The House Hunt - C.M.Ewan

I liked C.M. Ewan's premise for his new novel, The House Hunt. Something so everyday as a realtor holding an open house is the starting point. When the realtor is late, the homeowner takes her place...

The book bounces back and forth between two viewpoints - that of Lucy and her husband Sam. I really like this style of story telling - I need to know what is going on with each of them.

Ewan has a dark imagination. There are a few 'over the top' machinations, but just go with it. It's hard to put this one down! If you like thrillers, this one's for you. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The House Hunt.

Someone in the Attic - Andrea Mara

Have you ever heard a noise in your house - one you brushed away? And then it returns and...is that?...

That's the premise for Andrea Mara's new novel - Someone in the Attic! Are you hooked like I was? That premise opens so many ways for the book to evolve.  

Julia, her children and ex husband have moved back to Ireland from the US. They're looking for a fresh start for their daughter - the why isn't revealed for quite a while. Some of the the new neighbours a bit odd.

Being back in Ireland gives Julia the opportunity to catch up with old friends. It's great to see them, but it also brings up some uncomfortable history. 

I wondered how Mara was going to tie the myriad of threads all together. Lots of ah ha as you get closer to the final pages.

 

An inventive and addicting read! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Someone in the Attic.

Worst Case Scenario - T.J. Newman

T.J. Newman was a flight attendant before she turned her hand to writing. She writes what she knows. Her previous two books, Falling and Drowning, were runaway bestsellers and you'll also be seeing those titles as major motion pictures! Having read both of those first books, I was eager to read her newly released third book Worst Case Scenario. 

There's a plane on each book cover, as you can see. This time around it's a nuclear power plant and the damage done when a passenger plane comes down.

I enjoy the way that Newman builds a core cast of characters that drive the book forward. And that they're all quite different - nuclear experts, firemen, everyday folks stepping up and so many more. Newman gives the core group detailed personal lives - and how that will affect what happens.

That detailing also covers the plot in terms of how the nuclear plant runs and what can be done to avert disaster. I'll leave it you to discover the rest of the plot... 

I turned the last page and wondered and how much was fiction and how much was fact. I adamantly believe that this is not as farfetched as you might imagine. 

This was another addicting read from Newman. I'll be looking forward to the next book.

See for yourself - read an excerpt of Worst Case Scenario.

Known to the Victim - K.L. Armstrong

Okay, suspense fans! You need to read Known to the Victim by K.L. Armstrong.

Amy Gibson's mother was murdered by her boyfriend. It took years and a lot of love from her brother Oliver to get Amy where she is now. She is a speaker and hosts a popular true crime podcast that focuses on crimes against women committed by their partners. 

When Oliver is charged with an unthinkable crime, it's Amy's turn to defend him...because there's no way he did what they're saying...right?

This is such an addictive read! Just as you think you're on the path to one answer, the direction changes - and again and again. I loved having no idea as to how things are going to finally finish up.

There are two main characters - Amy and a P.I. named Dean. Both are strong personalities and they slowly earn the respect of the other. 

I honestly couldn't book the book down! I needed to know the answer! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Known to the Victim.

One Perfect Couple - Ruth Ware

I'm a big fan of Ruth Ware's writing. I adore her suspense tales. Her latest is One Perfect Couple - and I think it's one of her best.

Lyla's boyfriend Nico convinces her to try out for a reality show with him. It's one that will have five couples hoping to be the 'perfect pair' and win the big prize at the end. 

There are reality shows of all type available on so many platforms these days. And the ante is being ramped up to attract viewers. (Admit it - you've watched at least one episode!)

Lyla has her doubts before they go and...I'm going to let you discover what happens next. Ware's plotting is devious - I honestly could not stop listening. There are many unexpected twists and turns woven into the narrative. The tension is palpable on every page.

Lyla is a great lead character - she's quick, clever, sees the big picture and isn't afraid to speak her mind. It's her viewpoint and action that we are listening to. And how about the flip side? You'll have no problem recognizing and despising the antagonist!

I knew this would be a fantastic listen for me. Ware's writing and Imogen Church's reading guaranteed it! Church has such a versatile voice - she's created a different, recognizable  voices for all the characters. She easily captures the emotions of the players with her voice. And the same with the danger and suspense of the plot. The listener is easy drawn into the story. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. I'm always impressed when a single reader can have me thinking there's more than one person!

An easy five stars for One Perfect Couple the book and the presentation. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of One Perfect Couple.

I Will Ruin You - Linwood Barclay

I am always excited when I see that Linwood Barclay is releasing a new title! It's here - I Will Ruin You. Turn the first few pages -  I guarantee you won't be able to stop  reading!

Richard Boyle is a teacher who finds himself front and center on the news, after a very serious incident on the school grounds. He's a hero to many, but there are others with a different opinion...

This is one of the reasons I love Barclay's suspense. An ordinary guy dropped into a crazy, unbelievable situation. He can handle what's going on - right? Well you know what's going to happen don't you? He can't control it - and things start to spin out of control. There's a wealth of twists and turns that I hadn't couldn't have expected or predicted. I love being surprised by an author. And Barclay does with every book.

Making things even better is the cast of supporting players - some good, some bad, but all with a hand in the action. Most of those players have a voice with their own take on things.

Another great suspense tale from Barclay - I can see this one as a show series! See for yourself - read an excerpt of I Will Ruin You.

Everyone Is Watching - Heather Gudenkauf

Game shows have evolved from the days of Bob Barker and guessing prices to 'games' that you couldn't imagine! Heather Gudenkauf has set her latest book - Everyone is Watching - in a 'game' that will keep you turning pages 'til the wee hours. 

The prize is ten million dollars. But - there are only five players. Does that make it easier to win? Or tougher? Oh, and the competition is being streamed in real time around the world.

I like the way Gudenkauf set the book up. We meet the players in their present with flashbacks to their pasts. As you read, you'll have your suspicions about every player - and the staff.

Each event is not at what was expected by the players - or this reader! But is it really so far from reality? What will someone do for a chance at ten million dollars? The tension, suspense and action doesn't let up until the threads are all tied up in the last pages.

I can see Everyone is Watching as a movie. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Everyone is Watching.

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. 

The Clearing - Simon Toyne

The Clearing is the second entry in Simon Toyne's Laughton Rees series. It can absolutely be read as a stand alone though.

Laughton is an academic, but she is also a forensic expert with ties to the Met. Her latest research has uncovered a large number of missing women - far too many - for the small village near the Forest of Dean. Another woman has just been listed as missing, so she decides to visit the area herself.

What does she run into you ask? A town steeped in folklore and legends, unhelpful police, a lord of the manor with his own agenda and a hostile settlement in the forest. Laughton and the missing woman's sister start their own investigation.

I really liked Laughton as a lead character - she's tenacious, highly intelligent and brave. She has a way words - she can easily tie up someone with her speaking. And she's somewhat rash, often acting before she thinks. A protagonist that's easy to like. Toyne has given her a personal life that rounds out the character.

Toyne does a great job building the setting. The forest descriptors gave me shivers and the town and it's residents had me looking over my shoulder.

The plot uses some familiar elements, but Toyne puts his own spin on things. He also gives the reader many choices for the final whodunit. Lots of red herrings had me changing my final answer more than once on the way. Lots of suspense scenes as well that gave me goosebumps.

I quite enjoyed The Clearing. I look forward the next book in this series. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Clearing. 

Drowning -The Rescue of Flight 1421 (A Novel) - T.J. Newman

 T.J. Newman's debut novel was a nail biting read that I (and a lot of other people) couldn't put down. I've been eagerly awaiting her second book - Drowning. You always wonder if an author can bring another great read to the table after a best selling first book? Newman does....in spectacular fashion.

So, you might be wondering about why the book is called Drowning. Well, it's another book about a plane in trouble, this time having to make a crash landing - on, or should I say in, water.

Some make it off the plane, and some don't. Newman gives us a core group of survivors. They're a mixed bunch of personalities, ages, backgrounds and more. One of them is engineer Will Kent - and the second is his young daughter. Can he figure out a way to get out? Or does he have to wait for the government to come up with a solution? Will isn't a patient man - not when lives are at stake. The book is told from two points of view - those up top and those still in the plane. 

The tension in this book is crazy - almost every chapter ends on a cliffhanger. Newman knows how to write suspense! Her personal bio gives her writing that ring of believability. Why? Well she was a flight attendant for 10 years. 

 See for yourself - read an excerpt of Drowning - The Rescue of Flight 1421. I can see this one as a movie. A film for Falling is already in the works.

The Last Word - Taylor Adams

Wow - I don't even know how to start talking about Taylor Adams' latest book - The Last Word!

I've read all of Adams' previous books. He's perfected the 'everyday person in a really bad situation' type of tale that keeps me on the edge of my chair every time. However, this latest has knocked it out of the park.

Emma is housesitting a remote home. Odd things start happening - sounds, smells, things moved - or is it all just in her head?

Next question - have you ever left a one star review for a product? What if the author or vendor asked you to take down the review? And you said no. And... yeah, I'm going to leave it there for you to discover what's next. Great premise.

The delivery of this story is cunningly and deviously crafted. Who is the un-named narrator and his point of view? Emma also has a voice. And the two narratives definitely don't match. It feels like two different stories are being told. (which made me so curious!) A critical event happens more than once (almost every chapter, in fact) completely changing the direction of the story every time. I'd be sad or angry about what has transpired, only to be proven wrong in the next chapter. Kudos to Adams for this twisty, turny tale and how it was presented. 

Yes, some of it is a bit over the top. Just go with it - you won't be able to put The Last Word down! I've often thought that Adams' books would make good thriller movies. 

See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Last Word. 

Dark Angel - John Sandford

Dark Angel is John Sandford's latest novel and is the second tale in the new Letty Davenport series. 

I’m a longtime fan of John Sandford’s writing and have read everything he’s written. Letty Davenport was introduced quite a few books back. I wasn’t sure about her in the beginning but she’s grown on me, and I’m happy to see that she is going to be permanent with her own series.

Letty proved herself with her last assignment for Homeland Security, and they think she’s the perfect fit for a new undercover assignment. It starts with infiltrating the shady world of hackers, ransomware but travels to other unforeseen places and people. And along the way, Letty wonders about the response she’s getting from the government folks. She feels like they’re lying to her and her partners…

Letty really is a chip off the old block. You can recognize many of Lucas‘s personality traits, and thinking in Letty’s actions, behaviour, and dialogue. 

The action starts in the first page and it really never stops until you hit the end pages. It would make a great action film.

The dialogue is quick, snappy, and sharp. But it’s also humorous in a dark fashion, quite like Lucas and Virgil. Every lead character needs a side kick in that’s found in two characters. In this book one is Baxter, who is going undercover with Letty. And the other is Cartwright, an agent in an unnamed alphabet government agency. I think we’ll be seeing her in the next book.

The plotting of Dark Angel is intricate, detailed and brings many newspaper headlines to mind. Keeping everything straight in this plot will take a little bit of effort. And I admit, I did have a bit of trouble with keeping up with who’s who and what their connection is, etc. But that's on me.

Overall, another great book from Sandford. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Dark Angel.

I Will Find You - Harlan Coben

Harlan Coben is hands down, one of my favourite authors. I eagerly await every new book. And then despite my plan to savour it slowly - I end up binge reading late into the night. This latest book, I Will Find You is no exception!

Coben gives us a protagonist who, on first glance, looks like he should be the antagonist. David Burroughs has been in prison for the last five years for killing his three year old son, even though he swears he’s innocent. A chance picture of a boy who looks like young Matthew raises David’s hopes. Could his son be alive? 

I’m always behind a premise like this, where it’s David and Goliath battle. Can an everyday guy beat the odds? Prove his innocence? And in this case, find his son?

The tension starts in the first pages and just never lets up. Prison breaks, gangland bosses, shady wealthy families, old friends and foes, tendrils from the past and more is all woven into a non stop, edge of your seat, heart pounding plot. Did I mention the twisty turns that change the narrative? I was surprised every time!

And I have to mention the dialogue between the two FBI agents. It's a rapid patter that is actually quite funny.

Over the top? A wee bit, but just go with it - it’s such a great read. See for yourself - read an excerpt of I Will Find You.

Coben fans will enjoy the cameo of Hester Crimstein from the Wilde series. I can see this one coming to a screen.

The Angel Maker - Alex North

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

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

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

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

Gentle readers - there are triggers in this book. 

The Drift - C.J. Tudor

Oh, I have been waiting for C.J. Tudor's new book - The Drift! 

Tudor has a very dark imagination - and I absolutely love it. Her books always keep me on the edge of my chair, rapidly turning pages.

The Drift is told through three different protagonists. 

Hannah wakes up in the school bus that was taking students to a retreat. But it's not on the road any longer. In the middle of a snowstorm, the bus has crashed and hurtled down a hill. They're trapped inside. Oh, and some of the passengers are sick...

Meg wakes up in a cable car that's not moving - in a snow storm. She has no idea how she got there and who the other riders are. Except for one - a cop from her past. At one time they both worked on the Infection Control and Public Unrest squad. (Gotcha wondering, right?) One thing they all agree on is that they were headed for a retreat. Oh, and some of the passengers are sick....

Carter, and a handful of others, live at The Retreat. Their generator dies when a snow storm hits. And puts their lives - and others - in jeopardy.

The Drift is told in rotation, from one location and protagonist to the next and the next. I adore this style of storytelling and literally can't put down a book told in this fashion. Tudor changes tack at critical moments, surprise revelations and dangerous situations, closing out the chapter and moving on to the next. I have to know what's going on so I just keep turning the page.

The plotting is brilliant. I had so many questions! What, if anything, will tie these three scenarios together? Apart from the snowstorm that is. Tudor is delightfully devious in presenting her tale. There was more that once where I went back and re-read a sentence and started to piece things together. And then I got tripped up with the twists Tudor lays out before the reader.

Tudor write such suspense filled books with a side of horror and mystery. The Drift was very, very good for this reader! See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Drift.  

(The title is clever as well, with many ways it can be used and interpreted.)  

Aurora - David Koepp

I really enjoyed David Koepp's first book, Cold Storage, and happily picked up his new book - Aurora.

The first chapters recount The Carrington Event - an actual historical happening that caused a solar flare in 1859. And what would happen in our day and age you ask? "A geomagnetic storm of this magnitude occurring today would cause widespread electrical disruptions, blackouts, and damage due to extended outages of the electrical power grid"

Yup, the power grid goes down - worldwide. Oh, this premise leaves so many ways for Koepp's story to unfold! 

Koepp drops us into Aurora, Illinois at the end of Cayuga Lane. Aubrey is our lead character. I quite liked her. She's real, smart (except when it comes to picking husbands), forthright and determined. Aubrey, her stepson Scott and their neighbors decide to tough out the crisis out in their homes. No one knows when the power will come back on, but they'll make the best of things. After all, it can't go on very long - can it? Thom is Aubrey's estranged billionaire brother. He's riding out the crisis in his desert bunker. The bunker has everything he and his family will need. More actually. Thom's reasoning, decision making and self assured entitlement is almost comical.

You just know there's gonna be some bad apples in the barrel. Chaos, looting and more. Koepp has created some truly awful antagonists. 

Aurora is driven by the characters - their choices, actions, thoughts and deeds. And Koppe is not afraid to sacrifice players along the way. (Seriously, I was not happy about that!) Action is the name of the game. Koepp knows how to capture the reader's attention and hold it. The tension is palpable and I absolutely couldn't put the book down. And I admit - I peeked ahead a few times. Just to relieve the tension! That being said, there are some poignant moments as well. 

Koepp's books read like movies. Which makes perfect sense as he is a very successful screenwriter, with some best selling movies to his name. And on that note - Aurora is being made into a film.

Who else enjoyed Aurora? Stephen King did -"Fantastic story, a real page-turner. Impossible to put down." See for yourself - read an excerpt of Aurora. 

Take Your Breath Away - Linwood Barclay

I know I'm in for a fantastic read when I see that Linwood Barclay has a new book out! His latest is Take Your Breath Away. And yes, it was every bit as good as I knew it would be. 

Six years ago, Andrew Mason went on a fishing trip with a friend. When he returned home, his wife Brie was missing. Despite having an alibi, Andy has always been the prime suspect for her murder, despite there being no body. He's moved on both physically and personally. Until a woman who bears more than a passing resemblance to Brie shows up at his old address. And then disappears again.... 

Oh, what a great premise! There's so many ways this could unfold. Barclay keeps the reader guessing from start to finish, with a wealth of characters (all with their own secrets) to choose from for the 'whodunit'. There's nothing I like better than a good twist and turn that I don't see coming. There's more than one of those in Take Your Breath Away. 

I love the level of detail Barclay puts into his settings, his players, the dialogue and of course, his clever, clever plotting. There are many sub plots and I wondered how the heck they would be woven together in the end. Barclay's writing is addictive, making it really hard to turn off the lights at night. I was happily entertained from first page 'til last. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Take Your Breath Away. 

And now the wait begins until the next Barclay book....

The Island - Adrian McKinty

I really enjoyed The Chain - Adrian McKinty's previous book and New York Times bestseller. I eagerly picked up his latest, The Island, anticipating another suspense filled read.

The premise was good and took inspiration from an event in McKinty's own life. 

"While I was driving in rural Australia on a very isolated island inhabited by one large extended family, a woman wearing a hearing aid pulled out of a blind road on her bicycle and I swerved to miss her. I half jokingly told my wife, Leah, that if - God forbid - we had hit her we wouldn't have got off that island alive."

McKinty's characters - Tom, his teen children Owen and Olivia and his second wife Heather do hit the bicyclist. They make some bad decisions and suddenly they're fighting for their lives. Cue the Deliverance movie sound track. 

McKinty has created some godawful, depraved characters in the island folks. They are a law unto their selves and they want retribution from Tom and his family for the death of the cyclist. The narrative is experienced from Heather's viewpoint. Heather is a good lead and given some background. But there's not a lot of depth. It's all about the action. 

Initially I was caught up in the tension, the danger, the next twist of trouble in the family's attempts to escape the islanders. But about midway, it became more than a little unbelievable. Now, I'm all for suspending belief in a suspense novel. But it all became too much. Heather is now a kick butt warrior, the snotty stepkids are as well. Cue Bruce Willis. There's more 'grain of salt' plot lines, skill sets and more, but I don't want to provide spoilers. The plot is busy and by the end felt almost repetitive as the close calls and near misses just keep on coming. McKinty has also included First Nations folklore, customs and history. The relationship between Heather and the kids is often explored, but didn't really work either for me. It felt like an inserted element ticked off on a check list. 

The prose are short and staccato. I became annoyed with one word pronouncements. Water. Sky. Sun. etc. 

The Island felt and read like a movie script. Which is kinda true, as Hulu has picked this up as a series. 

So, bottom line - implausible, but somehow gripping. I had to see what happened in the end. I'm in the minority on my three star rating - check out the other reviews on Goodreads. Or read an excerpt of The Island. That being said, I will pick McKinty's next book. 

The Night She Disappeared - Lisa Jewell

I've enjoyed all of Lisa Jewell's previous books, but her latest - The Night She Disappeared - is a new favorite!

Tallulah and her boyfriend Zack disappear one night without a trace. Tallulah's mother Kim knows her daughter would never abandon her wee son. But a year passes and the police are no closer to an answer. That changes when a new headmaster and his girlfriend Sophie, a cozy mystery writer move into the village. When she finds a sign saying 'Dig Here" in her back garden, Sophie does. And the first clue to what might have happened is found...

Jewell tells the tale in three timelines with multiple points of view. I was hooked as every chapter gives us more hints to the past, more information in the present and a cold inkling as to what might have transpired. 

Jewel gives us well drawn protagonists in grieving parent Kim and amateur detective Sophie. These characters are imbued with personal storylines as well, quite believable in their relationships, doubts, loss and more. Jewell ekes out the story of Tallulah before she disappeared and the reader can see what's coming as her narrative progresses. (Don't peek ahead though! I wasn't entirely right in my guess) There are plenty of supporting characters and each and every one of them seems to have trouble with the truth. Who should we believe? 

I really enjoyed Sophie's sleuthing skills. I always wanted to grow up and become Nancy Drew, so mysteries are favorite genre. And Jewell has written a great one - the plotting is excellent, the settings are atmospheric (love the creepy mansion in the woods) and the varying timelines and voices really worked for me. And kept me up late as I really needed to know what (or who) happened to Tallulah. A great page turner. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Night She Disappeared.

Unthinkable - Brad Parks

I've enjoyed previous books from Brad Parks. His latest is Unthinkable.

Parks has used a premise that I really like in previous books and reprises it in this latest. Everyday guy put in an untenable situation.

Stay at home Dad Nate Lovejoy is kidnapped by a secret society that tells him he must kill his wife to save a billion people. What?! The leader of the society, Vanslow DeGange can see the future. Nate's wife Jenny is a lawyer with a case against a large power company. The society says one life sacrificed to save many is what needs to be done. And it has to be Nate who kills her. Nate doesn't believe a word of it.....and then he does. He can't honestly be thinking of killing the love of his life - can he?

Okay, so secret societies have driven many plotlines in many books in the past, so this isn't anything new. And I don't mind taking a few grains of salt to buy into a plot. But, in Unthinkable, I was holding on to the whole shaker. Parks throws in some twists that changed things. I appreciated those. Even with changes to the direction things were going, I still found the plotline to be just too much to buy into. And the actions of Nate and Jenny were Unbelievable. I did keep reading as I really did want to see where Parks took things in the end. Which fell flat for me. 

Often, an author will raise funds for charity by including a donor's name in the book. Parks has done this for Unthinkable and the names are listed in the notes at the end. One distinctive name, Marcus Sakey, is not listed there. This is the name of another suspense writer. His name appears more than once and it felt like a cheap inside joke as the name is attributed to a homeless man.

I'm disappointed with this latest, but hey, you can't love them all. Check out the other reviews on Goodreads.