The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Pages: 368 pages
Published: March 2024

I found my copy of The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton at my local Barnes & Noble store. The synopsis gave me Paradise (see the popular drama on Hulu) vibes, and since I was on a long wait for season two I hoped this book would fill in the gap. My husband, also a fan of the TV show, decided to buddy read this one with me. And so that's how I found myself in a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel in the spring this year. 

So, the world as we know it has ended, a dangerous fog has killed everyone on the planet but a small group of people living in seemingly safety on a remote island. Here everyone contributes their time and talent to helping the community thrive. Then, one day, someone is murdered by stabbing, and this event has triggered the security system on the island, leaving the inhabitants vulnerable to the deathly fog. They have just over 100 hours to solve the murder and stop the fog or it will indeed be the end of the world. The challenge is memories have been wiped, and Emory, an inquisitive islander must use her talents to help solve the murder and save the community. 

Turton weaves together multiple perspectives of primary characters creating a complex plot that takes the reader on a race against the clock with Emory to solve the multi-faceted murder. The author's writing is engaging, and the plot is lofty. I found myself vividly picturing scenes as he described them. I enjoyed the themes of morality, redemption, and what we do in the face of extreme circumstances. When I first began the novel, I stumbled over the character Abi who serves as sort of an omniscient narrator. While the story is written in the third person, Abi speaks in the first, which felt incongruent to me. Additionally, Turton packed a lot of information into this novel, so much sometimes, the story was difficult to follow. I did appreciate his careful crafting of complex characters who had flaws and strengths alike. 

Recommendation: Overall, The Last Murder at the End of the World is a riveting read that offers a compelling mystery while exploring the human psyche leaving the reader to consider what choice they might make in a similar situation. Fans of the TV show Paradise and The Last of Us, as well as those who enjoy reading dystopian novels will find this novel a must-read. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

Rating: 4 of 5 stars 

Pages: 299 pages
Published: May 2024

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean had been sitting on my physical TBR (to be read) pile for several months, and for no other pressing reason than I needed a new book to read, I decided to crack open one of my last purchased books from Book of the Month in late January. 

This suspense-filled novel is about a young teenaged girl - the titular character - who disappeared from a party, and she mysteriously returns, seemingly from the dead, two years later throwing everyone in her community into a tailspin. Detective Chelsey Calhoun was the lead detective when Ellie Black first went missing, and, naturally, she is put back on the case upon her return. Not only has this unsolved case haunted her but also the unsolved case of Calhoun's adoptive sister more than 20 years ago. Upon the return of the victim in the latter case, Chelsey is thrown right back into the midst of the Black family and trying to glean information from them to resolve the case. Like a dog with a bone, the detective is tenacious in trying to figure out where Ellie has been, what happened to her during those two years, and why she has shown up after such a long time. 

I enjoyed this debut thriller novel that was relatively short and moved quickly. The mysterious nature of the plot propels the reader to continue turning pages until a resolution is presented. Like most of the books I've read so far in 2025, this one featured strong female characters at the forefront and provided entertaining value. 

Recommendation: A dark and twisty thriller, fans of TV shows like Law & Order: SVU and Found are sure to enjoy this page-turner! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Accomplice by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson with Aaron Philip Clark

Rating: 3.75 of 5 stars 

Pages: 272 pages
Published: September 2024

I'm not sure where I first heard about The Accomplice by rapper 50 Cent, but curiosity got the best of me and I picked up a copy from my local bookstore. I enjoy action-packed movies, and this one was set in Texas making it familiar. I thought this book might have a little bit of action and a lot of the Lone Star State, and I was not mistaken. I also know the author has built a bit of an empire with his TV shows on the Starz network, so I had high hopes of the entertainment value this book might provide. 

This gritty, graphic, thriller follows a cast of nefarious characters that are all intertwined in a world of crime. The main antagonist, Desmond Bell, is a bank robber of a different kind. He doesn't steal money but rather items and secrets that would, if exposed, damage the reputation of his victims. Nia Adams, who is the first Black female Texas Ranger serves as the protagonist and the two play a fast-paced game of cat and mouse to the bitter end in this story. 

I found the writing to be rather engaging as I could definitely envision what was being described; however, it was a little too graphic for my liking. I do wonder how much of the book Jackson wrote because I think the lion's share of the story lay with his co-author, Aaron Philip Clark. Having said that, I did enjoy the story, and the ending wasn't so much a conclusion as it left the door open for a second book. I also have heard the book will become a TV series starring Taraji P. Henson. And I think this is where we'll see Jackson shine. 

Recommendation: This was a short, fast-paced crime fiction novel that served its purpose. I don't know that I'll continue reading the series if more books follow, but I can appreciate what the author was trying to do. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars 

Duration: 09:46:00
Published: January 2022

I snagged a copy of The Housemaid during on of Audible's annual 2-for-1 sales (along with The Guncle by Steven Rowley, but I haven't gotten to that one yet.). Because my work book club had chosen it for our monthly selection and I have a 50-mile commute to work, the Audible sale came in handy. A couple of coworkers had mentioned that the book was good ... but, oh boy, was it unputdownable good! 

The story centers around Millie, a young down-on-her luck ex-con living in her car, who takes a job as a housemaid and nanny for a family that, at the outset, seem too good to be true. As the story evolves, she finds that Nina, the woman of the house, seems to have some mental health issues. (As I was reading, I thought she might be suffering from biopolar personality disorder.) Her young daughter, Cecelia appears to still be struggling with her terrible twos several years late. And Nina's poor husband, Andrew resembles the perfect victim. However, all things aren't as a they seem and a mid-book plot twist flips the story on its head, propelling the reader to a captivating, albeit disturbing, conclusion. 

The author did a great job of creating a suspenseful tone that has the reader questioning the narration. The emotions evoked grip the reader into making an investment to finish the story. I enjoyed McFadden's writing style and the fast-paced nature of this mystery thriller. I wouldn't classify it as scary, but it is definitely creepy. 

There is a second and third book in the series, The Housemaid's Secret and The Housemaid is Watching, that I have yet to read. I'm not a fan of series as I like reading different types of books by a variety of authors, but if the second two are anything like the first, hold on to your seats! 

Recommendation: This was a fun listen, and I suspect reading an e-copy or hard copy would be just as compelling. Book club choice for the win with this one. Highly recommend for a fall, spooky story. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 326 pages
Published: January 2023

All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham had been sitting on my physical TBR (to be read) shelf for quite some time. I purchased it December 2022 with my monthly Book of the Month credit, but I didn't get around to reading it until April 2023 when I nominated it for my work book club read. The story centers around Isabelle Drake who literally cannot sleep since her toddler son, Mason, went missing nearly a year prior. This traumatic event has cost her marriage as well as shuteye time. To keep Mason's case alive, Isabelle accepts speaking engagements in hopes that a new clue will come forward to lead her to her son. The book opens at one such event where she is approached by a podcaster who wants to help give her story some exposure by producing a series of episodes (think NYT's Serial podcast). With help from this new avenue, Isabelle begins to recall more about Mason's disappearance and the death of her sister when she was a child, both events leading her closer to the truth. 

This is not my first Willingham read, I thoroughly enjoyed A Flicker in the Dark when I read it in July 2022, which prompted my purchase of her latest book. Willingham is an excellent writer and a mistress of suspense. She captures the reader early only, giving them no choice but to continue reading until reaching the end. While I enjoy a suspense-filled thriller, I also appreciated the other themes the author touched on with respect to motherhood, guilt and a sense of morality (or lack thereof) in personal choices.  

For those who might be wondering: My work book club enjoyed the book, but it was like the third book that involved a missing child so it wasn't received as well as it could have been if we'd selected different topics. 

Recommendation: I highly recommend this book for mystery lovers and armchair detectives who find crime-solving entertaining. The author provides enough red herrings to keep you guessing, but enough valid clues to keep you invested. The book could be triggering for some because it involves a missing child; however, I found the overall plot to be palatable and well executed. I can't wait to see if Willingham writes a third book and if it's also picked up by Book of the Month - which rarely disappoints in its monthly choices. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier

Rating: 4 of 5 stars 

Pages: 338 pages
Published: April 2020

Spoiler alert (not really), but there were literally no little secrets in Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier. All the secrets were big … major! This action-packed thriller was filled with one jaw-dropping moment to the next. The novel opens with Marian, the mother of four-year old Sebastian, at Pike’s Place Market during the busy Christmas season when an unexpected phone call provides just enough of a distraction for Sebastian to disappear without much of a trace. All the police can find is camera footage of Sebastian being walked out of the market area with someone in a Santa suit and not much else. A little more than a year later and still no leads, Marian is a mess. Her husband, Derek has buried himself in work, and when Marian hires a private investigator to continue the work the police have listed as a cold case she learns that Derek has had a months-long affair with twenty-something grad student, Kenzie. Marian fixates on Kenzie, who has a sordid past of her own, as a coping mechanism of finding a solution to a problem she thinks she can actually fix. However, one bad decision turns into another, and Marian finds herself twisted in a web of deceit that leads to her undoing but also provides her to the first real lead to what happened to Sebastian. 

While the mystery of who took Sebastian is at the heart of this book, there are so many other topics the author tackles including the grief and loss of a loved one, suicide and unhealthy coping mechanisms. The bulk of the plot focuses on Marian and her obsession with Kenzie. That part of the plot got a little old for me. It was annoying, but realistic, with how Marian saw Kenzie as the enemy even though Derek is the one who made the martial vow with her. However, seeing it through the lens of the guilt she felt for losing Sebastian, I suppose I can understand why the character was written that way. It definitely made her a multidimensional and believable character. I didn’t see the plot twist about two-thirds into the story that led to the conclusion of the mystery, which made the story a satisfying one for me. 

I found Little Secrets to be a fast-paced, attention-grabbing psychological thriller especially written for mystery and suspense lovers. The child abduction aspect may make it a difficult read, but the emotional rollercoaster is worth reading the book to completion. 

Recommendation: I would highly recommend this book. I devoured it in a couple days because I just had to know who done it, what Marian was going to do to Kenzie and if Marian and Derek’s marriage would survive such stress. I was able to borrow a digital copy from the Fort Worth Public Library with no wait. So, check your local library for a copy today! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 357 pages
Published: January 2022

A spellbinding mystery thriller good enough to make Book of the Month’s monthly pick - sign me up! A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham is an intriguing and engaging novel that once it’s picked up it’s hard to put down. 

The story centers Chloe Davis whose father was arrested and convicted as a serial killer of young girls when she was an adolescent. In present day, Chloe is a psychologist in Baton Rouge, and when one of her clients - a young girl - goes missing along with other girls with whom Chloe seems to have a connection, she wonders if history is repeating itself. Invested in the crimes, she inserts herself in the investigation and her past comes to haunt her. 

This is Willingham’s debut novel, and it is a well-written, mesmerizing story that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. In the ending, she provides a well thought-out conclusion that provides satisfaction but also sticks with you days after finishing. I would definitely read another novel written by this author. I do believe she has a promising literary career ahead of her. 

Recommendation: This is a fun, creepy book with twists and turns. It could be picked up and read at any time during the year but might be fun to read during the Halloween season. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Pages: 295 pages
Published: September 2021

Is there a such thing as too many plot twists? In Alice Feeney's latest novel, Rock Paper Scissors, I would say yes. There was simply too much going on in this story about a couple who win this weekend in a remote area of Scotland during a snowstorm.  The author provides the audience with an unreliable narrator through omniscient storytelling and letters from the wife. As the case in most mysteries, there is a plot twist toward the end of the book, and this one is pretty dark and twisty. 

This is an interesting, albeit unrealistic, story. For the most part, I enjoyed the journey of reading. I am interested to see what the screenwriters do with the Netflix adaptation. I liked the twist. I did not see it coming, and I think it was cleverly done; however, I just wasn't a fan of the ending. It's probably the just and fair side of me that felt a little cheated, but that's all I'll say without giving any more away. 

Recommendation: This is my first Feeney read, and I'd recommend it, especially during a cold winter weekend. It's a fast read that will get your blood pumping and warm you up in no time! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard

Rating: 4 of 5 stars 

Pages: 305 pages
Published: August 2021

56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard is one of the few books that has already taken on the COVID-19 pandemic. The book is set in Ireland where protagonists Ciara and Oliver meet just before the world shut down in March of 2020. There's an instant connection, and when their town goes on strict lockdown (This is not like the U.S. lockdown.), the two decide to move in together to get to continue to see each other and get to know one another while staying within the guidelines of the pandemic quarantine. 

As the title suggest, fifty-six days later one of them is dead. The bulk of the book goes back in forth in time slowly building the story and providing clues as to who is dead, why and who is responsible for the death. I enjoyed reading this story. We are just far enough past the lockdown for it to be entertaining and relevant to the reader. Howard is an excellent suspense writer. She crafted a story just over 300 pages that provided a lot of detail for well-rounded character development. I felt like I could really picture the scenes and scenarios that she illustrated through her writing. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a great build, but if I am completely honest I was a little disappointed in the final twist. I think she could have left it one step/twist before the final twist. Maybe that's just me wanting believe in the goodness of people. Anyhow, I won't give too much away. You'll have to pick up a copy for yourself! 

Recommendation: If you're looking for a realistic escape from reality, I would strongly recommend this mystery thriller set in the not too distant past. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Survive the Night by Riley Sager

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Pages: 324 pages
Published: June 2021

Survive the Night by thriller author, Riley Sager, which is a pseudonym, was a highly anticipated novel by mystery/thriller readers and Book of the Month members alike. The book is set back in the early 90s on a small college campus where student Charlie is looking for a ride home and meets up with Josh, who is looking to ride-share. Charlie is in the midst of the grieving process as her close friend and roommate was recently the victim of a supposed serial killer near the college campus. As a result, she suffers from cinematic delusions. 

The premise of the book was definitely intriguing to me.  Because it is set in the early 90s where instant communication was not readily available, it created tension and suspense. However, it did seem a little far fetched. I was just a little younger than Charlie during this time frame, and I can not see myself basically hitchhiking with a total stranger when there had been criminal activity abound. The other plot element of Charlie being a bit off her rocker because of past trauma and the grief process was awkward. I understand it was added to create confusion for the reader as they attempt to figure out the antagonist of the book. But again, it seemed a little far fetched to me. My final criticism was the ending. I think we had no choice but to guess who the serial killer was because Sager had elemented literally very other character introduced, but it just didn't make sense to me.

I've only read one other Sager book, and I had a lukewarm response to it as well. Maybe I am just not a fan. But I did give it a college try and completed both books! 

Recommendation: If you're a fan, you probably already have a copy of this book. If you're into mystery/thrillers, this could be right up your alley. I'd say borrow a copy from a friend of the library before investing too much into it. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Whisper Man by Alex North

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 355 pages
Published: June 2019

If you're looking for a riveting and emotional-filled mystery thriller, The Whisper Man by Alex North is a solid choice. I read The Shadows last summer, which is sort of a sequel to this book. I wouldn't say it's a true sequel, but both books take place in the same area and feature detective Amanda Beck. The Shadows was a different kind of mystery that moved at a much slower pace for me. I thoroughly enjoyed The Whisper Man. I found myself picking up the book at every free moment, enjoying the journey but also wanting to reach the end so I could learn the answers to all the questions the book posed. 

The story is centered around four prominent characters that all take the lead at some point. Amanda Beck is the lead detective on a case of a missing and presumed abducted child. Her case has ties to a fellow detective's case, Pete Willis, from several years back where he captured Frank Carter aka The Whisper Man. The two detectives team up to help solve the present-day mystery. In hopes of healing from a recent tragedy, Tom Kennedy and his son Jake move to the town, unbeknownst to them, where these older and more current abductions have taken place. They take up residence in an eccentric house where Jake soon begins to hear whispers at his window, leaving the reader to ponder if the captured Whisper Man has somehow found a way out. 

Recommendation: As with most mysteries, I don't want to give too much away to spoil the story, but I will say I found this one intriguing and strongly recommend it. I've already passed the book along to another reading friend. The tone and pace of this book propels the reader forward to a satisfying conclusion. It's a great read for mystery/thriller lovers. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pages: 384 pages
Published: July 2018

As of this writing, I am currently moderating a read-along with BOTM's Mystery/Thriller Discussion Group, which is the reason I downloaded a copy of The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager from my local library. 

The book centers around Emma Davis who, as a 13-year old, got the opportunity to spend the summer at the prestigious Camp Nightingale. While there, her three bunkmates go missing never to be seen again. Fast forward a decade and a half later, and Emma has been asked by the Camp's director, Franny, to return to the scene of the disappearance as one of the Camp's activity instructors. The goal is for the Camp to re-open with a new and fresh start. Emma agrees in hopes assuming the role of amateur detective and finding out what really happened to her bunkmates all those years ago. To her surprise, history seems to repeat itself, and Emma finds herself in the middle of another unexplainable disappearance of three young girls. 

Like most mysteries, this one included a large cast of characters that created an element of confusion and offered many theories of who could have done it. The story also see-sawed between present day and 15 years in the past, providing just enough details to keep the reader hooked. I was a little troubled by the extreme violence against women by this male author. Overall, I found this novel to be a formulaic modern-day mystery and fairly predictable; however, I did appreciate the little twist ending.  

Recommendation: While I enjoy reading mystery thrillers, this was my first read by this pseudonymous author. While I did finish this book so that I could fulfill my duties as moderator, the book neither struck me as exceptionally bad or outrageously entertaining. However, it did keep me engaged over an exceptionally cold winter weekend in north Texas. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Girl with a Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pages: 289 pages
Published: February 2014

Welcome to 2021. I started this book in 2020, but it is my first one completed on the first day of the year, and I hope this does not portend my reading year. The Girl with a Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson had great promise and an interesting premise but was an extremely frustrating read. This mystery's main character is George Foss, who reconnects with his first college love some decades later, when she asks him for a pretty serious favor. Seemingly caught up in the nostalgia of the relationship they once had George agrees and finds himself caught up in a dangerous whirlwind. 

The book is fast-moving, and the author's writing is intriguing. However, the story fell flat for me in the end because the ending really wasn't an ending at all. George was so infuriating, I'm not even sure we can call him a protagonist because he was his own antagonist. His love interest was equally difficult to follow and highly unlikeable. It just didn't seem like George made good choices throughout the book, and the author took the easy way out in the end - leaving this reader quite unfulfilled. 

Recommendation: I read this book with the Fort Worth Library's awesome Stay at Home Book Club. It's an awesome group of people all over the interwebs that reads and discusses together, and the consensus was Mr. Swanson left much too be desired with this read. But, hey, that's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Malloy

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 293 pages
Published: October 2020

Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Malloy was a BOTM selection that I did not purchase, but rather borrowed, from my local library. The story is about newlyweds Sam and Annie who move from New York City to a more suburban area of New York to start their new life together. Sam is an attractive, well-known therapist who sees clients in his downstairs office. Unfortunately, his sessions can be heard via an upstairs vent. Sam also, like many married couples, has some secrets of his own. These all collide and Sam goes missing. 

Oh my word, this was an excellent, twisty read! Tangled with plot lines from Stephen King's Misery, the story is fast-moving and reaches a pretty tidy ending. The thing I liked most about this book is it challenged the reader to question his/her/them preconceived ideas about gender dialect and behavior. 

I don't want to share anymore so that I don't give away any of the juicy plot twists and turns. 

Recommendation: Just go snag a copy for yourself. It's a fun way to spend a few days losing yourself in a story.  

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Pages: 304 pages
Published: October 2020

I signed up for the Book of the Month subscription nearly a year ago because the company touts their panel's ability to choose great reads, and for the most part they have not disappointed me. When I added The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle to my box, I figured it would be good. 

As a read along about these identical twin sisters who separated at the last possible moment in the womb and, as a result, were mirror images of each other (include their internal organs), I found the story to have the makings of a run-of-the mill mystery. As older teens, the sisters' father died and, in a most dysfunctional way, he leaves he entire fortune to the first child (and there are more than just the twins) who marries and produces his first biological grandchild. The "winning" heir cannot share the monies with any of his or her siblings. As the identical twins enter adulthood, they are the oldest and most likely to bear an heir. Summer who has the perfect life with her husband seems in prime position since her twin's, Iris, marriage has recently fallen apart. As luck would have it, Summer calls Iris out to help sail the family yacht back home due to a family emergency and on the way back, Iris finds herself without her twin in the middle of the Indian Ocean. When she makes landfall, she uses the unfortunate opportunity to seize her sister's perfect life and grab the inheritance while she's at it. 

The story is well written. It creates enough mystery to keep the reader invested to the finish, but the thing that makes this book great is the plot twist that literally doesn't come till the last page of the book. It has left many readers, myself included, jaw dropped. You might think throwing in a plot twist at the very end of the book would cheapen its effect, but it does just the opposite. It leaves the reader reeling and trying to figure out how it all happened for days. 

Recommendation: This was definitely a fast-paced, twisty sister novel. If you can get past the technical sailing terms included in  the novel, it's an easy and fun read over a lazy weekend. I highly recommend it. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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One by One by Ruth Ware

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 372 pages
Published: September 2020

The thing with having a Book of the Month subscription is that you rarely, if ever, run into any bad books. For the month of September, I splurged on three books (read the next 2 reviews or view my reading list to learn the titles). While I finished One by One by Ruth Ware on the last day of a warm summer in Texas, the book took me to the snowy mountains in the French Alps. This was my first read by this prolific mystery/thriller author. The book centers around the employees of this interesting new mobile app that allows users to listen in or "snoop" on what other people, including celebrities, are listening to musically. 

Anyway, the eight employees including the founding (and stock-holding) members of the company go off to the luxurious ski chalet for a team-building retreat. While there, they learn that one of the founders has ulterior business motives for the trip. An unexpected and dangerous avalanche leaves the guests stranded and one by one (get it?), people start dying. The plot has the makings of a classic whodunit, like Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. The two staff members, Erin and Danny, try to maintain a sense of control while waiting for help to come clear the way, but they are in just as much danger. 

This book was suspenseful enough to keep me turning the pages. Ware does a good job of providing clues to lead you to the killer. I enjoyed her beautiful descriptions of the Alps and the snow. It transported me right there, and when she got to the action, I felt emotions as if I were a character in the book. The only thing that bothered me about this book was the length. I think the last portion including the ski chase could have been removed as it seemed to slow down the overall pace of the novel. 

None of these characters are really that likable, which is odd because the story is. I read this book as a read-along with an online book club, but I think it might be even more fun to read when it's cold outside. 

Recommendation: I would recommend One by One as an intense, fast-paced winter read. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pages: 352 pages
Published: August 2020

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin was one of my Book of the Month selections for August. The plot centers around Rachel Krall, a former investigative journalist who now headlines a widely popular true crime podcast. In the opening of the book, the reader learns that the protagonist is on her way to a fiction town in North Carolina to cover the rape trial of the town's celebrity athlete who is accused of assaulting a younger teen girl. If this sounds familiar, it's because that part of the plot is very similar to real-life Brock Turner case. On her way to town, a letter is left on the windshield of her car regarding another case that happened 25 years earlier. As the story goes on, we find the two cases intertwined and Rachel in some pretty dangerous situations as her investigative spirit gets the best of her in searching for the truth in both.  

As a fan of mystery thrillers and true crime podcasts, I found this book to be completely captivating. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. When I was forced to, I would open it back up as soon as I had free time to read again. Goldin has done a good job with a very sensitive subject. At times I wondered if she is a survivor of sexual assault in the persuasive stance she took on the topic and how she described the logistical aftermath of a rape and its resulting emotional trauma. Goldin is able to paint a vivid picture with her writing, putting the reader right in the middle of the story. And that cover art is pretty alluring as well, wouldn't you agree?

Recommendation: I would definitely recommend this book, if you're looking for a quick mystery thriller, but beware of emotional triggers. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Last Flight by Julie Clark

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 288 pages
Published: June 2020

The Last Flight by Julie Clark was my June selection from Book of the Month. Book of the Month is a wonderful little subscription service if you enjoy reading physical copies of books, what's more is you often get access to books before they're officially released to the public at large. This was the case with The Last Flight. I am really glad I snagged a copy of this psychological thriller about two women looking to escape their dangerous lives and swap plane tickets at the airport. The premise might seem far-fetched, but after reading the book, people could certainly do this and get away with it. So, you have Claire who is married to a super aggressive and abusive aspiring political giant, and Eva, who is in a seemingly inescapable situation of her own. Their chance meeting at an airport restaurant results in their mutual decision to take on each other's identity for the purpose of a flight. This life-altering event is the nexus of a series of events.

I found this book to be entertaining, insightful, fast-paced and ... simply thrilling. I had to stop myself from wanting to read faster and faster to find out what happens in the lives of these women but also not wanting it to end because I enjoyed the character development and got invested in both of them as well as the overall plot. The story, like a lot of thrillers, is told in alternating perspectives and timelines. I suspect most mystery and thriller authors choose this tactic to create more suspense, and it worked well in this instance. I enjoyed this book so much when I shared what I was reading with my mother she asked if she could borrow my copy when I was finished.

Recommendation: This is a quick, short book that can be read over a nice summer weekend. I promise it will keep you guessing till the very end. The official release date was June 23rd so you should be able to find a copy at your local library now, or purchase your own wherever books are sold.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Guest List by Lucy Foley

Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Pages: 320 pages
Published: June 2020 (expected)

The Guest List by Lucy Foley was my April Book of the Month Club section. The book is a mystery thriller set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. Mystery. Thriller. Ireland. Sign me up! The book is about the wedding of a high profile couple and features an ensemble cast. It is told in alternating perspectives of The Bride, The Best Man, The Plus One, The Wedding Planner and The Bridesmaid. It is reminiscent of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express in that someone gets murdered while on the island for the weekend wedding and everyone is a suspect. 

The book was a little slow to start, but overall it was a fun read. I quickly guessed the murder victim, but it took till nearly the end of the book for me to figure out who did the deed. I like reading books told from multiple perspectives. I think it works really well for mysteries. What I did not care for was the back in forth in the timeline. It made the storyline more confusing and added little value. There were some minor plot holes but nothing major that took away from the central story.  

Recommendation: I enjoy reading books set in Ireland, and I hope to make it there one day. Dublin is definitely on my bucket list. Until then, I'll continue to rely on books to take me places I can't go because of COVID-19. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Read More