The Haters - Robyn Harding

Robyn Harding has come up with a great premise in The Haters!

What you ask? Well, the main character is Camryn. She works  as a high school guidance counsellor in the daytime. But on nights and weekends, she works on her novel until…she’s finally published. And the reviews look promising! Until they don't. Someone is working very hard to make sure she fails. The harassment starts with a bad rating and grows until…

I’m not going spoil it for you. I couldn’t believe how insidious it was. Anyone in Camryn’s circle could be the one. Ex-husband daughter, friends, coworkers, boyfriend, her work, her publishing house and more. Initially, I was behind Camryn. But some of her actions and words are self-serving. But on the flipside, Camryn’s dream is to become a noted author and how can you fault that.

 I was really impressed with Harding’s writing and her plotting. I thought I had the culprit, but was proven wrong more than once. And as the book near the final chapters, the culprit was revealed, and I’m happy to say I couldn’t figure it out before the end!

Kudos to Robin Harding for another great suspense read. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Haters.

The House Hunt - C.M.Ewan

I liked C.M. Ewan's premise for his new novel, The House Hunt. Something so everyday as a realtor holding an open house is the starting point. When the realtor is late, the homeowner takes her place...

The book bounces back and forth between two viewpoints - that of Lucy and her husband Sam. I really like this style of story telling - I need to know what is going on with each of them.

Ewan has a dark imagination. There are a few 'over the top' machinations, but just go with it. It's hard to put this one down! If you like thrillers, this one's for you. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The House Hunt.

Finding Mr. Write - Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong is one of my favourite authors. She writes in a number of genres and many of them contain romantic threads. But a full on rom-com? Finding Mr. Write is the only one! And it is a fantastic read!

Armstrong draws on her own experiences, as well as those of her author friends in Finding Mr. Write.

"How much easier would those early days have if we could have hired an actor? Found someone smooth and glib and witty, who would be a much better spokesperson for our books. And I thought, That's a rom-com!

I was hooked right from the first pages. Daphne is our lead character. She's smart, strong, talented and but sometimes she forgets that. She's so easy to like. Her inner dialogue feels real and clever. And how about Chris Stanton? He's an accountant, but thinks he can bring "Zane Remington" to life. (The name is perfect!) We readers are privy to his inner thoughts and dialogue as well. And yes, there are a lot of funny bits. I found myself laughing out loud. And in any rom-com tale, there's a lot of yes, no, maybe so, on the path to the final chapters.

I loved the characters, the premise, the truths, the writing and just all of it! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Finding Mr. Write.

Still See You Everywhere - Lisa Gardner

Lisa Gardner has a new book out - Still See You Everywhere. Suspense readers - you'll want to this add this title to your TBR list!

This is the third entry in the Frankie Elkin series, but a first read of this character for me. I thought this latest was a great read!

Frankie is the lead character - and I was very intrigued by her. She calls nowhere home, she's an alcoholic, and she finds people. She herself is one of the walking wounded. "Searching for the missing everyone else has forgotten." She takes no money for her searching and uses nothing but asking questions and reading people. And wonders how much longer she can to this.

The case? Frankie meets with with a woman who is scheduled for the electric chair in three weeks. The one thing she wants is to see her little sister before that day arrives. Frankie agrees and ...

I loved the setting - a private island accessed only by plane. Gardner's descriptions are detailed and I could easily imagine the jungle, the creatures that were there first and the current residents. And this is the part where I tell you that you need to read the author's notes! I'll let you discover why.

There are quite a few characters, but it's easy to remember who's who. You'll have your favorites - but can you put your finger on one who's not so nice....

The plotting? Absolutely fabulous. Gardner kept me on the edge of my chair for the whole 416 pages. Suspense, action, a touch of romance and twists. I love twists! Wonderful read!

See for yourself - read an excerpt of Still See You Everywhere.

Unnatural Death - Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell's last few books have been excellent. Her newest book, Unnatural Death, is no exception. This is the 27th entry in the long running Scarpetta series. While the book picks up from the last entry, this book can certainly be read as a stand alone.

Kay Scarpetta is the Chief Medical Examiner for Virginia. This time around, Kay is sent to the woods and to a deserted mine in North Virginia. Two bodies have been found, as well as something very curious in a mine shaft. Kay is not sure why the Feds have taken over the case and the autopsy, but she has no choice but to follow orders.

The recurring characters all return in Unnatural Death. Sidekick Pete Marino is always by Kay's side. He hasn't changed much over the years and is one of my favorites. Niece Lucy grows more and more enigmatic with every new book. Kay's husband Benson has his own secrets. Lesser characters are just as well drawn - and are very easy to be separated into 'good and bad'. I applaud Kay's ability to hold her tongue - but her inner dialogue lets it all out.

I was truly blown away by some of the technology being used by the Secret Service and other agencies.  Kay's methods and tools in the autopsy suite are just as technologic. In the 'about the author' notes, Cornwell mentions that her interests include space-age technologies, threats to contemporary life, artificial intelligence and more. Those interests are woven into the plot of Unnatural Death. 

There's no way to predict where the plot is going to go. There's lots of action, suspense and unexpected turns. Cornwell held my attention right down the last pages. 

A great entry that I quite enjoyed. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Unnatural Death.

 I received a free copy of a book from the publisher. This in no way affects my opinion of the book. 

I Will Find You - Harlan Coben

Harlan Coben is hands down, one of my favourite authors. I eagerly await every new book. And then despite my plan to savour it slowly - I end up binge reading late into the night. This latest book, I Will Find You is no exception!

Coben gives us a protagonist who, on first glance, looks like he should be the antagonist. David Burroughs has been in prison for the last five years for killing his three year old son, even though he swears he’s innocent. A chance picture of a boy who looks like young Matthew raises David’s hopes. Could his son be alive? 

I’m always behind a premise like this, where it’s David and Goliath battle. Can an everyday guy beat the odds? Prove his innocence? And in this case, find his son?

The tension starts in the first pages and just never lets up. Prison breaks, gangland bosses, shady wealthy families, old friends and foes, tendrils from the past and more is all woven into a non stop, edge of your seat, heart pounding plot. Did I mention the twisty turns that change the narrative? I was surprised every time!

And I have to mention the dialogue between the two FBI agents. It's a rapid patter that is actually quite funny.

Over the top? A wee bit, but just go with it - it’s such a great read. See for yourself - read an excerpt of I Will Find You.

Coben fans will enjoy the cameo of Hester Crimstein from the Wilde series. I can see this one coming to a screen.

Jailhouse Lawyer and Power of Attorney - James Patterson and Nancy Allen

When my book arrived, I thought oh my gosh - 560 pages! But....it's two books in one. The Jailhouse Lawyer and Power of Attorney are both co-authored by James Patterson and Nancy Allen. 

Lawyer Martha Foster takes a job as the new Public Defender in Erva, Alabama. She and her young son are welcomed with open arms by not just her work colleagues, but by the townsfolk as well. Oddly, Judge Pickens seems to the final  word in not just the courtroom, but in the town as well. There are some sketchy things going down in Erva - and Martha wants no part of it all. Instead she wants to shut it down - if they don't shut her down first. You won't believe what happens to Martha - Pickens plays dirty. Personally I would have turned tail and run right outa Erva. I did question some of Martha's actions, given that she has a medically fragile child with her. But that's the best part of legal thrillers - the protagonist that won't back down, the courtroom battles - and a satisfying ending. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Jailhouse Lawyer.

The second book, Power of Attorney, is also a legal thriller. Leah Randall is a lawyer who heads back home to her hometown when her father is diagnosed with dementia. She steps to take over his practice -  and her first case is a doozy. Amber Lynn Travis is the only survivor of a house fire that killed her two cousins. When suspicion falls on Amber, Leah steps in to help her. But she's stymied by Amber's lack of cooperation. Could she be guilty? As readers, we're privy to some of Amber's thoughts. I did find some the plot to be more than a little off-putting as more of the deliberately salacious details of Amber's life are brought to light. Gentle readers, there are triggers in this book.

I didn't enjoy Leah as a lead as much I liked Martha from the first book. For me, Leah was abrasive and kind of full of herself. I wasn't totally sold on her interactions with Amber.

Patterson has picked a good co-author for these two books. Allen is a lawyer herself. 

Livid - Patricia Cornwell

I really enjoyed Autopsy, Patricia Cornwell's last Scarpetta novel. The publisher described the book as a 'relaunch' of this long running series, taking Kay Scarpetta back to her roots in Virginia as the state's Chief Medical Examiner. I thought it was a great read and I was looking forward to the next entry in this series. 

Well, it's here. Livid (#26)  has just released and it's a great read!

Livid opens with Kay giving evidence at a contentious trial. The trial is being telecast and the prosecutor is putting on one heck of a performance. (I was livid on Kay's behalf!) Bu the day isn't over yet for Kay - she's called to a death that has ties to the case. 

The recurring, supporting cast all seem to have an interest in the death as well. Cornwell has kept the characters moving forward in life with successes and sadness. Kay's Secret Service forensic psychologist husband Benton, her FBI niece Lucy and my personal favorite - Pete Marino, who works for/with Kay. The relationship between Kay and Marino was contentious in the beginning of the series, but I'm happy with where Cornwell has taken Marino in this latest. He's a valuable resource instead of being portrayed as a thorn in her side. However there is a new thorn in the side character. Kay has inherited a secretary who is loyal to the old boss and quite resentful of Kay.

The plotting is wonderful, with no obvious whodunit. I love not being able to figure out an ending until it's revealed. Facets of the crime had me going on line to see if a piece of weaponry that comes up in the case was futuristic or already here. The answer is quite frightening. Livid takes place over the course of a few days with another body being added to Kay's caseload.

What I've always enjoyed with the Scarpetta books are the detailed forensics. I'm fascinated by how the smallest discovery can provide clues. 

Cornwell's writing makes for addictive reading with lots of action, lots of head butting from many sources, unexpected turns, revelations and more. There are pockets of domestic life that let us see Kay as more than her job. In a few past books, I found there was too much, but the ratio is spot on in these last two books. 

There's a sense of completion and satisfaction at the end - but the door is open for the next entry. Which I will be waiting for! And while this is a series, it can absolutely be read as a stand alone. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Livid. 

With Prejudice - Robin Peguero

With Prejudice is Robin Peguero's debut novel. 

I quite like legal suspense and am always on the lookout for new authors, so I happily picked up With Prejudice.

Peguero rapidly introduces us to a large group of characters - jury members, prosecution, defense and judge, all involved with a rape/murder case. We meet them in the present, but are then served up a snapshot of their past. A time that they exhibited prejudice - racial, faith, sexual orientation, social status and more. These moments can be tied to the present. 

But....yes, I have a but. Those time periods don't follow a pattern. So, that was difficult to keep track of. Sometimes the jurors are called by name, some by number. Also confusing. 

I agree with Peguero's take on the 'prejudices'. This happens and is indeed an issue. I applaud that part of the book. 

But the execution wasn't great for this reader. I found the courtroom legal machinations to be overly convoluted, with way too much legalese. Peguero has worked as a homicide prosecutor in Miami, so his take on that bit is spot on. But, I found myself skim reading some of those scenes as the end drew nearer. Which took a while for me to reach, as I kept picking up and putting down the book. It didn't hold my interest as I had hoped. Peguero did surprise me with a late entry twist that changed things. The jury is still out for me on the ending. For me it almost negated what had come before. On the other hand, it does show the cracks in our systems.

The prose are staccato, almost presented like court documents. It kept me at arm's length as the depiction of the characters was too clinical. They never became 'real' to me. 

A solid debut, but not a stand out for this reader. See for yourself - read an excerpt of With Prejudice.

The Night They Vanished - Vanessa Savage

I enjoyed Vanessa Savage's first two books and happily picked up her latest - The Night They Vanished.

"A family with a secret. A past about to catch up with them."

Hanna has had a very rocky relationship with her family over the years and now barely sees her dad, step-mom and younger sister Sasha. But when she sees a picture of their home alongside a horrific headline on a 'dark tourism' website, she tries immediately to get in touch with them....and can't reach them. And so begins a roller coaster of a read. 

Savage plays her clues close to her vest, eking out the details of the reason why Hanna is so unwelcome in her family home and village.  And fair enough, it goes both ways. Her father is very unlikable. That thread runs parallel to what's happening in the present. Has her family been harmed? Where are they?

The supporting players give us a wide group of suspects, with each one with something to hide, to lie about. Who can Hanna trust? I honestly had no idea of who was going to be the culprit until the last few chapters. 

I thought the dark tourism plot device was a unique and frightening idea. Savage's carefully given clues, twists and revelations kept me reading 'just one more' chapter 'til the late hours. Both Sasha and Hanna have voices. As a reader we can see the danger in Sasha's actions and what might unfold. My attention was held through to the final pages. There are a few bits that ask the user to suspend disbelief, but they didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. Another great read from Savage. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Night They Vanished.

The Match - Harlan Coben

The Match is Harlan Coben's second book that features the man called Wilde. He was introduced in 2020's  bestseller, The Boy From the Woods." (But The Match could absolutely be read as a standalone.)

"Thirty years ago, Wilde was found as a boy living feral in the woods, with no memory of his past. Three decades had gone by and still no one, including Wild, had a clue about his origin." 

I really enjoyed that first book and was eager to read The Match. Will Wilde will find out more about his past and/or his parents? Well, the answer to that is yes - he does indeed learn more about his past. 

But that's just one part of this very clever plot. Take a second look at that cover and title - DNA and online ancestry databases figure prominently into this latest. Reality television plays a part, as does a shadowy group of doxxers meting out their own brand of justice.

There's a great group of supporting players including lawyer Hester Crimstein. The lives of these characters are well fleshed out. The interactions and relationships bring in many personal threads that make the characters all the more real. 

There's a nice twisty road on the way to the final pages and a satisfying ending. But, their are many question and more in store for Wilde. And this reader can't wait for the next entry. 

Would I Lie to You? - Aliya Ali-Afzal

Would I Lie to You? is Aliya Ali-Afzal's just released debut novel.

Faiza seems to have it all - she's a stay at home mom with a loving, hard working husband, three wonderful children, a beautiful home, a small, tight group of friends and a larger group of acquaintances. It's that last one that has been the hardest for her...

"At the school gates, Faiza fits in. It took a few years, but now the snobbish white mothers who mistook her for the nanny treat her as one of their own. She's learned to crack their subtle codes, speak their language of fashion and vacations and haircuts. You'd never guess, seeing her at the trendy kids' parties and the leisurely coffee mornings, that her childhood was spent being bullied and being ashamed of her poor Pakistani immigrant parents."

And then Tom loses his job - and Faiza is in a panic. To keep up appearances, she's been borrowing from their emergency fund - and Tom doesn't know. What is she going to do? How is she going to find and replace the money?

I quite liked Faiza as a lead character. She's loving, funny, kind and caring. But, I must admit, her trying to 'keep up with the Joneses' saddened me. The lead mother of the in group made my blood boil with her thinly veiled racism. Now, that thread is part of the overall plot, but the need to replace the money is the driving device of the plot.

Faiza's efforts to save her home - and her marriage are band aids that keep falling off. Each new solution brings it's own set of problems and the deception and lies continue to grow. I did wonder about Tom's ignorance as to their money situation. But I just rolled with it.  

Ali-Afzal tackles a lot of issues in Would I Lie to You?, including workplace harassment, friendship, family and (I loved this....) "how much more should she sacrifice to live someone else's idea of the dream life".

Ali-Afzal is a fresh voice on the fiction scene, successfully combining a fun tale with a number of truths. 

Anthem - Noah Hawley

I really enjoyed Noah Hawley's previous book - Before the Fall. (my review) His new novel is the recently released Anthem. 

I was intrigued by the plot description. From Grand Central Publishing:

"The first big novel of 2022: an epic literary thriller set where America is right now, in which a band of unlikely heroes sets out on a quest to save one innocent life—and might end up saving us all.

Something is happening to teenagers across America, spreading through memes only they can parse.  

At the Float Anxiety Abatement Center, in a suburb of Chicago, Simon Oliver is trying to recover from his sister’s tragic passing. He breaks out to join a woman named Louise and a man called The Prophet on a quest as urgent as it is enigmatic. Who lies at the end of the road? A man known as The Wizard, whose past encounter with Louise sparked her own collapse. Their quest becomes a rescue mission when they join up with a man whose sister is being held captive by the Wizard, impregnated and imprisoned in a tower.  

Noah Hawley’s new novel is an adventure that finds unquenchable lights in dark corners.  Unforgettably vivid characters and a plot as fast and bright as pop cinema blend in a Vonnegutian story that is as timeless as a Grimm’s fairy tale.  It is a leap into the idiosyncratic pulse of the American heart, written with the bravado, literary power, and feverish foresight that have made Hawley one of our most essential writers."

Okay, here's the thing - and it's very hard for me to say this. But, Anthem is a very rare DNF for me. I've picked up and put down the book many times. At page 114 I threw in the towel. 

I want to stress that Hawley is a truly talented writer. His scathing depictions and dismantling of society, politics, religion, business, pharmaceuticals, history, climate and more are unsettling, yet strangely spot on. Hawley is writing about our world, now and in the near future.

Anthem takes place a few years after the Covid pandemic has passed. The generation of teenagers who will be the new leaders in a few years have chosen to kill themselves - in droves. This was pretty hard to read as so many of us are feeling pandemic fatigue. "Now we had to wonder, had that endless lockdown our children endured, had long-term mental health effects - all that computer schooling, the chronic fear of falling behind academically, socially, the endless months of heightened anxiety and uncertainty?

Page 114 details a text exchange between an unknown male and a young teenage girl. And it's ugliness saddened me. And I thought - I just don't want to read anymore. I admit to sneaking ahead to the last few chapters - and I thought yes, I've confirmed my decision to myself. I wasn't up for the journey to that last chapter. But I did find that last chapter was redemptive. 

I do encourage you to check out the five star reviews on Goodreads.

The Wish - Nicholas Sparks

Get out your tissue box - Nicholas Sparks' new book, The Wish, has just released!

Do you remember your first love? Was it just a high school fling or the real thing? In 1995 for sixteen year old Maggie Dawes, Bryce Trickett was the real deal. 

It's now December 2019 and Maggie finds herself grounded in the gallery she runs. A sobering medical diagnosis has her reliving and recounting her past to the young man who is her assistant.

The past takes us to the North Carolina island of Okracoke - a real place I would love to visit. It is here that Maggie goes to live with her aunt and finish up her school year. She's fallen behind, so Bryce is hired as her tutor... Uh huh, they become friends and more. Sparks does a great job building the relationship in a thoughtful, caring manner. And it was easy to see how the two fell in love. The setting is absolutely wonderfully drawn as well. The supporting cast on the island are people you'd want to have in your own life - Aunt Linda especially. 

Sparks flips the narrative from past to present, with Maggie's story slowly coming to light. And just when you're totally caught up in either past or present, the time frame changes. A guaranteed way to keep me up late turning pages. Now, the present is not a static time. Christmas is around the corner and Maggie and Mark decorate and take in events and experiences, many of them based on Maggie's memories of Okracoke. Which made me want to start decorating already!

Now, you just know that Sparks is going to play on your emotions - and yes, I bawled my eyes out in the last few chapters. And I was pretty sure I knew what the final pages (and I was right.) But, I really enjoyed the journey there. Heartwarming and heartbreaking. 

Sparks is a consummate story teller and this newest only confirms that. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Wish.

The Cold Vanish - Jon Billman

The Cold Vanish: Seeking the Missing in North America's Wilderness by Jon Billman makes for fascinating reading.

From Grand Central Publishing:

"These are the stories that defy conventional logic. The proverbial vanished without a trace incidences, which happen a lot more (and a lot closer to your backyard) than almost anyone thinks. These are the missing whose situations are the hardest on loved ones left behind. The cases that are an embarrassment for park superintendents, rangers and law enforcement charged with Search & Rescue. The ones that baffle the volunteers who comb the mountains, woods and badlands. The stories that should give you pause every time you venture outdoors."

The disappearance of Jacob Gray in Olympic National Park is explored in depth as his father Randy invites Jon to be part of the search. That search utilizes any and all leads and means, including some that could be termed 'out there'. Randy's determination to find his son is tireless and heartbreaking. The reader is privy to the intimate details of the search for Jacob.

The sheer number of people who go missing, fall off the radar and disappear every year in national parks and wilderness areas surprised me. Also surprising is the lack of a centralized database for those missing in the wild to the difference in search and rescue protocols and the wildly varied responses of the parks. 

Other cases are interspersed throughout the book as well. It is eye opening to see how fast an afternoon hike can go wrong. A side trail, a wrong turn and no gear can be a death sentence. And on the flip side, there are those who choose to walk away and disappear into the wild. And another chilling avenue - humans can be as deadly as the wildlife.

The Cold Vanish was dense reading and addressed heavy subject matters, so I didn't read it straight through, instead opting to read a few chapters at a time. My heart is with those who are searching for loved one. 

If you've enjoyed  Jon Krakauer's books, you'll enjoy The Cold Vanish. Read an excerpt.

All the Lonely People - Mike Gayle

Oh my! Mike Gayle's new book All the Lonely People is one I'll be recommending to everyone. If you liked A Man Called Ove, you're going to want to meet Hubert Bird.

Hubert is an eighty something widower living on his own in London. His daughter in Australia does make a weekly phone call to check in with him. Hubert shares with her what he and his friends are up to, meals, activities and outings. This latest call brings unexpected news - Rose is coming home to visit. But, here's the problem - Hubert has made it all up. He has distanced himself from friends, neighbours and his community over the years. And now, his only friend is Puss the cat. What is he going to do? In four months he needs to find some friends. And it would be even better if their names were Dotty, Dennis and Harvey.

What a great premise! Loneliness truly is an issue and it's very easy for someone to fall through the cracks. Even more so in these Covid times. 

Before Hubert has thought of what to do, a new neighbour comes knocking at his door. Ash is a single mother to toddler Layla - and she too is looking for friends. "...Hubert realized something he hadn't quite understood before now: he was lonely, really lonely and most likely had been for a very long time." But that's just the beginning....

Gayle tells his story in one of my favourite methods - alternating between past and present. Hubert is a wonderfully rich character, truly someone I'd like to have a cuppa with. We meet Hubert as he emigrates to England from his native Jamaica in the late 1950's. He is full of hope for a better life and perseveres despite the racism he encounters. But it is meeting Joyce that makes life wonderful for Hubert. We're privy to their lives even as Hubert struggles to find connections in the present. Gayle has done an amazing job creating Hubert - I cared about him and felt so much empathy. And the same goes for the supporting cast - Ash is just as well drawn, as are the others who cross Hubert's path.

Gayle's writing flows so easily and kept me so engaged. (Why have I not read him before?!) I laughed, I cried (more than once), I cheered, I empathized, I got angry, I crossed my fingers and well, I loved each and every page.

All the Lonely People is hands down one of my top reads for 2021. See for yourself - read an excerpt of All the Lonely People.  And hey - say hello to your neighbour...

Look What You Made Me Do - Elaine Murphy

Elaine Murphy has come up with an interesting premise for her new novel, Look What You Made Me Do. 

Carrie and Becca are sisters with very different temperaments - and interests. You see, Becca is a serial killer and over the years Carrie has helped her dispose of quite a few bodies. It's hard to say no to Becca and there's no telling what would happen if Carrie did refuse. When a large number of bodies are found buried in a park, Becca swears they're not her kills. Could there be another serial killer in their town? Becca decides they need to find him or her.

Okay, yes you're going to have to suspend belief a bit. Although, there are a number of actual cases with serial killer accomplices. 

The story is told through Carrie's point of view. And with that pov, the reader can see how manipulative and dangerous Becca is.  And once you're in, you can't get out. 

A cat and mouse game begins with the other killer and Carrie seems to be the prize. Every time Carrie comes home and opens her front door, she's not sure what she'll find.  Murphy did a great job ramping up the tension. I had a sense of watching a horror movie, ready to yell 'look under the bed' at Carrie.

There is more than one choice as to who the other killer is. I was leaning towards one character in particular and was happily surprised when it ended up being another. Murphy provides a nice turn in the plot midway and provides an unexpected, gotcha twist at the end. And she sprinkles some dark humour throughout.

For me, Look What You Made Me Do wasn't a serious suspense novel, if that makes sense. Still, I thought it was a novel idea that kept me turning pages and entertained. See for yourself - read an excerpt.

Her Three Lives - Cate Holahan

Cate Holahan's latest book is Her Three Lives. The cover is suitably ominous with the torn background for the title. The covered mouth as well.

What's it about? From Grand Central Publishing: (My thoughts follow)

"Her public life: Jade Thompson has it all. She’s an up-and-coming social media influencer, and she has a beautiful new home and a successful architect for a fiancé. But there’s trouble behind the scenes. To Greg’s children, his divorce from their mother and his new life can only mean a big mid-life crisis. To Jade, his suburban Connecticut upbringing isn’t an easy match with her Caribbean roots.

 

Her private life: A savage home invasion leaves Greg house-bound with a traumatic brain injury and glued to the live feeds from his ubiquitous security cameras. As the police investigate the crime and Greg’s frustration and rage grows, Jade begins to wonder what he may know about their attackers. And whether they are coming back.

 

Her secret life: As Greg watches Jade’s comings and goings, he becomes convinced that her behavior is suspicious and that she’s hiding a big secret.  The more he sees, the more he wonders whether the break-in was really a random burglary. And whether he’s worth more to Jade if he were dead than alive."

My Thoughts:

I liked Jade as a lead character  - she seems to truly love Greg. (Although I can't see why) Abigay, Jade's mother has the clearest thinking of anyone in this novel. Jade should have listened to her mama! I can understand the anger Greg's adult children and soon to be ex feel towards Jade, but the vitriol thrown by Greg's daughter Violet is really over the top. Jade takes it - I wouldn't and I don't understand why Greg lets it happen.

Greg's brain injury opens up some interesting avenues for the plot to go, as well as a choice of suspects. Kudos to Holahan for the chapters written from Greg's point of view - they are quite frightening. This part of the book kept my attention. And I was ready for the resolution....but. Yes, there's a 'but' for me. The ending Holahan has chosen just doesn't sit well with me. I'm not going to provide spoilers, but I found the ending to be unrealistic, far fetched and disappointing.

This one ended up being just an okay read for me. The 'thriller' descriptor fell short for this reader. But see for yourself - here's an excerpt of Her Three Lies.

Thank you to the Hachette Book Group and Grand Central Publising for the review copy.

Breakout - Paul Herron

Breakout is Paul Herron's debut thriller. 

Jack Constantine is an ex-cop, currently serving time at Ravenhill Prison for murder. Its Kiera Sawyer's first day on the job as a guard at the prison. And it's also the day a massive hurricane hits the coast - with Ravenhill right in it's path. What to do? Well the warden makes a decision - gather the employees and leave - and hope the National Guard shows up to evacuate the 800 prisoners. He leaves the cells locked, but an underling opens the doors - and now each and every prisoner is free, including Jack. And one lone guard who missed the bus.

What a great premise eh? I immediately thought of Bruce Willis and his Die Hard movies. Breakout reads like a movie - and that's no surprise as Herron has worked on over twenty seven television shows. 

Jack is a complicated lead character - part criminal, part cop. The reader isn't ever quite sure which path he'll take. And Sawyer is too darn innocent -she want to save everyone. She did surprise me though. But things are down to save yourself. The prison isn't going to stand up to the hurricane. Their only option is get over to an adjacent old lock up that has tunnels to hide out in 'til the storm passes. But first they're going to have to get past every killer, every gang and the downright crazy on the way there. Oh and a few of the guys that Jack put away.

Herron has come up with some terrifying obstacles for Jack, his cellmate Felix and Kiara. His descriptions of time and place were really good. I could easily picture the prison and where they were and where they were trying to go. The storm's increasing power is mentioned at the beginning of every chapter, ramping up the tension. The action is pretty much non stop, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.  Gentle readers, this is definitely not the book for you. Visceral violence abounds. But seriously, this one screams movie. Read an excerpt of Breakout. 

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the review copy.

Win - Harlan Coben

Well truthfully, if Harlen Coben wrote it - I want to read it. Even more so when I discovered this latest featured Windsor Horne Lockwood III - aka Win.

Coben has penned a great series featuring Myron Bolitar - sports rep/detective. I know, odd combo, but it really works. And Myron's sidekick is the aforementioned Win. Win doesn't say too much in those books, but later entries have given readers peeks into this enigmatic character. Until.....yes, you guessed it, this book features Win as the lead!

Win is hauled in by the FBI and taken to the site of a murder. A missing painting that belonged to his family as well as a suitcase bearing his crest and monogrammed initials has been found at the scene. And Win is now officially a suspect.

Did I mention that Win is incredibly rich? Has his own sense of justice? Is drawn to violence? Is not someone you want to cross? Is unpredictable? Is a man who loves the finer things in life? Yup, all that and more. Oh, and that the exterior belies who is really inside that designer label suit. Which only adds the delicious unknown in predicting where the plot is going to go.

And it heads places completely unexpected - domestic terrorism, with some side stops along they way. We learn more about the Lockwood clan. The plotting in Win is unique and I was surprised by every revelation - and twist. I so appreciated being unable to guess what's next. Coben kept me on my toes,  right 'til the last pages.

It was fascinating to get into Win's thought processes, his reasoning and what makes him tick. Scary, but brilliant. His inner dialogue and observations are also darkly humorous and sardonically witty and wry.

Win was such a great read for me - addicting, page turning, unexpected and has just left me wanting another 'Win' book. Have a look yourself - read an excerpt of Win.