The Angel Maker - Alex North

I've read and enjoyed Alex North's previous books. The Whisper Man was especially creepy. 

North's newest book is The Angel Maker. "From the New York Times bestselling author of The Whisper Man and The Shadows comes a dark, suspenseful new thriller about the mysteries of fate, the unbreakable bond of siblings, and a notorious serial killer who was said to know the future." 

Okay, that's a novel idea for sure. Think about it - a killer who can justify each and every crime he commits as 'its meant to be'. The Angel Maker has many, many characters and timelines. I admit I found it overwhelming at times to keep everything and everybody straight. I really liked Katie as a lead character. She came off as believable and it was easy to be behind her. The unfurling of the book was slow for me and my attention started to wander, so I thought I would try a read/ listen combo. 

The reader was  Rosalie Craig. She did a wonderful job at bringing the book to life for me Her voice has so much movement, rising and falling, capturing the emotion, action, horror, danger and more with her reading. Her voice is pleasant to listen to, she speaks clearly, and I liked her accent. The pace was just right. I've said it before - sometimes I am drawn more into a book when listening instead of reading. And that was the case here. I still found there to be too much in terms of timeline, jumps and points of view, but was able to know who was speaking, by the different voices. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Angel Maker. Or if you prefer - read an excerpt of The Angel Maker. 

Gentle readers - there are triggers in this book. 

J.T. Ellison - It's One of Us

 It's One of Us is J.T. Ellison's latest suspense novel.

Oh, the premise of this one is downright devious!  

Olivia Bender and her husband Park seem to have it all. But the one thing they both want, is to have a child of their own. However, when the police come knocking on their door, things will never be the same for this couple. DNA that matches Park's points to his son being the perpetrator. But he doesn't have any children - or does he? And that's just the opener. Ellison takes her plot down paths you won't see coming!

I really liked how Ellison presented One of Us. Almost every character is given a point of view and a voice. As the reader, we're the only ones who have all of that information in one place. Also running parallel to the search for the crime culprit is a dissection of a marriage in crisis mode. The cracks are widening with every disclosure. 

Ellison's writing makes for addictive reading. With the rotation of points of view, I can't wait to get back to one thread and another and another! And without providing spoilers, Ellison's plot premise is more than possible. Current technology of a certain type has opened the door for professional and amateur sleuthing. (I know I'm being quite obtuse but I don't want to ruin this read for you!)

I quite enjoyed this latest from Ellison. See for yourself - read an excerpt of It's One of Us. 

The Writing Retreat - Julia Bartz

The Writing Retreat is Julia Bartz's debut novel. 

Alex works in the publishing industry, but what she really wants is to be an author. She jumps at the chance to attend a month long retreat at the secluded estate of writer Roza Vallo. There will be five attendees, including Alex's former best friend, but she'll deal with that.

From the first night, things feel a little off. Roza's behaviour is mercurial, challenging the five with somewhat uncomfortable discussions - and as things progress - actions. The five acolytes continue to rationalize what's going, until it can no longer can be ignored. There's something very wrong at this retreat...

The book is told through Alex's eyes. And if it was me, I'd be on the next bus home. But there's a snow storm that cuts off their communication, so we're now in a locked room situation. Add in some odd staff and a mansion with a history in addition to the peculiar host. The other attendees are a mixed bunch - almost like you would expect to find in a horror film. There's always one who chooses to go in the basement. 

What's happening in reality is somewhat mirrored in the novel Alex is writing. I do enjoy the plot device of having a book within a book. 

Bartz is a practicing therapist and I can see how her  background has added to the plot. Roza plays a lot of mind games with the five. She's cruel and then kind, keeping the would be authors on edge. Bartz has added a sexual component to her plot line as well as horror elements. (Gentle readers, there are many triggers in this book) 

I'm on the fence with this one. I liked the idea, but I didn't overly enjoy the delivery. Things got into the over the top territory for me. The epilogue tied up many loose ends, but went a bit too long for me.

I did choose to listen to The Writing Retreat. The reader was Gail Shalan and I thought she did a great job. She created a believable voice for Roza that was perfect. Roza is described as having a slight accent and Shalan's reading never missed this. Shalan's voices for Alex and the supporting players are just as good, matching my mental images of them. There's a nice, slight undertone to her voice that's quite pleasant to listen to. The speaking pace is just right. Shalan easily captures the menace and madness of the plot with her voice. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Writing Retreat.

The Writing Retreat - Julia Bartz

The Writing Retreat is Julia Bartz's debut novel. 

Alex works in the publishing industry, but what she really wants is to be an author. She jumps at the chance to attend a month long retreat at the secluded estate of writer Roza Vallo. There will be five attendees, including Alex's former best friend, but she'll deal with that.

From the first night, things feel a little off. Roza's behaviour is mercurial, challenging the five with somewhat uncomfortable discussions - and as things progress - actions. The five acolytes continue to rationalize what's going, until it can no longer can be ignored. There's something very wrong at this retreat...

The book is told through Alex's eyes. And if it was me, I'd be on the next bus home. But there's a snow storm that cuts off their communication, so we're now in a locked room situation. Add in some odd staff and a mansion with a history in addition to the peculiar host. The other attendees are a mixed bunch - almost like you would expect to find in a horror film. There's always one who chooses to go in the basement. 

What's happening in reality is somewhat mirrored in the novel Alex is writing. I do enjoy the plot device of having a book within a book. 

Bartz is a practicing therapist and I can see how her  background has added to the plot. Roza plays a lot of mind games with the five. She's cruel and then kind, keeping the would be authors on edge. Bartz has added a sexual component to her plot line as well as horror elements. (Gentle readers, there are many triggers in this book) 

I'm on the fence with this one. I liked the idea, but I didn't overly enjoy the delivery. Things got into the over the top territory for me. The epilogue tied up many loose ends, but went a bit too long for me.

See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Writing Retreat.

Murder at Haven's Rock - Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong's 'Rockton' series is hands down one of my favorites. Murder at Haven's Rock brings us the next chapter - in a new location. (Squee!)

Haven's Rock will also be a town that doesn't exist on any map, completely off-grid, hidden deep in the Yukon. The residents? They'll all be running from something or hiding from someone. What will be different about this new town is that Sherriff Dalton and his wife Detective Casey will get to decide which applicants will be accepted. A number of Rockton inhabitants will be back as well. I'm glad to hear that, as I've grown attached to many of them. And not for some. But it makes for an interesting milieu. Oh, and Storm the dog too.

With construction nearing the finish line, Dalton and Casey head up to check it out. What they find is two missing workers....And with that, they're back into work mode. 

I love the idea of a hidden town, a microcosm of society, with good and bad. The inhabitants all have a reason to be living off grid up in the great white North. And that makes for lots of great, inventive plot lines.  Along with the mystery, Armstrong gives her characters detailed personal lives.

The book is told from Casey's point of view. I enjoy being with her as she investigates the latest mystery (okay, it indeed is most often a murder.) I like her internal reasoning and subsequent deductions as she investigates without access to DNA databanks etc. The mysteries Armstrong presents are not easily solved and I quite like being kept guessing. This latest is no exception. There's a wealth of suspects to choose from and my choice changed quite often. 

A great first entry in the Haven's Rock series! The door is open for the next book and I can't wait. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Murder at Haven's Rock. 

The Cliff's Edge - Charles Todd

The Cliff's Edge is the latest (#13) in Charles Todd's wonderful Bess Crawford mystery series. 

Sitting down with a Bess Crawford book is like catching up with old friends. For it's the characters that bring me back time and time again, but also for the wonderfully crafted mysteries. 

With the end of the Great War, Bess has 'retired' from active service as a battlefield nurse. But her skills as a nurse are still in demand. In the Cliff's Edge, Bess has done her cousin Melinda a favor by agreeing to call on one of her friends, after she has an operation. That kindness grows exponentially and Bess is entreated to travel to a remote village and see to an injured man from the manor house. 

There's a bit of a nod to Agatha Christie here - a remote setting, a limited number of suspects, all whom have been asked by the local constabulary to not leave the house until a culprit is determined. And - an amateur detective who has solved more that one mystery in her time. 

 

I love how the  both investigations (Bess's and the police) unfold. This historical period must conform to the mores, manners and expectations of the time and setting. (1919)  Clues are gleaned from conversations, interviews, observations, intellectual prowess and more. Todd keeps the reader guessing along with Bess by leaving a number of red herrings and lies on the way to the final reveal of whodunit.

The Cliff's Edge kept me company on a cold rainy day with more than one pot of tea. Comfort reading at it's best. 

Sadly, with the death of Caroline Todd, it's also the last collaboration from the writing duo of mother Caroline and her son Charles. I do hope the series continues. The ending of The Cliff's Edge is satisfying. But, the final pages of the book open the door for another mystery.... 

See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Cliff's Edge.

Bookworm - Robin Yeatman

Bookworm is Robin Yeatman's debut novel.

Now, that cover and title had me expecting a lighthearted read. (Yes, sometimes it's solely the cover that makes me choose to read a book!) But, what I found inside the pages was not what I had expected.

Victoria is not overly happy with her life - her job, her parents, her best friend and especially her husband. Victoria also loves to read, seeking solace by getting lost in a book - and often imagining herself in other situations. One of her favorite things to do is come up with life stories for strangers that she sees.

Bookworm is told in a stream of consciousness style. Normally, I don't enjoy this style, but it does work in this novel. I felt like I was headed down the rabbit hole with Victoria. The lines between fantasy and reality have started to blur for her and there's no predicting where Yeatman is going to take Victoria. 

I liked the premise and the choice of delivery, but I did find the narrative to be somewhat repetitive - especially the 'levitation' scenes. There's not one character that's likable and I never connected with any of them. Which put me 'outside' the book looking in. I did want to see how it panned out. I did enjoy the ending - it's quite good. But, while the description of the book promises some black humour, it wasn't for me. 

Overall, Bookworm is a hard book to put a genre label on. Decidedly different. But see for yourself - read an excerpt of Bookworm.

VenCo - Cherie Dimaline

Cherie Dimaline's writing is fantastic, but I have to say her latest - the just released VenCo - is brilliant!

Lucky St. James and her Grandmother Stella are living hand to mouth in a Toronto apartment when they're served an eviction notice. When Lucky finds a small spoon with the word SALEM and the image of a hag stamped on it, their fortunes seem to be looking up. Lucky is offered an interview at VenCo in the US, so it's a road trip for Lucky and Stella.  

The discovery of this spoon is tracked by Meena - a powerful witch in Salem. The spoon has found it's owner, (although she doesn't know it), and after hundreds of years, there are now six witches with spoons. The seventh is all that is needed for the coven to be complete...

Oh, there's so much to love in this tale. Certainly the characters - they're a diverse group with distinct personalities, skills and mindsets. It was easy to paint mental images of every woman as they are all offered a chance to introduce themselves. But the stand out character for me was Gramma Stella. She has and still is, living life on her terms despite what life has dealt to her. She made me by turns laugh and cry. 

And yes, you're right - the hunt is now on for that seventh spoon and witch. The search is intense, with many skills, tactics - and magic, coming into play. Even more worrisome is the person who wants that seventh spoon as well - for very different reasons. 

VenCo is a spellbinding tale that blends suspense, magic, history, and truths. I was caught up in the book from first page to last. And as the last page was turned, I stopped and thought - 'just maybe'... 

See for yourself - read an excerpt of VenCo. 

Lying Beside You - Michael Robotham

If Michael Robotham is the author, then I'll be reading it! Lying Beside You is the third book in his Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac series.

As a child, Cyrus survived a horrendous crime. As an adult, he works as a forensic psychologist who consults with the police. Evie too has survived appalling damage as a child. The one unusual thing she has is her ability to know when someone is lying. Cyrus has taken Evie under his wing, providing a home, an education and someone who believes in her.

Cyrus has been called in to profile on a case involving a murder and the disappearance of a young woman. And at her new part time job at a bar, Evie calls an uber to make sure that an inebriated woman gets safely home. Except she's not safe - she's now missing. Evie was the last one to see her - and the driver. Home life is complicated as Cyrus's brother is now coming for visits - from a secure psychiatric prison. 

I really like this pair of lead characters. Cyrus's deductive reasoning and sensible, calm manner is a polar opposite to Evie. She questions authority, rules and struggles to fit in. The supporting cast brings back many familiar faces and new ones as well. I found it easy to discern who I didn't like!

And just as good as the characterizations is the plotting. Robotham never takes the reader on a straight path to the final answer. I now that and yet, I was pretty sure I knew who the culprit was many chapters from the end. I was happily proven wrong as the path took a large turn as the final pages  got closer.  

Lying Beside You is another fantastic book from Robotham. I'm looking forward to his next book!

I chose to listen to Lying Beside You. And that choice was made based on the reader - Joe Jameson. He read the first and second books and I appreciate the continuity. His voice is rich and full and his speaking voice is clear and easy to understand. He has created voices for each character that suit perfectly. Cyrus's is calm and measured - the voice of reason. The Evie voice is great - you can hear the walls she's put up, the chip on her shoulder and the attitude that hides her insecurity. Just as identifiable are the voices for the supporting players. Jameson interprets the book well and uses his voice effectively, capturing the  emotions, situations danger and action as the book plays out. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I find myself more drawn into a book when I listen to it. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Lying Beside You.

Lying Beside You - Michael Robotham

If Michael Robotham is the author, then I'll be reading it! Lying Beside You is the third book in his Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac series.

As a child, Cyrus survived a horrendous crime. As an adult, he works as a forensic psychologist who consults with the police. Evie too has survived appalling damage as a child. The one unusual thing she has is her ability to know when someone is lying. Cyrus has taken Evie under his wing, providing a home, an education and someone who believes in her.

Cyrus has been called in to profile on a case involving a murder and the disappearance of a young woman. And at her new part time job at a bar, Evie calls an uber to make sure that an inebriated woman gets safely home. Except she's not safe - she's now missing. Evie was the last one to see her - and the driver. Home life is complicated as Cyrus's brother is now coming for visits - from a secure psychiatric prison. 

I really like this pair of lead characters. Cyrus's deductive reasoning and sensible, calm manner is a polar opposite to Evie. She questions authority, rules and struggles to fit in. The supporting cast brings back many familiar faces and new ones as well. I found it easy to discern who I didn't like!

And just as good as the characterizations is the plotting. Robotham never takes the reader on a straight path to the final answer. I now that and yet, I was pretty sure I knew who the culprit was many chapters from the end. I was happily proven wrong as the path took a large turn as the final pages  got closer.  

Lying Beside You is another fantastic book from Robotham. I'm looking forward to his next book!  See for yourself - read an excerpt of Lying Beside You. 

Cold People - Tom Rob Smith

I have a fondness for apocalyptic and post apocalyptic fiction. I'm always fascinated by an author's take on what might be in the cards for the world as we know it.

Tom Rob Smith's new novel, Cold People, is a novel that takes on that question of 'what might be...'

2023. An alien force has dictated the planet is theirs and humanity has a month to reach the one place they will be allowed to survive - in Antarctica. If you're not an 'alien' person, don't worry. Their mandate is simply the catalyst of the migration and what follows. We never meet them.

I was drawn into Smith's worldbuilding. He has picked one of the most remote and inhospitable places on earth for the survivors to land. Where will they live, what will they eat, how will they survive the cold? And the burning question - who will 'run' this new society? 

We see what has transpired as Smith takes us to Antarctica twenty years on - in 2043. What ethical decisions were made? How do genetics fit into the story?  I'm not going to expand on that as its a key part of the plotting.

We meet a select few of the characters in the 'before' times and follow them to the 'after'. Liza was my favorite - her grit, drive and compassion make her a standout protagonist. Smith's players are very well drawn. Their detailed thoughts, actions, reasoning and more that will have the listener wondering what they themselves would do. What is best for a society intent on saving humanity? 

I did choose to listen to Cold People. The reader was Rebecca Lowman and she did a stellar job of interpreting and presenting Smith's novel. As I've said before, I find myself more in a story when I listen rather than read. This was most definitely the case this time. Lowman has a smooth, well modulated tone to her voice that draws the listener in. She varies her voice for each player's appearance and they are believable. She speaks clearly and her pace of speaking is just right. A great performance of a very different book that I quite enjoyed. 

See for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Cold People. 

A Killing of Innocents - Deborah Crombie

Deborah Crombie writes one of my absolute favorite police procedural series - the Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James novels. The nineteenth entry - A Killing of Innocents has just released.

Kincaid and James are both Scotland Yard detectives, albeit in different departments. Sasha, a young trainee doctor is stabbed as she walks across a square to meet a friend. As it's a knife crime, both of their teams are on the case. But as the case progresses, they realize there's much more to this case than a random stabbing...

Crombie always writes an intriguing, multi layered plot that isn't easy to figure out. It's great fun to try and solve the crimes along with the detectives. I truly appreciate how those crimes are solved in Crombie's books - with a team that uses modern day methods as well as the ' old fashioned' ways. Interviews, intuition, experience etc. Adding to the mystery are some enigmatic missives that appear as italicized chapters. How will they figure into the plot?

But the biggest draw for me are the characters. From one of my previous reviews of this series.  "... the most captivating of all, is the large group of characters that appear in each book, their lives changing and growing with every new entry.  They're so well drawn, they've become almost real, especially Duncan, Gemma and their children. I feel like I know them. Although others may complain that the domestic details of the characters detracts from a good mystery, I find it gives the story much more depth. I've become invested in their lives and want to see where Crombie takes them from here. Sitting down with the latest feels like catching up with old friends." This is what has me always eagerly awaiting the next book from Crombie.

And no surprise - I loved this latest! The crime is solved, but the door is open for the next book. Can't wait! See for yourself - read an excerpt of A Killing of Innocents. 

Maureen - Rachel Joyce

Rachel Joyce is hands down one of my favorite authors. Why? Her books stay with me long after the last page has been turned. Her writing moves me, makes me laugh, cry and think. Maureen is another of those stories.

Maureen is the third book in the "Harold Fry" trilogy. If you've not read it yet, you need to read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy before diving into this last book. And for those who have read the first two - take the time to read the author's notes at the beginning of the book. I loved the insight into the how and why of this last book in the triptych.

'Harold' tells the story of a man who decides to walk across England to deliver a card to his dying friend Queenie. The second book is from Queenie's point of view. And at last, we get to better know Harold's wife Maureen.

My thoughts on Maureen had been gleaned from her actions and thoughts as Harold walked. And my opinion was that I didn't like her. But I didn't know what was going on in her mind - and at last we do. She's been carrying her anger, guilt, remorse, sadness and yes, perhaps some little flicker of hope. She's now going to take her own pilgrimage, both figurative and literally. 

Joyce scatters so many truths in Maureen's travels and thoughts. I always find myself stopping to re-read a passage, savoring the the ideas and truths woven throughout the pages.  Here's a few...

"It struck Maureen that a person could be trapped in a version of themselves that was from another time, and completely miss the happiness that was staring them in the face."

"Once again, she experienced that old feeling of being the wrong shape for the situation in which she found herself. Of being an intruder."

Joyce's exploration of the human spirit is by turns heart breaking and life affirming. (Note - have a box of issues handy.)

Maureen is a novella that you'll read in a afternoon. But chances are, you'll be thinking of it after turning the last page. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Maureen. 

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. 

The House in the Pines - Ana Reyes

I started seeing quite a few reviews of Ana Reyes's debut novel, The House in the Pines. When Reece Witherspoon made it her next book club selection, I decided to listen to it and see what it was all about.

Maya had three weeks before she left for university. But in those three weeks, her life changed when her friend Aubrey died - in front of Frank, the man Maya had been seeing. 

That was seven years ago. Maya still doesn't really understand happened that summer. She doesn't trust her own memories. But after a chance viewing of a disturbing video, she knows she has to go back home and find answers at last.

Unreliable narrators are a favourite of mine and Maya is definitely unreliable. Reyes mixes in more than one reason for her memory lapses and current day behaviour. Once she's back at her childhood  home, the pieces of that summer are slowly put together as Maya starts to revisit those three weeks. I'm was firmly behind Maya as she searched for answers. But... I mulled over teenage Maya's actions, emotions and thoughts as I listened. It could be my pragmatic nature, but I didn't totally buy into her behavior back then. 

 

Now, there is a reason for that behavior that I'm going to let you discover. It's at the core of the book. Having had it revealed, I thought it an unusual and unique idea. But, that pragmatic nature of mine had me appreciating the novelty of it, but not really buying into it.

There's a connection in Maya's life to Guatemala and I enjoyed learning from these bits of history.

I enjoyed this listen and thought it was a good debut. Not quite the wow I had anticipated though. 

The narrator was Marisol Ramirez and I thought she did a great job. Her voice is really easy on the ears, with a soft undertone. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. Her voice rises and falls as she reads, adding movement to the narration. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The House in the Pines.