Fifty Fifty - Steve Cavanagh

I just finished Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh. I really enjoyed it and was quite happy to read another book featuring lawyer Eddie Flynn and his supporting crew - Fifty Fifty. 

Neat fact - Cavanagh  is a lawyer himself. He is now a full time writer - and his books benefit from his 'insider' knowledge. 

 

The premise of this case is another great idea. Two sisters each call 911, reporting that their father has been killed - by their sister! Which one is telling the truth? Who is a killer? Well, we readers are privy to what "She" has done...and it's downright scary! 

I really liked the 'behind' machinations of the trial. If you like twists and turns, you'll find them in Fifty Fifty. It's a page turner!

Note that you can read these as stand alones. 

Nightshade - Michael Connelly

I had heard that Michael Connelly had a new book out -  Nightshade. What I had missed was that this was the first book in a new series!

I was reticent to jump up and down until I had a few chapters under my belt. After that, I was on board. 

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell has been moved back to policing Catalina Island. It's beautiful but he's capable of so much more. When a body is found in the harbor he goes to work. But he's told to let the mainland detectives in charge and to stay out of it. Yeah, you know what happens right? He can't stop...

Connelly has done an excellent job in creating a lead that you can't help but be behind. The plotting kept me engaged from first page to last. The supporting cast are well drawn. The set is well drawn and actual places are included.

Just a winner all round! I'll be waiting for book number 2.

Marble Hall Murders - Anthony Horowitz

A new book from Anthony Horowitz is such a treat. I think he is such a talented author. His new book, Marble Hall Murders is so very clever!

Marble Hall Murders gives us a book inside a book again. Editor Susan Ryeland returns as well. She’s out of work so she’s agreed to work with Eliot, a new author on Pund’s Last Case. After a reading, she’s found similarities and deliberate clues to a death in Eliot’s family. Was it an accident or a murder…?

I dove into the book and honestly forgot that I was lost in the manuscript. Scrambling out, I was still in a fictitious tale. I adored the fictional Detective Pund. He reminded me of Hercule Poitou in his methodology and mannerisms.

For those of you that are like me and try to solve the mystery before the final pages - I wasn’t able to do it. There’s twists, turns, red herrings, and more it kept me guessing till the last pages. Absolutely recommended for those who love 'old school' mysteries, where the answers are in deduction, not DNA.

Whistle - Linwood Barclay

I’ve read everything that Linwood Barclay has written. And I thought I knew what I would find - some excellent thrillers and mystery suspense. But…I’d also heard that Whistle was a new direction from Barclay. It was indeed!

“A cursed toy train.  A desperate mother.  An evil with a one track mind…..”

Annie is a great lead character.  Barclay gives the reader more info than Annie has about the trains, ensuring I couldn’t put the book down. There are other characters who figure it out and those who already know. I was surprised by some of their fates.

The choice to use toy trains as the ‘evil thing’ was excellent. Because because who would think of them as being dangerous. What kid doesn't have a set?  And the inspiration? Barclay has a large train set up in his home...

I really enjoyed this one and I’m hoping that Barclay continues to explore other ideas like this one.

Stephen King gave Whistle this blurb -“Terrific“. And on the flip-side, I really enjoyed the nod given to King by Linwood.

Death at a Highland Wedding - Kelley Armstrong

Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth entry in Kelley Armstrong's Rip Through Time series.

I have enjoyed every book that Kelley has written. Her female leads are always intelligent women that don’t back down. That’s certainly the case with modern day detective Mallory Atkinson. I say modern day because she has slipped back in 150 years into the past in the Scottish Highlands. She now helps an undertaker and a detective with cases.

It’s a great premise!  Everything has to change if she’s going to stay….or go…. Speech, the attitudes, the roles and the rules of women, dressing, and so much more.

In this book Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie travel to a Highlands castle that’s surrounded by wilderness. A perfect setting for a murder, don't you think? It’s feels a bit like a Christie book. The answer for who dunit changes many times on the way to the final answer. I loved every page.

The mystery is excellent but that’s only half of it for this reader. The ‘yes, no, maybe so’ from some of the players will have you wondering. I’m always eager to see what’s going on with the players.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - some books are better for me if I listen to them. That’s the case with this series. The narrator is Kate Handford and she did a fantastic job of presenting Armstrong's work. I appreciate the continuity with having the same narrator for each entry of this series. Her voice is clear, easy to understand and easy on the years. She's created many identifiable voices that let the listener who is speaking. A Scottish accent is needed for many of the characters and an inner American one for Mallory. The accent often changes within conversations and Handford keeps up with that. There's lots of scenes and situations that are dangerous, emotional etc. and Hanford captures the tone of the plot with her voice. An excellent reading of a really great book. An easy five stars.

Death at a Highland Wedding - Kelley Armstrong

Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth entry in Kelley Armstrong's Rip Through Time series.

I have enjoyed every book that Kelley has written. Her female leads are always intelligent women that don’t back down. That’s certainly the case with modern day detective Mallory Atkinson. I say modern day because she has slipped back in 150 years into the past in the Scottish Highlands. She now helps an undertaker and a detective with cases.

It’s a great premise!  Everything has to change if she’s going to stay….or go…. Speech, the attitudes, the roles and the rules of women, dressing, and so much more.

In this book Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie travel to a Highlands castle that’s surrounded by wilderness. A perfect setting for a murder, don't you think? It’s feels a bit like a Christie book. The answer for who dunit changes many times on the way to the final answer. I loved every page.

The mystery is excellent but that’s only half of it for this reader. The ‘yes, no, maybe so’ from some of the players will have you wondering. I’m always eager to see what’s going on with the players.

An easy five stars.

The Man Made of Smoke - Alex North

The cover of Alex North’s newest book - The Man Made of Smoke - promises a dark tale.

As a child, Dan witnessed a serial killer. It has stayed with him all these years. He’s now a criminal profiler. When his father dies, Dan heads back to the small island that he grew up on. He’s sure there are secrets and memories and more that he needs to uncover to finally have answers. 

There are most definitely some dark spaces in this book! Alex North has written yet another story that will have you turning on the lights after the sun goes down - and making sure the locks are on…

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Some books are better in audio format for me. This was definitely the case with The Man Made of Smoke. The narrator was Shane Zaza. He has such a rich and velvety tone to his voice. It’s low and he never has to raise it. The listener is drawn into the story. Those tones are very effective in describing the crimes and the perpetrator.

Another great listen from Alex North! And a great performance from Shane Zaza. 

Parents Weekend - A Novel by Alex Finlay

Parents Weekend is the new book from Alex Finlay. I've read and enjoyed his previous titles and I knew I was going to enjoy Parents Weekend.

Why? Well...first is the lead character - FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller. She's brilliant and is always a step ahead. I really enjoy how she finds the next steps. 

The plot is a good one - five college kids are missing - and one is already dead. And another reason to hunker down - the book is told from multiple view points - and it's hard to put the book down. And of course some are lying, leaving out pieces of their accounts and more... Piecing everything in time is Keller's goal.

Alex Finlay keeps the suspense up on every page. Parents Weekend reads like a movie. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Parents Weekend.

The Mystery of the Crooked Man - Tom Spencer

The Mystery of the Crooked Man, is from Tom Spencer.

From the publisher: "Meet Agatha Dorn, cantankerous archivist, grammar pedant, gin afficionado and murder mystery addict. When she discovers a lost manuscript by Gladden Green, the Empress of Golden Age detective fiction, Agatha's life takes an unexpected twist. She becomes an overnight sensation, basking in the limelight of literary stardom.

But Agatha's newfound fame takes a nosedive when the 'rediscovered' novel is exposed as a hoax. And when her ex-lover turns up dead, with a scrap of the manuscript by her side, Agatha suspects foul play.

Cancelled, ostracized and severely ticked off, Agatha turns detective to uncover the sinister truth that connects the murder and the fraudulent manuscript. But can she stay sober long enough to catch the murderer, or will Agatha become a whodunnit herself?"

The narrator was Claire Warrillow and she did a great job of 'playing' Agatha. Warrillow's voice has a low tone that draws the listener in. She has created the perfect voice for Agatha - distaining and conveying her haughtiness. I enjoyed her machinations, but never bonded with her. She is a great personality for an anti protagonist. And her snarky comments are darkly funny.

I also found the descriptions of finding the manuscripts and how to look after them.

I liked Spencer's work, but didn't love it. I found myself putting it up and down too many times.

Detective Aunty - Uzma Jalaluddin

I adore Uzma Jalaluddin's books! I was so excited to hear that Detective Aunty is the first book in a new series! 

Kausar Khan is still mourning her husband's death when she receives a call from her adult daughter. Sana has been arrested for murder and she needs her mother to take care of her daughters. Kausar leaves as speedy as she can. And this is the introduction to our new amateur detective. She's very clever - watching all and asking the right questions. 

And of course, her focus is her daughter - but she's also doesn't really know her granddaughters. I loved the interactions of the women in the neighborhood, the niceties, the traditions and more. And on a side note - I need to try some real chi teas.

The plot is excellent. There's a twist that surprised me - which is a good thing!

This was such a satisfying read. An excellent blending of the mystery and the personal. I will be watching for the next entry. There are a few questions that will be answered in the next book I'm sure.

My Friends: A Novel By Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite authors. I've been really excited to read his new book - My Friends.

Art and friendship are at the core of My Friends. The story starts at an art sale in current day. A painting of a pier is one of the most famous paintings in all of the world. There’s more to see on that pier - if you can. The paths of the artist that created that painting and a young woman who also wants to be an artist cross…

The past and the present are used to tell the story. There’s 25 years between then and now.

I love Backman’s characters. Three fourteen year old boys are spending the summer school holidays on the pier. It’s safer than a lot of their homes. The dialogue amongst them would sound not kind to those that don’t know them. But it’s the way they talk to each other and it’s perfect.

Flipping to the other narrative, we travel with Louisa and one of those teenagers that’s grown up now.

I couldn’t put the book down. I couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know what happened then and what’s going to happen now. I ached reading their situations, but also laughed along with them. Backman excels in creating characters that are just a step out of cadence with the rest of the world. Those that you want to save. 

The different descriptions of art were quite interesting and had me seeing things from a different perspective.

Simply brilliant.

Deep Time - Susan Sizer Bogue

Deep Time is Susan Sizer Bogue's debut novel. And isn't that a beautiful cover? 

What you'll find inside is a story "for adventurous fiction lovers. This debut novel tells the story of a young geologist working with ancient rocks who finds herself in present mortal danger when Mount St. Helens erupts with catastrophic power.

After an inspiring trip to the Grand Canyon, Lauren Brown falls in love with geology—so much so that she convinces her husband, Kenny, to follow her from Philadelphia to East Texas, where she enters a male-dominated graduate program at Texas Polytechnic. Lauren thrives on the adventure geology affords her—studying undersea volcanoes, shepherding clueless undergraduates in a remote national park, and climbing canyons in Oregon to collect rock samples—but at home, things are deteriorating. After separating from her straying husband, she becomes best friends with Chris, an honorable male colleague who helps her fend off a predatory professor.

When Mount St. Helens awakens, geologists from all over the world flock to Washington. Lauren is determined to be part of the action and witness an erupting volcano. The dream event of a lifetime is at hand. On a Saturday in May, she and Kenny, with whom she has reconciled, convene with Chris to stake out Mount St. Helens.

The first day, the mountain remains annoyingly quiet. The next day, it erupts with catastrophic power—and irreversibly upends Lauren’s life."

"SUSAN SIZER BOGUE is a lawyer-turned-writer who has published many humorous essays and written the script for the musical “The Christmas of the Phonograph Records.” This is her first novel. She lives in the Denver, Colorado, area. Find her online at susansizerbogue.com, Instagram, and Facebook"

Photo credit - Palo Alto Headshots 

A Wedding for the Home Front Girls - Susanna Bavin

A Bookworm's World is happy to be a stop on today's tour.

A Wedding For the Home Front Girls is the 4th entry in Susanna Bavin's wonderful series - The Home Front Girls.

The series is set in 1941 Manchester, during WWII.

Opening up the latest book in the series is like sitting down with old friends and getting caught up.

The setting is written so well. The danger, the loss, the moments of joy and the camaraderie. Everyone is doing their part to win the war. Women have taken on jobs that no one could have imagined. They’re stalwart and determined to play their part. Life goes despite the war. And actually, the number of weddings has increased!

The core group of characters moves and changes throughout the books, but there’s threads that tie it all together. I really enjoy this group of friends. The details of life is just as interesting. What can you substitute? What can you do without? Keep calm. And carry on.

I’m very much looking forward to the next in this series. Can’t wait to see what’s going on with the girls!

"Susanna Bavin writes stories with strong female characters, set in times when women needed determination and vision to make their mark. She has written 4 standalone sagas and a WW2 trilogy, The Home Front Girls. She also writes as Polly Heron (The Surplus Girls 1920s saga series) and Maisie Thomas (The Railway Girls WW2 saga series, and The Wartime Hotel WW2 saga series).Susanna Bavin writes stories with strong female characters, set in times when women needed determination and vision to make their mark. She has written 4 standalone sagas and a WW2 trilogy, The Home Front Girls. She also writes as Polly Heron (The Surplus Girls 1920s saga series) and Maisie Thomas (The Railway Girls WW2 saga series, and The Wartime Hotel WW2 saga series)."

Check out what other readers have to say!

Murder at Gulls Nest: A Novel By Jess Kidd

I've enjoyed Jess Kidd's previous books and knew I was in for a treat with this latest - Murder at Gulls Nest.

The story is set in 1954 in a hotel called  the Gulls Nest, on the seaside.

Our protagonist is Nora. She has left behind her life as a nun. Why? Well, she has not heard from Frieda, her friend and pen pal, for a long time. Nora is determined to find where she has gone. This was a novel idea I thought. I wondered how she would fare in her search, after being behind cloistered walls for so many years. 

The setting gives Nora a place to start, as many of the residents are long term. There's a mixed bunch, and she decides to hold back her own life story. Except that Inspector Rideout, the local constabulary, has already sussed that out. I like the banter between them. 

It is so much fun as a reader to try and solve the case before the last pages are turned. I didn't- which was great! Kidd has given us a wonderful cosy mystery - all the bits are there - with a little more. I am looking forward to the second book in this new series.

I've often said that some stories are better for me when I listen them. That was the case for me with Murder at Gulls Nest. The narrator was Siobhan McSweeney. She has a wonderful voice and easily captures the tone and tenor of Kidd's plot. She provides believable voices for all the characters. She is easy to understand, but was a bit too quick for me. I just turned the play speed down to 9.0 and things were great. Hear for yourselves - listen to an audio excerpt. 

Serial Killer - Kate Posey - Spotlight

It's time to start creating your summer reading list! Here's one that sounds intriguing...  Serial Killer by Kate Posey  Just released!

What's it about? From Berkely Books:

"What would you do if you thought your coworker was getting away with murder—literally?

Dolores dela Cruz has been dying to spot one in the wild, and he fits the mold perfectly: strangler gloves, calculated charm, dashing good looks that give a leg up in any field . . . including fields of unmarked graves.

The new office temp is definitely a serial killer.

Jake Ripper finds a welcome distraction in his combative and enigmatic new coworker. He hasn’t come across anyone as interesting as Dolores in a long time. But when mere curiosity evolves into a darkly romantic flirtation, Jake can’t help but wonder if, finally, he’s found someone who really sees him, skeletons in the closet and all.

Until Dolores asks Jake’s help to dispose of a body . . .

A morbidly funny and emotionally resonant novel about the ways life—and love—can sneak up on us (no matter how much pepper spray we carry)."

Author Bio: Kate Posey is an up-and-coming voice in contemporary suspense and romance, known for her ability to balance tension and humor in delightfully twisted ways. Her background in film writing and a love for darkly funny characters has shaped her unique storytelling style.

The Staircase in the Woods - Chuck Wendig

The Staircase in the Woods is Chuck Wendig's new novel.

Have any of you heard about stairs in forests? Stairs that aren’t meant to be there? I have read some, but I went digging a little bit further this time. And then I opened Wendig’s book. Take a second to just stop and have a look at the cover….

Five high school kids go to party out in the forest. 5 went in and four came out. One minute he was there and next he was gone….. and so were the stairs. They’re adults now and reluctantly gather for this 20th anniversary of his disappearance - back where it started. In the forest…

The five personalities are quite different from each other. Wendig has done a great job creating each of them. He portrays the good, the bad and the ugly of each one of them. Wendig’s imagining of what’s behind the door is downright scary. Very.

Summary? Lean on Me meets Stranger Things. See for yourself. Read an excerpt of The Staircase in the Woods.

Heartwood - Amity Gaige

Heartwood is Amity Gaige's new novel.

I love to peruse a book’s cover before I open it up and start reading. The cover for Heartwood was wonderful. The woman and the forestry intertwined. And it’s a harbinger of what we’ll find inside.

Valerie is hiking solo when she realizes she’s off the track. And despite her knowledge, she’s made things worse. Beverly is the State Game Warden at the heart of the search. And then there’s Lena, a senior in a retirement community. She is searching as well - but from her computer. I think Beverly intrigued me the most.She has fought to have her place.

I loved the descriptions of the forests, the plants, the trees, and the beauty of it. But on the flip side, it’s just as dangerous as it is beautiful.

The book’s narrative rotates through the three women. We’re privy to their memories, the triumphs, their losses, and what they see in their futures. Maybe. Gaige keeps the suspense high alongside.

 I find some stories better for me in an audio format. That is true with Heartwood. I appreciate the five narrators. Each have created a voice that matches their character. It makes it quite easy to know who is speaking. Everyone spoke clearly and was easy on the ears. All have captured and presented the author's work with their reading. Kudos to all.

Fair Play - Louise Hegarty

The cover of Louise Hagerty‘s debut novel, Fair Play, definitely caught my eye with the large letters and bright colours. I always think ‘cosy read when I see a manor on the cover.

And I wasn’t far off. Part one introduces us to a group of friends getting ready to celebrate a birthday and Happy New Year’s with food and drink. A murder mystery game is on the menu as well. We easily and quickly get a handle on who’s who and the relationships amongst them. You can it see it right? Yes indeed, one of them is…

Part two threw me and I loved it! There’s a number of documents detailing what should and shouldn’t be in a mystery book. I’m going to let you discover those - they were fun to read. But getting back to the crime…. A very well known detective is brought in to see if he can find the answer to who and why. I loved the style of this part. I’ll let you find out if the detective solves the crime.

And part three is completely different and I wondered why it was written this way. And what was actually written. I had to go back and read that part again and I think I’ve got it. Very unexpected and very clever. 

Count My Lies - Sophia Stava

Oh my gosh, I could not stop listening to this book!!

The author is Sophia Stava and her debut book is Count My Lies.

Sloan Caraway lies. To herself, to her friends, to her customers, to strangers and to herself. She is the focus of the first part of the book. She’s wonderfully drawn. A little bit of me felt sorry for her in the beginning. But she’s so manipulative. A chance encounter in the park gives her a little wedge to worm her way into the Lockhart family.

Violet Lockhart opens the door even wider. I wanted to shake her and shout that this woman is lying to you. But, I don’t want to spoil this book for you, so I’m going to leave things right there. But, there’s a third part as well…

You might think that some of the situations are far-fetched. And one or two might be, but just go with the flow. I really appreciated and enjoyed Stave's plotting. A strong debut and I would pick up Stava's next book.

I've said it many times - some books are better for me in an audio book format. This was true with Count my Lies. There were three narrators - Andrew Eiden, Devon Sorvari and Emily Tremaine. They all did a great job in creating a voice that matched their character. They were believable. All spoke clearly and enunciated well. They captured the tone of Stava's work. And I felt like I was listening at the door... Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt.

The Murder Show - Matt Goldman

The Murder Show is Matt Goldman's new novel

Our lead character is Ethan Harris. Ethan has run a TV crime fiction program for three successful years. But the higher ups have rejected the fourth year case he’s chosen. He’s going to have to come up with something really good to change their minds.  And he thinks he has - there’s an unsolved mystery in his own town. It’s an old one, but it has a personal connection. The victim was one of Harris‘s best friends in high school.

I must say, I really enjoy cold cases. They are more difficult to solve and different methods have to be used. There’s another layer to The Murder Show. Ethan has to face what he did in the past, and if he can redeem himself in present day. Both layers pace the book.

I chose to listen to The Murder Show. The reader was Dan Bittner and he did a great job. Bittner was perfect for this character. He’s got a bit of smooth operator in his voice. He was very easy on the ears. He enunciate well and the pace of reading was right on. He has created and used voices that bring the characters to life. He doesn’t simply read, he performs. A new author for me to follow and a new narrator to follow as well. Well done.

This is Not a Game - Kelly Mullen

Kelly Mullen is a successful executive producer. She's adding 'author' to her accomplishments, with her debut novel - This is Not a Game.

The first few chapters are very busy. We meet our protagonists -Mimi and Addie. Mimi is Addie’s grandma. No matter their age, they are both keen amateur sleuths. I really enjoyed their relationship, their dialogue and their methods. Addie’s background in video games is unusual, but it really works for this plot.

A stormy night on an island manor, the electric is out… and there’s a body. This is most definitely a locked room mystery. The manor had lots of rooms that have to be found to see them. Secret rooms are one of my favorite finds. 

There’s a myriad of supporting characters. One brings that last needed part of a cosy read…..two dachshunds please. There are lots of connections between the guests. Some freely answer questions but others outright lie. Mullen has done a job with parceling out clues. Truthfully? I never guessed who it was until the reveal.

This is a wonderful debut. Read an excerpt of This is Not a Game. I wonder if we’re going to see more of Mimi and Abbie?

Death in an English Village - Fliss Chester - Book Tour!

I only 'met' Cressida Fawcett in the previous book (6), from author Fliss Chester. I really enjoyed Cressida as the main character, as well as the supporting cast, the plotting, the settings and dialogue. All of it!

I settled in with a pot of tea, a coverlet, and my pup, read to turn the first pages of the new seventh entry - Death in an English Village. Cosys always make me feel like I am catching up with old friends!

Cressida heads home for a visitor with her parents. And that's where she finds the body...

Although she is part of the upper crust, Cressida is keen on helping the local constabulary find out who the culprit is. This isn't the first time she's helped them. She's smart, curious, and determined. I liked puzzling over the clues with her.The customs, mindsets, expectations and rules of the time period, 1926, are part of the setting - and the plot. There were a number of choices for the 'whodunit'. Chester gives us that and some red herrings on the way.

Cosy mysteries are my 'get away from it all, escapist' reads. Death in an English Village was just that!

"Fliss Chester lives in Surrey with her husband and writes historical cozy crime. When she is not killing people off in her 1940s whodunnits, she helps her husband, who is a wine merchant, run their business. Never far from a decent glass of something, Fliss also loves cooking (and writing up her favourite recipes on her blog), enjoying the beautiful Surrey and West Sussex countryside and having a good natter."

You can find Fliss on Instagram at https://flisschester.co.uk/

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Fliss Chester at https://www.bookouture.com/fliss-chester.

Check out what other bloggers thought of

 Death in an English Villager.

Witness 8 - Steve Cavanagh

If you like suspense/thriller fiction - you need to pick up Witness 8 from Steve Cavanagh.

“Something is wrong with Ruby Johnson.” I’m going to let you find out what’s wrong with Ruby. She’s the catalyst for what happens next…

And next brings in an absolutely fabulous group of characters. Driving things is Eddie Flynn - a con man who passed the bar. Supporting characters includes Kate, his partner, Harry, a retired judge, a private detective, an assassin, and many more. And the other side has just as many questionable employees.

Do you read ‘heist’ books, or movies? I do. I love the twists, turns and hoodwinking. That’s the same feeling I got in the first couple of chapters of Witness 8. I couldn't put it down. Cavanagh's plotting is so darn good. He juggles a number of threads and I was so happy that I couldn't predict how things would end. And there's a door that's been ajar...

I'll be hunting down more great reads from Steve Cavanagh. An easy 5 stars!

The Maid's Secret - Nita Prose

Have you read any of the 'Maid' books from author Nita Prose? The latest is The Maid's Secret, releasing April 08/25. And it's one I can't recommend enough.

And it's probably my favourite. Why? Molly is such a wonderful character. She works at the upscale Regency Grand Hotel as a maid. "Every day of work is a joy to me." 

Now, the other thing you need to know about Molly is that she struggles with social skills and often can't read the nuances of interactions - facial and conversational. Her beloved Gran, now deceased, left her with routines and rules to help navigate a world that Molly doesn't fully 'get'. And it has helped - Molly has made friends, has a job with more authority and last but not least - a man she loves.

Throughout the previous books there have been hints as to Gram's past. In The Maid's Secret, those revelations finally see light. Gram has left Molly the answers she's been looking for. At the same time, there a mystery to solve. And a connection that is surprising. Prose weaves all of this together in a way I couldn't have imagined. I stayed up late - I just had to know what the last pages would bring. A satisfying ending and this "...the final thrilling instalment in Nita Prose's bestselling Molly the maid series." But I'm sure Nita Prose has many more stories to tell.

The Other People - C.B. Everett

I always check out the cover of a book before starting to read. I liked what I saw on C.B.'s Everett's new book - The Other People.

Nine adults and a child in a big old house.....

"Ten strangers. An old dark house. A killer picking them off one by one. And a missing girl who’s running out of time…And then there was one."

I liked the Christie reference in the beginning of the book, but it didn't last long. That warm cozy tone of Christie is gone.

The unknowing is frightening for the ten. Tempers flare as they go exploring the house. But, the house is never the same for any of them. I didn't like any  of them all - except for the child. The behavior of the nine didn't make sense to me - they wandered around eating, getting a good nap in and more. I was frustrated with their lackadaisical efforts. Oh, and don't go down to the basement. A 'beast' lives there.

The final revelation is certainly one I could one never have predicted. And it changed what I had thought. But sadly, it came too late for this listener. Clever though.

The narrators were Kaffe Keating and Heather Long. The did a good job of creating voices for the numerous players. I'm sure that they both would have read the book before beginning to record. It would them a chance to understand the plot and the trip to that huge twist at the end of the book. The pair did a really good job of presenting the book. They spoke clearly. Keating read for the 'beast' in the basement and his was notably funny at times! Listen to an audio excerpt.

The Other People - C. B. Everett

I always check out the cover of a book before starting to read. I liked what I saw on C.B.'s Everett's new book - The Other People.

Nine adults and a child in a big old house.....

"Ten strangers. An old dark house. A killer picking them off one by one. And a missing girl who’s running out of time…And then there was one."

I liked the Christie reference in the beginning of the book, but it didn't last long. The Other People has a darker feel - no cozy here!

The unknowing is frightening for the ten. Tempers flare as they go exploring the house. But, the house is never the same for any of them.

I disliked all of the characters - except for the child. The behavior of the nine doesn't make sense - they wander around eating, getting a good nap in and more. Not quite the reactions I would have expected. Oh, and don't go down to the basement. 

The final revelation is certainly one I could one never have predicted. And it changed what I had thought. Very clever, but sadly it came too late for this reader. Read an excerpt here. 

Nobody's Fool - Harlan Coben

Did you get a chance to read Fool Me Once - the last book from Harlan Coben? It introduced us to Sami Kierce. He’s a great lead character and he’s back in Nobody’s Fool!

This latest focuses on a piece of Sami’s past. This is what Harlan Coben does so well - he takes a seemingly impossible event and drops the lead right into it all. And it takes the reader along for the journey. I always get lost in his tales. His storytelling is so good!

There’s a great lineup of supporting characters as well. I like the way Sami thinks. I enjoy the snappy dialogue. With all of these players you just know that someone is lying. The one place that Sami doesn’t lie is at home - to his wife Molly. I really liked her. 

The plotting is just so good. I hated turning the last page but then I saw it. I have my fingers crossed that there’s another Sami on the way!

The Unlucky Ones - Hannah Morrissey

Hannah Morrissey's latest book is The Unlucky Ones - the fourth entry in her Black Harbor series. 

We met Hazel in the first book. She was a night transcriber for the police department in Black Harbor. She fled from  everything - her lover, her husband, her job, the crime and the pull of the dark water at the bridge. Eight years have passed and Hazel needs answers. But she doesn't know what the questions are. There are a number of characters from book one returning in this latest. 

The setting is dark and dangerous. Menacing and gritty. Morrissey has done a wonderful job bringing it to life. Grit lit.

Just as good is the plotting. It could have been ripped from the crime section of the newspaper. But Morrissey puts her own stamp on things. I had no idea what would happen next.

I really, really hope we see Hazel again. And if that's not in the cards - Black Harbor again. A five star listen for me.

The audio version of The Unlucky Ones was performed by Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira. They both created excellent voices that were easily discernable. Moreira's voice has growly tones the fits the character. Dawe's voice is velvety and low, driving the listener to pay attention. Both are easy to understand. They bring the emotions and the action of the plot to life. An excellent presentation of an excellent book.     Run time 9 hours and 39 minutes.

The Unlucky Ones - Hannah Morrissey

The Unlucky Ones is Hannah Morrissey's new book and the fourth entry in her Black Harbor series.

 

We met Hazel in the first book. She was a night transcriber for the police department in Black Harbor. She fled from  everything - her lover, her husband, her job, the crime and the pull of the dark water at the bridge. Eight years have passed and Hazel needs answers. But she doesn't know what the questions are. There are a number of characters from book one returning in this latest. 

The setting is dark and dangerous. Menacing and gritty. Morrissey has done a wonderful job bringing it to life. Grit lit.

Just as good is the plotting. It could have been ripped from the crime section of the newspaper. But Morrissey puts her own stamp on things. I had no idea what would happen next. I couldn't put the book down.

I really, really hope we see Hazel again. And if that's not in the cards - Black Harbor again. A five star read for me.

The Last Trip - Kiersten Modglin

The Last Trip is new from Kiersten Modglin

Sadie is very pregnant when she and boyfriend Cal decide to have one last weekend away, before they are parents. But, things don't go quite like Sadie had imagined. And the house owners....and the visitor..... (I had more than one shiver.)

Modglin builds on those first chapters with more odd incidents and happenings from Sadie's point of view. Cal has a voice as well. The rest of the book is told from She and Him and the time frame jumps from now and then. At first I couldn't understand why the characters didn't have their names on their chapters. You'll see. There's are so many twists and turns in this book - right down to the last page. I love a good twisty tale and Modglin definitely gives us that.

I chose to listen to The Last Trip. The narrators were Abigail Reno and Jay Myers. They both did great jobs of presenting Modglin's work. Each used voices that matched their character's. Reno's voice has a low gravelly tone that is perfect. Myers' voice for Cal is great - he's the perfect partner and his voice reflects that. There's a great plot in this novel and they both embrace it; their voices change with the action and emotions. They are clear speakers and are easy to understand. Great performance.

Run time is 5.0 hours.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave - Elle Cosimano

Elle Cosimano has just released Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. This is the fifth entry in this wonderfully fun series.

Finlay is the lead character and you can’t help but like her. She’s an author, a mom and somehow - a reluctant investigator. Finlay and her nanny/sidekick Vero aren’t interested in investigating another case. But, it’s right across the street they live on. Add in two small kids, a young computer whiz, an ex-husband and a hunky policeman to the mix. And let’s not forget the grumpy old woman across the street.

Well, while there are bodies popping up in every book, it’s funny with ridiculous situations that will have you laughing out loud. I hope that Cosimana has more plans for Finlay! The plot was a good one and there's some truth in it.

If you have enjoyed Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, you will love this series. Evanovich herself has provided a blurb on the front cover! 

I chose to read this book. Angela Dawe was the reader again - which is a really good thing. The continuity is appreciated. She has created believable voices for each and every character. And I have vivid mental pictures of each player based on those voices. She captures the actions, the emotions, the danger and more, with her inflections, tones, speed etc. She speaks clearly and is easy to understand. An excellent presentation of a wonderful book!

10 Hours, 18 Minutes

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave - Elle Cosimano

Elle Cosimano has just released Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. This is the fifth entry in this wonderfully fun series.

Finlay is the lead character and you can’t help but like her. She’s an author, a mom and somehow - a reluctant investigator. Finlay and her nanny/sidekick Vero aren’t interested in investigating another case. But, it’s right across the street they live on. Add in two small kids, a young computer whiz, an ex-husband and a hunky policeman to the mix. And let’s not forget the grumpy old woman across the street.

Well, while there are bodies popping up in every book, it’s funny with ridiculous situations that will have you laughing out loud. I hope that Cosimana has more plans for Finlay! The plot was a good one and there's some truth in it.

If you have enjoyed Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, you will love this series. Evanovich herself has provided a blurb on the front cover! 

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne - Emily Critchley

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is Emily Critchley's new novel.

I always look at the cover of a book before I turn the first pages. I really liked this cover, it has a distinct Gothic feel to it. The images and the colours and tones used beckoned to me.

The first part is set in 1938. Gillian Larking attends a girl's boarding school in England. Gillian is quite lonely and unhappy at the school. She’s unsure when the new girl, Violet Claybourne, is to be her roommate. Violet is a bit different, but the two end up quite happy together. Gillian is thrilled to be asked to spend the Christmas holidays with Violet's family. She can’t wait to meet her mother, father and two sisters.

And this is where the good stuff starts. A crumbling manor, an atmosphere that is confusing, and a family that’s not as Gillian had imagined. Still though, she’d be very happy to be part of the family.

Emily Greeley does a fantastic job with what came next. Her plotting is excellent! Lots of twists and turns. And her characters? Oh my gosh, I can’t even….! And just when I thought we were finished we’re brought into current day and that was such a surprise turn as well! Kudos to you Emily Critchley!

This is my first read of Emily Critchley, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Murder at the Loch - Dee MacDonald - Blog tour!

Murder at the Loch is the newly released and second entry in Dee MacDonald's "Ally McKinley Mystery series". I have read the first book (Murder in the Scottish Highlands) and really enjoyed it. 

Dee MacDonald gives us a a wonderful lead character with Ally.  She’s recently retired, but she’s full of vim and vigor. She moved herself to a small village in the Scottish Highlands, took a chance and turned a historical building into a cosy B&B. She’s made friends, has customers, got a dog and met the local veterinarian - who is just about her age. Oh, and did I mention that there’s a large castle and an Earl?

Abby is by nature curious, and that has served her well since she arrived at the village of Locharran! The supporting players are mix of personalities and bring much to the stories.

The setting is ready and the main character is ready. What else do we need? A great mystery is the answer to that question - and we have a great one from MacDonald. Almost every resident is a suspect. I enjoyed Abby‘s investigation, throwing in my two cents. I guessed the whodunit in the last chapters and the journey there was really great! This was a perfect curl up for a rainy reading day. I'll be looking for the next book!

Aged 18, Dee arrived in London from Scotland and typed her way round the West End for a couple of years before joining BOAC (forerunner of British Airways) in Passenger Services for 2 years and then as a stewardess for 8 years. She has worked in Market Research, Sales and at the Thames TV Studios when they had the franchise.

Dee has since relocated to Cornwall, where she spent 10 years running B&Bs, and only began writing when she was over 70! Married twice, she has one son and two grandsons. 

You can connect with Dee on Facebook and on Twitter. Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Dee MacDonald here. And ... see what other readers thought about Murder at the Loch!

  

The Lost and the Found - Kevin Fagan

I usually read fiction, but I've found myself becoming more and more interested in non fiction. What is happening, changing, challenging and so much more. What can we do? What is needed?

Kevin Fagan has been boots down for the last twenty plus years, covering homelessness and all that comes with that. He has spent extensive time on the street as a reporter and himself as a young man.

The subtitle says it all - "A True Story of Homelessness, Found Family and Second Chances". We meet Rita and Tyson and are privy to the life stories of these two unhoused people. And yes, drugs do seem to be inexorably tied to being homeless.

Does anyone get out of that life? You'll have to read or listen to the book to find that answer. And all the questions, ideas and strategies that arise with this narrative. See the person. 

Fagan's writing is excellent. I chose to listen to The Lost and the Found. The narrator was Sean Patrick Hopkins and he did a fantastic job of presenting Fagan's work. His voice is easy on the ears and he speaks clearly. His voice moves with the narrative and he captures the tone of the book as it unfold. Hear for yourself - listen to a excerpt of the Lost and the Found.   7.5 hours

Famous Last Words - Gillian McAllister

Gillian McAllister's new book is "Famous Last Words".

I always take a good look at the cover of a book before I start to read or listen. The words here lean to the right and feel rushed. Maybe an on the run tale? When you’re turning the last few pages, you’ll see how clever that title is.

Camilla’s maternity leave is up and she’s heading back for work today. She’s more than a little upset that her husband has gone off to work without saying goodbye or have a great first day. Or anything. But when she walks through to her office, the police are there to take her to a building where…her husband has taken three people hostage. Camilla doesn’t know what to say or do. Her husband couldn’t do something like this…Or could he?

This was such a great opener, I was so curious! There’s a great twist right after this introduction. The narrative moves from past and present. We’re privy to Camilla‘s thoughts and another character who was at the kidnapping. Love, hope and grief are explored with a keen eye. Very believable and well written. But for me, that slowed down the initial movement and action I had thought this book and plot would be using. But, I was still curious and needed to know what would happen in the end. This is most definite a character driven tale. 

I chose to listen to Famous Last Words. The narrator was Emilia Fox and she did a great job with interpreting and presenting McAllister's work. Her voice is low with a undertone of velvet that's pleasant to listen to. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. She has captured the emotions of the characters with her voice. A good performance.

Something in the Walls - Daisy Pearce

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Daisy Pearce's new book is Something in  the Walls.

You might be wondering why I included such a large picture of the cover. Well, I wanted to make sure that you could see what’s behind the lath. Did you see the eye? Creepy!

Mina is a newly graduated child psychologist. What she needs to finish her degree, is hours. She thinks she’s found the perfect situation. She gets her hours, the family will benefit from it and Sam, a journalist, will get a great story. They head for a remote village in Britain. Mina will be staying with the family.

Alice is a 13 girl who believes she’s being haunted by a witch. And it doesn’t take Mina long to realize things aren’t as they should be. Oh my gosh, the characters gave me the shivers more than once. The villagers all seem to  believe the same thing. 

Pearce’s prose are just fantastic. She slowly and carefully builds a tale that is hard put down. And just wait for the final chapter…

I chose to listen to Something in the Walls. The narrator was Ana Clements and she did a fantastic job. She provided voices for each character and I built mental images of them using those. She enunciated well and is easy to understand. Her presentation of Pierce’s work was so good, using her voice quiet, loud, menacing, fearful and so much more. And for me, one that I didn’t want to be listening to at night with my creaky floors. You never know...

The publisher compares Something in the Walls to The Haunting of Hill House. I agree.

The Quiet Librarian - Allen Eskens

Allen Eskens is hands down one of my favourite authors. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of his latest - The Quiet Librarian.

Hana works as a librarian and she keeps to herself. She dresses to hide, always with a sweater. When a police detective shows up and asks to speak to her, she knows that her past has finally caught up with the here and now. Someone knows who she is and what she's done.

Eskens interviewed survivors of the Bosnian War of 1990 who came to Minnesota as refugees. Their stories are woven into Eskens' fictional characters as well as time and place. 

Eskens excels at storytelling. The concept, the setting, the history and ... Hana. The mystery was so well drawn - I was truly on the edge of my chair. The book is told in now and then chapters, guaranteed to keep up for 'just another' chapter. And no word of a lie, I had to put the book down many times as the danger overwhelmed me. I wanted a certain ending for Hana. Did I get one? You'll have to find out yourself. A brilliant read! 

Cold as Hell -Kelley Armstrong

I aways get excited when I see that Kelley Armstrong has a new book out. Especially when it's a Haven's Rock novel! The third entry, Cold as Hell, has just arrived. And I feel like I’m settling down with old friends. What’s happening?!

Haven’s Rock is a hidden village up in the Yukon, for those who don’t want to live in a regular town…or can’t. 

 Armstrong has given her lead characters rich personal lives that are always moving forward. I am just as curious about their personal lives as I am in the newest mystery. Detective Casey and her husband Sheriff Dalton are the law in Haven's Rock. 

The book is told from Casey’s point of view. The reader is privy to her thoughts and investigative skills. There's been a horrific murder and it looks to be one of the residents that is the culprit. But who? Armstrong's mysteries are not easy to solve. And a blizzard is not going to make things any easier.

I find that some stories are even better in a audio format. That's the case for this title for me. The narrator was Thérèse Plummer and she did a great job. The voice matched the mental image I'd created for Casey. She has an interesting undertone to her voice that works. She's pleasant on the ears and enunciates well. Voices have been created for other characters including males that are believable and recognizable.  Plummer captured and presented the story very well!

10 hours and 6 minutes

Cold as Hell - Kelley Armstrong

I aways get excited when I see that Kelley Armstrong has a new book out. Especially when it's a Haven's Rock novel! The third entry, Cold as Hell, has just arrived. And I feel like I’m settling down with old friends. What’s happening?!

Haven’s Rock is a hidden village up in the Yukon, for those who don’t want to live in a regular town…or can’t. There's been a horrific murder and it looks to be one of the residents that is the culprit. But who?

Armstrong has given her lead characters rich personal lives that always moving forward.  I am just as curious about their personal lives as I am in regards to the newest mystery. Detective Casey and her husband Sheriff Dalton are the law in Haven's Rock. 

The book is told from Casey’s point of view. I really like her voice and especially her investigative skills. The reader is privy to her thoughts. Armstrong's mysteries are not easy to solve. And a blizzard is not going to make things any easier.

Another excellent read from Kelley Armstrong. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Cold as Hell.

PS. I would start with the previous series, the Rockton books with the first one - City of the Lost. 

Whiteout - R. S. Burnett

Whiteout is new from author R. S. Burnett and Spotify.

I'm often disappointed when a book is labeled as a thriller or suspense title and it misses the mark. But...I'm happy to say that Burnett's book is not one of those! Instead he had me staying up late listening for 'just one more' chapter.

Glaciologist Rachael is one of the last researchers left in the station in  Antarctica. A radio message delivers unbelievable news... and... I'm going to let you discover what's next.

Rachel is a great lead character - she's clever, dogged and strong, mentally and physically. But the odds are against her - alone with dwindling resources.

Burnett does a great job with the setting. Nothing but snow, the unbelievable cold and the wrath of mother nature. 

There's a number of 'Oh I didn't see that coming' that changes the storyline many times.

I chose to listen to Whiteout. I've said it before but I'll say it again. I find that I much myself more immersed in a tale. Thea was definitely the course with Whiteout. The narrator was award winning  Billie Fulford Brown. She is a amazing reader! She speaks clearly and is easy to understand. She captures the fear, the anger and determination of Rachel. And what else follows. An excellent presentation and a great book.

And as the publisher says "perfect for fans of The Martian. I agree.