CRANBERRY COVE by Hailey Piper

Cranberry Cove by Hailey Piper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After I finished revising one of my stories, I decided to reward myself with this novella.

Emberly and Conner are partners sent to investigate what happened at the derelict hotel called Cranberry Cove, but what they find is a lot darker than either expected...

Eerie. Tense. Mysterious. Entertaining.

Yeah, I really enjoyed this story. It's full of dark supernatural goodness that hints at what lies beneath the fabric of reality, lost within liminal spaces. It's packed with interesting characters that kept me glued to the page because I wanted to follow them into the darkness. I particularly like how the writing style and the way the story unfolds adds to the surreal quality of the narrative, and throws everything off balance.

Also, I'm totally intrigued by Angelica.

The occult stuff is really cool, and I felt like this story definitely had X-Files and Twin Peaks vibes.


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SUNBURN by Laura Lippman

Sunburn by Laura Lippman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After reading a great book the other day, I wanted to get stuck into another story, so I went through my Paperwhite... and started reading this one yesterday.

When Polly walks out on her husband and daughter during their summer vacation, she ends up in Belleville, Delaware. And inside a tavern, she crosses paths with the alluring Adam. Both are apparently passing through on their way to better places, but the secrets they hide bring them together. And will probably tear them apart...

Well, this book turned out to be quite interesting. It's well written and there are secrets buried within secrets that lead to an unexpected conclusion. There's also a great cast of grey characters that prove good people can do bad things, and bad people can do good things.

It all starts with a seemingly average woman, Polly, sitting in a bar after leaving her family because she wants to be free before her husband leaves her. But it doesn't take long to realise that there's a lot more to her story. Then there's the man, Adam, watching and assessing her every move because he seems to be interested in her. Yet, he has ulterior motives too.

I liked the way this unravelled. Told mostly in the POV of Polly and Adam, there are also several other POVs peppered throughout that provide clues that help round out the overall mystery. And these definitely help the reader figure out exactly what's going on with Polly.

Cool book, glad I read it.


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THE VILLA by Rachel Hawkins

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Last night, while looking through the books on my Paperwhite, this one caught my eye. I didn't know much about it, but I was instantly hooked.

Emily and Chess have been friends since they were kids, but life always gets in the way. So when Chess asks Emily to go on a trip to Italy, she jumps at the chance. Especially since they're going to the Villa Aestas in Orvieto. A place where a murder took place in the summer of 1974...

Wow. This is such a fantastic story. Or should I say, stories? I mean, there's the Emily and Chess story, but then there's also the Mari and Lara tale. Plus all the other cool additions. And I loved them both!

Emily is going through a hard time. Her husband cheated on her, then left and now thinks he deserves money for the cozy mystery series she's writing. And because of all of this, she's barely written a word. Chess is a successful self-help guru. So Emily hopes that spending a summer break in Italy sparks her imagination. But it's not the book she's contracted for that excites her, it's the true crime that happened in the Italian villa in 1974.

Mari and Lara are teenage stepsisters when they fall under the spell of the much-older, Pierce. He's a talented musician, magnetic, and although he's married, Mari knows they were meant to be together. Yet, when tragedy strikes he's not there for her, and the promised stardom never comes. Until the three spend a summer in Villa Rosato with a music idol and everything falls apart.

I REALLY enjoyed how the past and present stories unravel in a way that complement each other. I also love how Mari's life mirrors Mary Shelley.

Yeah, I couldn't put this down. It's a clever mystery, contains the right amount of twists, and is totally addictive.

And you know what? I want to read Lilith Rising! ☺️


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RETREAT by Krysten Ritter

Retreat by Krysten Ritter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed Krysten Ritter's first book, Bonfire, so I was really excited about reading this one.

Liz is a con artist. She's beautiful, knows how to draw people into her orbit, and she's intelligent. She's also a chameleon and has learned a lot of trades that help her slink in and out of rich people's lives. But when she goes to Mexico for a real job, she gets caught up in the glitzy life of the rich woman who hired her...

Wow. What a great mystery! It's also a terrific psychological thriller that's full of twists, turns, and a cast of characters that keeps you guessing until the shocking truth becomes very clear.

I really enjoyed this book. It's such a great story that starts out simple enough: a con artist has built a busy life for herself that keeps her financially afloat, but when her web of lies starts to unravel, she gets the opportunity of a lifetime.

Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Except it's not. Nothing about this story or characters is as it seems. The Mexican setting is lovely and the vivid descriptions put you right there in the heart of the action, but there's also a sinister underbelly that creeps up on you.

This is one dark and messed-up tale full of lies, secrets, and a bunch of conniving players. And I loved every minute of it. I couldn't stop reading because the author's voice is as compelling as the awesome writing style. The ending was perfect.

Liz is such a great character. I mean, she's definitely no saint and gets up to a lot of awful shit, but there's just something about her that totally captivates the reader.

Loved it!


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NOW OR NEVER by Janet Evanovich

Now or Never by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A few weeks ago, we went to K-Mart and my husband found this book on the shelf. I was so excited and couldn't wait to get stuck into it, but I was busy writing a book of my own during November and decided this would be my reward.

Stephanie has managed to say yes to the two men in her life, and still can't decide which one she's going to marry. Luckily, she's got a lot on her plate at the moment. There's an influencer, a YouTube star, a wholesale criminal, and a vampire. That's before considering the new man trying to insert himself into her life...

OMG. As usual, I had a blast with Stephanie's latest adventure. In typical Plum style, the hilarious situations and zany characters are balanced out by some pretty serious and dangerous situations. And everything fits together seamlessly.

This instalment also had an added mystery that you don't find out until the very end: who does she choose as her husband? Is it the hot and dangerous Ranger? Or the hot and irresistible Morelli? Hard choice. No wonder she said yes to both. 😅

Anyway, Lula, Grandma Mazur, Connie, Bob, and Steph's family go along for the ride. Like I said before, SO MUCH FUN!!

One last thing: it was great to meet Mr. Big because you can never have too many cool doggies in the mix.

Can't wait for the next book!


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CASTLE OF THE CURSED by Romina Garber

Castle of the Cursed by Romina Garber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to admit that the first thing I noticed about this book was the awesome cover. It certainly captures the creepy gothic vibes I enjoy so much.

After Estela loses her parents under mysterious circumstances, she feels like her life is over. She's totally alone and desperately wants answers. But when she finds out she has an aunt living in Spain, she suddenly finds herself inside a castle called la Sombra. A place full of secrets and shadows...

Wow. What a wonderful and strange story this turned out to be. It's about a teenager who is struggling with the grief of losing her parents and has trouble moving on. And if that's not enough, she has to move halfway across the world to discover her heritage, while uncovering a bunch of shocking secrets about her past. And learning Spanish from scratch. As well as realising that there are many things hiding in the darkness.

I really like how Estela changes as the new experiences she's forced to face shift as quickly as her surroundings. How she discovers that she didn't know anything about her parents, and that the world is full of unfathomable mystery. Her voice is strong and interesting, and I love the writing style because it really dragged me in.

There's an air of darkness that shadows the story from start to finish and the depth of weird that throws the story into unexpected territories was enough to keep me glued to the pages.

Oh, and did I mention that there's also a love story buried within all of the danger and uncertainty? Plus a twist that I quite enjoyed.

Great book!

 

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INSOMNIA by Sarah Pinborough

Insomnia by Sarah Pinborough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked this up because Sarah Pinborough never lets me down.

Emma Averell is a busy woman. She's got a career and two children. Luckily, her husband stays home to look after the kids and the house. But that all changes when her fortieth birthday draws near, and both her mother and sister return to her life. Now she's losing time and sleep...

Wow. What an awesome, twisty story!

As expected, this book hooked me from the very beginning. I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Especially since so much of Emma's POV is riddled with paranoia and disorientation.

This author has such an addictive way of sucking the reader into the seemingly average lives of people who slowly reveal that they aren't that normal at all. And instead, are riddled with complications, secrets and so many issues.

I knew there would be a twist, so when it hit: 😳! Absolutely loved it. Yikes.

And one last thing, this story is nerve-wracking pretty much all the way through, but the second half kept me on the edge of my seat.


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DIRTY THIRTY by Janet Evanovich

Dirty Thirty by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can't believe the Stephanie Plum series is up to book 30! Wow. It's such an incredible achievement to have written this many books featuring the same main character, plus the family, friends, bad guys, and other zany Trenton residents. But you know what's even better? That after THIS many books, the series is STILL interesting and fresh.

Seriously. An amazing achievement.

When Stephanie is hired by a local jeweller to locate the guy he's convinced stole his diamonds, she accepts. But she doesn't realise that nothing is what it seems, and as she follows the clues, it only leads to more mystery...

So, what can I say about this awesome book? Well, it's another intriguing installment that puts Stephanie in plenty of danger. Her car gets ruined. Her apartment suffers, due to a bunch of different reasons. And she's still having trouble deciding which guy she really wants. It's a tough choice between Morelli and Ranger, which only gets more complicated in this book. 😳

I just love how well Evanovich always manages to weave the dark and dangerous side of things, with the lighthearted fun. I mean, there are SO many hilarious things that happen here. Do I even need to mention Lula and Grendel? Too funny.

Oh, and there's extra Bob content. Who doesn't love that adorable dog? 😅

Anyway, there's a LOT of cool and fun, even dark and nasty, stuff packed into the pages of this novel and I enjoyed every exciting moment.


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THE COLOUR OF EVIL: Sarah Jane Huntington

 

The Colour of Evil by Sarah Jane Huntington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, this was yet another fantastic book by this very awesome author.

After living with an abusive parent for years, Isabelle suffered a brain injury that makes her forgetful and scatters her thoughts. She can also see auras. All she wants to do is read, spend time with her cat, and enjoy a nice cup of tea. But when several murders happen in the village, it doesn't take long for people to suspect her...

Wow! I enjoyed this story SO MUCH! It's well-written, wonderful, and sad.

Isabelle is a lovely, misunderstood character with good intentions and no way of expressing them. She can't talk, so people usually shun and dismiss her. Something happened in Isabelle's past that tainted her in the eyes of the community, and she can't trust her own memory because it fades in and out. She only wants to live a peaceful life, and wants to connect with others, even though all they throw her way is cruelty and accusations.

I hated the way people treated Isabelle because their actions and words were all too real. We really do live in a society that judges and mistreats anyone who doesn't fit the cookie-cutter illusion of normal. And that truly sucks.

People can be really horrible, and Sarah Jane Huntington has a knack for writing about people labelled as different in a way that breaks your heart. 😭

I also thought the murder-mystery was terrific, and wrapped up in a very satisfying way.

This is a really fantastic novella and I absolutely LOVED it!

Oh, and one last thing. Love how easily so many well-known fictional detectives were included in the narrative.

 

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THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET by Catriona Ward

 

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had this book on my TBR pile for a while, and I certainly shouldn't have waited so long to get to it because it turned out to be amazing.

The last house on Needless Street holds as many secrets as the woods behind it. But nothing is really as it seems...

Wow. What an outstanding story this turned out to be.

This book is many things: creepy, intriguing, shocking, interesting, surprising, riveting, clever, and so sad. But mostly, it's an intricate tale with many moving parts that ultimately fit together in the most messed up way possible.

It also features several POVs, and all of them kept me glued to the page because the mystery at the core of this story is definitely something worth unravelling.

I loved this book for many reasons, but mainly because it's such an amazing example of how to spin a very unique twist on several familiar concepts.

I'm glad I went in not knowing much else but what the description stated. It's the best way to approach this book.

 

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THE BOOK OF THE MOST PRECIOUS SUBSTANCE by Sara Gran

 

The Book of the Most Precious Substance by Sara Gran
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had my eye on this book for a while and couldn't wait to check it out.

Once upon a time, Lily published a successful and well received book. But after her husband got sick, she lost the spark. To live and to write. Now, she's a book dealer and has become part of a seller's circle that leads her to an unexpected adventure to hunt down a very dangerous, magical book...

Fantastic, addictive and intriguing. I seriously couldn't put this down. I started yesterday and finished today because I was enthralled by this dark and mystical book.

There's a LOT of great stuff packed into the pages of this book: so many rare books, amazing locations, delicious food, enticing characters, the endless lure of sex. And I enjoyed every exciting and unpredictable moment.

Lily displays plenty of morally corrupt qualities, and we're never really sure if they're her own desires or those of the wicked book. Either way, she's a real, flawed, and interesting character. She's also very sympathetic. No matter what she did, I felt sorry for her misfortune and admired her tenacity to continue on even at the bleakest of times.

I also liked Lucas, who was seemingly the complete opposite of Lily, yet is so similar to her. And Awe really stood out to me. He didn't take up much narrative space, but still made a huge impact on the overall story. If not for this saintly carer, Lily wouldn't have been able to follow the clues all around the world with the charming Lucas.

The actual search for this rare book of dark magic was exciting and seductive. An erotic ride filled with so many unexpected circumstances. I like how it pushed Lily's boundaries to so many new experiences that awakened her physically and mentally.

Lastly, I love Sara Gran's writing style. And that ending is so bittersweet.


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MY KILLER VACATION by Tessa Bailey

 

It was supposed to be a relaxing vacation in sweet, sunny Cape Cod - just me and my beloved brother - but discovering a corpse in our rental house really throws a wrench into our tanning schedule. Now a rude, crude bounty hunter has arrived on the back of his motorcycle to catch the killer and refuses to believe I can be helpful, despite countless hours of true crime podcast listening. Not to mention a fulfilling teaching career of wrangling second graders.

A brash bounty hunter and an energetic elementary schoolteacher: the murder-solving team no one asked for, but thanks to these pesky attempts on my life, we're stuck together, come hell or high tide.

***

I'm just here to do a job, not babysit an amateur sleuth. Although . . . it is becoming less and less of a hardship to have her around. Sure, she's stubborn, distracting and can't stay out of harm's way. She's also brave and beautiful and reminds me of the home I left behind three years ago. In other words, the insatiable hunger and protectiveness she is waking up in me is a threat to my peace of mind. Before I sink any deeper into this dangerous attraction, I need to solve this murder and get back on the road.

But will fate take her from me before I realize the road has been leading to her all along?

This book caught my eye because of the cute, colourful cover and title. I've been on a true crime kick lately, so reading about a character who listens to a podcast about this particular subject interested me.

Taylor is a teacher who takes her younger brother on a short vacation to Cape Cod. It's supposed to be a relaxing time, a chance for Jude to heal. But things go downhill almost instantly, when the siblings discover a dead body inside their rented property. Now Taylor wants to solve the mystery, but to do that she has to deal with Myles, a brash bounty hunter who sets her pulse racing...

What a great book!

I really enjoyed this sexy romance/mystery. The cast of characters is so endearing, that I loved spending time with them. Not to mention how the chemistry between the shared narrators—Taylor and Myles—sizzles off the page. 

Asides from their physical/emotional connection, I liked who they were separately. And how well their backstories tie into their connection, plus the mystery they're both investigating.

My Killer Vacation turned out to be quite the pleasant surprise. It's fun, intriguing and raunchy as hell. The heroine is quirky and likeable. The hero is brazen and assertive. They might be total opposites, but the sparks fly every time they're together.

I had a blast reading this, and love this couple. 😊

Thank you Hachette Australia for sending me a copy.

My Killer Vacation, July 2022, ISBN 9780349435282, Piatkus

MR CABLES by Ronald Malfi

 

Mr Cables by Ronald Malfi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After finishing Stephen King's latest chunky book, hubby suggested I read something shorter. He actually suggested this book, which he surprised me with on the weekend!

Wilson Paventeau is a best-selling horror novelist. The day he crosses paths with a book featuring his name on the cover, one he didn't write, he's consumed with the mystery and is determined to figure out what's going on. No matter where it leads him...

Wow. This turned out to be quite a fast and spooky read. The kind of book that grabs you from the first sentence and consumes you until you reach The End because it's so intriguing.

Much like what happens in the novella. 😳

I enjoy stories that focus on the creative process and give it a creepy spin. Because writing really is one of those mysterious experiences that carries you away and... Anyway. Back to this gem with the perfect cover.

Loved it!

It's got the right amount of dread staining every page. The mystery kept me glued until everything was revealed. The revelation is shocking because it's callous and really awful. Plus, the creativity behind this idea is absolutely genius. Fantastic!

I'm looking forward to reading more Malfi, that's for sure.

 

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THE HUSBANDS by Chandler Baker

Welcome to the neighbourhood. We do things differently here.

Recently, Nora has started to feel that 'having it all' - a family, a soon-to-be new house, a successful career in law - comes with a price, one her husband doesn't seem to be paying quite so heavily. She loves Hayden, but why is it that, however hard men work, their wives always seem to work that much harder?

Then her house-hunting takes them to an affluent suburban neighbourhood and Nora's eyes are opened to a new world. One where women can have it all. One where the men actually pull their weight.

But a wrongful death case involving one of the local residents draws Nora further into this perfect world and she begins to realise that the secret of 'having it all' is far more complicated than she could ever have imagined. In fact, it may be worth killing for...

 

This is another book that caught my eye while looking through a Hachette catalogue. It gave me The Stepford Wives vibes, and since I love that story, I had to check this out.

Nora is a mother and wife. She works full time and pretty much does everything to keep her family life running smoothly. But it's tiring and makes her resentful when her husband doesn't bear as much of the responsibility as she does. While house-hunting in a lovely suburban neighbourhood, Nora finds herself involved in a wrongful death case and starts spending time with a group of women who have doting husbands. But as she investigates, she starts to unravel something she never expected...

Wow. This is such an awesome book! I was totally hooked and couldn't put it down. I got caught up in Nora's life and was intrigued by the secrets of Dynasty Ranch. 

The social commentary in this book is heavy and can be understood by every woman who's ever wanted to achieve their ambitions inside and outside their family home. The struggle can often seem one-sided, and I really liked the way this was dealt with here. How well it's all shown and felt through the eyes of the main character.

I really liked Nora. She's a personal injury litigator who is constantly overwhelmed while trying to stay on top of her demanding job and even more demanding home life. Not to mention that she's dealing with some deep-rooted guilt about an accident that shaped her motherhood experience. So, it's no wonder she gets easily caught up in the whirlwind of instant friendship with the professional and friendly women living in Dynasty Ranch.

Following her story was truly exhausting and she was such a sympathetic character. I felt her pain, need for rest and pursuit for understanding. But she's also flawed.

Actually, that's another great thing about this book. No matter how hard some of the characters try to showcase their perfect lives, they're all actually quite damaged, cunning, impressionable, desperate and manipulative.

The moral of this story is very well executed.

The Husbands is an addictive and very clever book full of mystery, with a thick sense of malice rippling beneath the surface. Everything appears normal and mundane, so very domestic, but it's actually very disturbing. Yet, as serious as things get leading to the shocking conclusion, it was also pretty amusing. I cackled quite a bit.

I loved this! And yes, it did turn out to be a twisted feminist cross between The Stepford Wives and Get Out.

Thank you Hachette Australia for sending me a copy!

The Husbands, June 2021, ISBN 9780733642746, Hachette Australia

A VISION OF FIRE by Gillian Anderson & Jeff Rovin

 

A Vision of Fire by Gillian Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We all know Gillian Anderson is an awesome actor, but how many of us know she's also a great writer? Well, after reading this intriguing book, I can confidently say she knows how to weave an interesting tale that easily hooked me in.

The world is at a tipping point. The threat of nuclear war between India and Pakistan is real. Peace talks don't seem to help. And now young people from different parts of the world are speaking in unfamiliar languages, screaming for no reason and slipping into violent trances. But one woman is willing to dig deeper, ask questions and put herself in the middle of this dangerous situation to help these kids while also searching for the truth...

Wow. What a ride! I was hooked from the Prologue, and became totally invested once the story gets going. Not only because I was intrigued as soon as the weird stuff started happening, but also because I really liked the characters.

I was already sold on this book, but when Caitlin O’Hara is introduced, everything got even better. Caitlin is a child psychologist with a young son who, via her translator friend from the UN, finds herself caught up in a very strange and delicate situation. The way she deals with it and how deeply she gets involved in this impossible quest to help the teenager, Maanik, really stuck with me.

She's just such an awesome character. Devoted to her work, a caring mother, always willing to help those in need, believes in the scientific process but also doesn't close her mind off to the other. Caitlin is great and I loved the moments when she goes through everything in her mind.

There are other very interesting POVs that help round out the intricate subtleties of what is slowly building around the world. I especially liked Ben, and need to know more about Flora and Mikel.

I found the mystery at the core of this thrilling story so interesting that I couldn't put the book down. My intention was to get a sample, but ended up spending hours reading. I seriously couldn't stop. Because I wanted to know what was going to happen next! 😲

In the end, the things that are revealed were as captivating as the ones still left unsolved. This is a series, so I wasn't surprised there.

I've always had an interest in the mysteries of ancient civilisations, so this was right up my alley.

Anyway, this turned out to be an awesome book. I'm looking forward to checking out the next one.

 

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MY COUSIN RACHEL by Daphne du Maurier

 

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been meaning to get stuck into this book for a while, and when I mentioned it to hubby the other day, he recommended I make it my next read. So, I did!

Philip Ashley was raised by his much older cousin, Ambrose and looks up to him. Ambrose is a little spiky, sickly in the winter and doesn't seem to like women much. So when he tells Philip he's met someone abroad and marries her, Philip is concerned. But that's nothing compared to what happens after Ambrose dies. Yet, Cousin Rachel is unlike anyone he's ever met before, and Philip eventually finds himself caught up in her very alluring web...

OMG. This turned out to be quite a wicked and tangled story dripping with so much ambiguity, I'll be thinking about this for years to come.

Is Rachel guilty? Is she innocent? Funny enough, none of that matters once you get lost in this lush and bleak gothic story. There's just so much crammed into this, and all of it packs quite a punch.

I have to admit, I was pretty much hooked from the very beginning. There's something highly addictive about Daphne du Maurier's writing. She paints such an intricate picture of what should be mundane situations and locations, but darkens them with an air of malice that draws me in every time.

The same thing happened with Rebecca. I love getting swept away by lush prose and wicked stories, so this is my perfect reading ambience.

As much as I suspected Rachel early on, but kept changing my mind, I found it really hard to feel much sympathy for Ambrose or Philip. These privileged men are wealthy, have such high opinions of themselves and despise women so much for no other reason than choosing not to be exposed to them, that it was easy to dislike them. And to not trust much of what Phillip narrates.

I mean, I did feel some empathy for Philip because he's an orphaned boy who was raised so closed off from the rest of the world, that he didn't get a chance to experience much through his own eyes. His whole life, even after his cousin's death, is seen through Ambrose-coloured glasses.

There's a lot of commentary woven into this story about strong independent women who are comfortable in their sexuality. As well as the silliness of men who lose their shit over a woman, while still trying to convince everyone that women are weaker and too emotional. 😒

That's okay, we all saw the truth. And I love how it was expressed in this story via Philip's obsession and suspicion.

I really enjoyed this darkly gothic treat, and didn't expect that ending. Or maybe I did.

 

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LATER by Stephen King

 

Later by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading thirty books all written by women, I thought it was time to introduce a man into the mix. And who better than the King himself, right? I mean, as soon as this book arrived, I couldn't wait to get stuck into it.

Jamie Conklin isn't an ordinary kid. It's not because he lives with a single mother who's a literary agent and is always reading new manuscripts while trying to keep the business going. It's not even because he's smart, even though he is. No, Jamie has the ability to see what others can't. Although his mother wants him to keep it a secret, the first time she encourages him to use his gift for personal gain, it changes everything...

Wow. This book is amazing.

Of course, I'm not surprised because Stephen King rarely lets me down. I just love his writing style, and the way he tackled Jamie's voice and story was so perfect. Not to mention how lovely this mother and son relationship turns out to be.

As soon as I started reading, I was totally hooked and couldn't put it down because I was SO invested in Jamie's story. Oh, and I got such a kick out of all the unexpected references to some of his other books. I was pleasantly surprised at the depth these references added to the whole experience. I mean, the story's fantastic on its own because what happens to Jamie is so mysterious and intriguing, but the personal touches of familiarity added a certain level of horrifying comfort. LOL.

Also, how cool is it that his Hard Case Crime is actually a horror story? Trust me, this is definitely horror. There might be a mystery to solve and plenty of crime, but at its core this is the story of how one boy's unnatural ability takes him into some pretty terrifying and creepy places. And I loved every minute of it.

I wasn't expecting that unusual twist at the end, but it certainly made a lot of sense out of so much I hadn't even thought about earlier in the book. 😳

Anyway, I'm so glad I read this because it's just another fantastic book to add to my Stephen King Keeper Shelf. Loved it!

 


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DOPPELGANGSTER by Laura Resnick

 

Doppelgangster by Laura Resnick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A few weeks ago I read Disappearing Nightly and enjoyed Esther Diamond's first book so much I had to read the next one, pronto!

When Esther finds herself out of work because the play she was in is cancelled, she returns to her old job as a singing waitress in Little Italy. The tips are good, the work is honest and it's a way to pay the rent. But when she witnesses a mob hit, she finds herself in the middle of another weird murder investigation, and her cop boyfriend has been assigned to investigate what might just turn out to be another mystical situation...

Wow. I really enjoyed this! Like the first book, I was into this as soon as I started reading. It was SO much fun and it didn't take long for me to get lost in Esther's crazy world.

I'm not a huge gangster fan, but enjoyed how this angle was tackled in this story because her interactions with these mob guys at Bella Stella cracked me up. These aging mobsters might be dangerous and have huge body counts attached to their names, but their banter is hilarious and they're more bumbling fools with big appetites and even bigger egos, than smart killers.

Except for Lucky. I liked him.

Plus, the mystery is fascinating. The doppelgänger concept has always interested me, and the unique way it was treated here turned out to be very cool. It was a LOT of fun to follow the clues and crimes in search of the answer.

Also, I love Esther. She's such a great character and seems to be a total trouble magnet. And so funny. Plus she's already showing growth and this is only the second book. The only problem is that, although she's making new friends and contacts along the way, it's not great on her love life. 😣

But the title, Doppelgangster, is so cool.

I'm loving this series. It's so awesome that I can't wait to read the rest.



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SLEEP LIKE A BABY by Charlaine Harris

 

Sleep Like a Baby by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love the Aurora Teagarden mystery series, so it's always great to read the next book.

Aurora and Robin might have embarked on the new adventure of parenting, but that doesn't mean trouble won't find them.

While Robin goes to a conference, Roe gets sick and needs the help of a nurse to look after their baby. But it doesn't take long for the nurse to disappear and a corpse to appear in their backyard...

As soon as I started, it was easy to slip back into Roe's life. Charlaine Harris sure knows how to write an interesting mystery, and characters that keep you coming back.

The mystery in this one was hard to figure out because there was a lot going on, plenty of red herrings and a bit of misdirection. I like it when it's hard to solve because the story kept me guessing most of the way through.

One of my favourite things about this series--and something Charlaine Harris does very well with all her stories--is how well she weaves everyday stuff into intriguing and dangerous situations. And she did that perfectly here. This time featuring Roe as a new mother, while dealing with sickness, family problems and murder.

Another great addition to this series!

 

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DARK BLUE RISING by Teri Terry

Tabby lives a transient life with her mum Cate, never sticking in one place long enough to make friends. 

Until one day, an accident changes everything. Cate is arrested and Tabby realises her life has been a lie: Cate is not her mother.

As she adjusts to her new life, Tabby finds herself drawn to the ocean - the only place she feels happy - and enrolls at a swimming summer school to help her heal. 

But all is not as it seems. She and her new friends are cut off from the outside world and she's plagued by a repeating symbol of interlocking circles that follows her everywhere. 

As Tabby begins to learn the truth about what the circles mean, and uncovers the terrible lies she's been told about her past, a final twist awaits her - a secret hidden in her DNA...

I've read enough Teri Terry books to know that she can tell amazing stories. Stories that pull the reader into the character's world and keeps them there the whole way.

So I wasn't surprised when I lost myself in this book instantly.

Tabby lives a simple life with her mother. They're always moving around, she doesn't go to school and doesn't have any friends. But she's happy because Cate loves her and teaches her everything she needs to know about the world. As long as the sea is nearby, Tabby doesn't care about anything else.

Until the day she makes a friend and catches the attention of other less friendly kids, which puts her in the path of a car.

After the accident, her life changes forever, as she slowly realises everything she thought was real turns out to be a lie...

Wow. Just wow. What an unexpected, exciting and totally breathtaking adventure.

I grabbed this book to get a feel for the first chapter, but couldn't put it down. It's SO engrossing, and told in such an emotionally-lyrical style that it's hard to put down.

Tabby is a character that's so easy to like. Her story starts in such a nice and serene place that doesn't take long to fall apart. Seriously, after she gets hit by a car her life spirals out of control so quickly I couldn't help but feel her devastation and confusion.

And when she finally gets to a place where things settle down, it's all so sad that it becomes overwhelming. In the best way possible. Because when a story is capable of hitting you right in the heart, you know it's worth investing time on every single page.

That's what this author does. Pulls you under so deeply that you have no choice but to take a breath before plunging into the deep end to let the characters drag you low, with a few highs sprinkled along the way.

Although everything that happens is very character driven because Tabby's voice is addictive, there's a LOT to love about this book. There's the mystery driving the reasons behind one woman's decision to destroy a family. There's the climate change disorder stirring in the background. There's the freaky secret organisation with a hidden motivation.

And then, there's the secret buried within Tabby herself. All of these factors make an incredible story, and the beginning of something really special.

Not to mention that the descriptions are so vivid I felt like I was on the beach and could feel the wind on my face and taste the salt in the air.

Dark Blue Rising is an intriguing thriller with a wondrous mystery that keeps you guessing. It's full of emotional turmoil that felt like being on a rollercoaster of sadness, confusion and the need to find answers. And at the centre of all this is a fantastic character you can't help but cheer for because she's so brave, determined and also happens to be an enigma.

I freaking loved this book. So much. Can't wait for the next installment because I have to know where Tabby's going to end up.

A huge thank you to Hachette Australia for sending me a copy!

Dark Blue Rising, July 2020, ISBN 9781444957105, Orchard Books