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.

The Perfect Home - Daniel Kenitz

The Perfect Home is Daniel Kenitz's newly released novel.

Okay, hands up if you've ever got lost in the 'house' channels. You know, flipping, restoring, decorating and so much more. (I have!)

The Perfect Home is one of those shows. Married couple Wyatt and  Dawn Decker are the perfect hosts. Their show is doing well, but how can they make it better? Wyatt has some suggestions....

And I'm going to leave things there for you to discover what's next. I have to admit it's a darker plot I had imagined. And, that was a good thing.

Kitzen allows each lead to tell their take on what is happening. The narrative switches back and forth between husband and wife. This style of story telling always keeps me reading 'just one more chapter'. There were some really tense sections that I hadn't imagined when I started the book. The author did a great job of keeping the tension and action rising to the final pages. I wonder about the behind the scenes - I'm sure they're not too far from reality. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Perfect Home.

The Examiner - Janice Hallett

Janice Hallett is a brilliant writer! I was so excited about her latest book - The Examiner. I just knew it would be another fantastic read. (It was!)

A group of six artists comprises the inaugural group of students hoping for a masters in art degree. They're a very mixed bunch but all are eager to take the course. And their professor is thankful for having the funding to run the program. But...

Oh, there's a fabulous but! Each one has their own agenda - and that's the fun of this book. Can you suss out what everyone is up to?

 Hallett reprises the epistolary style of writing that I adore. The book is told through emails, coursework, texts, message boards, essays and their inner dialogue. The reader is the quiet seventh student, hearing everything that is going on and and trying to put the pieces together.

Good luck with that! 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'. 

Fantastic! A very easy five stars. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Examiner..

The Return of Ellie Black - Emiko Jean

The Return of Ellie Black is Emiko Jean's newest novel. 

The opening prologue is one that is sure to capture your attention. Ellie Black went missing two years ago. And in all of that time, the police haven't made any progress. Until...Ellie walks out of the forest. Detective Chelsey Calhoun is on the case. But...

Oh, I knew this was going to be a great listen! I needed to know where Ellie had been for two years. Was it voluntary? Was she taken? And so much more. 

 

Jean gives the listener partial answers to these and other questions by telling the story in a then and now format - one I always enjoy! Jean does a great job exploring the aftermath of such a event through friends, family and the police.

And - my favorite - twists and turns. Well done Emiko Jean - I was surprised! I'm not 100% on that last big twist, but I appreciate it. 

I chose to listen to The Return of Ellie Block. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I often feel more immersed in a story when I listen to a book. The decision to go with a cast (9) of narrators for this title was perfect. (A number of my favorites were on the list.) There's no guessing as to what characters are speaking. Each voice was perfect for the character they were portraying. I was able to match them with the mental images I had created. All spoke clearly and enunciated well. Each reader did a great job. The audio really brings the plot to life.  Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Return of Ellie Black..

(Gentle listeners, there are some triggers in the Return of Ellie Black.)

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder - C. L. Miller

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder is C.L. Miller's wonderful debut novel.

The cover immediately caught my eye. It promised a great read - and it delivered. I've become addicted to cozy murder tales lately. 

I liked that Miller introduced the book herself. I'm always curious about how a plot is devised. Miller has lots of background herself in the antique world and that adds a great deal to the book.

What is the plot you ask? From the publisher "...a former antique hunter investigates a suspicious death at an isolated English manor, embroiling her back in the dangerous world of tracking stolen artifacts." 

Ahh, an isolated manor in England? Perfect setting of course. A wealth of characters to choose from for the 'culprit'. Check. (And I admit, I had picked wrongly for final reveal! Freya is a lead character you'll quite like. Her personal life is tied to the past - will she take her life back? Her Aunt Carole is a great choice for the supporting role. Her acting skills and personality are fun. 

The premise is a good one, the setting is perfect for this tale, it's a wonderful debut and I would be quite happy to see Freya again! Or another book from Miller.

See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder.

The Christmas Appeal - Janice Hallett

The Fairway Players theater group returns! I absolutely adored Janice Hallett's mystery, The Appeal. I was thrilled to discover that Hallett has written a Christmas novella, again starring the myriad members of the troupe. 

The Christmas Appeal is written in one of my favorite storytelling methods - epistolary. The entire novella is told only through emails, messages, police reports and more, just as The Appeal was. There's a large group of players, but it's easy to keep track of who's who. There's also a handy list at the beginning of the book. 

The group is constantly bickering amongst themselves. The battle for leadership has spanned many years. The level of 'snark' is off the charts and me laughing out loud more than once - and that's hard to do! Things go wrong more than once, but the 'can do' attitude is the group's motto. Each and every characters has a chance to 'speak'. And yes, I had my favorites (looking at you Sarah-Jane). It was easy to imagine being in the midst of the group.

Is there a crime? Of course there is, but I'll let you discover what it is. Clues are dropped all the way to opening night and are slowly revealed from differing viewpoints. Two law students and a retired lawyer are going through all of those missives, also looking for the final answer! I felt like I was in an Agatha Christie novel, trying to ferret out the damning piece of evidence, ready to point my finger with a satisfied ah ha! Well, point I did, but at almost every character along the way. 

Hallett is such a clever, clever writer! Her writing is addictive and so very entertaining. Perfect as a stocking stuffer for yourself  and/or a friend! 

AND Janice Hallett's new novel - The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels - releases on January 24, 2024. I can't wait!!

Murder By Degrees - Ritu Mukerji

Murder By Degrees is Ritu Mukerji's debut novel.

I was immediately intrigued by the publisher's description."

For fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Charles Todd, Murder by Degrees is a historical mystery set in 19th-century Philadelphia, following a pioneering woman doctor as she investigates the disappearance of a young patient who is presumed dead."

Dr. Lydia Weston is an ideal protagonist - intelligent, tenacious, determined and no stranger to the derision heaped on her by ignorant naysayers. Not surprisingly they're mostly men. I liked her from the get-go. She adroitly makes her way, teaching other women and practicing in a women's hospital. I admit I was somewhat surprised at the depth of knowledge of the human body and procedures at this time in history.

The supporting cast is a mixed bunch - those who are supporting and others who would like to see her fail. And....many who could be the answer to the whodunit. 

I quite enjoy period mysteries for the skills that must be employed in an investigation - using interviews, intuition, seeing the connections and evidence and more rather than immediate answers from computers etc. It makes for a more personal read. Mukerji has done that and given us a multi layered crime to solve.

Murder By Degrees benefits from Mukerji's love of mysteries and her knowledge, as she is a practicing doctor.

Murder By Degrees is a really good debut and I'm hoping that its the first in a series. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Murder By Degrees.

Strange Sally Diamond - Liz Nugent

Okay, the combination of the title and cover made Liz Nugent's new novel, Strange Sally Diamond, a must read for me. 

The unsettling prologue sealed the deal. I was hooked, binge reading 'til late at night. 

Sally Diamond is decidedly different. Her background harbors many secrets and events that account for her actions, thoughts, demeanor and more. 

The 'why' and 'how' of this is slowly and deliciously eked out by Nugent over the course of the book. One answer brings yet another question. I thought Nugent manipulated the reader wonderfully. There are surprises and twists throughout the book.

I loved Sally's straightforward manner and was firmly behind her as she navigates the path to owning her life. And sad for what has come before. Nugent populates her supporting cast with a wide variety of temperaments. They play a large part of the plot. Some good, some bad. 

Nugent's plotting is dark and unsettling. It's also very hard to put it down! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Strange Sally Diamond.

Gentle readers, there are many triggers, and this may not be a book for you.

What the Dead Know - Barbara Butcher

Barbara Butcher's memoir, What the Dead Know - Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator, was an absolutely amazing read. 

I read a number of fictional forensic series and enjoy the details and clues of determining the causes of death. But, Butcher is the real deal - she was the second woman ever hired for the role of Death Investigator in Manhattan - and the first to last more than three months.

I was fascinated by this inside look behind the curtain. Butcher recounts a number of deaths that have stuck with her over the years, for different reasons, including the 9/11 attacks. The factual bits are there - and I learned quite a bit. It's the personal part of death that stayed with me as I read, especially those who died alone. Butcher has a dark sense of humor that suits her narrative.

What makes this book a standout is Ms. Butcher herself. She shies away from nothing, exposing her own life for all to see. Addiction and mental health issues are part of her story. She's highly intelligent, driven and successful, working additionally as a speaker, professor, consultant and providing detail for mystery writers.

I literally I could not put the book down. Honestly, one of the best memoirs I've ever read. See for yourself - read an excerpt of What the Dead Know.

The Secret Book of Flora Lea - Patti Callahan Henry

Oh my gosh - Patti Callahan Henry has outdone herself with her latest book - The Secret Book of Flora Lea. It's an absolutely wonderful read.

The book is told in a now and then timeline, which I really like. 

In 1940, Hazel and her younger sister Flora are shipped out of London to live with guest families under the British government's 'Pied Piper' program. To keep Flora settled, Hazel invents a tale of a magical place called Whisperwood. But the unthinkable happens and Flora goes missing. Hazel has searched and searched for Flora for years, with no luck. But when a book called Whisperwood crosses the counter at her job in 1960 she is stunned. The book is full of her stories. And....

Isn't that a great premise? I loved the magical tone of the the stories. But there's so much more to love. Hazel is easy to like and I was immediately behind her. There's a number of supporting players that are just as wonderful, such Harry and his mother. And those you want to nudge out of the story. But they too, have purpose.

Henry's settings are so well described that I could imagine living in the small village of Binsey (it is indeed a real place.) And working with Hazel in the bookstore. And of course....Whisperwood.

There's the mystery of what happened to Flora driving the narrative, but relationships are right along side - siblings, parental, friendships and love. And of course the stories...

"Not very long ago and not very far away, there once was and still is an invisible place right here with us. And if you are born knowing, you will find your way through the woodlands to the shimmering doors that lead to the land made just and exactly for you."

Magical! See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Secret Book of Flora Lea. 

Camp Zero - Michelle Min Sterling

Camp Zero is Michelle Min Sterling's debut novel. It's a unique, unsettling and addictive read that I just couldn't put down. 

It's 2050 and climate change has decimated much of the world. A group of American investors are secretly planning to build far up in the Canadian North. That's the basic premise - but there's so much more. 

The cast of characters is very different and gives us varying points of view. The investor, the architect, his foreman, the diggers, the six sex workers that were flown in, an English teacher, the 'locals' and women soldiers living in a nearby Cold War-era climate research station. I thought to myself, how in the world will all these players be tied together? They are though - in a devilishly clever plot.

Sterling examines the reasons of each player, what they want, what they need and how they're going to get it. I have to say that I found White Alice's 'whys' and 'hows' were the ones that intrigued me the most.  

There's loads of social commentary in Camp Zero. The stakes are high with the rich building enclaves for themselves, staffed by the lower classes. The blithe idea that they are entitled to the land and it's natural resources. Their own comfort and needs trumps all. Even as the planet is dying. 

Camp Zero's storyline kept me eagerly turning pages as the action and danger is ramped up on the way to the final pages. The ending was not what I had hoped for - but seems to fit the narrative better. 

Camp Zero checked a lot of boxes for this reader - a believable dystopian setting (loved the abandoned mall), interesting characters, a plausible plot and great writing. I look forward to Sterling's next book. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Camp Zero. 

Hang the Moon - Jeannette Walls

If you've not read Jeannette Walls before, you really should. She’s penned a memoir with that is gut-wrenchingly good. But she’s also turned her hand to fiction novels and they're great reads as well. 

Her latest is Hang the Moon. This new book takes place in the 1920s during the prohibition years in Appalachia Virginia. Walls has woven lots of intriguing fact into her fiction. Some of the characters are also based on historical people.

Our protagonist is young Sallie Kincaid who was born into an influential family. But money can’t keep misfortune from knocking on the door. And in Hang the Moon, it’s pounding the door down.

Walls takes inspiration from her own sense of self and imbues Sallie with an indomitable optimism and drive in the face of hurdle after hurdle. Those trials were probably the hardest thing for me listen to. Women and children are treated as chattel, and they have to accept their place in society. Happily, Sallie just doesn't fit that mold. The male characters are for the most part, full of themselves and their 'rights'. The Duke is especially unlikable.

Hang the Moon is action packed with one calamity running into the next. A wee bit of me thought there were perhaps one too many, edging into over the top territory. But overall, I quite enjoyed the book.

See for yourself - read an excerpt of Hang the Moon.

Murder Your Employer - Rupert Holmes

Oh my gosh! I absolutely loved Rupert Holmes' new book - Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide.

Have you ever worked for an employer that was cruel, mean, thoughtless, sneaky and well, found yourself in a downright untenable situation? Maybe you daydreamed about - you know - getting rid of said boss?

In Murder Your Employer, we meet and follow three people who are thinking about 'deleting' their nemesis. But first they'll have to go through the program at "The McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts, a luxurious, clandestine college dedicated to the fine art of murder."

I loved the premise - it's very clever and really well drawn. The classes weren't what I had imagined. Every facet of a possible deletion is covered in the syllabus and a final thesis is a requirement. The description of the classes, the 'games' and more is just so inventive - and quite funny at times.

Now, the three we're following are there for one purpose, but I couldn't think of them as antagonists at all, instead I was firmly behind them. Those three characters are wonderfully drawn and I quite liked each one of them. The 'why' of their situations are slowly revealed as the past is visited. There's a large group of supporting characters, all just as well drawn. The rotating points of view and timelines made for addictive listening.

The premise is brilliant and the plotting is intricate and devious. I absolutely adored it. Murder Your Employer needs to be a movie!

I chose to listen to Murder Your Employer. I was was thrilled to see that award winning Simon Vance was one of two readers. He is hands down one of my favorite narrators. His voice is rich and full with a wonderful accent. He has so much movement in his voice - each and every word is a performance. He captures the emotions of the characters and the actions and plotting of the book. And the second reader is a voice you'll recognize as well - actor Neil Patrick Harris. He too has a wonderful voice and his voice is perfect for the character he presents. He has a very expressive voice. The two together make this a fabulous audio book! Definitely one of my favorites for 2023. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of Murder Your Employer.

The Blackhouse - Carole Johnstone

I thought that Carole Johnstone's debut novel, Mirrorland, was brilliant. I was so excited when I saw she had a new book - The Blackhouse - coming out. I have to say, that for me, it's even better than her first book.

Take a second look at the cover. You'll see the sea and the waves at first glance. But what about that upside down house? It just oozes that Gothic feel doesn't it? I had goosebumps before even turning the first page. 

What adds to that Gothic feeling? Well, Johnstone has set this intriguing mystery on a sparsely populated island called Kilmeray, in the Outer Hebrides. What about the inhabitants? There aren't many, less than twenty. And not overly welcoming to outsiders. 

"For her entire life, Maggie MacKay has sensed something was wrong with her. When Maggie was five years old, she announced that a man on Kilmeray - a place she’d never visited - had been murdered." She returns to Kilmeray twenty years on to try and expunge the ghosts of her past and present. More goosebumps. There's another voice - that of Robert who also made his home on Kilmeray.

Get to know who's who as the book opens, as they all play a part in this imaginative, multilayered plot. Add the sea itself as a character. Johnstone's descriptions of the water, the waves, the sand, the cliffs and  evoke clear mental images. I could imagine standing on the shore, but afraid to step out further  as it feels like the sea has a life of it's own. 

The secrecy of each character will keep the reader guessing if what's presented is the truth. Everyone has their own agendas, secrets and lies. There are many twists and turns as the narrative takes another path with every unveiled revelation.

Johnstone's plotting is dark, gritty, tangled. unexpected and oh so addictive. The mystery is the lead element, but love, loss, guilt, mental illness, redemption, a hint of the mystical and more is woven throughout. It's all just so very, very good. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Blackhouse. 

Best enjoyed on a dark and stormy night with the door locked.....

I will be eagerly awaiting a third book from Johnston, who is firmly on my 'must read' list. 

We Spread - Iain Reid

I've read all of Iain Reid's books. Each one has brought something different, unusual and unexpected. And that's also the case with his latest - We Spread. 
 

Penny has been living in the same apartment for fifty years. Her partner has passed on. Penny has been getting out, but really has no contact or relationships  with others, excepting her landlord. She has a bit of memory loss (and sure, doesn't everyone her age?) So, my thinking was that We Spread would be an lament for aging. It was and it is. But it's much more.  

As an observer we are witness to Penny's failing memory and her deteriorating  physical condition until the inevitable happens - she has a serious fall. 

Unbeknownst to Penny, her partner had arranged for just this eventuality. Penny is moved to Six Cedars Residence, a small long term care facility in an older house, surrounded by trees. There are only four residents and two staff members at the home. Penny, although distressed by the move, is impressed.  

 And it's wonderful. Or is it? What we come to know of the other residents and staff is through Penny's eyes and experiences. The reader is left to their own imagination and interpretation of what she encounters. And my mind had more than one outlook and outcome happening. The tension rises with every page turned. Reid's dialogue is sharp and short and is very effective in 'speaking' for Penny. Out loud and internally. Aging, art and relationships and more are also explored. There's much food for thought for everyone in We Spread - whether it's yourself or a family member. 

As the book neared the final pages, I still had not made up my mind as to what was really happening. And the ending? Perfectly Iain Reid. See for yourself - read an excerpt of We Spread.

The Family Remains - Lisa Jewell

Lisa Jewell's new book, The Family Remains, is, to a certain degree, a follow up to her bestseller, The Family Upstairs. You could read this newest as a stand alone, but I think you'd get more out of it if you had the background from that first book. 

Quick recap:  Twenty five years ago, Libby was the baby found alive in a rundown manor, with three dead bodies in the house and two others missing. 

Present day: Rachel's husband Michael is found murdered in his house in France.

And these two disparate events will cross paths in unexpected ways. 

I think anyone who read The Family Upstairs, will be eager to find out what happened "after". I know I was!

This book is told in multiple timelines from multiple points of view. I had to refamiliarize myself with names from the past and match them up to the names they are using now.  

Jewell takes the reader on a twisty tale with a satisfying ending and closure for the players. I did find one reconciliation to be a bit of a letdown after it played such a large part in the plot. Somehow for me, it was too jolly. (Yes, an odd descriptor)

But overall, I quite enjoyed The Family Remains. Jewell always pens an addictive read. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Family Remains. 

First Born - Will Dean

I really enjoyed Will Dean's previous book, The Last Thing to Burn. (my review). He has just released a new title - First Born. 

Molly Raven. Katie Raven. Identical twins. Ah, when twins are involved it seems like there's a suspense story just waiting to be uncovered. Molly lives in Britain close to her parents. Katie has travelled to the US to go to school. The girls are very different from each other though. Molly worries, is introverted, but quite smart. Katie is the extrovert and is more daring.

But..... and this is not a spoiler as it's announced in the first few pages... Katie is dead, perhaps murdered. Molly and her parents fly to New York to find out more. Molly takes it upon her self to start an investigation of her own. The book is told by Molly.

I thought Molly was an unusual lead character. I found her and her parents to be somewhat, well, odd in their actions and discussions. Everything is staccato - short sentences, off kilter conversations and more. The parents have spoken to the police, but don't really have any answers to give Molly. When the detective in charge meets with Molly, it's the same side stepping. Would a family be satisfied with this wait and see attitude? The investigation seemed almost sketchy to me. Molly meets another person looking into the murder and she embraces him on face value. Which doesn't match her OCD tendencies that have her preparing for any and all danger that might come her way.

Just as awkward for me was the investigation that Molly mounts. It continues on much longer than would be realistic and the interactions and situations that Molly forces are just as unbelievable for me. There is, of course, a twist involved.It was telegraphed much earlier in the book than I expected to see it. And therefore the ending seemed almost tacked on. And it too, was over the top.

Sorry to say, that this was just an okay read for me. 

Deep Water - Emma Bamford

There's been a lot of buzz around Emma Bamford's new book, Deep Water. 
And after binge reading it one rainy day, I can say that buzz is justified. 

I was hooked after reading the author's notes at the front of the book. "I've long had an affinity for films about vacations gone horribly wrong". She also  references Dead Calm, The Beach and The Ruins. All films and books I've really enjoyed. Oh, and she's an experienced sailor. The book benefits from that inside knowledge as well.

Deep Water opens with the ending. We know the outcome, but nothing else - the how, the why, the who. Just Virginie praying her husband survives....

Virginie and Jake are newlyweds with a dream of sailing their own yacht wherever they choose. At a port on the way to Thailand, an older man tells them of a beautiful island that few know about, completely off the grid and 'about as remote as you can get in this world.'

Uh, huh - sounds amazing, doesn't it? It does, and Virginie and Jake decide to change their itinerary to go the island named Amarante. When they arrive, there are two other boats and a third shows up. Things start off well, but.....

And that's where I'm going to leave things, so you can experience Bamford's wonderfully insidious plotting. She builds the tension and suspense slowly, layer by layer. It seems easy to dismiss somebody's  actions and behaviour when you've just met them. But as the reader looking from outside in, I could see where things might be headed. And I found myself talking out loud, telling Virginie to open her eyes! 

The description of the island was vivid. I thought that one element of the island's past might have figured larger. 

I enjoyed the plot's slow burn but others may find themselves wanting more 'action'. This reader quite enjoyed Deep Water. See for yourself - read an except of Deep Water.

The Heights - Louise Candlish

I discovered Louise Candlish last year when I read her previous book, The Other Passenger. It was an excellent read and I added Candlish to my 'must read' list.

Her newest book, The Heights, has just released - and it's an addictive page turner as well. I was hooked immediately with this opener...

"Kieran Watts has been dead for over two years when I see him standing on the roof of a building in Shad Thames. It can't be Kieran Watts, I tell myself. And if anyone can be sure of that it is me. Because I'm the one who killed him."

Oh, the places this plot could go! Candlish's plotting is so very clever. I love the 'book within a book' device. And there's a third level as The Sunday Times is also writing about Ellen Saint. Ellen is penning the story of herself and Watts in her writer's group. We know the outcome, but the how and why are yet to be unearthed. Candlish does this in back and forth, past and present timelines. Again, always an effective device - I can't help but to read 'just one more chapter' to see what will be revealed in each timeline. Foreshadowing at the end of chapters just whetted my need to know. While the first parts are told from Ellen's point of view, a supporting character is given a voice nearing the end of the book - and they bring a different look at things. 

Ellen was a difficult character for me. I understand her tension, stress, emotions (and they do run high), but at the same time she crosses so many lines in her obsessive quest for vengeance. Which is quite different from justice. The supporting characters will provoke strong reactions as well. And the reader may be asking themselves - "What would I do in the same situation?"

And what could make this already good book better? Oh yeah, some twists! My guesses (and emotions) for what the end might bring changed numerous times as Candlish changed things up.

A great page turner for this reader. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Heights. 

The Heights as a title can be applied in so many ways. It's the name of the building Ellen spots Kieran at. Ellen has a condition called high place phenomenon' - "characterized by a sudden compulsion to jump." At the height of, dizzying heights and more.

Greenwich Park - Katherine Faulkner

I've been looking forward to quite a few new titles coming out in 2022. Katherine Faulkner's debut novel, Greenwich Park, has been at the top of the list. And if you enjoy twisty suspense that will keep you guessing, you need to put this book on your must read list.

Helen, her husband Daniel, her brother Rory and his wife Serena all went to University together. They lead the enviable lives of the wealthy. And now Helen and her sister-in-law are each expecting their first child. For Helen it's a frightening time as she's had many miscarriages. So, she is off work and ordered to take it easy. Helen ends up solo at her prenatal classes and meets Rachel - a young woman who is also pregnant. Rachel is loud, flamboyant and doesn't seem to read social cues. She's the opposite of Helen, but still, she is drawn to Rachel. Perhaps it's because she's lonely....

Uh huh - you can see where this is going can't you? Or can you? Is Rachel what and who she says she is? Or does she have another reason for befriending Helen? Faulkner puts her own twist - or I should say twists - on the idea of a stranger insinuating themselves into someone's life.  

Helen is the perfect unsuspecting, unreliable lead character. She's afraid to offend anyone, wants to do the 'right' thing and seems to not want to address the cracks in her own life. The supporting cast provide many choices for the 'whodunit'. None of them are truly likeable and each seems to be harboring their own secrets. Some of those supporting players are given their own voice, giving the reader more clues as to what is going on - and why.

I thought I had things all figured out - I was happily proven wrong. I love being surprised by a author. And just when I thought things were all neatly tied up, Faulkner changes the endgame - again. Bravo!

A binge worthy debut and I look forward to Faulkner's next book. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Greenwich Park.