The Cleaner - Brandi Wells

The Cleaner is Brandi Wells' debut novel. 

The Cleaner is the lead character - her real name is never used or mentioned. She works nights in an office building and is fond of the fourth floor. Or I should say, she is fond of those who work there. But, she's never met any of them. However, she's come to know them through their desks, what she finds in their drawers, what's left out on top, what they've left in the fridge, and what's on their computers. She's got names for everyone, but not their real ones. Instead it's Yarn Guy, Mr. Buff, Mr. Trying Too Hard and so many more.

"I clean the offices and bathrooms and lobby five nights a week, but my actual job is to take care of everyone. They need so much help." "I see it all the time. These are the people need me the most.

As the book continued I wondered what that help would look like. How does she know what they need? Why does she do this? Is she dangerous? Or lonely? The only other people she talks to are the night security guard and delivery person. They too are only named with a single letter - M and L.

Wells has created a character that had me changing my perception of her from chapter to chapters. It's hard to not feel for her. She needs to be needed and has found a way to get that, albeit without the recipients being aware of what goes on at night.

The book was a slow burn for me, with things being repeated their way to the final pages. I thought the plotline might be headed to a different ending than the one Wells has written. It is fitting though,

I think there's a good lesson woven into the book, alongside our protagonist's needs. Truly, just treat everyone as you want to be treated. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Cleaner. 

 

Clover Hendry's Day Off - Beth Morrey

I like the cover for Beth Morrey's new book - Clover Hendry's Day Off. The title  immediately brought Ferris Bueller's Day Off to mind. In the author's notes, Morrey alludes to the movie as well. 

Clover is a middle-aged mom, daughter, sister, wife, friend and beleaguered employee. What would happen if for one day, she just did what she wanted and said what she wanted? Over the course of a day, Clover does just that. I think everybody has felt this way at some point and time. And how does that work out for Clover you ask?  

Well, that's the fun in this book. Clover hasn't really thought about her actions, instead she just jumps in. Some of her behaviour is fun, but some is a little darker and hurtful. So, the book isn't all 'Ferris' fun. There are some family and past issues that finally see the light. Clover's job is also a large part of the day. She works as a television executive. Morrey has a similar background and these parts of the plot benefits from that insider knowledge. While I appreciated the details 'behind the scenes', I found my attention start to drift. 

Overall I enjoyed the book, but I do think it could have been shortened up a bit. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Clover Hendry's Day Off.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels - Janice Hallett

I was thrilled to see that Janice Hallett had a new book coming out. I think her writing is so very, very clever. Her latest - The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels - is perhaps the best book yet.

The Alperton Angels were a cult 18 years ago. The members truly believed that they were indeed angels, sent forth to Earth to save the world from the Anti-Christ. They believed that one young woman's baby was the the Anti-Christ. And the young mum decides to take the babe and run. Where could they be now? Okay, that's just the tip of the story. There's so much more to explore!

Hallett reprises the epistolary style of writing that I adore. The book is told through emails, screenplays, podcasts, amateur sleuths groups, book excerpts, phone calls, texts, testimonies, police files and so much more! There's also a transcriber who adds her thoughts about things. 

Amanda Bailey is a true crime writer. She's a large personality, dogged in her search, determined to find the now eighteen year old baby. She's got some serious skills. But there's another author, named Oliver Menzies, on the hunt as well. His direction, point of view and skills are quite different than Amanda's. The two clash over who can write what, and hiding what they do find out. And the third detective? It's you, dear listener. There's a myriad of supporting characters in the book. Some are seen once and others play a larger part. But they're all integral to the plot. 

The plotting is absolutely brilliant in my opinion. The clues are sometimes right there to see, while other times they're longshots. Hallett throws in more than one twist and turn on the way to the final 'aha'! Hallett's writing is addictive and you'll find yourself up late, listening to just one more chapter.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I become so much more immersed in a tale when I listen. That was definitely the case with The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels. The book employs not just one reader, but five - Annie Aldington, Nneka Okoye, Gareth Armstrong, Sid Sagar, Kristin Atherton. I adore full cast narrating - it makes for rich storytelling. The voice for Amanda matched the mental picture I'd made for her. Same for Oliver - the voice matched the character. There are many supporting characters and a different voice for each and every one. Each of the readers spoked clearly and were easy to understand. The emotions and actions of the plot were easily captured and well presents. Good pacing as well. A wonderful presentation of a fantastic book! 

Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels - Janice Hallett

I was thrilled when I heard that Janice Hallett had a new book coming out. I think her writing is so very, very clever. Her latest - The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels - is perhaps the best book yet.

The Alperton Angels were a cult 18 years ago. The members truly believed that they were indeed, angels, sent forth to Earth to save the world from the Anti-Christ. They believed that one young woman's baby was the the Anti-Christ. And the young mum? She decides to take the babe and run. Where could they be now?? Okay, that's just the tip of the story. There's so much more to explore!

Hallett reprises the epistolary style of writing that I adore. The book is told through emails, screenplays, podcasts, amateur sleuths groups, book excerpts, phone calls, texts, testimonies, police files and so much more! There's also a transcriber who adds her thoughts about things.

Amanda Bailey is a true crime writer. She's a large personality, dogged in her search, determined to find the now eighteen year old baby. She's got some serious skills. But there's another author, named Oliver Menzies, on the hunt as well. His direction, point of view and skills are quite different than Amanda's. The two clash over who can write what, and hiding what they do find out. And the third detective? It's you, dear listener. There's a myriad of supporting characters in the book. Some are seen once and others play a larger part. But they're all integral to the plot.

The plotting is absolutely brilliant in my opinion. The clues are sometimes right there to see, while other times they're longshots. Hallett throws in more than one twist and turn on the way to the final 'aha'! Hallett's writing is addictive and you'll find yourself up late, reading just one more chapter.

A brilliant book and an easy five stars! See for your self - read an excerpt of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels.

The Night of the Storm - Nishita Parekh

The Night of the Storm is Nishita Parekh's debut novel. And if you're a fan of twists and turns, you'll find them here. 

The cover gives you a good idea of what you'll find inside. The storm in question is Hurricane Harvey and the house is where Jia, her son and other family members choose to hunker down - instead of evacuating. A perfect setting for a 'locked' room mystery. Because...yes, you guessed it...one of them turns up dead. So who is the killer?

Parekh's characters all have their own secrets and agendas. And each one of them is offered up as the culprit as the plot unfolds. This changes often and Parekh leads the reader down the garden path more than once. The only character I liked was Jai - and my thoughts on her changed more than once. Parekh takes inspiration from her own life, family, mores etc. and inserts it in her novel. "She (Parekh)  is a software programmer but a writer at heart, and loves writing about her experiences as a woman and an immigrant." 

I enjoyed the twists and turns up to a certain point - and then I felt they were becoming just too unbelievable. The epilogue cleans up all the questions and 'where are they now' info, along with another twist. And Jai makes a decision that I whole heartedly disagree with. 

The Night of the Storm was a good debut novel and I liked it, but didn't love it.

See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Night of the Storm. 

Where You End - Abbott Kahler

The cover of Abbott Kahler's debut novel, Where You End, is what initially caught my eye. For some reason, those bunnies don't look cuddly at all to me. I read the publisher's description and that sealed the deal. 

"When Kat Bird wakes up from a coma, she sees her mirror image: Jude, her twin sister. Jude’s face and name are the only memories Kat has from before her accident. As Kat tries to make sense of things, she believes Jude will provide all the answers to her most pressing questions: Who am I? Where am I? What actually happened?"

 

Amnesia is always a great way to give a book an unreliable character. And adding a twin to the mix ensures it will take time to find answers. I wanted to know the answers too.

Kahler tells her tale in a now and then timeline, from the time the girls were young, and up to the date of Kat's awakening.

Their relationship is peculiar. They even have their own language. But, there's much more to these sisters. As their younger years are exposed I initially was intrigued. But as it continued, I became uncomfortable. Without providing spoilers, I could see what direction the past might be headed and what that might entail. It came close to actual events that took place in our near past.

The story started to become a bit repetitive and a bit muddy. I started to lose the desire to pick up the book. I did finish it, but it was just an okay read for me. This could be a case of the wrong reader for the right book. I encourage to check out the other reviews on Goodreads.   See for yourself - read an excerpt of Where You End.

The Silence in Her Eyes - Armando Lucas Correa

The Silence in Her Eyes is the latest book from Armando Lucas Correa.

Leah is our lead character. As a young child she was diagnosed as having akinetopsia, also known as motion blindness. Having not heard of this condition, I took a detour to the web. It is indeed a 'real' thing. Correa's depictions of what it would be like to live with static images and how those images are discarded when she blinks, were well done. As well, Leah's olfactory sense is extremely heightened. Correa has come up with a new twist on the unreliable narrator.

Leah lives a small life with her housekeeper in an apartment building. When a new tenant moves in next door, Leah can smell the anxiety of what's going on next door - and hear the ensuing fight between the occupants. Worried, Leah inserts herself into Alice's life. But is Alice telling the truth? Leah has no way of truly knowing. 

Listed as a suspense novel, I think I expected a faster paced tale. I did enjoy imagining what it would be like for Leah. I also enjoyed her relationships with her housekeeper and the older residents of the apartments. Her inner dialogue and dreams completes the building of Leah as a lead protagonist. However, I do feel like there is a lot of repetition in her experiences, thoughts as well as what is a dream and wasn't. I will say that the twist in the ending good, but did find it a bit contrived.

I chose to listen to The Silence in Her Eyes. The narrator was Suehyla El-Attar Young, a new to me reader. I quite liked her voice - she speaks clearly, at a good pace, enunciates well and is easy on the ears. Her narration has movement. The voice used for Leah fitted my mental image. Young interprets Correa's book well, using  different speeds and tones of her reading to accentuate the fear, confusion, danger etc. of Correa's plot. A very well done presentation. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt on The Silence in Her Eyes. 

Only If You're Lucky - Stacy Willingham

Only If You're Lucky is the third book from the talented Stacy Willingham.

Four women, all with very different personalities, backgrounds, strengths and weaknesses, are rooming together in a house on the campus of their college. Well, some of them have weaknesses. But Lucy seems to have it all - a natural leader, people are drawn to her - male and female and her strong personality. But is she really the person she lets you see? The answer to that question is pursued by Margot....

Willingham takes readers along with Margot as a guide, an interpreter, a detective and more. It is her narrative we hear and see. The timeline flips back and forth from past to present - a story telling style I really enjoy. Things get more convoluted - and downright dangerous for more than one character.

 An excellent plot, strong characters and well described settings. Another five star read from Stacy Willingham! 

I chose to listen to Only If You're Lucky. I was quite happy to see that Karissa Vacker was the reader. She has performed the previous two books from Willingham and did a fabulous job. And she's done the same with this latest. She speaks clearly, enunciates well and is easy on the ears. I am so impressed at the voices she has come up with for the characters - male and female. They're absolutely believable and suit the character speaking. The voice for Lucy was so perfect. You can hear and feel that 'extra' Vacker puts into her readings. She has captured Willingham's plotting and does an excellent job of capturing the emotions, action and undertones of the book. Vacker is certainly on my list of favorite narrators. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of Only If You're Lucky.

Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge - Lizzie Pook

Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook is most definitely going on my 'favourite reads' list for 2024.

The cover and title captured my interest right away, especially the 'Glorious Revenge" part. Who? Why? What happened? Maude's sister Constance is reported as dead by the British Admiralty, who claims her death was an accident.  I was hooked after reading the full synopsis. There's such an imaginative plot just waiting to be discovered by the reader. I truly wasn't able to put it down!   

What else? Well, the setting for sure. The book is set in Victorian London in the early1850's. Pook did a wonderful job building her setting, capturing society, architecture, mores, language, current events and more. The details woven throughout create strong mental images.

What about the characters? I loved Maude - her tenacity, her wily determination and her love for her family. We come to know Constance from her diary. And when you're looking for the antagonist? They won't be hard to find.

Does Maude get her revenge? Well, I'm not going to spoil things for you. Let's just say that there's lots of action. And a wonderful, unexpected twist. What a great read! An easy five stars.

See for yourself - read an excerpt of Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge.

Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge - Lizzie Pook

Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook.

Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook is most definitely going on my 'favourite listens' list for 2024.

The cover and title captured my interest right away, especially the 'Glorious Revenge" part. Who? Why? What happened? Maude's sister Constance is reported as dead by the British Admiralty, who claims her death was an accident. I was hooked after reading the full synopsis. There's such an imaginative plot just waiting to be discovered by the listener. I truly wasn't able to put it down.   

What else? Well, the setting for sure. The book is set in Victorian London in the early 1850's. Pook did a wonderful job building her setting, capturing society, architecture, mores, language, current events and more. The details woven throughout create strong mental images and immerse the listener.

What about the characters? I loved Maude - her tenacity, her wily determination and her love for her family. We come to know Constance from her diary. And when you're looking for the antagonist? They won't be hard to find.

Does Maude get her revenge? Well, I'm not going to spoil things for you. Lets just say that there's lots of action. And a twist that was great. What a fantastic listen! An easy five stars for the writing and the performance.

The reader was Genevieve Gaunt and she was the perfect choice. She has a voice that is low and smoky. Words are slightly drawn out - and that immerses the listener even deeper into the book. Her speaking is clear and easy to understand. Her accent seems very fitting for the era. She does a great job of  capturing the emotion and action of  Pook's work. Voices are provided for other characters that are just as fitting.  

Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge.

The Search Party - Hannah Richell

Oh.my.gosh. Hannah Richell's new novel, The Search Party makes for absolutely riveting reading! I truly could not put it down.

Why? The premise for starters. A group of old friends and their children gather at a glamping site that one of the couples is starting. At first glance, all is well with the friends. But a closer look shows up the cracks in all of the relationships. Richell's characters are a mixed bunch. It was easy to pick favorites - and just as easy to identify the one I despised.

One person in the group goes missing. And so goes begins the search party. 

But what hooked me is how the story is told. Richell uses one of my favorite methods - then and now. In this case it's before the 'event' and afterwards, as the police try to figure out what happened. There are many points of view. But who can we trust? The book brings to mind a 'locked room' mystery. I had my suspicions, but I was happily wrong! I appreciate being able to name the whodunit.

Richell is so very clever at how she manipulates the reader's perceptions. The pronoun they is used - making it impossible to know if it's a male or female character. As readers, we have information that the police don't. Will they deduce the perpetrator before it's too late? I'll let you discover this one yourself. An easy five stars and absolutely recommended. 

Death Under a Little Sky - Stig Abell

Death Under a Little Sky is Stig Abell's excellent debut novel.

What first caught my eye was Lucy Foley's cover blurb - "Gloriously atmospheric." 

But what kept me turning pages was Abell's slow burning plot, his introduction to wonderfully interesting characters and that rich atmospheric setting.  

Jake Jackson was a Detective in London, but when he inherits a large isolated property, he decides to chuck it all in and move. When he hears of a historic crime in the area, he can't let it go, and starts to investigate. Abell's case slowly and surely unfolds.

Just as interesting are the changes Jackson makes to his life. A slower pace, finding and enjoying nature, eating clean, physical labor, exploring interests and more. And perhaps someone to love. I really enjoyed how the two were blended together. I sat and savored the descriptions of Jake's new life and his inner thoughts. The descriptions of the physical settings are worth savoring as well. 

See for yourself - read an excerpt of Death Under a Little Sky. And....I was thrilled to see that there is a second book featuring Jake coming out in April of 2024. Keep an eye out for Death in a Lonely Place - I will be!

The Expectant Detectives - Kat Ailes

The Expectant Detectives is Kat Ailes' debut novel. Now, three guesses - what might these amateur detectives night have in common? If you said 'they're all pregnant' - you're a winner. 

Alice and her partner Joe have moved to Penton, a small village in the Cotswolds. Of course! Penton is home to a varied (and quirky) bunch of residents. The population is down one when a local shopkeeper is found dead downstairs in his shop - while Alice is upstairs at the same shop attending her prenatal class. 

As they're all suspects now - (bar one) four of the women decide to band together to help the local constabulary find the culprit. The group is made up of a wonderful group very different women.

Alice is our lead character and honestly, her actions and dialogue had me laughing out loud. Ailes is a funny woman and writer. Now I have to mention the four footed character Helen - Alice's dog. Again, very funny. She steals the show in a few places.

And what about the crime? Ailes gives us lots of possibilities for the whodunit. And has us questioning just about everyone's innocence. It wasn't easy to suss out the final ah ha!

Fans of Finlay Donovan will love this new series. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Expectant Detective.

Dead Tired is the follow up to The Expectant Detectives, coming out on June 4/24. It's most definitely on my 'want to read' list!

Holmes, Marple & Poe - James Patterson and Brian Sitts

The New Year brings us Holmes, Marple & Poe - a new book from James Patterson and Brian Sitts.  

So, I bet you're thinking it's a detective book? Yes, it is! The book features three private detectives, all sporting very familiar last names. But, no one knows them or where they've come from. I love how the authors have given our three protagonists both the skill sets - and the weaknesses - of each fictional sleuth.

The book is set in modern day New York City. Perfect, as there's loads of room for many cases. Patterson and Sitts have written quite a few crimes that keep our private eyes quite busy. Some cases are larger than others, but I enjoyed the solving of each and every one. They use new technologies along with the old - observations, deductions, conversations, memory and more.

Short chapters and fast dialogues are found in all of Patterson's books and this latest is no different. Added in is a burgeoning romance. And the fourth character and supporting player in the book is a NYC Detective. It's very easy to throw your support between Holmes, Marple and Poe. And just as easy to dislike the antagonists. 

Holmes, Marple and Poe was an easy entertaining read. I do hope there are plans for this book to be the first in a series. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Holmes, Marple & Poe.

Murder by Candlelight - Faith Martin

I am finding that the older I get, the more I love cosy mysteries! And I've just discovered author Faith Martin - who is a master in the genre. Her brand new book is Murder By Candlelight.

All the bits are there. The book is set in 1924 in Maybury-in-the-Marsh, a small village in the Cotswolds. A place where everyone knows everyone's business. Or do they really know their neighbours? I love the dialogue and mores of this time frame - how a verbal barb is parried back, covered in politeness. The solving of the whodunit is found in piecing together bits of conversations, memories, observations, unplanned slips of the tongue, deduction and more, into a family answer. Its a nice change from current day DNA samples etc. Now while the police are are indeed investigating, there is a young pair of villagers who are also having a poke about. They were easy to like and you can't help but like them. I also have my fingers crossed that we will see more of Val and Arbie - they're delightful - and I feel like there's a romantic connection just waiting to be made.

Martin's plotting is wonderful! The crime seems to be of the locked room type, but there are other avenues that might also be in play - 'nuf said. Martin's case has lots of suspects to choose from. I have to admit - I didn't solve the case until the the list was down to one. Bravo to Faith Martin - this whodunit was not obvious.

I am really hoping that this is just the first book in a series. I would very happily pick up the next book! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Murder by Candlelight. 

Rabbit Hole - Kate Brody

Rabbit Hole is Kate Brody's debut novel.

What do you think of when you hear 'rabbit hole'? I always think of Alice in Wonderland. "Down the rabbit hole" is an English-language idiom or trope which refers to getting deep into something, or ending up somewhere strange." The title is quite apt for Brody's book.

Teddy's older sister Angie went missing ten years ago. When Teddy's father dies, it triggers something for Teddy. Maybe Angie's still alive, maybe she can find her. Perhaps the amateur sleuths on Reddit can help? These thoughts and actions start the journey to the rabbit hole for Teddy.

I was caught up in the idea that maybe Angie was alive. There are clues that lean towards that premise. But, there are just as many that point another way. Teddy is caught up the investigation either way and it consumes her. She's not herself - or is she? Brody plays with the reader, keeping us guessing. I wanted to shout at Teddy, asking her to open her eyes to see what she is doing to herself and her life. She's most definitely an unreliable protagonist. I'm not sure how I feel about her.

Now, the mystery of Angie drives the book forward. But the questions of family, loss, love, guilt dysfunction and more are explored through Teddy's family, old and new friends, co-workers and more.  

Rabbit Hole is an unsettling read and those last few pages are food for thought. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Rabbit Hole. 

Anna O - Matthew Blake

There are a slew of new books being released in the first few weeks of January 2024. The one I've hearing the most about, is Matthew Blake's debut novel, Anna O. The novel is already set for publication in thirty territories!

Ok, what is it about Anna O that has triggered such a response? Have you heard about crimes being committed by those who sleepwalk? This alone had me going down a (fascinating) rabbit hole. Is it truly possible that someone would have no inkling of what they've done whilst asleep? Even murder?

Lead character Anna can't tell us or her doctors as she never woke up from the night in question. The night two people died was four years ago. Years! Dr. Benedict Prince thinks he can awaken Anna O with his new protocol. 

But Benedict is not the only one interested in the case of Anna O. Armchair detectives will not let the case fade way. Anna O's family, friends, enemies and the law, all want her to wake up and provide answers. The other person the reader hears from? Yup, we are privy to Anna O's thoughts, memories, past and what led up to the 'right now'. There are also many supporting players, each with their own secrets tightly tucked away.

Blake does an incredible job of toying with the readers. What's true? What and who should we believe? I like to think that I'm pretty good at sussing out the perpetrator in a plot. This time I (happily) I didn't. There are a number of twists that were really well done. But, I truly did not see that last twist coming at all!! Kudos Mr. Blake! 

It's hard to believe this is a debut novel. I can't imagine what Blake will write next - but I'll be waiting for his book.