Everyone Is Watching - Heather Gudenkauf

Game shows have evolved from the days of Bob Barker and guessing prices to 'games' that you couldn't imagine! Heather Gudenkauf has set her latest book - Everyone is Watching - in a 'game' that will keep you turning pages 'til the wee hours. 

The prize is ten million dollars. But - there are only five players. Does that make it easier to win? Or tougher? Oh, and the competition is being streamed in real time around the world.

I like the way Gudenkauf set the book up. We meet the players in their present with flashbacks to their pasts. As you read, you'll have your suspicions about every player - and the staff.

Each event is not at what was expected by the players - or this reader! But is it really so far from reality? What will someone do for a chance at ten million dollars? The tension, suspense and action doesn't let up until the threads are all tied up in the last pages.

I can see Everyone is Watching as a movie. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Everyone is Watching.

A Step Past Darkness - Vera Kurian

I liked the title and cover of Vera Kuria's new novel - A Step Past Darkness. I had also enjoyed her debut novel - Never Saw Me Coming. And at last but not least - I liked the premise!

1995. Six high school students who live in the perfect little town of Wesley Falls head down to an abandoned mine for a big party. Uh huh, you're getting the idea right? The six see something unbelievable down in the mine. They swear to each that they'll never speak about it again, to be careful, and to get out of the town as soon as they graduate. Gotcha yet? I was - I needed to know more about the mine and what they saw.

2025. Five of the six return to Wesley Falls - and I'll leave it there for you to discover what happens next...

A Step Past Darkness is told in a now and then style. I always like this style of storytelling. Just when we're on the cusp of something, we're taken back to the teen years. It makes for addictive reading.

All six characters are given a voice, so we see what's going on from very different views and timelines. Each one has a unique personality. I quite liked them all, but especially Jia. Her view is not quite like the others. Kurian has fleshed out each protagonist with a rich personal story that enhances the story being told. 

The suspense action and danger and action is palpable. (There's a bit of a Stranger Things feel to this tale.) And the final aha is was spot on for this reader. See for yourself. Read an excerpt of A Step Past Darkness. I'll be watching for Kurian's third book!

Marion Lane and the Raven's Revenge - T.A. Willberg

Marion Lane and the Raven's Revenge is the third book in T. A Willberg's absolutely wonderful Marion Lane series. 

First off - how about that cover? It's spot on for the series. The first two books are blue and red. Now, you could read this latest entry without reading those first two, but you'd be missing a really good thing. 

I love this series. Why? Well, what's not to love? How about a hidden detective agency below the streets of London, an eclectic group of 'Inquirers', wondrous, magical gadgets that aid in investigations and a spunky female lead character you'll love? The name of the agency, Miss Brickett’s Investigations & Inquiries, conjures up time and place and a different method of crime solving. The 1960 time period is perfect.

The settings are so well described and it's easy to imagine what London is like in 1960 - and the hidden spaces down below.

This latest crime opens the door to more of the many secrets at Miss Brickett's. But, it also brings dire danger to the front door for Marion, her friends and her colleagues.

This series is fresh, engaging and addictive. My inner sleuth happily imagines being an Inquirer on the case with Marion. Great plotting, wonderful characters whose lives keep moving forward. There's much more in store for Marion and et al. Can't wait! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Marion Land and the Raven's Revenge.

The Little Italian Hotel - Phaedra Patrick

I've enjoyed many of Phaedra Patrick's books. Her latest is The Little Italian Hotel.

If you're like me, I find sometimes I just need to take a break from my usual murder and mayhem reads and pick up a tale that tugs at the heartstrings.

Ginny hosts a radio advice show. But the tables are turned when Ginny is in need of some help herself. She decides to share a planned romantic getaway for two  - and instead she'll meet up with four of her listeners in a different, smaller Italian hotel. 

Each of the five players is mourning a loss and they're heart broken. Can they find some solace with new friends? A different setting? Talking about it? Trying new things? Getting out in the world again? The group tries all of these. And slowly....

Patrick has done a good job with drawing five very different characters and portraying their loss. You'll empathize with at least one, if not more of them. There's lots of food for thought in this plot.  

The supporting cast in Italy is just as engaging. And the setting is so well drawn. I'd live to check into Nico's little hotel. 

I'm not one hundred per cent on the final chapters. I think my decision would be different for Ginny. But it suits the character. Overall, The Little Italian Hotel is a warm, funny, sad and yes, uplifting tale.

 See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Little Italian Hotel.

The London Séance Society - Sarah Penner

Sarah Penner's new novel is The London Séance Society.  I couldn't wait to get started reading!

The London Séance Society takes place in London, England in the 1870's - a time and place I really enjoy. The vehicle for this tale is Spiritualism. Oh yes, there's so many paths this tale could take...

Lenna has come to train with renowned spiritualist Vaudeline in Paris. She is skeptical about the occult and what she really is looking for are clues, reasons and answers about her sister Evie's death. When Vaudeline is asked to perform a séance in London at the prestigious London Séance Society, she brings along Lenna as her apprentice. And this is where things get really interesting...

I applaud Penner's take on spiritualty - she has wonderfully blended fact and fiction together. Could it be true or is it all a fakery? Just as well done is the setting - I could hear the clip clop of a carriage passing, the swish of long skirts and witness 'polite' society and mores of the time. The two lead characters are very well done. They seem to be opposites in temperament, beliefs and goals - one believing  and one questioning, but their relationship changes many time over the course of the book. 

And last, but certainly not least - the mystery of what happened to Evie. There are two voices in the book - that of Lenna and a director of the Societal called Mr. Morley. As readers, we are privy to what each 'side' knows. The whodunit changed many times over the course of the book, keeping me guessing. 

There's danger and action (and a don't go in the basement moment) that had me staying up late reading just one more chapter.

The London Séance Society ticked all the boxes for me. I really enjoyed it! See for yourself - read an excerpt of The London Séance Society

Just the Nicest Couple - Mary Kubica

I've enjoyed previous books from Mary Kubica, but I think her latest - Just the Nicest Couple is hands down my favorite!

Lily loves walking in a certain park. A chance encounter with a coworker's husband, (Jake) at the park is the catalyst for what follows. 

Jake's wife Nina confides in Lily at school the next day. She and Jake had a serious argument and he didn't come home the night before. Lily goes home and tells her husband Christian of the encounter with Jake - and what happened. Christian is madly in love with his wife and would do anything for her...

I am being deliberately obtuse here. Why? Because how this plot plays out is so darkly delicious, making for simply addicting reading.

As Christian and Lily think they've dealt with one thing, another issue pops up, compounding the mess this has become. And with every day that passes without a word from Jake, Nina doesn't know what to think.

As readers, we are privy to what is happening on both sides of the fence as Christian and Nina each have a point of view. Kubica gives us lots of twists and turns, along with some red herrings on the way to the final 'ah ha" moment. (nicely done!) There's one last chapter that ties everything up. I'm not sure I liked all of the resolutions, but that's a minor thing and didn't detract from my enjoyment.

See for yourself - read an excerpt of Just the Nicest Couple.

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six - Lisa Unger

Okay, so I've been a fan of Lisa Unger's writing for many years. But I think her latest novel - Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six - is hands down my favorite. Honesty, I stayed up soooo late to finish it.

What had me burning the night oil you ask? Well, the plotting is crazy (and I mean crazy) good! Three couples are headed off to a 'get away from it all' weekend. Where? As the title says - to a secluded, luxury cabin. And that descriptor (secluded), immediately brought to mind a locked room mystery. You just know it - things aren't going to play out the way they've all imagined. Why? Well, there are undercurrents running through every relationship of the six. The husbands, wives, boyfriend, girlfriend and friends - each and every one is harboring a secret, some darker than others. Who else is suspicious? Well, the owner of the cabin for one. And there are other narratives from unknown, but named characters.  Who are they? What is their connection to those in the cabin. Whoa! You're going to be surprised when the pieces click together. And there's one piece that I don't want to spoil. But I'm sure a lot of us will wonder if our own choice was wise....

Now, yes you might have to suspend disbelief at a few twists, but just go with it. Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six was a page-turner for me. Great escapist reading. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six. 

(Gentle readers - there are definitely some triggers in this book. 

Good Husbands - Cate Ray

Good Husbands is Cate Ray's new novel.

From the publisher - "Three wives, one letter, and an explosive secret that will change everything. He said, she said. Who do you believe?"

And that's the question that three women struggle with after receiving a post mortem letter from a young woman who claims she was conceived after her mother was raped. By all three of their husbands. 

The book is told in alternating chapters by their wives - Jessica, Stephanie and Priyanka. Now, the alleged crime is horrific, but Ray's focus is more on the women and their decisions. Could their husband have done this? They begin their own investigation. But, not every wife is on board with opening up old wounds. This was the most interesting part of Ray's premise for me. She takes us inside every marriage, the wives' actions, thoughts, reasoning and decisions. She also explores the interactions between the three women, as well as their own thinking. As a reader, I too made a decision based on my own thoughts about the husbands. We do hear from the past in the form of a diary and more on the road to conclusion.

I think Ray has handled tough subjects with candor and thoughtfulness. Those looking for a thriller won't find it here. But instead a, well written slow burning suspense novel.

There's a nice twist in the final pages. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I was caught off guard for sure. And it somewhat negated what had come before. If' you've read it let me know what you thought. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Good Husbands. 

Gentle readers, there are trigger situations/descriptions, this may not be the book for you.

Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose - T. A. Willberg

I stumbled across T.A. Willberg's debut novel, Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder in 2020. I absolutely loved it and have been eagerly awaiting the next entry in this fantastic series. It's here! Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose has just released. 

What's to love? How about a hidden detective agency below the streets of London, an eclectic group of 'Inquirers', wondrous, magical gadgets that aid in investigations and a spunky female apprentice. The name of the agency, Miss Brickett’s Investigations & Inquiries, conjures up time and place and a bygone method of crime solving. The 1959 time period is perfect. 

Marion Lane is our lead character. You can't help but like her. She's clever, curious, dogged and determined to become a full fledged Inquirer. Willberg fleshes out Marion and gives her a personal life as well. Those personal and workplace relationships will be sorely tested in this second entry. A killer named The Florist is loose in London and Scotland Yard has called on Miss Brickett's for help. A mysterious letter to Marion suggests that one of their new recruits may have ties to the killer....

Willberg's plotting is full of twists and turns, changing and challenging my answer for whodunit with every new clue. Who to trust? Who not to trust?

I wanted to be Nancy Drew when I was younger. Marion evokes that desire and Miss Brickett's brings to mind Platform 9 ¾. Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose was a unique, wonderfully imaginative, delightfully fun read that took me away from the worries of today. I had great fun walking in Marion's footsteps as she pursues the mysteries of Miss Brickett's. I'll be eagerly awaiting the third book! 

See for yourself - read an excerpt of Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose. And personally, I think the reader would enjoy this latest having read the first book.

Last Girl Ghosted - Lisa Unger

I really enjoyed Lisa Unger's last book, Confessions on the 7:45. (my review) I couldn't wait to read her latest book Last Girl Ghosted.

"She met him through a dating app." That little sentence opens up a wealth of directions for a book to go...

Wren seems to have it all - and on the surface she does. When she meets Adam she thinks she's found the one. Until the day he leaves her with one last text and disappears. She's been ghosted. Instead of saying good riddance, Wren is determined to find him. Someone else is also looking for Adam - a private investigator looking for Adam's last girlfriend as she's gone missing...

I liked the premise, liked Wren, liked the PI and the possibilities Unger's plot held. Wren has a secret in her past and I really wanted to know what it was. She revealed it to Adam right before he left, but the reader has no idea what it is. Roughly halfway through the book Unger takes us back to Wren's childhood and we relive her past. Unger has come up with a background  that also offers up lots of possibilities.

As the book heads towards the final pages and resolution, that initial 'I'm behind you Wren' feeling started to dissipate for me. She made some choices that I had a hard time with and honestly couldn't believe anyone would make. The ending was a bit too much and tied up a bit too pretty for me. 

Unger is a talented writer and I will be picking up her next book. Last Girl Ghosted was good, but not great for this reader.

Never Saw Me Coming - Vera Kurian

Never Saw Me Coming is Vera Kurian's debut novel.

Kurian's book has an unusual premise. Seven students have been given funds to attend a DC college as part of a clinical study. The hook? All seven are documented psychopaths, but they don't know who the others are.

It was on reading the author's bio that I discovered Kurian is a scientist and has a PhD in Social Psychology. That 'inside' knowledge benefitted the book.

Chloe is one of the seven and is the lead character. She came to Adams College for a different reason. Someone she knew years ago who did her wrong also attends the college and Chloe has plans for him. The reader is privy to who some of the others are and we get a look at their thinking as well.

When one of the seven is killed, the question arises - was it one of the others in the study? Who are the others? Does Chloe have a target on her back? And so begins a nice little cat and mouse game, with the roles blurring and changing with each new action and revelation. I quite enjoyed this part of the book.

As the characters are psychopaths who "lack empathy and can’t comprehend emotions like fear or guilt" it was impossible for me to like any of them or be behind them at all. Instead I was more of an observer, curious as to the final outcome of Never Saw Me Coming. The final pages do have a nice twist, but it was a bit predictable. 

The voices in Never Saw Me Coming are all college students and that's reflected in the dialogue, settings, actions and thoughts of the characters. It does read like a YA novel. 

Overall, a creative premise and a solid debut. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Never Saw Me Coming.

Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder - T.A. Willberg

Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder by T.A. Willberg.

From Park Row Books:

"The letter was short. A name, a time, a place.

Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder plunges readers into the heart of London, to the secret tunnels that exist far beneath the city streets. There, a mysterious group of detectives recruited for Miss Brickett’s Investigations & Inquiries use their cunning and gadgets to solve crimes that have stumped Scotland Yard.

Late one night in April 1958, a filing assistant at Miss Brickett’s receives a letter of warning, detailing a name, a time, and a place. She goes to investigate but finds the room empty. At the stroke of midnight, she is murdered by a killer she can’t see—her death the only sign she wasn’t alone. It becomes chillingly clear that the person responsible must also work for Miss Brickett’s, making everyone a suspect.

Marion Lane, a first-year Inquirer-in-training, finds herself drawn ever deeper into the investigation. When her friend and colleague is framed for the crime, to clear his name she must sort through the hidden alliances at Miss Brickett’s and secrets dating back to WWII. Masterful, clever and deliciously suspenseful, Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder is a fresh take on the Agatha Christie-style locked-room murder mystery, with an exciting new heroine detective."

My Thoughts:

I loved the description of Willberg's debut novel! What's not to love - a hidden detective agency below the streets of London, wondrous, magical gadgets to aid in investigations, a spunky female apprentice - and that last descriptor - Agatha-Christie-style-locked-room murder mystery.

Initially on starting to read, I thought of Platform 9 ¾. And our lead protagonist reminded me a bit of Nancy Drew. That should give you an idea about the feel of Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder. I just knew I was going to love it.

Marion is a wonderful lead - clever, curious, dogged and determined to become a full fledged Inquirer. But she has to wend her way through what is truth, what are lies and what is reality to find the perpetrator. There are many, many choices for whodunit. There are numerous characters in the book and it did take me a few chapters to remember who was who. 

The setting is so detailed! I could picture myself climbing down the trapdoor stairs to find a whole 'nother world. Willberg's imaginings are fantastical. The changing paths, the gadgets, the training and so much more. The name of the agency, Miss Brickett’s Investigations & Inquiries, conjures up time and place and a bygone method of crime solving. The 1958 time period is perfect. This book wouldn't work for me in a current time.

The plot is fairly involved and will keep the reader on their toes. 

Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder was a unique, wonderfully imaginative, delightfully fun read that took me away from the worries of today.  I had great fun walking in Marion's footsteps as pursued the mysteries of Miss Brickett's - and the name of the murderer. And that last page.....I'm hoping there's more in store for Marion Lane.

See for yourself - here's an excerpt of Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder.

Confessions on the 7:45 - Lisa Unger

Have you ever looked at a book and thought, 'Oh, I'll just take a quick peek at the first chapter'? And then that quick peek turns into the second and third chapter ..... and all of a sudden you're halfway through the book and can't put it down? Uh huh. You have been warned - if you start reading Lisa Unger's latest book, Confessions on the 7:45, you're not going to be able to stop.

I have always thought this premise was such a great starting point (including the classic film, Strangers on a Train) - there are so many places a story can go from there. Two women, Selena and Martha, are on a stalled train, a conversation starts - and 'confessions' are shared. "Don't you ever wish your problems would take care of themselves?" The trains moves on and so do the women, not expecting to ever see each other again. Until..."Maybe we should meet for a drink. I'm eager to continue our conversation. It's Martha, by the way. From the train."

Are you hooked yet? Confessions on the 7:45 is told from many points of view. Each of those characters is hiding something - secrets abound! Unger has outdone herself with the twists and turns in this book. There's more than one gotcha in this tale. I was caught off guard as the seemingly disparate threads start to weave together. You won't be able to predict what's next.

I really can't say more without creating spoilers. And I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed Confessions on the 7:45. While that initial premise is not new, Unger's take on the tale is unique and makes for addictive reading. Absolutely recommended. Read an excerpt of Confessions on the 7:45.

The Library of Lost and Found - Phaedra Patrick

I loved Phaedra Patrick's previous book, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. I knew I was in for another wonderful read when I picked picked up her latest, The Library of Lost and Found. You had me at library!

Martha Storm volunteers at her local library - she does so much to ensure the patrons find what they need. But she does more than that - she'll help anyone with anything they ask of her.  Her lists keep her on top of things. But sometimes she feels, well, a little invisible.

And then......a mysterious book of fairy tales lands on her doorstep and her carefully ordered life is turned upside down....

Oh, there's so much to love in this book. First is Martha herself. She's a character the reader will be inevitably drawn to - but you'll want more for her than she seems to want for herself. And when she does consider other possibilities for herself, you'll be urging her forward. "The thought of doing something out of character again gave her a small buzz."

Such a change might include love. Patrick's 'love story' is wonderfully subtle and slow burning.

The supporting cast of characters is just as well drawn. In the beginning I was quite sure of who I liked and who I disliked. But Patrick manipulates the reader, providing some turns in the story that I didn't predict - but they perfectly suited to this tale. I loved the quirky patrons of the library - and speaking from experience, some of them are not too far-fetched at all. Patrick's own love of libraries shines through in her descriptions and setting.

A heartwarming tale of coming to terms with the past and finding yourself - and happiness - at last. Loved it! Read an excerpt of the Library of Lost and Found.

Excerpt - When the Lights Go Out - Mary Kubica

I'm the fifth stop on the TLC excerpt tour for Mary Kubica's forthcoming novel, When the Lights Go Out. (releasing Sept. 4/18) Here's the tour link with previous and forthcoming excerpts.

What's it about? From Park Row Books:

"A woman is forced to question her own identity in this riveting and emotionally charged thriller by the blockbuster bestselling author of The Good Girl, Mary Kubica.

Jessie Sloane is on the path to rebuilding her life after years of caring for her ailing mother. She rents a new apartment and applies for college. But when the college informs her that her social security number has raised a red flag, Jessie discovers a shocking detail that causes her to doubt everything she’s ever known.

Finding herself suddenly at the center of a bizarre mystery, Jessie tumbles down a rabbit hole, which is only exacerbated by grief and a relentless lack of sleep. As days pass and the insomnia worsens, it plays with Jessie’s mind. Her judgment is blurred, her thoughts are hampered by fatigue. Jessie begins to see things until she can no longer tell the difference between what’s real and what she’s only imagined.

Meanwhile, twenty years earlier and two hundred and fifty miles away, another woman’s split-second decision may hold the key to Jessie’s secret past. Has Jessie’s whole life been a lie or have her delusions gotten the best of her?" Check out the excerpt below!

"Mary Kubica is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Good Girl and Pretty Baby.  She 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 and enjoys photography, gardening and caring for the animals at a local shelter." You can connect with Mary on her website, likeher on Facebook and follow her on Twitter as well as on Instagram.

Ginny Moon - Benjamin Ludwig

Benjamin Ludwig's debut novel, Ginny Moon is already one of my favourite reads for 2017.

Fourteen year old Ginny is autistic. After some false starts, she is in what is hoped to be her Forever Home with her new Forever Mom and Forever Dad. At nine, Ginny was removed from her Birth Mother's care after she  was found physically and mentally abused. She likes things precise - time, questions, the order of things. But most of all she wishes she had her Baby Doll from her mother Gloria's house. She worries constantly about it and won't accept any substitutes. She needs to look after Baby Doll and will do anything to make sure it is okay. To do that, she must find Gloria.

In the author's words: "...the rawness of her hunger - the utter fierceness of her desire to return to the place from which she'd come..."

Ginny Moon is told entirely from Ginny's viewpoint - and in Ginny's voice. That voice is compelling and heart-breaking. There is something in her past that the adults in her life do not seem grasp. I had a looming sense of dread as to what that might be. Ginny's view of the world makes perfect sense when seen through her eyes. The frustration of the adults around her is voiced through her observations. And as readers, we can see what Ginny cannot intuit.

Ginny is one of those characters you just want to sweep up into your arms and look after. But at the same time we can see why that might be difficult. We can see it because Ludwig has done an absolutely fantastic job of portraying this wounded, gifted child. He's done such a bang-up job because he is writing from experience. He and his wife are themselves the adoptive parents of an autistic teenager. (Who loves Michael Jackson as much as Ginny does)

But at the root of it all, we all want the same thing as Ginny..."I need to belong somewhere..."

Absolutely, positively recommended. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll hope, you'll wish - and you'll not be able to put the book down. Read an excerpt of Ginny Moon.

You can connect with Benjamin Ludwig on his website, like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.