I'm a Fan - Sheena Patel

I really enjoy discovering new authors and reading something new. Sheena Patel's debut novel, I'm a Fan, has won numerous prizes already. This sentence in the publisher's description caught my eye. "I stalk a woman on the internet who is sleeping with the same man as I am."

I'm a Fan is told in a first person stream of consciousness format. The protagonist's thoughts started to build my image of the 'speaker'. Her insecurities, past, wants, needs, anger, desires and more. The man she wants is also sleeping with other women. And so she begins her surveillance. I was caught up in the beginning - but...

Yes, there were buts for me. I was saddened by the fact that she was willing to debase herself in order to have a man who is an ugly, cruel, misogynist. And I was already tired of reading the phrases - 'The man that I am obsessed with' and 'the woman I am obsessed with. That was about page 50 and I realized I wasn't the right reader for this book. I used to 'power through' finishing a book when I wasn't enjoying it. No longer. 

Instead, I encourage you to check out the many five star reviews on Goodreads.

The Hike - Lucy Clarke

I always enjoy looking at the cover of a book before turning the first page. The angle of the words here suggests a climb and the image used confirms that in Lucy Clarke's newest novel, The Hike.

We're introduced to four women that been friends for years. Life has taken them down different roads, but they try to get together at least once a year. It's Liz's turn to choose where they go. They're off to Norway to hike for four idyllic days. But....uh huh, there are some buts. 

Clarke does a fantastic job creating her four main characters. Their relationships are wonderfully drawn and are so believable. No perfection. And yes, you'll find some of the buts in those relationships, as each of them is harboring a secret. As the climb progresses those secrets come out - and their friendships will inexorably changed for all time. 

Another but you say? What about the others at the lodge? More than one of them triggers an uncomfortable response for the women. But, they're committed to the climb and ignore their Spidey senses.

Clarke has successfully woven an exploration of friendship alongside a page turning, suspense filled plot line. I couldn't put the book down - Clarke's writing is so addictive and 'readable', if you know what I mean. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Hike. 

And on a side note, two of Clarke's books are on the small screen, with a third in the works.

Learned by Heart - Emma Donoghue

Emma Donoghue is such a brilliant author. I've read all of her titles and have enjoyed them all. I picked up Learned by Heart without even looking at the fly leaf.

Donoghue's new title is based on actual historical figures, times and places. Learned by Heart is set in 1805 York (England) at a girls boarding school. When they meet, Eliza and Anne are fourteen years old and sharing a small room under the eaves. 

The setting is so very detailed. The details of the lessons, learning, the girls, their teachers, where the goal is to be a wife and more. There are many supporting players, who express many of the thoughts of the times on many topics. 

Learned by Heart is a coming of age story, a time for exploration of one's self, of love and trying to find  where you fit. But love is at the heart of the book. I'll let you discover the plot for yourself. 

It was not until I read the author's notes at the end of the book, that I realized the inspiration for the book was indeed fact based. Donoghue has taken some literary license and introduced some conjuncture to tell her tale. I encourage you to take the time to read the author's notes as they're absolutely fascinating. And the research is so detailed. 

Learned by Heart is the perfect title, as it be can used in more than one way in the book. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Learned by Heart. 

After That Night - Karin Slaughter

I have been eagerly awaiting a new book from Karin Slaughter! After That Night is the new Will Trent (#11), and Sara Linton book. 

Slaughter continues to move the lives of her characters forward. Will Trent is an Investigator and Sara Linton is a Medical Examiner with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The supporting characters are all back as well, including Faith and Amanda. All of the players have a personal storyline that always makes the characters feel like actual people.

Faithful readers will know of the brutal attack that happened to Sara fifteen years ago. In After That Night, another young woman is attacked in a manner that appears to have similarities to the attack on Sara.

Slaughter is a master of plotting. The details, the clues, the connections, and the final answers also feel like this is an actual case. The reader can't help but be drawn into the story. And it's impossible to put the book down. And that last bit? Loved it.

Slaughter does such a fantastic job of handling and presenting a hard topic with candor and respect. And reality.

After That Night is another stellar book from Karin Slaughter. See for yourself - read an excerpt of After That Night. 

The Last One - Will Dean

Oh. my. gosh. I've enjoyed Will Dean's previous books and was looking forward to his new novel - The Last One. What a crazy tale it is! Crazy in a good way!

Here's all you need going in. Caz and her new boyfriend are taking a cruise ship holiday. They meet others, eat some wonderful food, have a few drinks, explore the ship and settle in for a good nights sleep, imagining what tomorrow will bring. And....what it brings is the unthinkable. There is no one else the ship. Caz is completely alone. 

What! How can that be? Surely she's missed something? There has to be other people. Is she dreaming? Drugged? 

Oh, Will Dean. You had me from the first chapters and kept my attention right to the last. I hadn't considered the answer to the how and why, and was caught totally off guard. I love being unable to predict what a book will bring. The listener is continually kept on their toes as things change rapidly and change the plot direction with unexpected twists and turns. And that last chapter? Did not see that coming either!

Now, there are a few bits that will ask the listener to suspend disbelief. Which I happily did. The Last One is a great take on the locked room mystery premise. 

I chose to listen to The Last One. I find that listening to a book immerses me more into the story. That was definitely the case with The Last One. The reader was Jenny Funnell and she was a great choice. She uses a British accent for Caz that is perfect. She also provides great voices for others that are easy to identify and let you know who is speaking. Funnell injects all the action and emotions of the plot into her reading. Her speaking is clear and easy to understand. A wonderful performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Last One.

The Handyman Method - Nick Cutter

I thought Nick Cutter's 2014 horror tale, The Troop, was a great read. I read the premise of his latest novel, The Handyman Method, and thought it looked intriguing. And the cover is eye catching.

Okay, I'm going to be somewhat obtuse here as I don't want to spoil things for you.

Trent, Rita, and their young son, Milo move into a new subdivision. And their new house is...well it's the only one there. Trent is between jobs, as they say. When he sees an item that needs attention in his new house, he decides to undertake the repair himself. And like many of us, he turns to the internet to find some guidance. And he stumbles across upon Handyman Hank's site. And the weirdness begins. At home and out in the world. Specifically big box DIY stores. As odd as it sounds - these bits were darkly humorous and decidedly true. Cutter skewers toxic masculinity through the big box, the website and another program that pops up on Milo's computer. Quite frightening for sure. There are a number of other dark events and pieces. 

But. Yes, there's a but for me. The Handyman Method started down avenues that I understand are 'horror', but I found them to be things I didn't want in my head. Misogynistic comments that were truly vile. A doomed turtle. The plot seemed to feel repetitive and I decided to take a break from the book. I came back to it, but realized my opinion hadn't changed. I fast forwarded my way to the final chapters to see what answers the ending might bring. 

So, it's a rare DNF for me. I do know there's lots of others who quite enjoyed The Handyman Method, so check out the other reviews on Goodreads.

I will say that the narrator, Corey Brill, did a fantastic job interpreting and presenting Cutter's work. He brings out a mocking, caustic voice for Handyman Hank that is spot on. Trent's voice is just as good - the anger he carries, the biting sarcasm, the ugly hate and more are captured with Brill's reading. He speaks clearly and enunciates well. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Handyman Method.

The Handyman Method - Nick Cutter

I thought Nick Cutter's 2014 horror tale, The Troop, was a great read. I read the premise of his latest novel, The Handyman Method, and thought it looked intriguing. And the cover is eye catching.

Okay, I'm going to be somewhat obtuse here as I don't want to spoil things for you.

Trent, Rita, and their young son, Milo move into a new subdivision. And their new house is...well it's the only one there. Trent is between jobs, as they say. When he sees an item that needs attention in his new house, he decides to undertake the repair himself. And like many of us, he turns to the internet to find some guidance. And he stumbles across upon Handyman Hank's site. And the weirdness begins. At home and out in the world. Specifically big box DIY stores. As odd as it sounds - these bits were darkly humorous and decidedly true. Cutter skewers toxic masculinity through the big box, the website and another program that pops up on Milo's computer. Quite frightening for sure. There are a number of other dark events and pieces. 

But. Yes, there's a but for me. The Handyman Method started down avenues that I understand are 'horror', but I found them to be things I didn't want in my head. Misogynistic comments that were truly vile. A doomed turtle. The plot seemed to feel repetitive and I decided to take a break from the book. I came back to it, but realized my opinion hadn't changed. I fast forwarded my way to the final chapters to see what answers the ending might bring. 

So, it's a rare DNF for me. I do know there's lots of others who quite enjoyed The Handyman Method, so check out the other reviews on Goodreads. Or read an excerpt of The Handyman Method.

Beneath Dark Waters - Karen Rose - Release Day!

Karen Rose's new novel, Beneath Dark Waters, releases today! It's the second book in her New Orleans series.

What's it about? From Berkley Books:

"Deadly secrets lie beneath the murky waters of the Louisiana bayou in this pulse-pounding new romantic suspense novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Rose.

There’s no safe place for a child to hide when danger comes from every direction.

Public prosecutor J.P. “Kaj” Cardozo has only lived in New Orleans for six months, and he’s already working on a high-profile celebrity sexual assault case that’s made headlines all over the country. But when his son becomes the target of a kidnapping attempt as a threat to Kaj, he is desperate to keep him safe and turns to a private investigative firm famous for their protection services.

A veteran Marine, Val Sorensen is glad to have found a new career with Broussard Investigations. Her latest assignment as the bodyguard to ten-year-old Elijah Cardozo reminds her why—Val is a kick ass guardian with a tender heart.  Through her duties, Val grows fond of the boy—and his handsome father.

But when the high-stakes investigation reveals an explosive network of crime through a revived drug gang, lingering deep-seated corruption in the NOPD, and a group of murderers-for-hire targeting Kaj, Elijah, and his star client, they’re all left scrambling for safety…"  Sound good? See for yourself - read an excerpt of Beneath Dark Waters.

Karen Rose is the award-winning, #1 international bestselling author of some twenty novels, including the bestselling Baltimore and Cincinnati series. She has been translated into twenty-three languages and her books have placed on the New York Times, the Sunday Times (UK), and Germany’s der Spiegel bestseller lists.

You can connect with Karen Rose on Twitter as well as on Facebook.

Dark Corners - Megan Goldin

I thought Megan Goldin's first book (The Night Swim) that featured Rachel Krall was fabulous. The second book - Dark Corners - has just released and I think it's even better! 

Rachel Krall is the voice and the brains behind the Guilty Or Not Guilty podcast. (Okay, I was immediately hooked in book one as I love crime podcasts.) I really like Rachel as a lead character. She's smart, tenacious, inquisitive and determined. And baffled - why would an inmate ready to be released pass Rachel's name on to a travel influencer named Maddison? Why is the FBI interested in that meeting? Rachel smells a story....

Goldin has created a great storyline that is told from many points of view. From Rachel herself, the transcripts of her podcast, more than one woman who made a deadly decision, a FBI agent and a rideshare driver. I love how the tale unfolded from all of these seemingly disparate players. The road to the final answers is full of twists and turns. I appreciate being unable to predict how a book will come together. Dark Corners is full of suspense that had me wanting to flip ahead a few pages to see what the outcome was. But I didn't!

Goldin has a background in reporting and I think her books benefit greatly from that skill set. The investigation was believable and well written. In addition to loving podcasts, I also enjoy novels written with epistolary elements. Goldin gave me both with podcast transcripts being included. 

I'm hoping there is another Rachel Krall book in the works. For me Dark Corners was a great read. This latest was an easy five stars. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Dark Corners. 

Gentle readers, there are trigger situations in this book.

Mrs. Potter Calling - AJ Pearce

I absolutely adore AJ Pearce's Emmy Lake chronicles. The third entry - Mrs. Potter Calling - has just released.

What's to love?

The characters! Pearce has created an absolutely delightful character in Emmy. She's plucky, irrepressible and so darn likeable. The supporting cast includes her best friend Bunty, and the magazine staff who are just as well drawn. Additional players have been added on with every book, including this latest. I've become quite invested in the storyline of each and every player.

What magazine you ask? Well, it's called Women's Friend. Emmy started out as a junior and is now taking a larger role in the day to day duties of the magazine. But dearest to her heart is the "Yours Cheerfully" advice column. But, Women's Friend has a new owner - the Honorable Mrs. Potter. And although she comes across as upbeat and personable...well, you'll see.

British magazines in this vein are still printing today - I've read more than one myself. Pearce took her inspiration for these books "when I came across a 1939 copy of a women's magazine. It was a wonderful find - a glimpse into an era and world where I could read about everything from recipes for lamb's brain stew to how to knit your own swimwear."

The books are set in the WWII years in London, England. Pearce captures the heartache, the danger as well as the flip side - the 'can do' effort, the 'keep calm and carry on' attitude, the making do, the joy in camaraderie and simple things. 

Although you could read this as a standalone, I encourage you to read the first two books - they're just as delightful as this latest. 

I chose to listen to Mrs. Potter Calling. The narrator was Anna Popplewell and she was the perfect choice. Her voice embodied the mental image I had created for Emmy. Popplewell also voiced the first two books and the continuity is appreciated. She has a lovely rich British accent that is very pleasant to listen to. She enunciates well and speaks at a good speed. Her voice has movement, rising and falling as she narrates. She easily captures the emotions of the characters, the tone of situations and the action of the book with her voice. And the voice for Mrs. Potter is fabulous! An excellent performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Mrs. Potter Calling.

An five star tale and a five star performance. Absolutely one of my favorite series. I hope you enjoy them as well.

North of Nowhere - Allison Brennan

It's been awhile since I read a Allison Brennan novel, so I happily picked up her latest standalone - North of Nowhere - in audio format.

Teenager Kristen and her little brother Ryan are the two heirs to a Los Angeles crime dynasty. They want nothing to do with their family and have been in hiding in Montana with a former member of the 'family', that they now call Dad. They knew that there was a good chance they'd be found eventually - and that time is now. 

There are many characters to keep track of in North of Nowhere. And it's easy to know who's 'good' and who's 'bad'. (A couple of them are quite evil - I'm talking about you Frankie!) The storm that envelopes most of them from the get go is also a character. High up on the mountain it's life or death for anyone. 

Brennan knows how to engage the listener and keep them eagerly engrossed for 'just one more chapter'. There's lots of actions, dire situations and cliff hangers (literally in some cases!) 

The outcome won't be a total surprise to the listener. It's the journey to those last chapters that holds the listener's attention. 

I chose to listen to North of Nowhere. The reader was Eliza Foss  and she did a great job interpreting and presenting Brennan's novel. Her voice is clear and easy on the ears and she enunciates well. Foss provides recognizable voices for all of the characters, making it very easy to know who's speaking. She easily captures the action, danger and more with her voice. A great performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of North of Nowhere.

None of This is True - Lisa Jewell

Oh. my. gosh. I've read and enjoyed all of Lisa Jewell's books. But her latest - None of This is True - is crazy good!! 

Take a second look at that cover. The same image, but with one turned upside down. And that's what you'll find - everything you thought you read, will be turned topsy-turvy.

Alix and Josie are both out for dinner to celebrate their 45th birthday and discover they are 'birthday twins' both born on the same day and in the same hospital. Until tonight they've never met before. Another chance meeting brings an unusual request. Alix is a well known podcaster and Josie would like Alix to document her life as it changes. It's an odd request, but Alix is intrigued...

If you can, I recommend going into this book blind. There are many twists and turns and discovering them as I listened was a treat. The plotting is fabulous - unpredictable over and over again. (And had me shouting out loud more than once!)

The two lead characters are very well drawn, but do we really know them? Their inner dialogue belies the faces they show the world. There's a number of supporting players that may or may not be unreliable as well. Who to believe? 

I loved the epistolary element of the podcast episodes. A story within a story.

The audio version of None of This is True is performed with a full cast. The two leads, read by Nicola Walker and Louise Brealey were brilliant. The voices they employ absolutely matched the characters. Each is easy to understand, spoke clearly and was well paced. Their reading has movement, easily capturing the tension, fear, and more. I really enjoyed the full cast. New voices for all of the supporting players. The background sounds and details of the podcast vignettes made them feel 'real'. A nice touch for an audio performance. Listening often brings you deeper into a book, and that was most definitely the case with None of This is True. An excellent performance of a fabulous novel.

An easy five stars! Hear for yourself - listen to  an excerpt of None of This is True.

Gentle listeners, there are some triggers.

None of This is True - Lisa Jewell

Oh. my. gosh. I've read and enjoyed all of Lisa Jewell's books. But her latest - None of This is True - is crazy good!! 

Take a second look at that cover. The same image, but with one turned upside down. And that's what you'll find - everything you thought you read, will be turned topsy-turvy.

Alix and Josie are both out for dinner to celebrate their 45th birthday and discover they are 'birthday twins' both born on the same day and in the same hospital. Until tonight they've never met before. Another chance meeting brings an unusual request. Alix is a well known podcaster and Josie would like Alix to document her life as it changes. It's an odd request, but Alix is intrigued...

If you can, I recommend going into this book blind. There are many twists and turns and discovering them as I read was a treat. The plotting is fabulous - unpredictable over and over again. (And had me shouting out loud more than once!)

The two lead characters are very well drawn, but do we really know them? Their inner dialogue belies the faces they show the world. There's a number of supporting players that may or may not be unreliable as well. Who to believe? 

I loved the epistolary element of the podcast episodes. A story within a story.

Kudos to Lisa Jewell for such an addicting, unpredictable read. I couldn't put it down. An easy five stars! See for yourself - read an excerpt of None of This is True.

Gentle readers, there are some triggers.

The Déjà Glitch - Holly James

Well, the title and the cover of Holly James' new novel, The Déjà Glitch, give you a pretty good idea what will be found inside.

And if you still need a clue - I think this blurb from the publisher says it all.

"To break out of a 24-hour time loop, all Jack needs is for Gemma to fall in love with him in a single day. All Gemma needs is to remember him first . . ." 

This isn't a new premise, but James puts her own delightful spin on things. 

Gemma is a great lead character - one you'll immediately like. She's real and you want her to find happiness. And what about the the sidekick/bestie? That would be Lila. She's loud, outgoing and wants only the best for Gemma. Now what about Jack? Oh, he's a keeper! 

The fun is in trying to convince Gemma that she is reliving the same day over and over again. What will change the outcome? I'm going to let you discover that!

James has penned a lovely rom com read. But she also touches on some other relationships - notably family - and exes. 

And yes, this is one of those books where you can predict the ending. But it's the journey there that you'll enjoy. I do feel the ending could be shortened up a bit. But overall, this was the perfect book to tuck into my beach bag. See for yourself - read an excerpt of  The Déjà Glitch.

Just Another Missing Person - Gillian McAllister

Gillian McAllister's latest twisting turning tale - Just Another Missing Person -  has just released.

The book opens with a prologue that that sets everything off...

Just Another Missing Person is told from three points of view. Our lead character is DCI Julia Day - a respected officer who prides herself on her tenacity, work ethic and stellar reputation. Her home life isn't quite at the same level. And then the event in the prologue occurs. And someone knows what happened. I liked Julia initially, but wasn't too sure what to think as the book progressed. How far down another road will she go?

Emma is a mother as well, and she's not sure about her adult son's secretive manner, the lies she captures him in and his behavior. Has he done something bad?

And the third view that of Lewis, a father desperate to find his missing daughter. She's been gone for almost a year. Is there any hope?

Readers will have to keep an eye on the chapter headers to know whose point of view it is. 

McAllister has penned another addictive read. I couldn't wait to find out how all the narratives would come together. With three views, the reader gleans clues from every entry. But just when you think you've got things figured out, they change. I truly didn't see the resolution or reasons coming and was surprised. The end chapter delivers one last twist. I'm still thinking about it to figure out if I like it or not.

See for yourself - read an excerpt of Just Another Missing Person.

The Bone Hacker - Kathy Reich

The Bone Hacker is the 22nd book in Kathy Reichs' long running Temperance Brennan series. 

For those who haven't read this series yet, Tempe is a forensic anthropologist who works with both American and Canadian labs, cases and police forces. 

The Bone Hacker finds Tempe examining the remains of a person who has been killed by a lightning strike. Or have they? Her findings may be a link to other cases on the islands of Turks and Caicos.

I have always liked Tempe as a lead character. She's intelligent, tenacious and doesn't back down. Her inner dialogue gives the reader a better sense of 'knowing' her. And it's quite funny at times.

The solving of the cases always fascinates me. In addition to the forensics clues, Tempe's intuitions, skill sets and determination are put to good use.

Taking the setting to a new location also gives us some new supporting players. Two Turks and Caicos police added a lot to this tale.

The case itself is different and led to some answers I hadn't expected when the book started. (And you'll find out where the title comes in!)

The Bone Hacker kept me engrossed from the first chapter to the last. Another great entry in the series, and I'm looking forward to the 23rd. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Bone Hacker.

The Bone Hacker - Kathy Reichs

The Bone Hacker is Kathy Reichs' long running Temperance Brennan series. 

For those who haven't listened to this series yet, Tempe is a forensic anthropologist who works with both American and Canadian labs, cases and police forces. 

The Bone Hacker finds Tempe examining the remains of a person who has been killed by a lightning strike. Or have they? Her findings may be a link to other cases on the islands of Turks and Caicos.

I have always liked Tempe as a lead character. She's intelligent, tenacious and doesn't back down. Her inner dialogue gives the reader a better sense of 'knowing' her. And it's quite funny at times.

The solving of the cases always fascinates me. In addition to the forensics clues, Tempe's intuitions, skill sets and determination are put to good use.

Taking the setting to a new location also gives us some new supporting players. Two Turks and Caicos police added a lot to this tale.

The case itself is different and led to some answers I hadn't expected when the book started. (And you'll find out where the title comes in!)

The Bone Hacker kept me engrossed from the first chapter to the last. Another great entry in the series, and I'm looking forward to the 23rd. 

The reader for the audiobook was Linda Emond and she was fantastic. She has a very versatile voice. Her voice has movement, rising and falling as she narrates. Emond's voice was perfect and will, for me, always be the voice of Tempe. The voices for the new supporting characters were believable and easily identified. When there's talking, it's easy to believe there are two people speaking. I found by listening to this one, I took in more. I heard the humor in Reich's writing. Yes, there are lots of funny lines in such a 'deadly' book. Her voice is pleasant to listen to and easy to understand. And as I always say, I feel more drawn in to a tale when I listen. See for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Bone Hacker.

Gone Tonight - Sarah Pekkanen

Sarah Pekkanen's new novel is Gone Tonight.

Catherine and her mother Ruth have lived a quiet, under the radar life together. But Catherine is ready to spread her wings. And her mother is determined to have that not happen. But Catherine is just as determined to live a larger life. Why won't her mother be happy for her? And why do they have to move again...?

Well, you might have an idea as to why they often move and why Ruth is so adamant about keeping Catherine close to her. But, you'd only be partially right. Pekkanen puts her twist on the plot, taking the narrative down a twisty tale.

Gone Tonight is told from two points of view and a past and present timeline from both Catherine and Ruth. As listeners we know are privy to what Catherine and Ruth both know. The supense kicks in as the secrets fall one by one...

I chose to listen to Gone Tonight. I've said it before, but I'll say it again - I often become more immersed in a book when I listen to the audio format. And that was definitely true for Gone Tonight. The narrator was Kate Mara. She has very unique, somewhat husky, tone to her voice, that is so pleasant to listen to. It just draws in the listener. Mara speaks clearly and enunciates well. She captures the emotions, dialogue, actions and more with her voice.  A wonderful presentation of a really good book!

You'll have to listen to the name at the start of the chapter to know who is speaking. But on the flip side the narrative goes back and forth and it's not to hard to determine. I do wonder if a secondary voice would have worked in this case?

Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of Gone Tonight.