Review - Murder Island

Title:   Murder Island

Author:  James Patterson; Brian Sitts

Series:   Doc Savage Thrillers #2

Publisher:  Grand Central Publishing

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   384

Date of Publication:   October 8, 2024

My Rating:    5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Prof. Brandt Savage—grandson of the legendary hero Doc Savage—is back in a new action-adventure thriller!

They thought they found heaven on earth. But their paradise becomes a nightmare when Professor Brandt Savage and his girlfriend Kira Sunlight stumble on a terrifying conspiracy​.

When professor turned crime-fighter Brandt "'Doc'"Savage and his girlfriend Kira Sunlight land on a desert island in the middle of the Atlantic, they think they've found a perfect utopia. An escape from their tumultuous pasts.

But they don't have long to enjoy their newfound peace before they are violently separated and dragged to opposite ends of the Earth.

Doc's search for Kira takes him from the coast of Brazil to northern Europe and the jungles of the Congo, and he discovers they are entangled in a global conspiracy that is bigger he ever could have imagined.

Link to purchase the series

MY THOUGHTS:

Professor Brandt Savage, the great-grandson of the legendary Doc Savage, has adopted the moniker “Doc Savage.” Doc Savage, a fictional polymath or polyhistor, is renowned for his extensive knowledge across various fields. Although I had to resort to Google to grasp the concept of polymath and polyhistor, this search ultimately illuminated the connection between Doc’s new life and the skills he has acquired. The original Doc Savage was indeed a highly educated individual, possessing a broad range of knowledge and abilities.

These are the skills our present-day Doc has acquired. In this second installment of an exciting series, the book begins at breakneck speed as Doc and Kira Sunlight are forced to abruptly flee Chicago and find themselves in the middle of nowhere. Doc is not the only one with a past. Kira shares his history as the great-granddaughter of John Sunlight, the mortal adversary of the original Doc’s savage. Consequently, it’s understandable that Kira and Doc might be enemies. Initially, Doc’s teacher is now his lover, envisioning a long and fulfilling future with him. 

Kira is aware that killers are hot on their trail, so the pursuit intensifies. This is the setting for an utterly thrilling book by James Patterson and Brian Sitts. The action never ceases, as danger relentlessly pursues Kira and Doc at every turn. Their current enemies are no mere coincidence of their shared pasts. Highly recommended. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster Eruption. He has told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

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BLOG TOUR - Murder in New York

DESCRIPTION:  

Sipping Manhattan cocktails, strolling through Central Park and sightseeing at the Empire State building. Kitty Underhay is loving life in New York… until she stumbles across a murder!

Winter, 1936. Kitty receives an unexpected telegram just before Christmas saying that her father in New York is seriously ill. She and her husband Matt swiftly set out for America and, after a fraught ocean crossing, they arrive to discover he is much improved. Kitty decides to make the most of her visit by taking in the sights and attending a costume party thrown by her father’s friend, Mrs Dangerfield.

After a fabulous night, Kitty and Matt blow away the cobwebs with a chilly morning walk in Central Park. They enjoy watching ice skaters glide across one of the frozen lakes but then they discover their hostess Mrs Dangerfield murdered, her body partly hidden in some bushes. She is still in her evening wear, but her diamond earrings and necklace are missing.

Soon, Mrs Dangerfield’s resentful daughter, elderly chauffeur and secret lover make Kitty and Matt’s suspect list. The finger of suspicion seems to be pointing towards Mrs Dangerfield’s secretary, but then the typist turns up dead too. With a mystery killer spoiling their trip to the Big Apple, will the amateur sleuths save the day, or will they breathe their last in the city that never sleeps…?

Fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey or Lee Strauss will adore this utterly charming murder mystery. The perfect treat for cozy crime fans!

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0DCZQZ19Vsocial

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

MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   Murder in New York

Author:  Helena Dixon

Series:  Miss Underhay #18
Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:  262

Date of Publication:  November 25, 2024

My Rating:   5 Stars

It is just about the Christmas season in 1936, and Kitty Underhay and her husband Matt are looking forward to celebrating their upcoming anniversary as well as participating in Christmas festivities. However, Kitty receives a disturbing telegram stating that her father is seriously ill. Kitty and Matt leave England and take a transatlantic trip to New York. During their weeks of travel, Kitty was really worried about her father. Imagine her surprise when she and Matt arrive and her father is in pretty good health. 

Well, Christmas is in just a matter of days, so with a few parities ahead, Kitty and Matt will be spending the holiday in New York. When her father’s friend and neighbor Nora Dangerfield is murdered, police just may have more than one suspect. Back at home, Kitty and Matt are private investigators, so they cannot help but to begin poking around looking for answers themselves.

As a true fan of this long-running cozy mystery series by Helena Dixon, the murder mystery was intriguing as always. I couldn’t help but chuckle a couple of times when Kitty’s father expected to be waited on. Another thing I really enjoyed was Matt’s working on puzzles during his free time. As an avid jigsaw puzzle enthusiast, I found it gratifying that this hobby was seamlessly woven into the narrative.  And let’s not forget Kitty’s penchant for snooping around while searching for answers.This book was a breeze to read and a total blast. I can’t wait to dive into the next book with Kitty and Matt and see what adventures they have in store for us. This series is a must-read for anyone who loves cozy mysteries, and I highly recommend it!

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Helena Dixon splits her time between the Black Country and Devon. Married to the same man for over thirty five years she has three daughters, a cactus called Spike, and a crazy cockapoo. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel and housework. Her addictions of choice are coffee and reality TV. She was winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 and Love Story of the Year 2010 as Nell Dixon. She now writes historical 1930's set cozy crime. Nell enjoys hearing from readers and you can read her news and contact her via her website at http://www.nelldixon.com

Social Media 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/NellDixon

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/helenadixonuk

Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/helena-dixon

Review - The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unattached Neighbor

Title:  The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unattached Neighbor

Author:  Jennifer Beckstrand

Series:   The Amish Quiltmakers #6

Publisher:  Zebra

Genre:   Inspirational Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   304

Date of Publication:   November 26, 2024

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Irrepressible Colorado Amish quiltmaker Esther Kiem is delighted to help the four Yoder sisters stitch together their beloved great-grandmother’s birthday quilt…especially when it means putting her matchmaking talents to use! Infused with her signature humor and heart, award-winning, USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Beckstrand blends quilting, mischief, and matchmaking for the sixth Amish Quiltmaker romance – perfect for fans of Amy Clipston, Wanda Brunstetter, and Linda Byler.

At thirty-two, Ada Yoder is resigned to caring for her three sisters, her ever-impractical father, and their prosperous, but demanding, farm. The last kind of trouble she needs is Enos Hoover claiming that six acres of their land actually belongs to him—and taking steps to prove it. But Ada soon finds that battling Enos' clever strategies is delightfully intriguing—and lighting an impossible spark . . . Enos is determined to make his mater proud by turning difficult acreage into a successful farm. Legally, he is in the right to reclaim the land from the Yoders. But Ada's hard-working stubbornness and refreshing honesty are proving to be more of an irresistible challenge than an obstacle. Now, can Enos and Ada find enough faith and understanding to reconcile family, duty, and love—and stake their claim on a forever happiness together? Sometimes the greatest blessings come in disguise . . .

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

It is rare to read a hate to love Amish fiction story, but that vibe comes through while reading this book. But that is what happens for Ada Yoder and Enos Hoover. Their start off on opposite sides when Enos tells Ada that six acres of her land actually belong to him and he’d like to start planting right away. They are literally on opposite sides of the fence. Ada determinedly believes the land is hers and the two almost reach a standoff.

I love these characters. Strong personalities are displayed in this novel, but kindness and compassion come through in this story. As this is an Amish romance, there is a shift between opposing views as their hearts slowly open to one another and love eventually wins out. Forgiveness can sometimes be difficult to come by, but when love comes in the picture, it is really sweet to see things unfold.

I love the interactions between Ada and Enos, even if awkwardness and disagreements began the foundation of their budding relationship. From anger, to disagreements, to compassion, to kindness, to forgiveness, and soon to love. This sixth book in the Amish Quiltmaker’s series was the full Monty. Having not read the previous titles, I am sure that I would have met some of the other characters, most notably Esther Kiem and Cathy Larsen.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Beckstrand is the two-time RITA-nominated, #1 Amazon bestselling Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series, The Honeybee Sisters series, The Petersheim Brothers series and The Amish Quiltmaker series for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer and Home on Huckleberry Hill were both nominated for the RITA® Award from Romance Writers of America. Her sweet romantic Western series, Cowboys of the Butterfly Ranch, features feisty heroines and tough-as-nails cowboys sprinkled with Jennifer’s trademark humor and happy endings. Maggie and Max is the third book in that series. Dandelion Meadows is her new, sweet small-town romance series, set in a quirky little town in Idaho. Jennifer has written thirty-eight Amish romances, three sweet romantic Westerns, two sweet contemporaries, and the nonfiction book, Big Ideas. Jennifer is a member of ACFW and is represented by Nicole Resciniti of the Seymour Agency. She and her husband have been married thirty-nine years, and she has six children and eleven adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

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Review - A Colby Christmas Rescue

Title:   A Colby Christmas Rescue

Author:  Debra Webb

Publisher:  Harlequin Intrigue

Series:  Colby Agency: The Next Generation #1

Genre:   Romantic Suspense

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   224

Date of Publication:   November 26, 2024

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Two special agents take on an impossible mission…

Special agent Jamie Colby is on a can't-fail mission. Kidnappers need her unique skills and have leveraged her family to get them. Her partner, Kendrick Poe, is a bonus for the abductors. But with ransom and reunion complicating the assignment, Jamie and Kendrick will have to break every professional rule to rescue loved ones caught in the cross fire. An unexpected dangerous attraction is the least of their troubles but could prove to be deadly if they’re not careful. Join USA TODAY bestselling author Debra Webb as the Colby Agency series returns with the next generation!

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

It’s almost Christmas and Victoria is worried about her son’s wife Tasha. They are in Sweden as Tasha’s diagnosis for a rare type of cancer is being the reason they’ve traveled so far. As if that is not worrisome enough, Victoria receives a terrifying phone call from her grandson Luke. Apparently Luke has been kidnapped and there is a ransom of $10 million demanded. Victoria and her husband Lucas begin gathering as many as her team as possible to try and trace the call.

Jamie Colby is Victoria’ granddaughter, one of twelve with the elite International Operations Agency, and she will no doubt be instrumental in saving Luke. The Christmas season is very dark indeed for the Colby family. Kenny Poe works alongside Jamie while they are attempting to rescue Luke. With the addition of another character named Abi, the puzzles in this book have been made difficult to decipher. 

Although this series is preceded by the long-running Colby Agency series, now there is a new generation. This and all the books are written as standalone novels. I may have missed the first series, but now having the opportunity to read this first book, I hope to visit with the Colby family again.

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Debra Webb is the award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of more than 130 novels, including reader favorites the Faces of Evil, the Colby Agency, and the Shades of Death series. With more than four million books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra's love of storytelling goes back to her childhood on a farm in Alabama. Visit Debra at www.DebraWebb.com

or write to her at PO Box 176, Madison, AL 35758.

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Review Shielding the Innocent Target

Title:  Shielding the Innocent Target

Author:  Terri Reed

Publisher:  Love Inspired Suspense

Genre:   Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   219

Date of Publication:   May 1, 2024

My Rating:  5bStars

DESCRIPTION:

A child under his protection…

and a hit man in pursuit.

After witnessing her boss’s murder, Paige Walsh must trust Deputy US Marshal Lucas Cavendish to bring her to safety. But when a notorious assassin targets her and her son, Lucas’s short-term assignment turns into a dangerous cross-country mission. For Paige to identify her boss’s killer, Lucas must get the family into witness protection. Except the hit man knows their every move…and trusting the wrong person could get them killed.

From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Paige Walsh shockingly witnesses her boss’s murder. His name was Donald Lessing, a federal prosecutor who was doing his best to keep an arms dealer in prison. This not only places Paige’s life in danger, but also that of her son Kenny as well as his therapy dog Aslan. Deputy US Marshal Lucas “Caveman” Cavendish has been assigned to get Paige and Kenny to a safe house until they can be placed in the Witness Protection Program. A never-ending nightmare has begun for all of them. 

This book was an absolute rollercoaster of danger and action, but it also had a strong faith system that really added depth to the story. The characters were so well-developed, and Aslan made me want a dog of my own! Kenny idolized Lucas from the beginning, his “Cowboy”, and his instant trust in him was so heartwarming. Meanwhile, Paige knew that Lucas was just doing his job to protect them, and he knew it too. But as they spent more time together, a warm feeling started to grow between them. This touching story was an easy read, one that I enjoyed from beginning to end. 

Many thanks to Love Inspired Suspense and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 

Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top 10 Romance Mass Market Paperback and Publishers Weekly top 10 Religion Fiction, Nielsen’s Bookscan top 50, Amazon #1 Bestseller, featured in USA Today and a Fresh Pick at FreshFiction.com. Her 2016 novel, A Family Under the Christmas Tree, was adapted into the Hallmark movie and retitled Picture a Perfect Christmas. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband and when not writing, she enjoys agility with her Australian shepherd. 

For updates about Terri and her books sign up for her newsletter https://bit.ly/3Ihz48q

Be sure to follow Terri on BookBub for updates on her new releases

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/terri...

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Review - The Hidden

Title:  The Hidden

Author:  Kiersten Modglin 

Genre: Psychological Thriller 

Format: Audio ALC

Narrator:  Gail Shalan

Date of Publication:  October 1, 2024

Length:  5 hr 7 min

No. of Pages: 246

My Rating: 4 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

When Sophie Thatcher wakes up in a room she doesn’t recognize after a night she can’t remember, she assumes she had too much to drink and went home with a date.

Except…the date is nowhere to be found.

No one is.

The space she finds herself in is completely nondescript—the walls bare, fridge empty.

And just when she thought things couldn’t get bleaker or more confusing, she realizes the doors are locked from the outside.

Trapped inside an unfamiliar place and faced with a clock counting down to a mysterious deadline, Sophie tries desperately to recall the hours missing from her memory and formulate a plan to escape, but each attempt proves more futile than the last.

Hidden away from the world and unable to contact the people who would care that she’s missing, Sophie has two questions ringing in her mind: Who would bring her to this place? And why?

When she’s joined in her personal prison by someone she never thought she’d see again, everything changes and the idea of her being a random target instantly vanishes.

Whoever brought Sophie to this place has plans for her and, if she can’t figure out a way to escape before time runs out, her fate may be to remain hidden forever.

Ominous, dark, and completely disturbing, this pulse-pounding thriller from the twisted mind of million-copy bestselling author Kiersten Modglin is unlike anything you’ve read before.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Sophie Thatcher wakes up in a strange room with no memory of the night before, not even who she was with. Her nightmare is just beginning. With a fuzzy head, she starts to look around the surprisingly empty house. All she wants to do is go home. So, she rushes to the door and she finds out she’s locked inside. Sophie is in for a nightmare that’s going to get way worse before it gets better.

Aside from all of that, there is an apparent countdown clock. Countdown to what? Sophie is determined to find a way to escape. In this dual timeline story, readers get to know a bit about Sophie and even her relationships. How that history is tied into the story is up to the reader to discover. 

Even with the dual timeline, this book had excellent pacing. Oh, and the narration! I am not familiar with this narrator, but she really brought this book to life. 

Many thanks to Kiersten Modglin and Libro.FM for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kiersten Modglin is an Amazon top-30 bestselling author of award-winning psychological thrillers and a member of International Thriller Writers. Kiersten lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and their two Boston Terriers: Cedric and Georgie. She is best known for her unpredictable suspense and her readers have dubbed her 'The Queen of Twists.' A Netflix addict, Shonda Rhimes super-fan, psychology fanatic, and indoor enthusiast, Kiersten enjoys rainy days spent with her nose in a book.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kierstenmodglinauthor 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmodglinauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kierstenmodglinauthor

Review - The House of Cross

Title:   The House of Cross

Author:  James Patterson; Brian Sitts

Series:   Alex Cross #33

Publisher:  Little, Brown and Company 

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   416

Date of Publication:   November 25, 2024

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The thirty-third installment in James Patterson's globally bestselling Alex Cross series. It’s time to put the guns down, Detective Cross. Even if you knew the way out of this place, we would catch you.

A serial killer is taking out America’s finest legal minds, and Alex Cross is called to investigate their brutal murders. But during a dangerous mission to track down the killer, his wife, Bree, and best friend, John Sampson, go missing. To save the people he loves most, Cross has only three goals: 

Number one: Find Bree and John.

Number two: Escape.

Number three: Survive.

If he fails, there will be no one left in the House of Cross.

Link to purchase the series

MY THOUGHTS:

Some of the best legal minds are being assassinated. They had the potential of going even higher in their careers. Alex Cross will go to any lengths to stop the killer, but, as always, continues to strive to be a balanced family man. As Alex begins working alongside Ned Mahoney of the FBI, they realize they are both in a race against time. Meanwhile, Alex’s wife Bree Stone and his former partner John Sampson are after an elusive criminal known as “Maestro “. 

Both Alex and Bree are determined in their searches, and it is also the Christmas season. Neither wants to miss their long-held Christmas traditions with their family, and this includes Sampson and his young daughter Willow.

Although traveling from here and there while searching for answers, Alex and Bree always manage to find their way back to one another. However, when their cases converge, and Bree and Sampson suddenly disappear, Alex hopes and prays he will see his beautiful wife and best friend again. 

With its exceptional pacing, thrilling scenes, and near-constant danger, this 33rd installment in the Alex Cross series is an irresistible read. Not only does this long-running series deliver the action that fans have come to expect, but it also features heartwarming family moments that provide a poignant balance to the narrative. Nana Mama, a one of my favorite fictional character known for her strength and vitality, plays a central role in these moments. The rest of the family also appears in warm and affectionate scenes.

Then, the injustice. Read this book and you will see how both Alex and Bree do their best to balance the scales. While these Alex Cross novels could likely be read as standalone novels, reading this series in order will help readers to see the intricate dynamic between the characters and the seamless integration of recurring events into the contemporary narratives. I’m totally hooked on this series and can’t wait for the next book!

Many thanks to Little, Brown and Company and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster Eruption. He has told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

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Review - Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder

Title:    Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder

Author:  Joanne Fluke
Series:  Hannah Swensen #27

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Publisher:   Kensington

Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  340

Date of Publication:   February 23, 2021

My Rating:  4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

This fun new story from the Queen of Culinary Cozies is just the indulgence you need this winter! Cozy mystery fans know that a trip to The Cookie Jar—Hannah Swensen’s famous bakery—will always result in a delightfully page-turning whodunit…

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller!

Spring has sprung in Lake Eden, Minnesota, but Hannah Swensen doesn't have time to stop and smell the roses--not with hot cross buns to make, treats to bake, and a sister to exonerate!

Hannah's up to her ears with Easter orders rushing in at The Cookie Jar, plus a festive meal to prepare for a dinner party at her mother's penthouse. But everything comes crashing to a halt when Hannah receives a panicked call from her sister Andrea--Mayor Richard Bascomb has been murdered...and Andrea is the prime suspect.

Even with his reputation for being a bully, Mayor Bascomb--or "Ricky Ticky," as Hannah's mother likes to call him--had been unusually testy in the days leading up to his death, leaving Hannah to wonder if he knew he was in danger. Meanwhile, folks with a motive for mayoral murder are popping up in Lake Eden. Was it a beleaguered colleague? A political rival? A jealous wife? Or a scorned mistress?

As orders pile up at The Cookie Jar--and children line up for Easter egg hunts--Hannah must spring into investigation mode and identify the real killer...before another murder happens!

Link to purchase the series

MY THOUGHTS:

Joanna Fluke has finally cracked the code for her Hannah Swensen series, and now we have book #27! Winter is over, and spring has sprung in Lake Eden, Minnesota. Hannah’s shop, The Cookie Jar, is bursting with orders, but guess what? Another murder has caught her attention once again.

The latest murder victim is Mayor Richard Bascomb, a man with an unkind reputation. Perhaps his death was fortuitous as the more people that Hannah speaks with, the more the memories of Bascomb were troublesome. So, more than one person could have easily wanted him dead. So, Hannah decides that she will be the one to solve his murder.

Here’s the twist in this story: the last person to see Bascomb alive was Andrea, Hannah’s sister. Andrea had a heated argument with the mayor, and others heard the exchange. Could Andrea have been the one who wanted the mayor dead and actually did it?

This book was engaging throughout, with murder and mayhem, and of course, recipes.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Like Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke grew up in a small town in rural Minnesota where her neighbors were friendly, the winters were fierce, and the biggest scandal was the spotting of unidentified male undergarments on a young widow's clothesline. She insists that there really are 10,000 lakes and the mosquito is NOT the state bird.

While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as: a public school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective's assistant, a corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, a short order cook, a florist's assistant, a caterer and party planner, a computer consultant on a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, half of a screenwriting team with her husband, and a mother, wife, and homemaker. 

She now lives in Southern California with her husband, her kids, his kids, their three dogs, one elderly tabby, and several noisy rats in the attic.  

Joanne Fluke has baked over 500,000 chocolate chip cookies for fans of her Hannah Swensen mysteries since the series debuted in 2000, not to mention countless pies, cakes, muffins and other sweets.  However, it’s not just the desserts that keep readers clamoring for her next novel.  Reviewers have long praised Fluke’s work, with Kirkus Reviews calling her novel PEACH COBBLER MURDER, “her tastiest yet.”  Publishers Weekly said her holiday Hannah Swensen Mystery, SUGAR COOKIE MURDER, is “a delectable culinary romp…[with] wacky and delightful characters.”

Fluke’s CHERRY CHEESECAKE MURDER marked her debut onto The New York Times bestseller list in March 2006, and she followed up that success again a year later in March 2007 with her second New York Timesbestseller, KEY LIME PIE MURDER, praised by Publishers Weekly as “Yummy…Fluke has developed a charming supporting cast—all feel like friends by the time the murder is solved.”

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Review - She’s Not Sorry

Title:   She’s Not Sorry

Author:  Mary Kubica

Genre:  Psychological Thriller

Publisher:  Park Row Books

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of pages:  336

Published:  April 2, 2024

My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION :

An ICU nurse accidentally uncovers a patient’s frightening past in this chilling thriller.

Meghan Michaels is trying to find balance between being a single mom to a teenage daughter and working as a full time nurse. While on duty at the hospital one day, a patient named Caitlin arrives in a coma with a traumatic brain injury, having jumped from a bridge and plunging over twenty feet to the train tracks below.

But when a witness comes forward with shocking details about the fall, it calls everything they know into question. Was Caitlin pushed and if so, by whom and why?

Meghan has always tried to stay emotionally detached from her patients, but this time, she mistakenly lets herself get too close until she’s deeply entangled in Caitlin’s and her family’s lives. Only when it’s too late, does she realize that she and her daughter could be the next victims.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Meghan Michaels takes her ICU job seriously. Perhaps too seriously in the case of one of her new patients named Caitlin. Caitlin has suffered a brain injury and Meghan becomes very involved in her case. Meanwhile, a singe mother to a teenager, and also very worried about her friend Nat, Meghan’s plate is very full.

This is classic Kubica! Thrilling in every regard, because it is not a domestic thriller. In fact, there is a rapist in town and more than one life could be in jeopardy. So, this is indeed a psychological thriller that will no doubt leave the reader guessing. Whether it is the pacing, the shocking twists, or the riveting conclusion, She’s Not Sorry is a book you won’t want to miss.

 

Many thanks to Park Row Books and to Edelweiss for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary Kubica is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of five novels, including THE GOOD GIRL, PRETTY BABY, DON’T YOU CRY, EVERY LAST LIE and WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT. A former high school history teacher, Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in History and American Literature. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and two children. Her first novel THE GOOD GIRL was an Indie Next pick in August of 2014, received a Strand Critics Nomination for Best First Novel and was a nominee in the Goodreads Choice Awards in Debut Goodreads Author and in Mystery & Thriller for 2014. Mary’s novels have been translated into over thirty languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. She’s been described as “a helluva storyteller,” (Kirkus Reviews) and “a writer of vice-like control,” (Chicago Tribune), and her novels have been praised as “hypnotic” (People) and “thrilling and illuminating” (Los Angeles Times).She is currently working on her next novel.web / facebook / twitter / instagram / goodreads