Review - Break Me Down

Title:  Break Me Down

Author:  Anna Downs

Publisher:  Macmillan Audio

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Audio ALC

Narrated by Aimee Horne; Airlie Dodds; Alan Chu; Angela Tran; Anna Downes; Elisa Colla; Jeremy Waters; Lyanna Kea; Remy Hii; Taylor Owens; Yael Stone

Length:  8 hrs 43 mins

Date of Publication:   August 19, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

How far would you go for greatness?

After years of seclusion, the once-celebrated child star Georgia Lane moves to Los Angeles, determined to make a comeback. But as auditions elude her and bills pile up, she quickly realizes that beneath the glitzy facade of LA lies a ruthless and unforgiving city.

That is, until she meets Henry, an aspiring actor, who sweeps her off her feet, connects her with his agent, and brings her to audit a class at the elite acting studio he attends. It’s here that Marianna, The Studio’s head teacher, takes a special interest in Georgia. As she steps into the intense, ego-driven world of The Studio, she finds herself challenged and invigorated by its unconventional methods, which promise to unlock her full potential but demand much more in return.

The more she commits to its ways, the more The Studio transforms into a battleground of ambition, jealousy, and psychological warfare. With each step forward, she feels the grip of her past tightening, Henry’s love turning on her, and Marianna’s mentorship becoming all-consuming. And as the lines between the pursuit of art and the survival of the self begin to blur, everything Georgia holds dear starts slipping away, revealing the true price of a dream. Break Me Down is a testament to the power of art to heal, destroy, and ultimately transform.

An audio original from Macmillan Audio.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Break Me Down is the first audio thriller I have listened to. Decades ago, I often fell asleep to mystery radio performances. These were thanks to my mother, and also my great-grandmother, who both fostered a love of mysteries in me. Listening to this full-cast performance gave me a strong sense of Deja vu. 

I loved those mysteries and never once thought of rating them on content or performance. That is how it was for me while listening to this book. I loved the full-cast, the sound effects and the story itself.

The story centers around former child star Georgia Lane. Georgia has a chance to relaunch her career, especially with the opportunity to take acting classes at an elite acting school. As Georgia participates in the classes, as well as her childhood memories, the story runs along at a steady pace. 

With Jennette McCurdy’s book, I’m Glad My Mom Died, coming back to me in bits and pieces, as well as continued drama when it comes to today’s Hollywood scene, this creative production kept my attention throughout. I hope for the opportunity to enjoy this experience again. 

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

ANNA DOWNES was born and raised in Sheffield, UK, but now lives just north of Sydney, Australia with her husband and two children. She worked as an actress before turning her attention to writing. She was shortlisted for the Sydney Writers Room Short Story Prize (2017) and longlisted for the Margaret River Short Story Competition (2018). 

The Safe Place was inspired by Anna’s experiences working as a live-in housekeeper on a remote French estate in 2009-10.

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BLOG TOUR - Three Girls Gone

DESCRIPTION:

The girl in the ballerina dress lies still on the carousel with her face toward the blue sky. In her tutu and slippers, she’s ready for her next performance. But as the morning sun shines down upon her, she no longer feels its warmth on her cheeks. Her bright light is gone forever.

When the body of Hailey Tanner is found in a local park, Detective Amanda Steele races to the scene. Interviewing her devastated parents, they confirm that Hailey never made it home from her dance class. Searching for clues in the family home, Amanda discovers that some ballet clothing was taken from Hailey’s room. Could the killer have been close to her?

As Amanda and Trent question potential suspects, they’re painfully reminded of a similar case. Julie Gilbert, another gifted performer, was murdered in exactly the same way twelve years ago. Amanda’s former colleague, Katherine Graves, never gave up hope of bringing the killer to justice and now with a clear link between the two victims, she steps back into the investigation.

But she’s soon warned off when a threatening note is found in the hem of Hailey’s dress. “This girl’s your fault. Stop looking or there will be more.”

With boxes of evidence files and potential leads, Amanda knows that Katherine must have been getting close, but when a third girl is taken soon after, the clock starts ticking again. There’s no way Amanda will let another child suffer at the hands of this twisted killer. But how much will the team be prepared to sacrifice, and can they save this girl before it’s too late?

A completely gripping and pulse-pounding crime thriller that will have you turning the pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of Mary Burton, Elle Gray and Rachel Caine.

BUY LINK: 

 https://geni.us/B0DX3DJVTQsocial 

Title:   Three Girls Gone

Author:   Carolyn Arnold

Series:   Detective Amanda Steele #14
Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:   Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   312

Date of Publication:  August 27, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Detective Amanda Steele’s latest case involves the gruesome discovery of a young girl named Hailey Tanner at a park. Hailey had attended her ballet class but never made it home. As Amanda dives deep into the investigation, she visits Hailey’s home. Among the few ballet costumes Hailey owned, Amanda notices one missing from her closet. This peculiar detail raises questions about the possibility of a family member being involved in the murder.

Amanda’s case bears a striking resemblance to a similar incident that occurred twelve years prior. The body of another young girl had been discovered in a New York. Intrigued by the similarities, Amanda embarks on a quest to uncover the connection between the two cases. Despite the girls’ bodies being found in different locations, the similarities simply cannot be a coincidence. Interestingly, the older case had been investigated by Amanda’s former colleague, Katherine Graves. Katherine was still haunted by that case, and now, both she and Amanda are determined to find the killer.

This devastating case is deeply sensitive, as the victims were of tender age. It undoubtedly poses a significant challenge for Amanda, and it is equally hard-hitting for the reader. As Amanda, Katherine, and Amanda’s partner, Trent Stenson, work tirelessly to stop the killer before any more young girls are murdered, the pace of the investigation accelerates. They race against time, pushing against the clock as another girl is taken. Determined to bring this little girl back home, the detectives exhaust every lead and piece together the clues they are unraveling. 

Although each book in this captivating series can stand alone, reading it in order will undoubtedly enhance the reader’s understanding of Amanda and her colleagues. For instance, Amanda’s approach to cases, as well as her personal and professional relationships, evolve with each book in this series. She is undoubtedly an exceptional detective whose compassion and concern for the victims are evident throughout. 

The challenging cases in this police procedural series can be difficult to read, and I find myself rooting for and growing to admire Amanda even more as she relentlessly pursues justice for the victims. Carolyn Arnold truly outdid herself with this book, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

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Review - Where Lost Girls Go

Author:  B. R. Spangler 

Title:   Where Lost Girls Go 

Series:  Detective Casey White #1
Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers 

Format:  Audio ALC

Length:  11 hrs 58 mins

Narrator:  Patricia Rodriguez

No. of Pages:  366

Date of Publication:   March 15, 2020

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

“Help me,” the girl cries, alone in the forest, shivering in her nightgown, her small frame almost lost between the trees. “Please.”

When Detective Casey White discovers the body of a beautiful teenage girl in a white nightgown near the shoreline in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, a familiar fear floods through her. Could this be Hannah, her sweet, blue-eyed daughter snatched from home fourteen years ago? But it only takes one look to confirm that the girl with dark bruising around her throat is another family’s tragedy.

Putting her own grief aside, Casey digs into unsolved missing child cases in the area. The victim is Cheryl Parry, one of two little girls taken during a family beach vacation nine years ago. Her sister’s body was found strangled a week later, but someone has been keeping Cheryl alive—until now.

Fearful there may be other innocent lives in danger, Casey and her team work around the clock to trace the material from Cheryl’s nightgown, but hit a dead end and don’t know where to turn. Then, another teenager’s body is found in a nearby pine forest, dressed all in white. It’s suddenly clear that a twisted killer has been hiding in the Outer Banks for years, and he will strike again.

Casey painstakingly combs the forest soil for clues to the killer’s next move, but nothing prepares her for what she finds: a buried charm bracelet exactly matching one that her little Hannah always wore—right down to the broken star charm by the clasp…

An absolutely unputdownable crime thriller with twists and turns that will have you racing through the pages. Fans of Kendra Elliot, Rachel Caine and Robert Dugoni will be completely hooked.

MY THOUGHTS:

Five years ago, I started reading the Detective Casey White series. However, I never got around to reading the first book, Where Lost Girls Go, until recently. Casey White has proven to be a formidable protagonist throughout the series. This first book introduced Casey in B.R. Spangler’s new series, which recently published book 13, Shadow on Her Grave. Since I had read all but the first book in this series, I was familiar with Casey and found her to be an excellent player in the series.

As a fan of continuity series, reading this book and the challenging case that Casey and her team were dealing with made the series feel complete—at least until book 14 is announced and lands in my hands. Casey’s story has evolved over the years, and her feelings of loss after her daughter Hannah was taken were palpable and heart-wrenching. Whenever a young woman’s body is discovered, Casey can’t help but wonder if it’s her Hannah. I highly recommend continuing the series. In fact, this would be the perfect time to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, where all 13 books in the series are available.

Casey is investigating the disappearance of a teenage girl. In fact, these are the cases that Casey prefers, as she keeps hoping to find her daughter. At the very least, Casey would like closure. This first book in the series is not for the faint of heart. It’s quite tragic to witness the kidnapping of Casey’s daughter and then working on cases that would clearly be triggering to her.

As mentioned at the beginning of this review, Casey is formidable. In fact, it’s her indomitable spirit that makes her a strong and steady character throughout the series. The title alone hints at “lost girls,” so readers can expect to read about missing girls and Casey’s efforts to find justice for them. This hard-hitting book starts the series off with a bang. Usually, I read a Kindle ARC for most of my review titles, but when this became available on NetGalley as an audiobook, I grabbed it and devoured it. The excellent narration of Patricia Rodriguez made this intense book impossible to put down.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

By day, B.R. Spangler pushes pixels, typing lines of code. When he's not developing software, or elbows deep in hardware, he is writing stories, plotting thrillers, or reading.

B.R. Spangler lives in Virginia with his wife and kids, as well as five cats, a parrot, a finch, a lizard.

 

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BLOG TOUR - The Antique Store Detective and the Deadly Inheritance

DESCRIPTION:

A mysterious death and a missing ruby necklace… it’s clearly a case for antique store owner and amateur sleuth Bella Winter!

Nobody was surprised when Clemmie Crowe passed away – she’d been sick for a long time. But Bella Winter isn’t sure it’s as simple as it seems. Why was Clemmie so agitated the day she died – and why did she ask a local policeman to call on her?

Bella’s certain Clemmie knew something about her relatives, the powerful Powell family. They used to own half of Hope Eaton, but now they’re planning to sell what remains… Including the Steps Café, owned by Bella’s best friends.

The sale has to be stopped. Where else will Bella get her sausage sandwiches? Perhaps Clemmie’s secret will be enough to put a spanner in the works. So when matriarch Althea Powell invites her to value their possessions, Bella jumps at the chance. She can find some gems, investigate Clemmie’s death, and stymie the sale all at once.

It seems to be going swimmingly… until it’s proved that Clemmie was murdered, and Althea’s priceless ruby necklace vanishes. The list of suspects is as long as Bella’s arm. Was it Althea’s shady stepson, desperate for cash? His older brother, who wants to sell up? Or even her husband, who keeps changing his will?

Then Bella finds the necklace in the last place she expects, upsetting everything she thought she knew. Where there’s a will, there’s bound to be a quarrel. But can Bella figure out whose inheritance means murder, before things turn deadly for her?

A completely charming English cozy mystery. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love following the fiendish clues as Bella cracks her most puzzling case yet!

BUY LINKS:

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Title:   The Antique Store Detective and the Deadly Inheritance 

Author:  Clare Chase

Series:  Bella Winter Mystery #3

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Cozy Mystery 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  311

Date of Publication:  August 28, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars 

MY THOUGHTS:

Clemmie Crowe’s death, due to her advanced age and serious illness, may have been expected. However, something she said in Bella Winter’s presence gives Bella pause, making her suspect foul play. Clemmie was in hospice and had been visited by several people, including Bella.

Bella, an amateur detective who enjoys her profession as an antiques dealer, is determined to solve the mystery of Clemmie’s death. As she was present when Clemmie passed away, Bella is heartbroken and seeks to uncover the truth. Curiously, before her death, Clemmie had requested the visit of a policeman, which only adds to Bella’s intrigue.

The possibility of a conspiracy and the secrets surrounding Clemmie’s death intensify Bella’s focus on finding her killer. The connection between Clemmie’s death and other suspicious deaths further fuels her determination. With the support of her friends, Bella remains resolute in her quest to uncover the truth.

Bella’s fun and engaging personality makes her a delightful protagonist. The inclusion of her antique store in the stories adds a touch of charm and familiarity. This third book by Clare Chase is a perfect fit for the series, and I eagerly anticipate reading book four.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Clare Chase writes classic mysteries. Her aim is to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations.

Her debut novel was shortlisted for Novelicious’s Undiscovered Award, as well as an EPIC award post-publication, and was chosen as a Debut of the Month by LoveReading. Murder on the Marshes (Tara Thorpe 1) was shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award.

Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium.

As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.

You can find Clare's website and blog at www.clarechase.com

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BLOG TOUR - The Book of Irish Secrets

DESCRIPTION:

The woman looks out at the grand magnolia tree as it casts a shadow over the old house. ‘One day you will find out what destroyed our family, Claire. I only hope I’ve raised you to be strong enough to handle the truth…’

Claire takes a deep breath as sheturns the old leather book in her hands. Names scribbled inside in faded ink create a family tree, the words Magnolia Manor at the top. She thought she’d lost everything when her Aunt Rachel died, but does this book hold the key to reuniting her with her long-lost family?

When she arrives in a little cove in Ireland, Claire wastes no time searching for Magnolia Manor, the gorgeous family home high up in the hills. But when she meets its intimidating owner,Sylvia Fleury, and Sylvia’s three beautiful granddaughters, her heart races, and she finds herself too scared to reveal their connection…

Claire rushes to pack her bags, convinced she’s made a mistake, but the welcoming embrace of local chef Karina and her handsome brother Pierce make her stay. Hunched over old recipes in the kitchen with Karina, listening to village gossip, Claire laughs like she hasn’t in years. And as she walks along the coastal path beneath the stars with Pierce, Claire feels totally entranced by his bright blue eyes and begins to fall in love. Could just starting again in this little village, close to her ancestors, be enough?

But deep within the pages of the book, Claire discovers a bitter family rivalry that could destroy Sylvia and her granddaughters. If she tells them who she is, she could lose everything. But can she really put down roots with Pierce if he doesn’t know the truth? Can Claire heal more than just her own heart, and make things right for her family? Or will the lies she’s told push everyone away and force her to leave forever?

Fans of Sheila O’Flanagan, Debbie Macomber and Mary Alice Monroe will be swept away by this gorgeous, unputdownable romance set in beautiful Ireland.

BUY LINK:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0F6VV5592social

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

Title:   The Book of Irish Secrets

Author:  Susanne O’Leary

Series: Magnolia Manor, Book 5

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Women’s Fiction; Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  259

Date of Publication:  August 29, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars 

MY THOUGHTS:

Claire is hoping to rewrite a bit of history by mending the age-old rift between the elder Fleury siblings. What she is facing is like a puzzle with missing pieces, About to turn fifty, traveling to Kerry while search for answers will no doubt be a challenge for Claire. She keeps her reasons for being there a close-guarded secret, and only time will tell if she learns what she hopes to learn. 

Despite the obstacles, Claire finds herself unexpectedly drawn to the warmth and familiarity of the small village. There is a warmth there in the small village, a warmth that feels like home more and more. Pleasantly divorced, Claire’s visit to Ireland is beginning to present an amazing offer to much more in life that she could have imagined. In fact, she slowly begins to make connections, and one of those is Pierce, her new boss’s son. If it is possible for one’s life to have a second chapter, then Claire is living it.

With a worn and torn diary in hand, Claire carries the weight of her family’s past, particularly the unresolved rift between the Fleury family, often referred to as “the other Fleury’s” throughout her life. This diary serves as the backdrop for this heartwarming and emotionally charged story, laced with family drama. However, Claire’s journey is not devoid of its own set of surprises. Securing a job to support herself in Kerry proves surprisingly easy, and meeting Pierce brings a sense of lightness and joy that she had not expected.

As a reader of the Magnolia Manor series, I have cherished the stories of the Fleury family. Revisiting some of them in this book was a delightful experience. This spin of a decades-old feud seamlessly complements the series, adding a new layer of depth and connections. Of course, there is the hope that the draw that Claire and Pierce feel towards one another might bring lasting happiness to them both. The beautiful setting and the unfolding stories bring immense joy and fulfillment to the reader. This series has undoubtedly found a special place in my heart, and I eagerly anticipate the arrival of new stories while revisiting the earlier ones from time to time.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, mainly romantic fiction set in Ireland. Her many books set in County Kerry have been hugely popular with readers all over the world. She shares her time between Dublin and Kerry, where she and her husband have a little cottage near the beach. The wild, beautiful landscape, the small villages and the friendly people of that county have inspired her to write her feel-good stories. She's been inspired to write about people of all ages and walks of life, with lots of romance, and more than a dash of humour.

When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county. 

Visit Susanne at her website, http://www.susanne-oleary.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoroleary

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanne.olearyauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/susl