Adele Park

When Kylie Gillingham is murdered, it is discovered that she is a bigamist. Married to a landscaper with two sons, she is also married to a wealthy, handsome professional. Suspicion always falls on the husband, but which one? It is up to DCI Clements and her partner to solve the crime. Complicating matters is that this takes place during the pandemic with all its lock down regulations.

Meanwhile, Stacie Jones is back home with her devoted father after having lived in Paris. Cancer treatment has left her with amnesia and she is trying to claw back some memories.

Told from various POVs, I chose this book not knowing that it was actually a sequel. Woman Last Seen by Parks is the first in the duology, apparently with an ambiguous conclusion that this book resolves. I also thought this was primarily a police procedural. While the reader does meet Clements, chapters featuring her are limited. Rather, the focus is more on Stacie and, at times, Fiona, Kylie’s best friend who steps up to fill her shoes with her landscaper husband and children. Much time is spent on Stacie’s thoughts and consternation about her present condition.

I thought the plot and some of the action a bit over the top, but perhaps if I had read the first book, some of it might have made more sense and I would have enjoyed it more. There was a lot of personal reflection on everyone’s part. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likable.

Thanks to #netgalley and @htpbooks for the ARC.… (más)

Meet Wisp, a law enforcer in the land of Edra, where magic is encouraged to flourish and is often needed for sheer survival. A mages council rules Edra compared to the neighboring area of Finah, who prefers humans to control their resources. After a bloody civil war, many years ago, the two lands exist beside each other in a fragile peace.

Wisp is a marsh fairy with raven hair and pointy ears pierced with silver earrings. Marsh fairies are rare and possess special powers. Wisp keeps his real identity under wraps, known only to his superiors. Abandoned as a child, the “Senior” Law enforcement officer raised him ensuring his survival.

In a desolate area filled with putrefying rubbish, Wisp comes across the body of a High Elf, a member of the Thorns, who was a high-ranking council member found murdered in the circle. The elf’s throat had been brutally cut. Wisp sets out to solve the murder not realizing he is to play an integral part in solving the mystery.
Wisp meets Finn Redhaven, the lover of the murdered elf, Sammiel Thorn, and feels an immediate attraction to him. Wisp and Finn fall in love and discover a wealth of magical abilities enabled by their relationship. And, they are going to need all the help they can get to battle the evil that has descended on Edra.

As fantasy novels go, Wisp stands out to me in its originality and political intrigue. Ms. Park creates a world where love is considered to be one of the greatest powers of all. I enjoyed that the two main characters were male and embraced their love and desire for each other, which was a refreshing approach to solving a mystery in a magical land. The reader discovers along with Wisp the extent of his abilities which I anticipate will increase over time.

I’ve added Wisp to my Me Time category for Fantasy. I loved the story and the characters. The ending is a cliffhanger, and I can’t wait for the next volume to find out what happens to Wisp and Finn. Hopefully, Ms. Park won’t keep us in suspense for long.… (más)

Be prepared to LYAO. Think you've got problems? Listen to this one! Having a down week? Listen to this one! Don't want strangers to hear you choking on suppressed laughter? DON'T listen to this one! The publisher's summary will give you some clues, but you have simply GOT to hear this for yourself. The writer does an excellent job, or the audio performers wouldn't be able to enjoy themselves so much. And the performances ADD to the general hilarity!
Wholehearted thanks to AudioBook Blast for introducing this book to me!… (más)