Sunday, November 10, 2024

Review - Murder and Mamon

Title:  Murder and Mamon
Author Mia P. Manansala 
Series:   Tia Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery #4
Publisher:  Berkley
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   304
Date of Publication:   September 19, 2023
My Rating:   4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:

When murder mars the grand opening for Lila Macapagal’s aunties’ new laundromat, she will have to air out all the dirty laundry in Shady Palms to catch a killer…

Lila Macapagal's godmothers April, Mae, and June—AKA the Calendar Crew—are celebrating the opening of their latest joint business venture, a new laundromat, to much fanfare (and controversy). However, what should’ve been a joyous occasion quickly turns into a tragedy when they discover the building has been vandalized—and the body of Ninang April’s niece, recently arrived from the Philippines, next to a chilling message painted on the floor. The question is, was the message aimed at the victim or Lila's gossipy godmothers, who have not-so-squeaky-clean reputations?

With Ninang April falling apart from grief and little progress from the Shady Palms Police Department in this slippery case, it’s up to Lila and her network to find justice for the young woman.

The Calendar Crew have stuck their noses into everybody’s business for years, but now the tables are turned as Lila must pry into the Calendar Crew’s lives to figure out who has a vendetta against the (extremely opinionated yet loving) aunties and stop them before they strike again.

MY THOUGHTS:

It is the grand opening of a new laundromat, opened by Lila Macapagal’s godmothers, April, Mae, and June—older women who have become known as the Calendar Crew. Custom has Lila calling her godmothers by the affectionate title of Ninang. Ninang April is excited that her niece Divina will be visiting from the Phillipines. From the start, Lila is equally put off and also impressed with Divina. Divina’s thoughtless insults towards Lila for her penchant of amateur sleuthing is really annoying. Any draw Lila has towards Divina quickly evaporates. 

Despite the recent establishment of the new laundromat, a murder has occurred, prompting Lila to take it upon herself to investigate the incident, particularly given that it has happened to her godmothers. Furthermore, the deceased woman was actually Ninang’s April’s niece, Divina, and her apparent murder is a profound shock, leaving April in a state of utter heartbreak.

Between Lila and the Calendar Crew, there will undoubtedly be numerous inquiries raised by anyone who could potentially have possessed the motive and the means to commit murder. In fact, this rather strains Lila’s relationship with her godmothers. This fourth installment in the Tia Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series is an exceptional read, particularly when following Lila’s aptitude for solving crimes.

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mia P. Manansala (MAH-nahn-sah-lah; listen to pronunciation here) (she/her) is a writer and book coach from Chicago who loves books, baking, and bad-ass women. She uses humor (and murder) to explore aspects of the Filipino diaspora, queerness, and her millennial love for pop culture.

She is the winner of the 2022 Anthony Award for Best First Novel, 2022 Macavity Award for Best First Novel, 2022 RUSA Reading List for Mystery, 2021 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, 2018 Hugh Holton Award, the 2018 Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award, the 2017 William F. Deeck - Malice Domestic Grant for Unpublished Writers, and the 2016 Mystery Writers of America/Helen McCloy Scholarship. She was shortlisted for the 2021 Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery/Thriller and the 2021 CHIRBy Award for Fiction by the Chicago Review of Books. She's also a 2017 Pitch Wars alum and 2018-2020 mentor.

​A lover of all things geeky, Mia spends her days procrastibaking, playing RPGs and otome games, reading cozy mysteries and diverse romance, and cuddling her dogs Gumiho and Max Power.

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Review - Flashback

Title: Flashback
Author Iris Johansen; Roy Johansen
Series:   Kendra Michaels #11
Publisher:  Grand Central Publishing
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   336
Date of Publication:   June 25, 2024
My Rating:   5 Stars
DESCRIPTION:

Kendra Michaels uses her heightened powers of deduction to draw out a serial killer who has not been seen or heard from in over fifteen years.

Chloe and Sloane Morgan were only children when their mother was the second victim of the Bayside Strangler. Now, after spending fifteen years trying to discover his identity, the sisters have suddenly vanished. Were they getting too close to the truth? The police consider their interest in the crime to be just a coincidence and have little motivation to pursue the cold case.

Armed with the box of photos, videos, police reports, and notes gathered by the sisters over the years—plus the extraordinary senses from being blind before recovering her sight via a revolutionary surgical procedure—Kendra follows the sisters’ trail of clues. Little does she realize that her search is about to unleash a long-dormant killer on San Diego. With help from government agent-for-hire Adam Lynch and private eye Jessie Mercado, Kendra must race to discover the identity of an infamous killer, not only to save the lives of the two sisters but also untold others.


MY THOUGHTS:

Kendra Michaels is an extraordinary woman. Blind for the first two decades of her life, she relied solely on her heightened senses throughout that period. Although she now possesses sight, her observational abilities have only sharpened over time, granting her uncanny perception. Kendra is enlisted to investigate a cold case involving the disappearance of two women. Fifteen years prior, a wheelchair-bound woman was brutally murdered, but the case remained unsolved and went cold.

The Morgan sisters have dedicated countless hours to uncovering the truth behind their mother’s disappearance. Now that they have also vanished, a friend has enlisted Kendra’s assistance in the investigation. Despite the local police’s lack of seriousness in addressing the case of the missing Morgan girls, the recent senseless murder has prompted them to take notice.

Kendra will not be alone in her pursuit of the Morgan sisters. As the danger intensifies, Adam Lynch, Kendra’s former FBI partner and lover, utilizes his extensive connections and exceptional technological expertise to provide invaluable support. The narrative unfolds with a relentless pace, with attention also drawn to the evolving dynamics between Kendra and Lynch.

It is remarkable that this is the eleventh installment in the series, and the quality of the writing continues to soar. Not only does the series feature Kendra and Lynch, but also Kendra’s close friend Olivia and the remarkable canine companion, Harley. The mother-son team, Iris and Roy Johansen, masterfully crafts compelling characters and intricate cases, complemented by the ingenious twists and turns that permeate each book. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this captivating series.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve,Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand,Killer Dreams, On The Run, Countdown, Firestorm, Fatal Tide, Dead Aim, and more. And with her son Roy Johansen, she has coauthored The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.


Johansen began writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success. She had seventeen consecutive New York Times bestsellers as of November 2006.


Johansen lives near Atlanta, Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.



Roy Johansen began his professional writing career with his original screenplay for "Murder 101," written in college and for which he won the national FOCUS (Films Of College and University Students) award, a competition sponsored by Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Martin Scorsese. The screenplay was later produced for cable television and starred Pierce Brosnan. The "Murder 101" script was awarded the Edgar Allen Poe award from the Mystery Writers of America in the Best Television Miniseries or Movie category.

Later, Johansen collaborated with comic book legend Stan Lee in creating The Accuser superhero character, which appeared in a series of animated adventures  from Stan Lee Media.  Johansen has written screenplays for Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Disney, and MGM.

More recently, Johansen has written several New York Times bestselling mystery novels, including "The Answer Man," "Beyond Belief," "Deadly Visions," "Silent Thunder," "Storm Cycle," "Shadow Zone, "Close Your Eyes," "Sight Unseen," "The Naked Eye" and "Night Watch."

His next thriller will be released by Grand Central Publishing in 2021.



BLOG TOUR - Jackpot Summer

Title:   Jackpot Summer
Author:  Elyssa Friedland
Publisher:  Berkley
Genre:   Women's Fiction
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   384
Date of Publication:   June 11, 2024
My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

After the Jacobson siblings win a life-changing fortune in the lottery, they assume their messy lives will transform into sleek, storybook perfection—but they couldn’t be more wrong in the new laugh-out-loud novel from beloved author Elyssa Friedland.

The four Jacobson children were raised to respect the value of a dollar. Their mother reused tea bags and refused to pay retail; their father taught them to budget before he taught them to ride a bike. And yet, as adults, their financial lives—as well as their personal lives—are in complete disarray.

The siblings reunite when their newly widowed father puts their Jersey Shore home on the market. Packing up their childhood isn’t easy, especially when they’ve all got drama brewing back home. Matthew is miserable at his corporate law job and wishes he had more time with his son; Laura’s marriage is imploding in spectacular fashion; Sophie’s art career is stalled while her boyfriend’s is on the rise; and Noah’s total failure to launch has him doing tech repair for pennies.

So when Noah sees an ad for a Powerball drawing, he and his sisters go in on a ticket. Matthew passes but the ticket is a winner and all hell breaks loose as the infusion of cash causes sibling rivalries and family secrets to resurface. Without their mother, and with their father busy playing pickleball in a Florida retirement village, the once close-knit siblings search for comfort in shiny new toys instead of each other.

It’s not long before the Jacobson's start to realize that they’ll never feel rich unless they can pull their family back together.

MY THOUGHTS:

Winning the lottery jackpot—a dream many cherish, envisioning a life a hundredfold better. This is precisely what the Jacobson family just might be about to experience when their long-shot dream finally comes true.

Four siblings, all raised in poverty, find themselves about to divide their life-changing windfall. As they gather to pack up their deceased father’s belongings, one of the brothers, Noah, responds to an ad for a Powerball drawing. His siblings, Matthew, Laura, and Sophie, are at crossroads in their lives, perhaps even facing dead ends. Matthew, the only sibling who didn’t want to contribute to the ticket purchase, soon finds himself entangled in a web of unexpected consequences that his now millionaire siblings are facing..

As the siblings grapple with the prospect of their newfound wealth, they must confront the challenges that lie ahead. This book serves as a lesson, a poignant exploration of futility. While their regular lives may have been marked by misery, the changes they face bring unexpected results, sometimes amusing, sometimes poignant. Elyssa Friedland’s latest read delves into the measure of their lives, challenging readers to contemplate the true essence of happiness and fulfillment.

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

BLOG TOUR - Murder at the Tea Shop



DESCRIPTION:

This cosy seaside village may seem picture perfect, but there are sketchy secrets hiding in plain sight…

Having left the big city behind, 
Sarah Vane is fully embracing her calmer life in the quaint coastal town of Merstairs. With more time for hobbies, she joins a very popular life drawing class at the local tea shop. But when their usual model, the ever-punctual Mr Williams, doesn’t turn up, Sarah’s worried. He’d been complaining of a cough just last week so she decides to check up on him.

Arriving at his crooked little cottage, it appears the front door isn’t quite shut. Stepping inside, Sarah is shocked to find Mr Williams slumped in his armchair. Casting her eyes down to his coffee table she sees a generous slice of Victoria sponge with one perfectly sized bite taken from it. 
Is this a case of death by cake?

As Sarah hunts around the cluttered cottage for clues, she finds that Mr Williams had a rather peculiar hobby. It seems that he was an avid collector of ladies’ delicates, and from the looks of it, all the washing lines of Merstairs have been raided. But could his quirky collection really be a motive for murder?

But then the case takes a darker turn when another elderly resident is found dead after eating a slice of red velvet cake. Sarah starts to wonder – why would anyone target pensioners with a sweet tooth? And in a village known for some of the best cakes in the county, can Sarah find the culprit before another life is taken?

A delightfully cozy, utterly compulsive and gripping murder mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Betty Rowlands and Katie Gayle who are looking for their next addictive read.

BUY LINK:1


Title:   Murder at the Tea Shop
Author:  Alice Castle
Series:  Sarah Vane Mysteries Book 3
Publisher:  Bookouture 
Genre:   Cozy Mystery 
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   348
Date of Publication:  November 7, 2024
My Rating:   4 Stars 

MY THOUGHTS:

Sarah Vane has recently concluded an art class, a new hobby she is pursuing alongside her friend Daphne. Intrigued by the absence of their geriatric model from the class, Sarah visits his residence. Upon knocking on the door, she receives no response. As a retired physician, Sarah seeks a peaceful existence, but her recent encounters have not been conducive to this goal. Consequently, visiting the man’s home may prove to be a necessary step.

Sarah notices that the door is partially ajar. Peeking inside, she discovers a distressing scene - the octogenarian, Mr. Williams, has passed away. While the initial assumption of suicide appears plausible, even upon the arrival of the police, Sarah remains skeptical. She personally believes that Mr. Williams would not have taken his own life, prompting her to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding his demise.

Sarah’s investigation leads her to uncover Mr. Williams’ unusual hobby, an exceptionally peculiar pursuit. This revelation prompts Sarah and the police to consider whether Mr. Williams’ peculiar hobby could have served as a motive for his apparent murder. Tragically, another victim is discovered shortly thereafter, and Sarah becomes convinced of a connection between the two victims.

Cozy mysteries are a genre that I hold in high regard, and this third installment in the Sarah Vane series exemplifies the genre’s charm. The book features endearing characters, intricate mysteries with unexpected twists, and promises of further installments that solidify its place as one of my favorites.

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

Before turning to crime, Alice Castle was a UK newspaper journalist for The Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Alice is an avid reader of crime fiction, her favourite stories are cozy crimes with a strong sense of place. When she couldn’t find a series about her beloved south London, she decided to write her own – and single mum amateur sleuth Beth Haldane was born. Alice also writes twisty psychological thrillers for HQ Digital under the name A.M. Castle. The Perfect Widow was a top selling audiobook in 2019 and The Invitation hit the top 50 on Amazon UK in 2021. Alice lives with her two children and two cats and, if she isn’t writing or reading a whodunit, she’ll be watching one on telly.

Author Social Media Links
Website:https://alicecastleauthor.com/
Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/alice-castle

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Review - Coming Home to Paradise

Title:  Coming Home to Paradise

Author:  Carolyn Brown
Series:  Sisters in Paradise #3
Genre:   Romance
Publisher:   Forever
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  317
Date of Publication:  October 1, 2024
My Rating:  4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

All seven sisters are finally home for Christmas, but can the last two find love like the others?

As Endora Simmons plans her Christmas wedding, she's delighted to have her last two sisters, Rae and Bo, finally back in Spanish Fort, Texas. Endora figures if she keeps them busy, they won't have time to think about leaving again. So, Endora talks Rae into teaching Sunday school; as a former police officer, surely Rae can corral the rowdy kids—the most high-spirited being Sheriff Gunner's twin daughters—into making Christmas decorations for the upcoming pageant. Bo helps out by taking over the community Christmas program. She's also been working with Aunt Bernie on her new venture, a monthly speed-dating night at a bar just over the river in Oklahoma—and boy, does she have her eye on that handsome bartender. With all the Christmas preparations in high gear, will Rae and Bo still find time to fall in love?

Praise for New York Times bestseller Carolyn Brown:

"Fans...will flip for this charming small-town tale."—Woman's World for The Sisters Café

"Brown's characters easily inspire readers to care what happens to them."—Publishers Weekly for Bride for a Day

"A sweet story about building family out of what life hands you."—Kirkus Reviews forTalk Cowboy to Me


MY THOUGHTS:

Four of the Simmons sisters have returned to Spanish Fork and are now married. Endora Simmons is currently in the process of planning her wedding, leaving Rae and Bo as the remaining unmarried sisters. Upon their return home, both sisters quickly form romantic connections. Rae, who has a military background and a passion for teaching, readily agrees to take over her sister’s Sunday school for a few weeks. However, she is informed that the class consists of a pair of mischievous twin girls. Growing up with six sisters, including two sets of twins, Rae approaches her new responsibility with minimal apprehension.

Bo’s return to Paradise after a failed musical career leaves her feeling unsettled and uncertain about her future. Despite these challenges, she finds solace in being back home. Bo soon considers the possibility of dating a man that her aunt is adamantly opposed to. Her aunt, an unapologetic matchmaker, disapproves of Maverick, the singer who has captured Bo’s attention. Meanwhile, Rae also encounters a romantic interest in Sheriff Gunner Watson, the father of the precocious twins.

Coming Home to Paradise is the third captivating installment in the Sisters in Paradise series. It is a delightful read, and the first two books were equally enjoyable. I thoroughly appreciate this series and eagerly anticipate the publication of at least one or two more stories.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carolyn Brown was born in Texas and raised in southern Oklahoma. These days she and her husband make their home in Davis, Oklahoma, a small town of less than three thousand people where everyone knows everyone, knows what they are doing and with whom, and read the weekly newspaper to see who got caught.

A plaque hangs on her office wall that says I know the voices are not real but they have such great ideas. That is her motto and muse as she goes through the days with quirky characters in her head, telling their stories, one by one, and loving her job.


She has been married almost half a century to a retired English teacher that she calls Mr. B and he does not read her books before they are published because she cannot afford a divorce. They have three grown children.—and enough grandchildren to keep them busy and young.


When Carolyn is not writing she likes to sit in the back yard and watch the two tom cats protect the yard from all kinds of wicked varmints like crickets, other cats, spiders and blue jays.


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Review - You Know What You Did

Title:  You Know What You Did
Author K. T. Nguyen
Publisher:  Dutton
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   384
Date of Publication:   April 16, 2024
My Rating:   4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:

In this heart-pounding debut thriller for fans of Lisa Jewell and Celeste Ng, a first-generation Vietnamese American artist must confront nightmares past and present…

Annie “Anh Le” Shaw grew up poor but seems to have it all now: a dream career, a stunning home, and a devoted husband and daughter. When Annie’s mother, a Vietnam War refugee, dies suddenly one night, Annie’s carefully curated life begins to unravel. Her obsessive-compulsive disorder, which she thought she’d vanquished years ago, comes roaring back—but this time, the disturbing fixations swirling around in Annie’s brain might actually be coming true.

A prominent art patron disappears, and the investigation zeroes in on Annie. Spiraling with self-doubt, she distances herself from her family and friends, only to wake up in a hotel room—naked, next to a lifeless body. The police have more questions, but with her mind increasingly fractured, Annie doesn’t have answers. All she knows is this: She will do anything to protect her daughter—even if it means losing herself.

With dizzying twists, You Know What You Did is both a harrowing thriller and a heartfelt exploration of the refugee experience, the legacies we leave for our children, and the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters.


MY THOUGHTS:

In K.T. Nguyen’s debut novel, “Annie “Anh Le” Shaw,” the protagonist grapples with profound guilt and a series of unsettling events that disrupt her seemingly perfect life. The sudden death of her mother triggers a downward spiral, causing her obsessive-compulsive disorder to resurface and causing her to confront the painful legacy of her mother’s struggles.

Amidst her personal turmoil, Annie awakens one morning in a hotel room, naked and beside the lifeless body of a man. This harrowing discovery plunges her into a state of confusion and disorientation, as she grapples with the unraveling of her seemingly idyllic existence. The complexities of her past are revealed as the narrative unfolds, shedding light on her upbringing in a challenging environment marked by poverty and her mother’s mental disability, which manifested in physical and emotional abuse.

Despite these hardships, Annie emerges resilient, achieving a life that appears idyllic—a beautiful home, a fulfilling marriage, and a typical teenage daughter. However, the loss of her mother shatters this facade, and Annie’s life spirals into a rapid descent. Her unraveling mirrors the unfolding of the novel, as the reader witnesses the gradual erosion of her carefully constructed reality.

A deeper examination of Annie’s life reveals strained relationships, particularly with her daughter, who enjoys a harmonious partnership with her husband. This disparity increases Annie emotional distress, which she struggles to acknowledge. As the narrative shifts its focus back to her relationship with her mother, it becomes evident that Annie harbored deep unhappiness. The loss of her mother serves as a catalyst for her realization that the idyllic bubble she had constructed was destined to burst.

Nguyen’s novel offers a diverse perspective, highlighting the stark contrast between Annie’s memories of growing up in Japan and her current experiences in America. Memories play a pivotal role in the narrative, particularly after Annie’s memory loss in the hotel room. The novel’s tense atmosphere compels the reader to contemplate Annie’s disturbing childhood and the unfolding events that shape her future.

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hopefully, the answer is whoever you damn well want to be. As women, we’re called on to be different people at different moments in time,shifting gears from day to day, minute to minute. 

In my twenties, I was a writer at a glossy magazine—jetting from my desk overlooking Times Square to the fashion tents that were, at the time, in Bryant Park. In my thirties, I joined the corporate world as a working mother, travelling from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., Paris, London and Shanghai. Now in my forties, I’m embarking on a new career writing fiction—and I hope you’ll join me on the adventure.

My psychological thrillers offer a veneer of glamour—think of that lust-worthy, buttery-soft Birkin. But they also give you a birds-eye view inside the bag. Messy contents made all the more fascinating because we keep them hidden. A crumpled facial tissue reserved for one more use, leftover painkillers from last year’s dental surgery, an illicit phone number—the one you’re definitely planning to throw out eventually, your secret kill list (yeah, that escalated quickly).

My cast of characters includes first- and second-generation immigrants, refugees who recognize that beneath the suffocating success stories and “model minority” myths, lies a darker side. Many know all too well the trauma of war cannot be contained, seeping across generations and borders—even bleeding through the sleekest crocodile leather tote.Perhaps, there are people whose real lives are as carefully curated as their social media feeds. If so, I haven’t met these folks…not sure I’d want to. I doubt they’d be much fun. 

Instead, let’s allow ourselves to be messy, to spill out of the jeans that, if I’m being honest, barely fit in college, to take a break from our public personas, and to be whoever we damn well want to be. This is the year. This is the moment. I’m looking forward to meeting my fifties. —K.T.


Review - Passions in Death

  

Title:  Passions in Death 
Author:  J. D. Robb
Series:  In Death #59
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Genre:  Mystery/Thrillers
Format:  Kindle and Audio ARC
Narrator:   Susan Erickson
Date of Publication:  September 6, 2024
No. of Pages:  359
Length: 13 hrs 54 min
My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Homicide Detective Eve Dallas hunts a killer who turns a wedding party into a murder scene in the latest novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling author, J.D. Robb.

On a hot August night, Lt. Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, speed through the streets of Manhattan to the Down and Dirty club, where a joyful, boisterous pre-wedding girls’ night out has turned into a murder scene. One of the brides lies in a pool of blood, garroted in a private room where she was preparing a surprise for her fiancée—two scrimped and saved-for tickets to Hawaii.

Despite the dozens of people present, useful witnesses are hard to come by. It all brings back some bad memories for Eve. In her uniform days, she’d suffered an assault in the very same room—but she’d been able to fight back and survive. She’d gotten justice. And now she needs to provide some for poor young Erin.

Eve knows that the level of violence and the apparent premeditation involved suggest a volatile mix of hidden, heated passion and ice-cold calculation. This is a crime that can be countered only by hard detective work and relentless dedication—and Eve will not stop until she finds the killer who destroyed this couple’s dreams before the honeymoon even began…


MY THOUGHTS:

Having read fifty-nine books by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts), I am continually astounded by her remarkable ability to craft each installment with the same level of freshness and precision as the last. This latest novel is no exception, delivering a compelling narrative that remains sharp and engaging throughout.

One of the key elements that contributes to the enjoyment of these books is their futuristic setting. Although the timeline is set less than four decades into the future, the technological advancements depicted are extensive, particularly in the context of Detective Eve Dallas’s investigations. Eve is not alone in her endeavors; she is married to ultra handsome billionaire Roarke, who provides unwavering support during challenging situations. Another notable character is Peabody, Eve’s partner, whose growth and development has been a pleasure to witness.

The setting of this particular novel takes place at a pre-wedding party for brides Erin Albright and Shauna Hunnicut. The wedding party is in high spirits, celebrating the upcoming nuptials. Erin, who has a secret honeymoon planned for Shauna, departs the party to finalize the arrangements. Tragically, Erin’s body is discovered brutally murdered, triggering a flashback for Eve. The room where the bride-to-be was found is one that Eve is intimately familiar with.

Undeterred by the grim discovery, Eve immerses herself in the investigation, determined to seek justice for Erin. The sheer number of potential suspects makes the task daunting, but Eve’s exceptional detective skills enable her to meticulously sift through the evidence and identify the culprit. As with previous installments, Robb’s storytelling prowess is evident, weaving a complex narrative that delves into profound themes. The intricate plot, replete with twists and red herrings, keeps readers engaged and eager to uncover the truth.

Upon receiving an e-ARC of the book, I promptly devoured it. Upon discovering its availability as an audiobook, I made the decision to download and listen to it. Expertly narrated by Susan Erickson, a second reading of the audiobook was undoubtedly worth every second spent. The narrative is consistently captivating, and the inclusion of a familiar and talented narrator further enhances the storytelling experience.

I eagerly anticipate the release of the next book in the series, Bonded in Death, scheduled for February. Should I be approved for a galley, I will promptly acquire it for consumption. Eve and Roarke are an extraordinary couple, embodying the ideal of a dream couple. Their captivating romance seamlessly intertwines with the seriousness of the cases they investigate, ensuring that each book remains as compelling as the previous ones.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nora Roberts was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, the youngest of five children. After a school career that included some time in Catholic school and the discipline of nuns, she married young and settled in Keedysville, Maryland.
She worked briefly as a legal secretary. “I could type fast but couldn’t spell, I was the worst legal secretary ever,” she says now. After her sons were born she stayed home and tried every craft that came along. A blizzard in February 1979 forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three and six year old with no kindergarten respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate.
Born into a family of readers, Nora had never known a time that she wasn’t reading or making up stories. During the now-famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of those stories. It was there that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981.
Nora met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Since that time, they’ve expanded their home, traveled the world and opened a bookstore together
Through the years, Nora has always been surrounded by men. Not only was she the youngest in her family, but she was also the only girl. She has raised two sons. Having spent her life surrounded by men, Ms. Roberts has a fairly good view of the workings of the male mind, which is a constant delight to her readers. It was, she’s been quoted as saying, a choice between figuring men out or running away screaming.
Nora is a member of several writers groups and has won countless awards from her colleagues and the publishing industry. Recently The New Yorker called her “America’s favorite novelist.”

Review - This is Why We Lied

Title:
  This is Why We Lied
Author:   Karin Slaughter
Series:  Will Trent #12
Publisher:   William Morrow
Narrator:  Kathleen Early
Genre:   Mystery/Thrillers
Format:   Kindle ARC
No. of pages:  464  
Date of Publication:  August 20, 2024
Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The next thrilling suspense featuring Will Trent and Sara Linton from Karin Slaughter, New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Girls and After That Night!

Everyone here is a liar, but only one of us is a killer…

A secluded cabin retreat


For GBI investigator Will Trent and medical examiner Sara Linton, McAlpine Lodge seems like the ideal getaway to celebrate their honeymoon. Set on a gorgeous, off-the-grid mountaintop property, it’s the perfect place to unplug and reconnect. Until a bone-chilling scream cuts through the night.

A murderer in their midst


Mercy McAlpine, the manager of the Lodge, is dead. With a vicious storm raging and the one access road to the property washed out, the murderer must be someone on the mountain. But as Will and Sara investigate the McAlpine family and the other guests, they realize that everyone here is lying….Lying about their past. Lying to their family. Lying to themselves.

Who killed Mercy McAlpine?

It soon becomes clear that normal rules don’t apply at McAlpine Lodge, and Will and Sara are going to have to watch their step at every turn. Trapped on the resort, they must untangle a decades-old web of secrets to discover what happened to Mercy. And with the killer poised to strike again, the trip of a lifetime becomes a race against the clock…
MY THOUGHTS:

Will Trent, an investigator for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), is on his honeymoon with his wife, Sara Linton. Despite the challenges posed by Sara’s demanding job as a medical examiner, they seek respite at a secluded mountain retreat. However, their idyllic vacation is shattered by a chilling scream one night.

The retreat’s manager, Mercy McAlpine, is revealed to be the source of the scream and has subsequently been found murdered. Given the three-year hiatus since the publication of a Will Trent thriller, readers anticipated a compelling narrative. Karin Slaughter delivers on this expectation, presenting a dysfunctional family that clings to their lodge for reasons that remain unclear.

As the story unfolds, readers gain insights into the McAlpine family dynamics. Mercy’s marriage to her husband was tumultuous, marked by infidelity and emotional turmoil. They had an adult son who was grappling with his own challenges. Mercy’s father had suffered a crippling accident, leading to years of anger directed towards her. The family’s dynamics were deeply troubled, and Will and Sara soon discover that each member harbors secrets and lies.

Trust becomes a rare commodity as Will and Sara grapple with the complexities of the case. The pursuit of the truth becomes arduous, and the revelation of Mercy’s murder exposes a web of deceit within the family.

Throughout the series, Will Trent has endured a tumultuous past, leaving him emotionally scarred at times. His recent marriage to Sara has provided a glimmer of hope and healing. Faith, Will’s partner, plays a pivotal role in his ability to manage his cases effectively.

This latest installment in the series is a captivating read. Readers who have not read the preceding books will not be lost, as Will Trent’s complex past and personal struggles are seamlessly integrated into the narrative. The portrayal of Will’s newlywed life and Faith’s significant influence on his case-solving abilities adds depth and emotional resonance to the story.

Karin Slaughter’s writing continues to captivate readers, and the prospect of more books in this series fills us with anticipation.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Published in 37 languages, with more than 35 million copies sold across the globe, her nineteen novels include the Grant County and Will Trent books, as well as the Edgar-nominated Cop Town and the instant New York Times bestselling novels Pretty Girls and The Good Daughter. Her most recent novel, The Last Widow, features Sara Linton and Will Trent. A native of Georgia, Karin currently lives in Atlanta. Her novels Cop Town, The Good Daughter, and Pieces of Her are all in development for film and television.