Although this was a YA book, it’s a pretty decent thriller.  The characters were all relatable and I found myself quickly pulled into the story.  I definitely recommend, especially if you’re looking for something that wraps up nicely in the end without too many loose ends.

4 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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The Drift by C. J. Tudor

During a severe snowstorm, Hannah’s boarding school is evacuated and she finds herself trying to survive the bus crash in the middle of nothing but snow drifts.  In a separate storyline, Meg finds herself stranded with strangers in a cable car during a snowstorm, with no sign of help coming for them.  In a third POV, Carter is trekking back to the ski chalet where he lives and works, trying to get to safety before the storm becomes impassable.  How the story comes together for these three individuals, all facing dramatic life-or-death situations is absolutely riveting.  How are their lives related and who will survive in the end?  I wasn’t sure about this book at all, but it sucked me in and held me captive until the last page.  Highly recommend, especially for a snowy evening read!

5 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Secrets Between Friends by Tracy Buchanan

Liz is back in Easthaven, living with her mother again but this time with her two daughters in tow as she goes through a messy divorce.  When she finds out Tamsin is back as well and living at Lakewell Manor, Liz decides to reach out and try to rebuild the friendship she shared with her once best friend.  Their initial meeting is promising, only for Liz to return and find that another woman has taken Tamsin’s place, using her identity and living in her home.  For Liz to find out the real truth may cause her more problems than she can afford, but what happened to the real Tamsin?  I enjoyed this book, even if the characters annoyed me at times.  It held my attention and I thought some of the twists were well thought-out.  At other times, I found myself wanting to shake Liz and tell her to think…but I guess that’s how it is with real people sometimes, too.  😊

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[crmacgal]

The Smell of Books in the Air

I love this time of year---the nights get cooler, the leaves start changing colors, and there’s a continuous breeze whenever you’re outside (at least where I live).  And do you know what that means?  If you’re thinking snuggling up with a nice cup of tea and a good book, then you’re spot on!  Don’t get me wrong:  I can and will read anytime of the year, day or night.  But autumn just has that special feeling.  Kids going back to school, getting out my cute boots and scarves, enjoying the weather before the arctic freezes descend upon us.  I only wish I was joking on that last part…

Many Are Invited by Dennis Cuesta

It’s 1994 in California and people are starting to consider what the year 2000 is going to do to all IT systems relying on the date.  Since most IT coding was done with 19xx in mind, there weren’t too many systems ready to either take in the 20xx, or if they only used two digits to represent the year, the systems were most likely going to think New Year’s Day was going to take in the year 1900 (see the problem?).  Steve meets John around this time, and even though he’s not fully convinced of the Y2K urgency, after some time working together Steve realizes he and John have a lot in common and they become good friends.  At least until John leaves the company for a start up and hits it big when he’s able to cash out of his IPO stocks.  It’s around that time that Steve starts to see more of John’s flaws, and the little green monster from the land of envy is born.  I wasn’t sure about this book when I started reading it, but it definitely grew on me, especially since I worked on many of the Y2K projects in IT myself.  There were a lot of twists and turns and the more I read, the more I liked the book. Unfortunately, there just wasn’t enough follow-thru for me in the ending since I found I had more questions than answers, which is not really how I like the books I read to finish.

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Before I Do by Sophie Cousens

It’s the night before your wedding, the wedding you never even realized you wanted:  a stable, loving relationship with a really good guy—one that you love with all of your heart.  But at the rehearsal dinner, the guy you met all those years ago who completely swept you off of your feet shows up.  And all of those memories are immediately injected into your brain, bringing along the butterflies to your stomach.   Now that you understand what happened, where your dream guy was all these years and how you weren’t ghosted and it was all just bad luck, what do you do?  You know what you should do, but will that mean missing out on a once in a lifetime, sparks and fireworks, and an ice cream sundae with the cherry on top kind of life?  I enjoyed this book, and even though I thought it would be predictable, there were some very good non-predictable moments.  Unfortunately, when I finished it, I still felt like I had just watched a Hallmark movie in my mind.  Cute and nice, but all kind of expected in the end.

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent

Kitty is a social media influencer living the good life and then some.  She comes from enough money that she really doesn’t need to work, but she makes enough as an influencer that she doesn’t even need to touch her inherited riches.  But walking home from the club one night, Kitty has an interaction with a drunk guy who simply can’t take NO for an answer.  And when that drunk guy ends up dead, it more or less starts a new trend with Kitty and the men who really don’t deserve to breathe…literally.  Reading this book was touch and go for me at the start. I thought it was going to be a much lighter type of story, but it actually came around with more substance the longer I read.  Although there are a few holes (could be because it’s an ARC) and more than a few parts that challenged the believability scale, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would consider more from this author in the future.

4 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[crmacgal]

Paperbacks vs E-books

As a longtime reader, I can honestly say I absolute LOVE books.  I love browsing at the bookstore or the library, I love getting emails showing the new books coming out each season, and I especially love getting a new book, opening the cover, and smelling the fresh scent of print on paper.  Although I’ve never been a huge fan of hard copies (they are usually too big/heavy for me to carry around in my purse), I certainly don’t turn them away if they’re ones I’m interested in reading.  Lately, however, I’ve been reading more and more books on my iPad (using the Kindle app) and I have to say, there are definitely some advantages.  For one, I can read into the night as late as I want and I don’t have to keep the bedside light on or mess with those little book lights (they are usually never bright enough for me and I have to adjust them to follow the page).  I can also have multiple books queued up in the app for when I’m traveling, or even if I want to bring something to read to an appointment where I might have to wait (think BMV or hairdresser).  On the other hand, when it’s late at night and I’ve stayed up waaaay too late reading, I promise you that a paperback (possibly even a hardcover) is a much softer thud on your face than the metal ipad.  I think the last time I fell asleep reading my ipad, I almost broke my glasses!  Anyway, below are the two new release paperbacks I just finished, along with a little something spooky for the fall season – enjoy!

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The Guilty Couple by C. L. Taylor

Olivia has spent the last five years in prison after being convicted of attempting to kill her husband.  During that time, the three things on her mind were how she was going to reunite with her daughter (now 12 years-old), how she would clear her name, and maybe, just maybe, a little on how to get back at her husband for framing her.  Although the man she was having an affair with before she was sent to prison has long ghosted her, Olivia still has her very close friends who have stood by her side through this whole ordeal---and now she’s going to count on them even more.  I liked this book; it moved quickly, relatable characters, and definitely some suspense.  Unfortunately, as I reflect on the book, I see there were a number of holes---places in the story that I would’ve liked a little more detail.  And even worse, I was left with some of my questions just unanswered, so that made the payoff a little…well…a little less.  It was still an interesting book and I’d likely read more by this author, but it’s going to be a middle-of-the-road type of review this time.

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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When She Disappeared by Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry

When Margo was a senior in high school, her best friend, the very popular Jessie, went missing.  Now, some 15yrs later, Margo has returned to her hometown to help her dad after surgery and the timing couldn’t be better (or worse?), because Jessie’s body has just been found at the bottom of the swimming hole where the HS seniors have always hung out.  Now that everyone knows Jessie was killed (and didn’t just run off like many thought), the true-crime documentary series, Into Thin Air, is reviewing the case, and Margo is doing her part to help out.  But as the story progresses, secrets from Jessie’s inner circle are uncovered, and Margo realizes she wasn’t as close to Jessie as she might’ve thought.  I zipped through this book; easy to read, relatable characters, and a suspenseful pace.  I’m not sure how much I liked the ending---in retrospect, I’m liking it more----and I think it’s definitely worth the read!

4 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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The House On The Lake by Holly Hill Mangin

Eve wakes up, unsure of where she is or how she got there, but the more she talks to the innkeepers, the more she realizes she must be on the retreat she was planning to research before seeing if her twin sister wanted to join her for a week.  When Eve’s twin, Lyn, shows up and can’t recall how she got there either, instead of being surprised or overly concerned, Eve just assumes Lyn knows more than she’s saying so she tries not to worry too much about how she got to this very strange house, and instead focuses on the fact that she’s been given free rein to “snoop” wherever she wants on the property.  There’s a lot more to the storyline, and although it started off a little on the “spooky” side, I definitely don’t consider this to be a horror book.  A mystery?  Yes, sure.  It’s a short read (took me about 4 hours?) and even though I still don’t think everything was explained away perfectly, I don’t think this means it was an unsuccessful story.  To the contrary:  I’m glad I read it and hope it finds an audience who will appreciate some of Eve’s “interpretations.”

4 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[crmacgal]

Great Haul!

It’s always nice to get a book from an author you already know and love:  Similar to sticking to your favorite thing on a restaurant menu, you know what it will look like, taste, and how much you’ll enjoy it (at least that’s the expectation).  So when I’m reading all of the new releases by my favorite authors, it’s fairly normal for me to have expectations.  This clearly can’t be the case for authors who are new to me.  Have I judged books by their cover?  Absolutely.  Was I wrong?  Yeah, sometimes.  But now I try to pay attention to which authors have endorsed new books, and what kind of reader reviews it’s already getting.  Doing this has not only allowed me to find some new authors----it’s allowed me to find new authors that I’ve genuinely enjoyed!  These next three books were all from new authors for me---and all were definitely worth the read!

Jackal by Erin E. Adams

Liz is coming home to her small, country town for her best friend’s wedding.  Her plan is to get in for the wedding and turnaround and get right back out.  But when her best friend’s daughter, Caroline, goes missing during the reception while Liz is supposed to be watching her, she decides to stay and do whatever she has to do in order to get Caroline back.  And when Liz starts digging and realizes that little black girls have been going missing in this town for years---all around the same day of the year---she realizes this is not just a random kidnapping and the threat goes much deeper than she could’ve ever imagined.  I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but the description and the reviews were all good enough for me to request it through NetGalley, and I’m so glad I did!  I was glued to this book, flipping through pages as fast as I could read them!  I thought the author did a really good job of weaving racial issues throughout the story,  making a strong case for how assumptions with race and class are relevant, no matter where you’re from.  I wasn’t as crazy about the final explanation for how Caroline was taken and who was ultimately responsible, but I’ll leave that alone so as not to spoil it for other readers.  This was definitely a great read, and I’ll be watching for more from this author in the years to come.

5 Stars 

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

Emily has had a really tough couple of years.  Not only has she been struggling with undiagnosable health issues for at least a year, but during this time, her husband decided to divorce her---and to take as much money from her as he could while he was at it.  Now Emily’s best friend and self-help guru, Chess, is going to Italy for the summer where she’ll be working on her latest book and getting some R&R while staying at a very famous (or, in this case, infamous) villa and she’s invited Emily to come along.  It’s during this “trip of a lifetime” that Emily starts to dig into the history of the villa, finding some explanations to what happened all those years ago while she also unravels what has happened in her own life.  Another book where I couldn’t wait to dive into it at the end of the day, ignoring favorite tv shows and social media in exchange for getting through a few more chapters.  I couldn’t put this book down, and the ending did not disappoint---I’m happily adding this author to my list to watch!

5 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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The Things We Do To Our Friends by Heather Darwent

Clare is new to Edinburgh and eager to fit in with new people at university.  When Tabitha and her friends open their arms out to Clare, it’s all almost too good to be true.  And once Clare realizes what Tabitha has planned, not only is it dangerous for her future, but Clare is also in danger of having her past leak out into the new life she’s tried so hard to create for herself.  I wasn’t so sure about this book, and the start of it did move a little slower than some of the others, but after about the first 15-20%, I was fully hooked.  Since there are a few “spoiler” situations in the book, I’ll stop and just say that I very much enjoyed it and will be very happy to read more by this author in the future.  Another keeper for sure!

5 Stars 

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[crmacgal]

Lonely?

Since my husband works a night shift a few days a week and we don’t have children, I often get people who look at me with a sad face because I “must be so lonely!” all by myself. Well, if you count the pets, I’m 3 cats and a dog away from ever being lonely, and then there’s my books.  When I’ve got one that is more of a slow-pace or a little dry, then maybe, MAYBE, I think it might be nice to have company…but it’s a completely different story when I’m slapping through the pages!  During those times, I’m incredibly grateful there’s no one around to interrupt my reading.  Now if I could only teach the animals to make their own meals and walk-themselves, then I’d really be on to something!

The Prisoner by B. A. Paris

Amelie has a bit of a sad story:  Her mother died when she was younger, and now her father has just passed away and she has no where to go and no one to turn to.  Now that she’s in London, she runs into some good fortune by finding a job, some good friends, and even a billionaire for a husband.  So when Amelie wakes up in a completely blacked-out room, one that she can’t get out of, she learns that not everyone is who they seem, and that a trusting the wrong people can even be deadly.  As with most of BA Paris’s books, I could not put this down.  The suspense kept me reading this even when I probably should’ve been doing other things, but I loved it.  At least until the ending.  I wanted a bit more, which is why I couldn’t give a full 5-stars, but I still think it’s worth the read.

4 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Off The Deep End by Lucinda Berry

When Jules crashes her car through the ice of a lake, she keeps her wits about her and rescues her teen-aged son from drowning.  At least that’s who she thinks she’s been able to save until she looks over and sees her neighbor’s son, Issac, laying on the ice next to her.   Her initial reaction is to dive back into the icy water, but that doesn’t work.  And when she tries to kill herself over the grief of losing her son, that doesn’t work either.  But when Isaac comes to see her in the hospital, they realize they share a bond---one that no one else can really understand.  There’s so much more to this storey and I want to be careful to not give away any spoilers.  Lucinda Berry keeps us reading as we ride the rollercoaster of emotions she throws at us. Again, I wasn’t in love with the ending, but the story is so good I have to give it the full 5 stars.

 5 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

[crmacgal]

Reading While Traveling

I recently came back from a trip to Canada where I got to visit with my youngest brother and his family. The days there were all very full with family plans, playing with my niece and nephews, and even a little sight-seeing for my husband (this was his first time there).  It was a wonderful trip, but I was so tired at the end of each day, I didn’t get nearly as much reading done as I had hoped.  I supposed that’s why I’m glad I get to read at the airport and on the planes---long travel days aren’t as hard for me when I have a good book, so I always try to plan accordingly!

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Carrie has loved tennis her whole life, so much so that it literally became her life.  After she “retires” and a younger competitor top’s Carrie’s record, Carrie realizes she’s not ready to be done with her favorite sport just yet. As someone who knows very little about tennis, I was counting on TJR to find a way to hold my attention---and she did! The book is a fast read and definitely hard to put down.  I figured it would probably be good, I just didn’t realize HOW GOOD.  😊

5 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Under Her Care by Lucinda Berry

When the mayor’s wife is found brutally murdered and a 14-year-old autistic boy is found next to her covered in blood, it’s natural for the police to want to consider it an open and shut case.   But when Casey Walker, a specialist who works with autistic children, is brought into the case to review, she realizes there’s a lot more to the story than just what the police know.  I really enjoyed reading this book; fast pages, likeable character in Casey, and a true mystery as to what happened and who was behind it all. Unfortunately, the ending more or less fell apart.  I’m still wondering about some of the loose threads and am super disappointed since I think this could’ve been a really great book if the ending had only come together a little better.

4 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[crmacgal]

Good Page-Turners!

I’ve had some pretty good luck with my book picks lately, although they have been newer books and not necessarily ones that have been on my TBR list (that list gets longer every week…at least!).  When I have a good streak of reading, I get a little antsy on what I’ll read next---who would want to break a good reading streak?  Not me!

All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers

When a young girl goes missing in an Indiana small town, it brings up memories of a (somewhat) similar case from when Margot was only six years’ old.  Now that Margot is a grown adult, working as an investigative journalist, and has moved back to her small town to help take care of her uncle, it’s this new case she wants to write about---even if no one else thinks there is a connection to when her friend went missing as a girl, Margot sees it and she’s out to prove it.  This is the first book written by everybody’s favorite Crime Junkie, Ashley Flowers. With some similarities to real-life stories, this book moves quickly!  Very good for her first book; I sure hope she writes some more!

4 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

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In The Dark We Forget by Sandra SG Wong

 A young woman wakes up in the street, feeling bruised and broken, with no recollection of how she got there.  Once she fully comes to, she realizes she actually has no recollection of…anything.  As she works with the police to find out what happened to her, she finds out who her family is, and realizes they seem to be in danger as well---except she has to wonder if that danger is coming from her. Although this book started a little slow, I was very glad I stuck with it.  Pages flew as while reading, at least up until the last quarter of the book. I think I would’ve enjoyed this book so much more if that last 25% could’ve been wrapped up a little faster, but it was still good.  I’d be happy to read another book by this author.

4 Stars 

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[crmacgal]

Rainy Days = More Reading!

Although it’s June and our swimming pool is open, it’s been too chilly and rainy the last two weeks for us to enjoy it.  Now they’re telling us we have a Heat Advisory in effect for tomorrow through Wednesday…and who’s going to be too busy at work to actually use the pool? Exactly.  At least I got lots of reading in over the weekend---take a look!

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

Liv Reese has a very unusual condition:  Although she can remember everything up to two years ago very clearly, every time she falls asleep, the last two years get erased from her memory.  So when Liv wakes up in the back of a taxi late at night, she has no idea where she is or where she’s going.  Although the writing on her hands are arms is there to help her, it really only adds to her confusion.  And when she has the taxi take her to her NY apartment and finds strangers living there instead of her and her roommate, she’s having a really hard time understanding what’s going on.  But between the writing of “don’t trust anyone” on her arm and the bloody knife in her pocket, Liv is positive whatever’s going on is NOT going to turn out well.  I’ve read other books by this author and thought they were just okay, but I have to say this one…THIS ONE…is the one I’ve been waiting for.   The story kept me moving through the book so quickly, I ended up finishing it in about two days.  I might still have a few questions now that I’ve finished it, but I’m not going to pick at it---the book was definitely suspenseful and worth the read!

5 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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The Fixer Upper by Lauren Forsythe

Aly is the type of woman who is always there for her friends, family, and co-workers---helping them all become the best they can be.  But when she runs into an old boyfriend who’s doing so well, he’s almost unrecognizable, Aly and a couple of her co-workers realize there’s money to be made in this niche market.  Using their organizational, marketing, and PR experience, they start taking on clients to “fix” them…and it works!  But when Aly’s latest client wants her to “fix” a guy who turns out to be Aly’s old high-school love, things get a little messy.  This was my first book by this author, and although it wasn’t a bad book by any means, it was kind of predictable.  I think there was a few missed opportunities to branch out the storyline some and to even add a little more comedy.  As it stands, this book is the equivalent to a Hallmark movie:  although it will pass the time, you won’t really get a whole lot out of it.

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Extra Read:  

Hide by Kiersten White

There’s a contest, one that is held every seven years, and all Mack has to do is hide.  If she is the last person standing out of the 14, she’ll win $50,000.  But if she gets caught, there could be a lot more than getting kicked out of the contest at stake.  A friend of mine loaned me this book and told me it was “suspenseful and creepy.”  She wasn’t wrong!

5 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you Debi for allowing me to read this, and for sharing your love of reading!  

[crmacgal]

Change of Seasons

Although I’ve admitted that I love nothing more that to sit and read in the cooler weather, with a quilt and a cat on my lap, I have to say that the first really true days of summer are absolutely fantastic!  Going from a cold, rainy, and dreary spring into immediate sunshine and warmth just puts even the grouchiest people in a good mood (at least in my family! 😊).  Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful for each of the four seasons…I just don’t like it when they each stick around a little too long. And as much as I love the sun, if I’m not in a pool somewhere with a cocktail or listing to an audiobook (or both!), then I don’t have a lot of use for it. Here are some of the reads I was able to squeeze in before pool water on my iPad became a very possible threat!

Pryor & Cummings: The GAIA Institute by Rod Pennington

A computer hacker sneaks is killed in a room while he’s by himself.  There’s no sign of people coming or going on the surveillance tapes, so how does this happen?  The police detective assigned to the case is very old-school, although he's teamed up with a younger, rookie cop, along with a retired K-9 dog.  Between the three of them and some solid leads from family and friends, they are able to figure out what happened, as well as who else is still in danger.  I requested this book on NetGalley because the idea of someone being killed while they are 100% alone was intriguing to me.  Unfortunately, the whole plot became a bit muddled, with a predictable ending to boot.  Not a bad read, but definitely not a favorite.

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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And There He Kept Her by Joshua Moehling

Two teens go missing in a small town, with no clues at all as to where they’ve gone.  When the police get involved, they really don’t have much to go on, but by a combination of chasing small leads and the process of elimination, they’re able to figure out where they might be.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is no matter how fast they work, they still might be too late to save them.  Something about this book grabbed me right away and kept my attention throughout. Although the story isn’t necessarily a new one (even the book title seems a bit overused), I liked the way the author introduced his characters, giving the reader the chance to try and see the various POVs from all angles.  I’ll read more by this author for sure!

5 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Look Closer by David Ellis

Vicky and Simon have been married almost ten full years.  Ten years, and that’s when the restriction on Simon’s trust is finally lifted, meaning that Vicky will finally be able to access Simon’s money…all $21 million dollars of it.  But with both sides having some dark history, it’s not always clear who the good guys are and who’s going to get shut-out of that inheritance.  Like with the book noted above (by Joshua Moehling), the book title really isn’t all that much to go off of, so let me say the book does not disappoint. Not necessarily a new story to be told, but the author manages to tell it in a way that still keeps you interested and guessing right up to the end.  Another good one!

5 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.