Southern Man - Greg Iles

Greg Iles is a brilliant author. I've read everything he's written and enjoyed each and every one. The long awaited Southern Man, is newly released.

Southern Man takes place fifteen years, after the end of Mississippi Blood. Much has happened in those years and as Iles details what is going on Penn, I had a mental image of a war horse - older, scarred, tired but in it for the battle.

But what is that battle? Natchez is literally burning again. Is it is a new chapter in a long running race war? A son of the south is gunning for another race - that of the President and White House. He's got a shot at it, but at what cost?

The cost has been high for Penn, his family and his friends. The effort to set things right has taken many lives. The political machinations taking place closed doors, and on doorsteps is frightening. History seems to be repeating itself over and over. Hate.

Southern Man is an amazing story told from many time periods and voices. The slave histories were hard to read. As were the current happenings. I must be really naive as the backroom politics shocked me. Lives used as pawns and moved strategically. But then I thought again - this too has happened in the near past.

Iles has penned an incredible book with a myriad of plot lines and a plethora of characters. The tension never lets up as the narrative races to a finale I couldn't have imagined. But one that isn't too far from the truth. Bravo Greg Iles. 

See for yourself - read an excerpt of Southern Man. 

If Something Happens To Me - Alex Finlay

I'm an avid suspense reader and listener, so I'm always on the lookout for more! I have enjoyed Alex Finlay's previous books, so picking up his title 'If Something Happens to Me', was an easy decision.

The story is told through multiple characters. Five years ago Ryan was knocked out and his girlfriend Ali was taken. No body was ever  found - and Ryan was the prime suspect. And then he sees a man that he has seen before... And a cryptic clue starts the hunt all over again.

A Philly mobster is the second voice and a new to the force sheriff’s deputy is the third. I really liked Deputy Poppy McGee! (Nudge, nudge maybe she'll turn up up in another book?) There's a number of supporting players as well.

I always like a tale that unfolds told from more than one viewpoint. We're privy to what's going on in all three threads. Well, we do and we don't in this plot that is. By the time you get back to the first voice, things have changed. Finlay is a master at giving the reader many, many twists and turns - also another element I really enjoy.

I really enjoy a book that employs a cast to perform the novel. Paul Dateh, Helen Laser, and John Pirhalla did a wonderful job of presenting Finlay's work. Having a cast it makes it very easy to know who is speaking. I always imagine what the characters look like from hearing their voices. Distinctive voices are also put in place for supporting characters. Everyone spoke clearly, cleanly and were easy on the ears. Each narrator brought their characters to life, capturing the action and suspense of Finlay's book. A great presentation!

 An entertaining book for sure! See for yourself - listen to an excerpt from If Something Happens to Me.

The Last Murder at the End of the World - Stuart Turton

The title of Stuart Turton's new book caught my eye - The Last Murder at the End of the World. I enjoy post apocalyptic fiction and murder mysteries, so this was an easy book to pick up.

I'm always fascinated as to what an author imagines for the 'end of the world'. I liked what Turton has come up with - there's so many directions the plot could take from the opening chapters.  

The end of the world is a small island surrounded by a poisonous black fog. Three elders make the decisions for the 121 gentle villagers. And then there's Abi - the artificial intelligence that speaks to everyone through their thoughts. When a body is found, its heralds the beginning of the end...

There's lots more about the island and the inhabitants to discover. Trying to solve a murder is a new situation for the villagers. Normally the elders take care of everything and their word is the final decision. But one villager is determined to get answers for not just the murder, but for the rest of their tiny piece of the world. They have 107 hours to solve the killing. 

In addition to some great world building is the characters' growth. Will they find the whodunit? Will changes take place? Will they survive the changes?

Something different for me, but I very much enjoyed it. See for yourself  - read an excerpt of  The Last Murder at the End of the World.

If Something Happens to Me - Alex Finlay

I'm an avid suspense reader, so I'm always on the lookout for more! I have enjoyed Alex Finlay's previous books, so picking up his latest  book, 'If Something Happens to Me", was an easy decision.

The story is told through multiple characters. Five years ago Ryan was knocked out and his girlfriend Ali was taken. No body was ever  found - and Ryan was the prime suspect. And then he sees a man that he has seen before... And a cryptic clue starts the hunt all over again. 

A Philly mobster is the second voice and a new to the force sheriff’s deputy is the third. I really liked Deputy Poppy McGee! (Nudge, nudge maybe she'll turn up up in another book?) There's a number of supporting players as well.

 

I always like a tale that is told from more than one viewpoint. We're privy to what's going on in all three threads. Well, we do and we don't in this plot that is. By the time you get back to the first voice, things have changed. Finlay is a master at giving the reader many many twists and turns - also another element I really enjoy.

The pedal is on the metal in this suspense, action filled novel. An entertaining beach read for sure. See for yourself - read an excerpt from If Something Happens to Me. 

I also think it would make a great streaming series!  

I Hope This Finds You Well - Natalie Sue

Okay, you know that feeling you get when you start to read a debut novel - and you can't put it down? Yeah, that's what happened to me when I started to read I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue. 

Jolene works as an admin for a large company. She does her best to hide in her pod, and interacts with the other staffers as little as she possibly can. Which works out, as they ignore her. Jolene has a way she uses to get back at them, but it backfires on her. She's now on HR's radar. But....someone in HR has messed up - and Jolene can see everyone's email - and what they're really thinking. Hmm, there are so many ways this tale could go... 

Having worked in similar setting, I could empathize with Jolene. I  was appalled and angered by the treatment she received from the others. Sue has filled the office with easily identifiable personalities. (I has some flashbacks from the television show The Office.)

Sue takes us home with Jolene as well. What is happening at work is only one issue. She's also carrying trauma from her past and there's pressure from her Persian family to get married and do well at work.  

Now, it might sound like heavy reading, but it is - and it isn't. I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud. Rather than think 'heavy' I think of it as introspective and taking back yourself. I think that everyone that reads this book will recognize something that speaks to them.

I Hope This Finds You Well is a wonderful debut, one I can easily recommend. See for yourself - read an excerpt.

The Main Character - Jaclyn Goldis

The Main Character is Jaclyn Goldis' new book.

I was intrigued by the premise. A noted author hires everyday people and interviews them about their own lives and then fictionalizes them. There's so much that could happen from this opening. Her latest lead is Rory. When the author gives Rory a trip on the Orient Express, she is stunned, but thankful. Until she sees who else is on board.

The mention and use of the Orient Express had me thinking of Agatha Christie of course. There are more Christie references throughout the book. Perhaps that is why I had an expectation as to what kind of sleuth Rory would be.

As for settings - the book moves across many borders. Goldis loves to travel and her story benefits from that knowledge.

But, here's the thing - I just could not get into this story. Nothing happened at all for the longest time. My attention had flown out the window. So, I put it down for a break. I did go went back and started at the beginning again, thinking I had missed something. On this round I found many of the narrators hard to understand. Some of the accents were questionable. And I didn't like any of  the characters all. No one stood out - instead they just blended together. And it became hard to discern who was talking. 

I think I'm an outlier for this book. This is a rare DNF for me. It just didn't work for me, but did for many other readers. See what they had to say on Goodreads.

One Perfect Couple - Ruth Ware

I'm a big fan of Ruth Ware's writing. I adore her suspense tales. Her latest is One Perfect Couple - and I think it's one of her best.

Lyla's boyfriend Nico convinces her to try out for a reality show with him. It's one that will have five couples hoping to be the 'perfect pair' and win the big prize at the end. 

There are reality shows of all type available on so many platforms these days. And the ante is being ramped up to attract viewers. (Admit it - you've watched at least one episode!)

Lyla has her doubts before they go and...I'm going to let you discover what happens next. Ware's plotting is devious - I honestly could not stop listening. There are many unexpected twists and turns woven into the narrative. The tension is palpable on every page.

Lyla is a great lead character - she's quick, clever, sees the big picture and isn't afraid to speak her mind. It's her viewpoint and action that we are listening to. And how about the flip side? You'll have no problem recognizing and despising the antagonist!

I knew this would be a fantastic listen for me. Ware's writing and Imogen Church's reading guaranteed it! Church has such a versatile voice - she's created a different, recognizable  voices for all the characters. She easily captures the emotions of the players with her voice. And the same with the danger and suspense of the plot. The listener is easy drawn into the story. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. I'm always impressed when a single reader can have me thinking there's more than one person!

An easy five stars for One Perfect Couple the book and the presentation. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of One Perfect Couple.

Think Twice - Harlan Coben

I have read each and every book Harlan Coben has written. His standalones are great - but I have a soft spot for Myron Bolitar and his friend Windsor Horne Lockwood III aka Win. Think Twice partners up the two again.

Things start off with a curious prologue. A man who died three years ago has just left his fingerprints at a crime scene. How can that be? The FBI comes knocking on Myron's door to ask the same question...

The plotting is impeccable and there's no way you're going to suss out the answer to the question of whodunit. There are twists and revelations along the way that change the direction of the investigation many times. The ending is edge of your seat, nail biting good. I loved being along for the ride as Win and Myron stay one step ahead of the FBI - and others. The two of them have each other's back. The dialogue between Win and Myron is short, snappy and a heck of lot of fun to read. 

There are a lot of supporting players - some good, some of them not so much. I'm happy to say though, that Esperanza and Big Cyndi are back as well. We also hear from a mystery person in chapters that are chilling.

A satisfying read that I finished far too soon. More please! An easy five stars from this  reader. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Think Twice.

Summers at the Saint - Mary Kay Andrews

You know that summer is just around the corner when Mary Kay Andrews releases a new novel! Summers at the Saint is that new book!

St. Cecelia is the name of the Georgia hotel and club frequented by the wealthy. Although everyone refers it as The Saint, the employees from the other side of the tracks refer to themselves as 'the ain'ts. Traci Eddings was an ain't - but she's now running the resort after the death of her beloved husband.

I always enjoy Andrews' protagonists. They're driven, smart, kind, intelligent and fair - someone you'd like to know in real life. Traci is very mindful of the staff are doing, providing some perks to keep them happy. It's been hard to find staffing this year.

Readers are going to know what Traci doesn't. We get to see what's going on under the surface. And it's not good at all. I have to say, I didn't expect some of what happens, but it was quite all believable. I was so mad with those characters! 

To temper that plotline, is a perfect yes, no, maybe so romance. There's also some twists that I didn't see coming - and they changed my prediction for the final pages. I was happily wrong!

Andrews has done it again. She's written another book that grabbed my attention and held it from first page to last. The page count is a delicious 448 pages!

A must for your beach bag! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Summers at the Saint.

Summers at the Saint - Mary Kay Andrews

You know that summer is just around the corner when Mary Kay Andrews releases a new novel! Summers at the Saint is that new book!

St. Cecelia is the name of the Georgia hotel and club frequented by the wealthy. Although everyone refers it as The Saint, the employees from the other side of the tracks refer to themselves as 'the ain'ts. Traci Eddings was an ain't - but she's now running the resort after the death of her beloved husband.

I always enjoy Andrews' protagonists. They're driven, smart, kind, intelligent and fair - someone you'd like to know in real life. Traci is very mindful of the staff are doing, providing some perks to keep them happy. It's been hard to find staffing this year.

Readers are going to know what Traci doesn't. We get to see what's going on under the surface. And it's not good at all. I have to say, I didn't expect some of what happens, but it was quite all believable. I was so mad with those characters! 

To temper that plotline, is a perfect yes, no, maybe so romance. There's also some twists that I didn't see coming - and they changed my prediction for the final pages. I was happily wrong!

The narrator was Kathleen McInerney - a favorite of mine. She's voiced quite a few of Andrews' other titles and they've also been wonderful to listen to. McInerney's voice matched the plot if that makes sense. She embodies the characters and brings them to life. Each character has been given an identifiable and believable voice - both male and female, young and old. Her voice is very pleasant to listen to, and she enunciates very well. Her voice easily portrays the emotions and actions of the plot. An excellent presentation of a wonderful book!

Andrews has done it again. She's written another book that grabbed my attention and held it from first chapter to last. A must for your earphones and beach bag. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of Summers at the Saint.

The Off Season - Amber Cowie

If you love suspense novels, you're going to want to pick Amber Cowie's new book - The Off Season. 

The set up for this tale was perfect! Jane has just married a man she's known for only six months, he's thirteen years older, has a teenage daughter and has been married already. Jane doesn't want children and is rebounding from something that went very bad in her work. A recipe for disaster? Maybe. How about adding in being caretakers for a remote lodge in the winter? Oh definitely yes...

The setting is wonderfully described. The lodge is large and luxurious. The forest surrounding the lodge beautiful - but also dangerous. And this crossed my thoughts...Redrum...

Cowie's character building is perfect. The dynamics between Jane and Dom are still in the honeymoon stage. But relations between Jane and Dom's daughter Sienna, are fractious, to say the least. The past is also a character in the plot. But is anyone telling the truth at all?

Oh my gosh - with every chapter Cowie builds and builds the tension in the lodge. There was no way I was going to stop reading! The plotting is great - I had no idea how things were to going to play out. Cowie kept me guessing right through to the last pages.

The Off Season is a fantastic entry for your summer reading list! 

See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Off Season.

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club - Helen Simonson

The cover of Helen Simonson's new book, The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club, immediately caught my eye. The title and cover image promised a great read!

Simonson has set her book in 1919 postwar England. Men are coming back to their homes, their families - and their jobs. Women have filled those roles during the war and many of the women don't want to quit - and many of them can't afford to not work.

One of those willing to work at a much more challenging job  is Constance. But right now she is a companion to an older woman, living in a luxury hotel at Hazelbourne-on-Sea. 

"I was doing something important. Now we are all expected to go home to the kitchen or drawing room". 

Simonson's setting is wonderfully detailed and easy to imagine. She has also captured the mores of the time period - proper behaviour, doing as you're expected, listening to your elders and so much more. The expectations of the time are so constrictive. The dialogue was so well written and fun to read. Oral jousting while not stepping out of line!

But then Constance meets Poppy and her family and Poppy turns Constance's life upside down, introducing her to other forward thinking women. Simonson does a wonderful job depicting the women's' lives, hopes, dreams, wishes and the drive to keep trying to have more and do more. 

There's much more to the plot of The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club - and it's much more fun to discover it yourself. If you enjoy historical fiction, add this to the your list! See for yourself - read an excerpt of  The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club.

I Will Ruin You - Linwood Barclay

I am always excited when I see that Linwood Barclay is releasing a new title! It's here - I Will Ruin You. Turn the first few pages -  I guarantee you won't be able to stop  reading!

Richard Boyle is a teacher who finds himself front and center on the news, after a very serious incident on the school grounds. He's a hero to many, but there are others with a different opinion...

This is one of the reasons I love Barclay's suspense. An ordinary guy dropped into a crazy, unbelievable situation. He can handle what's going on - right? Well you know what's going to happen don't you? He can't control it - and things start to spin out of control. There's a wealth of twists and turns that I hadn't couldn't have expected or predicted. I love being surprised by an author. And Barclay does with every book.

Making things even better is the cast of supporting players - some good, some bad, but all with a hand in the action. Most of those players have a voice with their own take on things.

Another great suspense tale from Barclay - I can see this one as a show series! See for yourself - read an excerpt of I Will Ruin You.

The Girl in the Cottage by the Sea - Rebecca Alexander - Blog Tour

A Bookworm's World is a stop on today's blog tour for Rebecca Alexander's new book - The Girl in the Cottage by the Sea. 

While I enjoy my suspense reads, I also enjoy turning to gentle tales to take me away from it all.

The Girl in the Cottage by the Sea is part of a series, but every book can be read as a stand alone. And it was exactly what I was looking for. 

The setting is perfect - a small village on a small island where everyone knows you, your history, your family - and your business. And on that island is a wee cottage that needs that needs a lot of love. 

The book is told in one of my favourite styles - now and then. The 'then' takes us back to WWII in 1943 and the story of Georgie, who lived in Beehive Cottage. And the 'now' brings Amber to the same place in time, running away from her life for many reasons. It was hard to to put the book down - I was invested in both stories.

Alexander has created two wonderful protagonists in Geordie and Amber. The supporting cast is just as well written. There might be a romantic plotline - or two - woven into the stories as well. And a change in both of their lives.

I quite like this quote from Rebecca Alexander: "This whole series has been about the ripples that are created by people rediscovering themselves in an isolated place where the people depend on each other, where the bonds of love and friendship form."

I think there's a few more stories to be told...in a cottage by the sea. 

"Rebecca Alexander was born in Malta and grew up on the south coast of England, becoming a psychologist. She escaped parenting six children to study writing in 2011, and the Secrets series of novels was published in 2013. A Baby’s Bones and sequel followed. Rebecca lives in a haunted 300-year-old cottage in Devon where she grows fruit, paints, and bakes. She reads and writes all sorts of genres, from women’s fiction to fantasy to crime. She is married with four chickens, two grandchildren and a cat."      You can find Rebecca on X (Twitter). 

The Five Year Lie - Sarina Bowen

The Five Year Lie is Sarina Bowen's new novel. 

Bowen's previous books are romantic fiction. But, with this new book, suspense takes the driver's seat. The romance is still a big part of the plot, but in a supporting role - not overpowering the suspense. 

Ariel had a whirlwind affair with Drew - but he left her without a goodbye. That was five years ago, and she still doesn't know why. But a computer glitch sends her on a last chance hunt to find answers. And what she finds is frighteningly real. I'm not going to spoil what that is, but I'm sure it's already in place somewhere.

I liked Ariel as a lead character. She's the antithesis of her family, living life on her terms. Bowen gives us some chapters from the past - from those chapters we come to know Drew through Ariel's eyes. There one clear cut 'bad' player, and a few others that I couldn't quite decide on.

Bowen does a good job with the plotting of The Five Year Lie. Again, the catalyst for the plot is quite believable. (If you're like me, you might ask yourself...) The action ramps up as the final pages turn. And the ending? Just right!

The Five Year Lie would be perfect for a beach bag this summer. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Five Year Lie.

The Return of Ellie Black - Emiko Jean

The Return of Ellie Black is Emiko Jean's newest novel. 

The opening prologue is one that is sure to capture your attention. Ellie Black went missing two years ago. And in all of that time, the police haven't made any progress. Until...Ellie walks out of the forest. Detective Chelsey Calhoun is on the case. But...

Oh, I knew this was going to be a great listen! I needed to know where Ellie had been for two years. Was it voluntary? Was she taken? And so much more. 

 

Jean gives the listener partial answers to these and other questions by telling the story in a then and now format - one I always enjoy! Jean does a great job exploring the aftermath of such a event through friends, family and the police.

And - my favorite - twists and turns. Well done Emiko Jean - I was surprised! I'm not 100% on that last big twist, but I appreciate it. 

I chose to listen to The Return of Ellie Block. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I often feel more immersed in a story when I listen to a book. The decision to go with a cast (9) of narrators for this title was perfect. (A number of my favorites were on the list.) There's no guessing as to what characters are speaking. Each voice was perfect for the character they were portraying. I was able to match them with the mental images I had created. All spoke clearly and enunciated well. Each reader did a great job. The audio really brings the plot to life.  Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Return of Ellie Black..

(Gentle listeners, there are some triggers in the Return of Ellie Black.)