Eadie's 2023 Reading Log - 200 Books Read

January 2023

1. In Too Deep by Simon McCleave - 400 pgs. ***** 1/1/23
Laura Hart, after two months and the kidnapping of her son, has re-joined the force as a DI. Jamie McCann has disappeared without a trace twenty years ago but a skeleton has been found near a seaside town of Beaumaris, Anglesey. Laura’s investigation leads her to MI5 and the Real IRA but nobody seems to want their secrets to come out. This turned out to be a really interesting book after a bit of a slow start. The twists and turns about midway forced me to read without putting the book down until the cliffhanger of a finish. I am now looking forward to Blood On The Shore, the 3rd book in The Anglesey Series. If you like a thrilling mystery, then you would love this book. Simon McCleave is a writer that knows how to deliver an exciting adventure with every read. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for a copy for an honest review.

2. The Night Shift by Alex Finlay - 368 pgs. **** 1/2/23
Four teenage girls working the night shift are attacked. Only one survives. Police quickly identify a suspect who flees and is never seen again. Fifteen years later, in the same town, four teenage employees working late at an ice cream store are attacked, and again only one makes it out alive. Three lives intersect: the survivor of the Blockbuster massacre who’s forced to relive her tragedy; the brother of the original suspect, who’s convinced the police have it wrong; and the FBI agent, who’s determined to solve both cases. On a collision course toward the truth, all three lives will forever be changed, and not everyone will make it out alive. This is a fast-paced page turner that will grab you in the beginning and not let you go until the very end. The story is told in two different timelines with POV's from the three different characters. There are a few red herrings that kept me guessing. If you like suspense with mystery, then you will love this book.

3. Moorings by David Blake - 341 pgs. **** 1/3/23
A war veteran murdered in his home, his sons are murdered one by one. This is the 3d book of the DI Tanner series. It is an exciting plot, a dark and twisting story with some humor. David Blake's descriptive writing seems like you are right there. The short chapters kept me reading until the very end. DI Tanner and DS Jenny Evans live on a boat and their investigative skills are top-notched. I am now looking forward to reading Three Rivers next. If you like thrillers with your mystery, then you will love this book.

4. Never Somewhere Else by Alex Gray - 311 pgs - **** 1/5/23
When a series of young women are discovered strangled and mutilated in a Glasgow park, it is up to DCI Lorimer to find their killer. He enlists the services of Dr Solomon Brightman, a psychologist and criminal profiler. This is the first book of the DCI Lorimer series. It is compared to Ian Rankin’s Rebus series set in Edinburgh as it is set in Glasgow. The book is paced a bit slow in the beginning but it takes off in the middle of the book. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, as I have a feeling the books will get better and better. If you like suspense with your mystery, then you will love this book.

5. Mushroom by Sara Rich - 152 pgs. **** 1/7/23
A rhythmic foray into the world of an inscrutable and wondrous organism. This book goes beyond mushrooms as a pasta ingredient or trendy coffee alternative to present them as the firmament for life as we know it. They are enablers of mystical traditions, menders of minds lost to depression, and symbols of inexplicable growth and excruciating misery. But it acknowledges too, that this firmament only exists because of death and rot. This book is a part of a series, Object Lessons, about hidden lives of ordinary things. The author uses the seasons and describes mushrooms for each season. She says that “if an insect likes a mushroom, humans will too.” I enjoyed this book and know that you will too. I learned a lot about mushrooms and which ones are edible. Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic for a copy for an honest review.

6. The Everything Dash Diet Meal Prep by Karman Meyer - 272 pgs. **** 1/10/2023
You will find steps to a successful meal prep, best practices for storing ingredients, grocery shopping tips and discover new foods for every meal. 200 Dash (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet recipes give you portion-controlled meals to satisfy your cravings and improve your health, lower blood pressure, prevent diabetes and to lose weight. It's a help with your journey towards better health. There is a chapter on freezer meals and how to create meals like power bowls. It's a great amount of variety for every night. I used this cookbook to make Swiss Cheese and Chive Mini Quiches and they turned out great. I look forward to making more dinners with this cookbook. I found the recipes so easy to use and there are beautiful pictures of different meals. I would like to thank Adams Media and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

7. The I Love My Air Fryer Cooking for One Recipe Book by Heather Johnson - 224 pgs. ***** 1/11/2023
175 easy and delicious single-serving recipes to try. I have an air fryer and I'm looking forward to trying some of these recipes. Cooking at home is the most effective way to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor. This book gives great information on why you should use an air fryer. It tells you how to choose an air fryer and explains the size, style, air fryer functions, preheating, olive oil sprayers, silicone tongs, ramekins , pizza pans, mini loaf pans, parchment paper, breading trays, spatulas and silicone baking cups. There are pictures and recipes for Breakfast, Appetizers and Snacks, Sides, Poultry Main Dishes, Beef and Pork, Seafood and Fish, Vegetarian, and Desserts with even a US/Metric Conversion Chart. Everything you need to get started cooking with your Air Fryer. This is the only device you need in your kitchen, I would like to thank Adams Media and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

8. Seriously Good Chili Cookbook by Brian Baumgartner - 252 pgs. ***** 1/17/2023
I love a good chili so I was happy when I got the Seriously Good Chili Cookbook from Chapel Publishing, Fox Chapel and NetGalley for an honest review. I made the Electric Pressure Cooker Vegetarian Three-Bean Chili and was it ever good! The book has a brief History of Chili and Fun Facts. Some people think it originated in the 1800s. The book was written by Brian Baumgartner as he searches for the Perfect Pot of Chili. He searched all the Chili Categories and found Chili Con Carne, Chili Verde, White Chicken Chili, Texas Chili, Cincinnati Chili, Turkey Chili, Vegetarian Chili, Black Bean Chili, and Homestyle Chili. He gives you his own chili recipe that he cooks all the time. He also tells you how to freeze the chili in muffin-sized pans so you can individually reheat them as needed. He has a whole section on Hot Pepper Heat Scale and tells you about the different peppers that are available. This is a very good Chili Cookbook and gives you 177 of the Best Chili Recipes in the World.

9. The Marquess Club Killings by Gaynor Torrance - ***** - 1/14/2023
High court judge, Rory Lawson goes missing. A bound and gagged body is found. Jemina's team uncovers a shocking link to Judge Lawson. She must find the judge before time runs out. A fast-paced thriller that kept me reading until the final end. Great characters with mystery thrills that twist and turned the plot and had me on the edge of my seat. If you enjoy police procedurals then you will love this book. Thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

10. The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths - 390 pgs. ***** 1/15/2023
Ruth has a new job, home and partner but convicted murderer, Amyas March, requests that Ruth come back to Norfolk to help DCI Nelson find the bodies that he has buried. He leads them to an area haunted by The Lantern Men. This is another interesting installment in the Ruth Galloway series which finds Ruth and Nelson still having strong feelings for each other even though Frank also has his eyes on Ruth. Recommended

11. Cooking a la Heart 4th Edition by Linda Hachfeld - 384 pgs. ***** 1/18/2023
Focus on flavor and use less salt. Use more spice blends that don't rely on salt. Use more grain flours in your baking. Use more fruit and vegetables in all forms. Choose healthy sources of protein from plants and animals. Eat more seafood and snack on nuts. Enjoy desserts with better-for-you ingredients. Stop hypertension, reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimers disease. Sections in the book include Healthiest for our hearts., 500 delicious health=promoting recipes, Nutrition facts for calories, protein carbs, fiber, sugars, fat, saturated fats, omega 3's, sodium and potassium. Eating healthy isn't boring anymore. Thanks to The Experiment and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

12. Hiding From The Light by Barbara Erskine - 736 pgs. **** 1/19/2023
This is my first Barbara Erskine novel. It is a story about Emma Dickson who is drawn to a cottage in the woods and decides to move there alone. Piers is living in London and because of his job does not want a long commute. The cottage is haunted by Liza, the herbalist. Emma turns to the rector for help but he is in the grip of something inexplicable and dangerous. This was a story of good versus evil and races to a heart-stepping climax. I enjoyed the story very much and will now be looking to read other Erskine books. They are a great escape from mystery books that I normally read. If you enjoy books about ghosts and witches then you will love this book.

13. The Girl in the Pink Shoes by Stacy Green - 355 pgs. **** 1/20/23
This is book 1 in the Lucy Kendall series. Lucy worked in Child Protective Services but is now a Private Investigator. Her 13 year old sister went missing and killed herself in the aftermath. It is a psychological thriller and a real page-turner. An 8 year old is now missing and Lucy needs to find her. The characters are hard to trust and the twists and turns makes things a bit suspenseful. The ending was satisfying and kept the pages turning. I am looking forward to the next book in the series in order to get to know Lucy better. If you love psychological thrillers then you will love this book. I would like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

14. Little Lost Souls by Stacy Green - 335 pgs. **** 1/27/23
Little Lost Souls by Stacy Green. This is book 2 of The Lucy Kendall Crime Thriller by Stacy Green. In order to save the lost children of the city of Philadelphia, Lucy goes into dark places that the police can't go but a strand of Lucy's long red hair is located near a body and Lucy finds herself under suspicion. Riley claims to know who the murderer is but Riley is now missing. This is a gripping page-turner. The book has great characters. Chris Hale is a friend of Lucy's and Detective Todd Beckett isn't sure about Lucy and thinks she may be a killer. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love emotional reads then you will love this book. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

15. The Girl in the Cabin by Stacy Green - 322 pgs. **** 1/28/2023
This is the 3rd book in the Lucy Kendall series by Stacy Green. A body of a 16 year-old is found in a hunting cabin in the middle of Maryland. Mary Weston left clues that she is the notorious killer. Lucy is determined to catch this evil woman. The bodies of three other teenage girls are found. Is Mary toying with them? Then Chris disappears. Mary is responsible and wants to meet with Lucy. This book is an emotional page-turner. It is not easy to put this book down as things are being revealed. If you enjoy books that are emotionally charged, then you will love this book. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I would like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

16. The Lonely Girls by Stacy Green - 334 pgs. **** 1/29/2023
This is the 4th and final book in the Lucy Kendall series by Stacy Green. Lucy is now working at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Alexandria VA. She needs to go back to Philadelphia where her best friend Kelly is missing. She has 48 hours to find Kelly. The plot of this book has a twist that I didn't see coming and kept me reading as the book became unputdownable. We get lots of answers to questions about Lucy and her friends. The book is well-researched by the author and is a great ending to the Lucy Kendall series. If you like psychological thrillers then you will love this series. I would like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

17. Exiles by jane Harper - 368 pgs. **** 1/31/2023
This is the 3rd and final book in this trilogy of Aaron Falk series but it easily reads as a standalone. I listened to the audiobook but you need to pay close attention to the list of characters and happenings. One year ago a mother (Kim Gillespie) went missing while leaving her baby (Zoe) in its pram at a wine festival. Five years prior was a hit and run and Gemma's husband died. This is a slow-burn plot of the story which leaves the reader to an ending twist and how Harper finished both mysteries. There are multiple POV's and a dual timeline (a week in the present, a year earlier and three years later). If you like cleverly-plotted mysteries with a hint of romance, then you will love this book. I would like to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

18. Now Is Not The Time To Panic by Kevin Wilson - 256 pgs. **** 2/4/3023
Two teenage misfits, Frankie Budge and Zeke Browne, collide one fateful summer and the art they make that changes their lives forever. They make a poster with a phrase and it becomes unforgettable to anyone who sees it. "The edge is a shantytown filled with gold seekers. We are fugitives, and the law is skinny with hunger for us." They take copies of the poster and deliver them throughout the town. Satanists, kidnappers, the rumors won't stop and the repercussions spread through town. The art that brought them Frankie and Zeke together now threatens to tear them apart. This is a coming-of-age story and an exploration of young love, identity and the power of art. It's about secrets that haunt us and what the truth will set free. I enjoyed Kevin Wilson’s wit and prose and look forward to reading his next novel. If you like bighearted fiction books, then you will love this book.

19. This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub - 286 Pgs. **** 2/5/2023
On the eve of her 40th birthday, Alice decides to travel back to 1996 when she was 16 years old. She sees her dad as vital and charming instead of ailing as he is today. Armed with a new perspective on her own life and his, some past events take on new meaning. Is there anything she would change if she could? Emma Straub with her celebrated humor, insight and heart gives us a traditional time travel book that is a different kind of love story. This is a love story between a father and his daughter. I look forward to reading another book by this author. If you like books with wry humor and tremendous heart, then you would love this book.

20. Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn - 353 Pgs. **** 2/6/2023
Older women often feel invisible, but sometimes that's their secret weapon. Now that they are 60 years old, four women friends can't just retire. Billie, Mary Alice, Helen and Natalie worked for the Museum, an elite network of assassins for 40 years. Its kill or be killed. Now they have to turn against their own organization to teach the Board what it really means to be a woman and a killer of a certain age. This is an action thriller with entertaining bits of humor told in two timelines and narrated by Billie. There is a twist that I didn't see coming which led to an enjoyable ending. This is my first Deanna Raybourn book but won't be my last. If you like a bit of humor with your mystery thriller, then you would love this book.

21. The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell - 384 pgs. **** 2/8/2023
This is a sequel to The Family Upstairs. DCI Samuel Uwusu is called to the scene where the bones are found in the Thames River. Rachel Rimmer has also been told that her husband, Michael, has been found dead in the cellar of his house in France. Lucy Lamb is settling on a purchase of a house while her brother Henry is off to find a boy from his shared past. Are these all connected in a way? This is a well-written book with lots of answers to questions from the first book. No need to read the first book as details are covered very well in this one. The characters are unique and the plot is fulfilling and leads to a great ending. If you like standalone sequels then you will love this book. Looking forward to my next Lisa Jewell book.

22. The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand - 416 pgs. - **** 2/9/2023
London billionaire, Xavier Darling, purchases and renovates The Hotel Nantucket. He hires Nantucket sweetheart Lisabet Keaton as his general manager and Lisabet puts together a staff who share the vision of the fate of the hotel turning it around. This book is filled with emotional tension and multiple points of view with a touch of historical reality. It would be a great summer read. It has great characters and a great plot line. I enjoyed it very much and know that you will too.

23. Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult 310 Pgs. ***** 2/9/2023
Diana O'Toole is about to get engaged on a trip to Galapagos Island but a virus hits New York on the eve of their departure. Finn tells her she should still go to the island as he has to stay at the hospital to handle all the sick. When Diana arrives on the island the whole island is now under quarantine and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated Diana must venture beyond her comfort zone. Will this cause Diana to examine her relationships, her choices and herself? Will Diana evolve into someone completely different? This is a great story with a completely surprising twist that I did not see coming. I love the characters and the plot was unexpected. I will definitely seek to read more Jodi Picoult as she knows how to tell a story.

24. Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid - 384 pgs. ***** 2/12/2023
Carrie Soto is back, for one epic final season. In this riveting and unforgettable novel, Taylor Jenkins Reid tells her most vulnerable, emotional story yet. This book is a great read. Highly motivational and excellent story. It made me want to take up tennis and just go out and win, win, win! But for me, that's an impossible dream because tennis is a strenuous game and I have asthma. But the book is powerful and I decided to put my dream into the reading of my books. If you like powerful, motivational books then you would love this book. I am now looking forward to reading another book by Taylor Jenkins Reid as I have found her to be an excellent writer.

>24 EadieB: I read Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult and was also blown away by her story telling ability. I'll put this one on my wishlist!

25. The Plague Maiden by Kate Ellis - 362 Pgs - **** 2/13/2023
This is a blend of archaeological history and crime. It switches between the past and the present. It takes place in plague-ridden Devon in a spot where a lot of bodies were buried. Bodies from the past but one more body of a more recent death. It has a great cast of characters and a plot that has a twist at the end. Can't wait to read another book by Kate Ellis.

>26 threadnsong: I thought she was good too!

>25 EadieB: I loved this.

26. The Winners by Fredrik Bachman - 671 pgs. **** 2/14/2023
This is a great finale to The Beartown trilogy. It's a little long and starts out slow but what a impactful story. The people of Beartown still feel the bite from the first book and now they want to close down the two hockey rinks in Beartown and Hed. They want to start a brand new hockey rink for both towns. So what are the residents of Beartown willing to sacrifice for their home? The main themes of the book are corruption, abuse, rape, politics, power, money, hypocrisy, pure rage. There are plenty of characters to learn about who are good and bad. Some of the characters have come back and some are new. This is a book you need to read in order to get the full impact of the book. If you like books about a small town then you will love this book. I look forward to reading more from Backman in future books to come

27. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley - 360 pgs. **** 2/19/2023
Jess is broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less than ideal circumstances. Her half-brother Ben didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only when she shows up – to find a very nice apartment, could Ben really have afforded this? – he’s not there. The longer Ben stays missing, the more Jess starts to dig into her brother’s situation, and the more questions she has. Ben’s neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not particularly friendly. Jess may have come to Paris to escape her past, but it’s starting to look like it’s Ben’s future that’s in question. Everyone’s a neighbor. Everyone’s a suspect. And everyone knows something they’re not telling. This is a very interesting book with short chapters, different POV's and plenty of secrets. The characters are unreliable and suspicious. The twisty plot is entertaining and fast-paced. The apartment is a great atmosphere for a creepy disappearance. If you like unreliable, mysterious narrators then you will love this book. I look forward to Lucy Foley's next book.

28. The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden - 318 pgs. ***** 2/24/2023
Millie Calloway was hired as a housemaid for Douglas Garrick and he told her not to go into the guest bedroom as his wife was very ill. She can hear Mrs. Garrick crying and can see blood stains on the neck of her nightgown so she does knock on the bedroom door to make sure things are ok. But what she sees she knows Mrs. Garrick needs help getting away from her abusive husband. That's when all her problems begin. This is a very interesting mystery which I enjoyed reading. It has a cleverly plotted story that I had a hard time putting down. The characters were intricately believable as I read on in the plot. I loved the Epilogue of three months later when Millie gets her revenge. If you love crafty mysteries then you would love this book. I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy for an honest review. I look forward to my next Freida McFadden book.

29. Through The Gates of Hell by Scott B. Blanke - 259 pgs. **** 2/25/2023
This is a medical mystery by a surgeon who practices plastic surgery. It is a good attempt at writing a book but was all over the place. I stuck with it and enjoyed parts of it and I am giving it 4 stars as I really enjoyed the jokes that were placed throughout. I think it needs one clear murder and murderer that isn't revealed until the ending. I would like to thank the author, Scott B. Blanke, and Black Rose writing for a copy for an honest review.

30. True Crime Trivia by Michelle Tooker - 300 pgs. ***** 2/26/2023
This is a great book for hosting a crime trivia night. It is broken down into different sections with questions and answers readily available: Unsolved Mysteries and Cold Cases, Serial Killers, Podcasts, Celebrity Crimes, Heists & Robberies, Facts &Figures and Grab Bag. In Section 1 I only got 8 wrong in 50 questions which I thought was pretty good. You can test yourself and friends with this easy to use book plus learn a lot from all the great information. I am now going to read about The Moor Murders and The Hagley Moor Murders as I don't know much about them. If you like easy to read crime trivia books then you will love this book. I would like to thank the author and Beguile Media for a book for an honest review.

31. The Everlasting Meal Cookbook by Tamar Adler - 560 pgs. ***** 3/4/2023
This is a great cookbook to use up every kind of a leftover. It's organized alphabetically and makes it easy to flip through so you can find a use for all types of unused food. It's a book for people who love to read cookbooks and a smart book to save money and even a book to curl up with. It's perfect for solo meals or for feeding the whole family. Food waste is a serious issue today. Nearly forty percent of the food we buy gets tossed out. Tamara offers more than 3,500 easy and creative ideas to use up nearly every kind of leftover. I loved reading this cookbook and gaining new ideas. Thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

32. What Have We Done by Alex Finlay - 368 Pgs. **** 3/5/2023
This is a story of the lives we leave behind and the secrets we carry with us forever. Jenna, Donnie and Nico were best of friends living at Savior House, a group home for parentless teens, 25 years ago. They have been reunited as someone is trying to kill them. They will have to revisit their past that holds the secrets to why someone wants them dead. I found this book to be a fast-paced thriller. There are multiple POV's that take us from the past through the present. The characters are well-developed and bring us to an action-packed ending. I'm looking forward to reading another Alex Finlay book. I would like to thank St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

33. Hunting Game by Helene Tursten - 280 pgs. **** 3/6/2023
This is the first book of a new detective series featuring DI Embla Nystrom from Gothenburg Sweden. On her vacation, Embla decides to go hunting at her uncle's cabin in rural Dalsland. Peter, a young divorce decides to join the hunting group and becomes the thirteenth member which another member points out is a bad omen for the week. Two men from a neighboring group suddenly go missing. Embla takes charge of the search. Just what she needs on her vacation. Embla delves into the pasts of her fellow hunters. This book is an engaging thriller with credible, complex characters who are hiding secrets. It's a fast-paced Nordic noir. If you like books about hunting then you will love this book.

34. Winter Grave by Helene Tursten - 321 pgs. **** 3/7/2023
In this 2nd book in the Embla Nystrom series, Embla must solve a mystery case and find two missing children. When a little girl disappears suspicion falls on the last person she was seen with but the autistic boy is hardly speaking. When a second child disappears and a police officer is found dead, tensions mount. Could the incident be linked to Embla's childhood best friend who disappeared years ago? This novel is very suspenseful with secrets being kept. It is a strong plot with intriguing characters. I am looking forward to book 3 of the series. If you like police procedurals, then you will love to read this book.

35. Blood On The Tongue by Stephen Booth. - 480 pgs. **** 3/9/2023
This book takes place in the Peak District of England. The unidentified body of a dead man has turned up on a frosty roadside. An abused woman is found in the snow on nearby Irontongue Hill, an apparent suicide. There is a Royal Air Force bomber that crashed in 1945 killing everyone on board except the pilot who walked away from the wreckage. This is an intriguing plot with interesting characters. Ben Cooper is bound and determined to help the Canadian granddaughter of the pilot to solve this mystery. I am now looking forward to the next book in the series. If you enjoy police procedurals with well-balanced characters then you will love this book.

36. The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly - 416 pgs - 3/13/2023
I am really beginning to like Michael Connelly's writing. These books are really starting to grow on me. I love his Harry Bosch character. You can't help feeling for Harry in The Last Coyote as he searches for his mother's killer. I'm glad to see that Jasmine has come into his life and hopefully he can find some happiness with her. This book kept me interested all the way through and the ending was a complete surprise. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment as Michael Connelly always ends his books with making me want some more.

37. The Hagley Wood Murder by M.J. Trow - 224 pgs. **** 3/24/2023
The Hagley Wood Murder took place 80 yrs. ago in the Midlands. In April 1943, four teenage boys discovered a corpse stuffed in a Wych Elm tree. It had been there for 2 yrs, a female about 30 yrs. old, had given birth and was just under 5 ft. tall. The cause of death was suffocation. "Who Put Bella Down the Wych Elm" began to appear on walls and the name Bella has stuck ever since. In 1968 a book on the case appeared by Donald McCormick Murder by Witchcraft tied Bella to the occult murder of Charles Walton on Meon ill in 1945. Lots of theories have since developed that the murder was a spy victim parachuted in by the Abwehr, the Nazi secret service. This book is the first book to unravel the fiction of McCormick. It names Bella and her probable murderer. The conclusion is that of a prostitute as one of the world's oldest profession and world's oldest crime. It goes over teeth that were missing and clothing that she was clothed in that was too big for her. I found the book very interesting and all the solutions to murder that were available. Bella has been thoroughly researched in this book by M.J. Trow and look forward to reading more about this murder. If you love true crime then you would enjoy reading this book. I would like to thank Pen Sword True Crime and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

38. Convicting the Moor Murderers by Chris Cook - 224 pgs. **** 3/25/2023
I enjoyed this book very much. It tells about the murders of Edward Evans, Pauline Reade and Keith Bennett who were murdered by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley and buried on the Saddlebrook Moors. The trial was interesting and they both got life in prison. It also tells about how Myra Hindley planned her escape from prison in 1973. She never escaped but eventually turned on Ian Brady. She took a group of investigators and went to the Moors to show where Ian buried Pauline Reade. They took Ian Brady to try to find where he buried Keith Bennett but he remains unfound even today. It was decided that Ian Brady had killed many others throughout his life. There are lots of photos of Myra Hindley during her incarceration. If you like true crime, then you will enjoy this book. Thanks to the Pen and Sword True Crime and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

39. The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright - 352 pgs. **** 3/26/2023
This is a haunted house story that takes us back to 1865 with Daisy and Lincoln and in the present with Cleo and Deacon. The book switches back and forth with a creepy and chilling Gothic atmosphere. Women are disappearing from the area and a legend that seems to parallel these eerie circumstances. In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of American aristocratic family the Tremblays to help his matriarchal grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the woman's stashes of collectibles, a century-old mystery of disappearance, insanity, and the dust of the old castle's curse threatens to rise again, and this time, leave no one alive to tell its sordid tale. This book had just the right amount of spookiness and the characters were mysterious enough to send chills down your spine. I enjoyed this read of a house that would not release the women who were disappearing. In the end we learned about all the secrets that Castle Moreau had and I look forward to reading another book by Jamie Jo Wright. If you like books about spooky mansions then you will love this book. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

40. A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny - 390 pgs. **** 3/27/2023
A young man and woman have reappeared in the Surete de Quebec investigators’ lives after many years. The two were young children when their troubled mother was murdered, leaving them damaged, shattered. Now they’ve arrived in the village of Three Pines. It is the case where Gamache and Beauvoir met and introduces Fiona and Sam Arsenault who were 13 and 10 yrs. old. It involves a drug addict and the rescue of abused children. It is a story of revenge with lots of twists and turns.
A letter written by a long-dead stonemason is discovered. In it, the man describes his terror when bricking up an attic room somewhere in the village. Every word of the 160-year-old letter is filled with dread. When the room is found, the villagers decide to open it up. As the bricks are removed, Gamache, Beauvoir, and the villagers discover a world of curiosities. But the head of homicide soon realizes there’s more in that room than meets the eye. There are puzzles within puzzles, and hidden messages warning of mayhem and revenge. This is one exciting book that I read to the end and loved every minute. If you like old mysteries then you would love this book.

40. The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain - 352 pg. **** 3/28/2023
Kayla Carter's husband dies in an accident while building their dream house, she knows she has to stay strong for their four-year-old daughter. Kayla's elderly new neighbor, Ellie Hockley has secrets that stretch back almost fifty years. Is Ellie on a quest to right the wrongs of the past? And does the house at the end of the street hold the key? Told in dual time periods, The Last House on the Street is a novel of shocking prejudice and violence, forbidden love, the search for justice, and the tangled vines of two families. The story involves Ellie in 1965 (SCOPE's main purpose is to help Black people register to vote) and Kayla in 2010 (a young widow who has just moved into a house with her four-year-old daughter). I love Diane Chamberlain's books and this one was about racial issues from the 60's. It's a story of love, courage and coming of age. If you like historical fiction then you would love this book. I'm looking forward to the next Diane Chamberlain book.

41. A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham - 357 pgs. **** 3/31/2023
Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, Chloe’s father had been arrested as a serial killer and promptly put in prison. Chloe is a psychologist in private practice in Baton Rouge and getting ready for her wedding. Then a local teenage girl goes missing, and then another, and that terrifying summer comes crashing back. Is she paranoid, and seeing parallels that aren't really there, or for the second time in her life, is she about to unmask a killer? This debut novel was an interesting book and had me guessing all the way through. I thought I knew who the killer was but had to finish the book in order to find out if I was right. I kept changing my mind but in the end it turned out to be who I thought it was. With lots of twists and turns I felt confused at first but really knew who it was. I like the way the author kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. Well done, Stacy! If you like twisty thrillers then you would love this book.

April 2023

42. Blind Spots by Thomas Mullen - 320 pgs. **** 4/3/2023
Seven years ago, everyone in the world went blind but technology helped people adjust to the new normal downloading visual data directly to people’s brains. What happens when someone finds a way to hack it and change what people see. When a scientist is murdered, Mark Owens doesn’t believe her. He must conduct an investigation in which he can’t even trust his own eyes. A vidder is what they discovered to use which is a small disc like implantation on the right temple but it can be manipulated and change what people are seeing. This is a dystopian sci-fi novel that made me think about what it would be like having to rely on other people in order to see. There are some good plot twists and turns which kept me engrossed and reading on until the end. If you like dystopian sci-fi mystery novels then you would love this book. I would like to thank Minotaur books and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

43. The Chop Chop Family Cookbook by Sally Simpson - 256 pgs. ***** 4/3/2023
This is a colorful cookbook which features more than 150 recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It appeals to both adults and kids. The recipes include Overnight Oatmeal, Double Vegetable Fried Rice, Free Form Lasagna and One-Ingredient Banana Ice cream. The book gives simple cooking and meal-prep instructions. It is designed to help families develop the know-how and confidence to cook and make the homemade meals together. The book is broken down into breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, and dessert chapters. I plan on ordering a copy of this easy to use cookbook in order to cook with my grandchildren. If you like easy to use cookbooks then you would love this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing, LLC for a copy for an honest review.

44. Soulmate by Sally Hepworth - 336 pgs. **** 4/5/2023
This is a story about marriage, betrayal, and the secrets that push us to the edge. There’s a cottage on a cliff. Gabe and Pippa’s dream home in a sleepy coastal town. The tall cliffs have become a popular spot for people to end their lives. When Pippa discovers Gabe knew the victim, the questions spiral...Did the victim jump? Was she pushed? And would Gabe, the love of Pippa’s life, her soulmate...lie? As the perfect facade of their marriage begins to crack, the deepest and darkest secrets begin to unravel. This is a fast-paced entertaining novel with twists and turns that kept me reading to the very ending. It is a character-driven book with alternating chapters with POV from Pippa and Amanda. I like Hepworth's writing and would definitely read another book by her. If you like intriguing domestic thrillers then you would love this book. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy for an honest review.

45. Vanished in Vermillion by Lou Raguse - 384 pgs. **** 4/8/2023
In May 1971, Pam Jackson and Sherri Miller were two seventeen-year-olds driving to an end-of-the-school-year party in a rundown Studebaker Lark when they seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth. Police back then didn’t do enough to try and find them. Investigators thirty years later did too much. Two families endure decades of pain as they await answers of what happened to their girls. When a third family is pulled into the mystery, they quickly learn their nightmare is just beginning. This is a bizarre case full of twists and turns. In the 70's the police hardly did nothing to find the girls just chalking it up as a runaway case. It would take over 40 yrs. for the truth to finally come out. This is a highly researched book that kept me reading until the very end. If you like true crime that reads like a thriller then you would love this book.

46. There Will Be Fire by Rory Carrolll - 416 pgs. ***** 4/9/2023
The IRA bomb exploded at 2:54 a.m. on October 12, 1984, the last day of the Conservative Party Conference in the coastal town of Brighton, England. Rooms were obliterated, dozens of people wounded, five people killed. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was in the lounge of her suite preparing her keynote speech when the explosion occurred; had she been just a few feet in another direction, flying tiles and masonry might have sliced her to ribbons. As it was, she survived--and history changed. There Will Be Fire is journalistic nonfiction that reads like a thriller, a propulsive blend of true crime and political history. This is an interesting book and shows how Patrick Magee was able to plant a timed bomb in the Grand Hotel, leave and go back to Ireland and wait for the bomb to explode. It shows how they determined who planted the bomb and then how to catch him and other IRA members in Scotland and arrest them. We also get a chance to hear him sentenced and his later release from prison. It is a very highly researched book by Rory Carroll and I would like to read another book by him. If you enjoy nonfiction that reads like a thriller, then you would love this book. I would like to thank NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for a copy for an honest review.

47. Standing In The Shadows by Peter Robinson - 368 Pgs. ***** 4/11/2023
This book goes back and forth between the past and the present. In the past, November 1980, Nick Hornsby is wondering about the death of Alice Poole. Her body has been found in the park and people are wondering if she was murdered by Yorkshire Murderer. In 2019, a skeleton is discovered at an archeological dig near Eastvale, so DCI Alan Banks is called to investigate. They ascertain that the body was buried between 2009 and 2016. This was an interesting book that had both murders coming together in the end. There’s a lot of twists that happen in the book that keeps the plot moving along. If you like police procedurals with two connecting plots from the past to the present then you would love this book. I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for a copy for an honest review. I’m so sad to report that this may be the last book in the series as Peter Robinson has died recently.

48. Play Dead by Angela Marsons - 392 Pgs. ***1/2 4/17/2023
A 'body farm' investigating human decomposition, its inhabitants are corpses in various states of decay. But when Detective Kim Stone and her team discover the fresh body of a young woman, it seems a killer has discovered the perfect cover to bury their crime. Then a second girl is attacked and left for dead, her body drugged and mouth filled with soil. It's clear to Stone and the team that a serial killer is at work - but just how many bodies will they uncover? And who is next? As local reporter, Tracy Frost, disappears, the stakes are raised. The past seems to hold the key to the killer's secrets - but can Kim uncover the truth before a twisted, damaged mind claims another victim ...?
This book is a bit different from the other books in the series. Some of the info was kept back from the reader with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. It makes it difficult to solve if you don't get all the info you need. A great number of characters kept showing up and some with only first names. It was hard to keep all the characters straight. Hopefully, I will enjoy the next book better than this one.

49. Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan - 464 pgs. **** 4/21/2023
When Olivia's husband revealed a darker side, she never imagined she would end up back in her sleepy New Hampshire hometown, living in the house she grew up in, and taking over her father's beekeeping business. When Lily Campanello and her mom relocate to Adams, New Hampshire, for her final year of high school, they both hope it will be a fresh start. Their paths cross when Asher falls for the new girl in school, and Lily can’t help but fall for him, too. With Ash, she feels happy for the first time. Yet at times, she wonders if she can she trust him completely . . . Then one day, Olivia receives a phone call: Lily is dead, and Asher is being questioned by the police. Olivia is adamant that her son is innocent. But she would be lying if she didn’t acknowledge the flashes of his father’s temper in him, and as the case against him unfolds, she realizes he’s hidden more than he’s shared with her. Mad Honey is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves.
It’s a love story, a murder mystery, a family drama, and a courtroom battle in one book. You need to read this book in order to get a full picture so I'll say no more as I would be giving away the story. The plot line is interesting and will hold your interest throughout the rest of the book. The characters are believable and very real and well drawn out. Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Fnney Boylan are excellent writers and tell a good story. I don't fully agree with the premise of the book but found it an interesting story.

50. The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf - 358 pgs. **** 4/23/2023
True crime writer Wylie Lark doesn’t mind being snowed in at the isolated farmhouse where she’s retreated to write her new book. A cozy fire, complete silence. It would be perfect, if not for the fact that decades earlier, at this very house, two people were murdered in cold blood and a girl disappeared without a trace. As the storm worsens, Wylie finds herself trapped inside the house, haunted by the secrets contained within its walls—haunted by secrets of her own. Then she discovers a small child in the snow just outside. After bringing the child inside for warmth and safety, she begins to search for answers. But soon it becomes clear that the farmhouse isn’t as isolated as she thought, and someone is willing to do anything to find them. This book is about 3 separate storylines with 3 points of view, the year 2000, the present day, a woman and her young daughter which come together at the end of the book. This book would make a great movie with thriller, heart-stopping scenes. It's a well-developed plot line with well-drawn characters. I've never read a Heather Gudenkauf novel but it won't be my last book by her.

51. A Lie of Omission by M.A. Purcell - 313 pgs. *** 4/24/2023
I had a hard time connecting with the characters but gave it 3 stars for a promising intriguing attempt. I would list this book under cozy mystery as I didn't find it as serious as the books I usually read.

52. The Chapel of Retribution by Glenn Burwell - 308 pgs. ***** 4/23/2023
Robert Lui, a detective with the Vancouver Police Department, has left the Gang Taskforce and joined the Major Crimes Unit. Revenge is the main theme of the story. Glenn Burwell uses his job of almost 40 years as a registered architect in writing this book. He writes about the local development industry and how it affects the lives of people living in Vancouver. The bodies of two people and one dog are found and needs to be solved by Robert Lui and his team. The characters are well-drawn and the plot allows the reader to read to the surprise ending of the book. This is a great debut book of a good series for the author and I will be awaiting another book by him soon. If you like mystery novels, then you will love this book.

53. The Senator’s Wife by Liv Constantine - 320 pgs. **** 4/29/2023
Sloane and Senator Whit Montgomery are now married after Sloane’s husband and Whit’s wife were killed in a shooting accident. Sloane has lupus and needs a hip replacement. They hire Athena who is hiding secrets to take care of Sloane until she recovers. Sloane’s health is slowly degrading and she seems to be getting worse. This is an engaging drama with lots of twists and turns with an unbelievable plot that kept me interested until the final reveal. The chapters switch between Sloane, Whit, Athena and Rosemary. It is a slow burn and the pace doesn’t pick up until the last part of the book. If you like psychological mystery then you will love this book.

54. Murdle Vol. 1 by G.T. Garber - 384 Pgs. ***** 4/30/2023
This is a fun book for a murder mystery puzzler. Perfect for an armchair detective to solve a series of murder mysteries. Start out at the elementary level, move onto medium level then onto hard-boil level and then onto impossible. Answer the questions on whodunit how, when and why. Examine the clues, interview the witnesses, and use the power of deduction to complete the grid and catch the culprit. Packed with illustrations, codes, and maps, and brimming with wit and intrigue, Volume 1 is the must-have detective casebook for the secret sleuth in everyone. If you like puzzles, then you would love a hard back copy of this book to keep on hand for a rainy day experience.

May 2023
58. Fodmap Reintroduction Plan and Cookbook by Rachel Pauls. 176 Pgs. **** 5/1/2023
Reclaim your favorite foods while managing your IBS symptoms by eliminating FODMAPs from your diet. Reintroduction (also known as the FODMAP Challenge Phase), where you’ll discover which foods you can add back to your diet while keeping your IBS symptoms under control. She also includes over 60 delicious, easy-to-cook, recipes for testing and maintaining your low-FODMAP diet, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Learn your tolerances and manage your symptoms with simple, satisfying recipes like: If you’re one of 45 million Americans living with IBS, don’t live with it anymore! Let this book guide you through the second phase of your low-FODMAP journey, where you will conquer your symptoms while reclaiming the foods you love. Great cookbook for those who have IBS symptoms! Try some of these delicious recipes:
Mini Pumpkin Biscuits with Cream Cheese Frosting
Chai Spiced French Toast
Hearty Turkey Minestrone Soup
Chicken Club Ranch Pasta Salad
Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Slow-Cooker Vegan Sloppy Joes
Sheet Pan Orange Chicken with Broccoli
Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza
Show Stopping Lemon Olive Oil Cake
Glazed Pineapple Walnut Muffins
Banana Blondies with Chocolate Chips

59. The Book of Cocktail Ratios by Michael Ruhlman - 288 Pgs. ***** 5/2/2023
Did you know that a Gimlet, a Daiquiri, and a Bee’s Knees are the same cocktail? As are a Cosmopolitan, a Margarita, and a Sidecar. When hosting a party wouldn’t you enjoy saying to your guests, “Would you care for a Boulevardier, perhaps, or a Negroni?” These, too, are the same cocktail, substituting one ingredient for another. Or if you’d like to be able to shake up a batch of whiskey sours for a party of eight in fewer than two minutes.
This is a very interesting book that you can substitute one ingredient for another and come up with a totally different drink. I don’t really drink alcoholic drinks but I found this book and was amazed at how many drinks there are and. This book would be an excellent book for a person getting ready to have a party. You could keep it handy as a reference book to refer to as you make your drinks. If you like to throw parties and have different drinks available for your guests, then you would love this book.

60. The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden - 328 pgs. ***** 5/6/2023
Millie is a convict who is living in her car. She needs a job and applies to a housemaid advertisement and is hired as a nanny and housemaid by Andrew and Nina Winchester. They also have a daughter named Cecelia who is a living nightmare. Nina is a bit psycho and makes up lies about Millie but Millie is bound to keep her job. I won’t tell you anything more about this book. You will have to read it to find out more. This is a dark, creepy and twisted psychological thriller. It is unputdownable once you start reading it. The plot is unbelievable and keeps you reading until the surprise ending. Frieda McFadden knows how to tell a good story and this will not be the only book I will read by her. If you like books about secrets then you will love this book.

61. The Millionaire's Wife by Shalini Boland - 306 pgs. **** 5/7/2023
Anna Blackwell was dating Fin and soon became pregnant. Then Fin comes up with an idea in which to gain some money. The story is told in two timelines, the past and the present. It is full of secrets and lies. Anna does not know who to turn to; her best friend, her parents or her husband. In order to find out the whole truth, you will need to read this book. This is one of Shalini’s first books and is now being published. It is an utterly unputdownable psychological thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat and will have you questioning everyone you know. If you like thrillers with secrets, then you will love this book.

62. Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden - 325 pgs. **** 5/8/2023
Quinn Alexander's husband Derek is dead on the kitchen floor. Quinn decides to run away. She gets in her car and heads north. There is a snow storm starting to happen but Quinn pulls off the road and decides to stay at the broken-down, isolated Baxter Motel. The motel has a dark and disturbing past. Will Quinn survive the night at the Baxter Motel? Read this book and find out. The characters are strange and the plot is one that will leave you reading until the very surprise ending. Freida McFadden's books are great reads and this one is no different. If you like psychological thrillers then you will love this book.

63. Death of an Outsider by M.C. Beaton - 256 pgs. - **** 5/8/2023
This is book #3 of the Hamish Macbeth series. Macbeth grows on you and in this book he is exiled with his dog, Towser, to the outpost of Cnothan but he sorely misses his beloved Lochdubb. When the most hated man in the town is missing, Hamish finds him sleeping with the fishes as he was dumped into a tank filled with crustaceans. All that remain of the murdered victim are his bones. This is a great book and one that I really enjoyed. It was entertaining and the unique plot kept me reading until the surprise ending. M.C. Beaton has written 33 of these books so I have plenty more to read. If you like characters such as Hamish Macbeth, then you will love these books.

64. Death of a Hussy by M.C. Beaton - 292 pgs. **** 5/10/2023
Inside Maggie Baird there still beats the heart of a tart. When her car catches fire and she dies, there are 5 likely suspects right at her house: Maggie’s timid niece and four former lovers, one of whom Maggie had intended to marry. Finding the murderer will require Police Constable Hamish Macbeth’s common sense and insight into human nature. This book is number 5 in the Hamish Macbeth series. The characters are ones that you love to hate and the plot is such that it causes you to keep reading until the very end of the book. I will definitely be reading more of Hamish Macbeth as he does have a spot in my heart. If you like books about cozy murders, then you will love this book.

65. Grey Mask by Patricia Wentworth - 262 pgs. **** 5/14/2023
Charles Moray was jilted at the altar by Margaret Langton four years ago. He returns to London to find his ex-fiancée mixed up in a vicious plot involving kidnapping and other things. The victim is Margot Standing who stands to inherit a considerable fortune. But the sinister figure in the Grey mask has other plans for her. Margaret Langton is one of the conspirators, but Charles refuses to believe that she is a criminal. So how did she become involved? He turns to Miss Silver for her professional assistance in uncovering the strange truth behind the details of the situation, and the identity of the terrifying and mysterious individual behind the grey mask. This is the first book in the Miss Silver series. The characters are mysterious as they are notified as numbers. The plot is one that leaves me reading until the very end. I will be continuing with the series as I do enjoy Golden Age mysteries. If you like mysteries from 1928 then you will love this book.

66. The Bishop's Pawn by Steve Berry - 352 pgs. ***** 5/15/2023
History notes that the ugly feud between J. Edgar Hoover and Martin Luther King, Jr., marked by years of illegal surveillance and the accumulation of secret files, ended on April 4, 1968 when King was assassinated by James Earl Ray. But that may not have been the case. — Now, fifty years later, former Justice Department agent, Cotton Malone, must reckon with the truth of what really happened that fateful day in Memphis.
This is an excellent book and I found out a lot of interesting facts about Martin Luther King. Steve Berry did a great job putting the information together. I can't wait to read his next book in the series, The Malta Exchange, about the Vatican. Recommended for those who love history.

67. The Close by Jane Casey - 416 pgs. **** 5/26/2023
DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent move into Jellicoe Close in order to uncover the truth about all the dark secrets hiding behind the neat front doors. They are posing as a couple and have no idea of the danger they face because someone in Jellicoe Close has murder on their mind. This is the 10th book in the Maeve Kerrigan series. I have been reading this series from the start and I am really enjoying the entire series. I love all the characters which makes the book even more enjoyable. The book can be read alone but the series is more enjoyable if you read them in order from the beginning. The plot of this book is very different than the ones before as this is the first one that Maeve and Josh have finally done together. The story is told in the first person POV from Maeve so we get a real close picture of things that are happening. I am now looking forward tot he next book in the series. Read this book and find out all the dark secrets of Jellicoe Close. If you like suspense with your mysteries then you will love this book.

68. The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon - 320 pgs. **** 5/27/2023
Aiden Thomas has a dark secret which he is hiding from his 13 year old daughter, Cecilia. He has Rachel imprisoned in the backyard shed. He is a kidnapper and serial killer. When Aiden's wife dies, they have to move after Rachel has been held for five years in the shed. When Emily, a local restaurant owner develops a crush on the handsome widower, she finds herself drawn into Rachel and Cecilia's orbit dangerously coming close to discovering Aiden's secret. This book explores the psychological impact of Aiden's crimes on the women in his life and the strength to fight back. This book is an astute study of trauma, survival and the dynamic of power. It is an electrifying debut from Clemence Michallon. If you like suspense with your mysteries, then you will love this book. I'm hoping Clemence writes another book soon.

69. Want to Know A Secret by Freida McFadden - 399 pgs. *** 5/28/2023
Where did April's son go when he snuck out of the house? What was April doing with the local soccer coach behind fogged windows? Wha is buried in her backyard? Everyone has secrets. If you keep watching April, you may find out some secrets about April. Secrets she'd rather you didn't know. April's secrets are enough to destroy her. This book starts out slow but by halfway through it turns into something that picks up speed until the surprise ending. The characters were very unlikable as they were all spoiled rich moms. The plot is a bit of a stretch which is mostly silly in places but it's Freida McFadden's book so you kind of take it with a grain of salt. Not one of her best books but it's still ok but very unbelievable.

70. All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay ***** 320 pgs. 5/29/2023
November 1975, ten-year-old Miranda Larkin comes home from school to find her house eerily quiet. Her mother is missing. Nothing else is out of place. There is no sign of struggle. Her mom's pocketbook remains in the front hall, in its usual spot. So begins a mystery that will span a lifetime. What happened to Jane Larkin? Investigators suspect Jane's husband. A criminal defense attorney, Dan Larkin would surely be an expert in outfoxing the police. But no evidence is found linking him to a crime, and the case fades from the public's memory, a simmering, unresolved riddle. Jane's three children--Alex, Jeff, and Miranda--are left to be raised by the man who may have murdered their mother. Two decades later, the remains of Jane Larkin are found. The investigation is awakened. The children, now grown, are forced to choose sides. With their father or against him? Guilty or innocent? And what happens if they are wrong? A tale about family--family secrets and vengeance, but also family love--All That Is Mine I Carry With Me masterfully grapples with a primal question: When does loyalty reach its limit? I have read Defending Jacob and was looking forward to reading a new book by William Landay. I was not disappointed and found his book to be very interesting. The characters were very believable and real. The plot was one that took me through the book quickly as I had to find out what happened to Jane Larkin. The ending was a twist that I did not see coming and I think you need to read this book and find out what happened to Joan. I am now looking forward to another book by Landay and hope I don't have to wait as long as I waited for this one.

71. One by One by Freida McFadden - 295 pgs - **** 5/30/2023
Claire Matchett has planned a trip for herself and 5 other friends. It turns out not like she proposed. Their car breaks down and they must hike through the woods to their inn. But they get lost and one by one they begin to die. Will the six of them survive or will they die with only one person surviving? This is a tense drama told from Claire’s POV and an alternating anonymous person’s POV. It is a shocking page turner with twists and turns and a surprise ending. I was hooked from page one and could not put the book down. It is hard to tell who the anonymous person is but that is part of the fun. I love Freida McFadden’s writing and am trying to read all of her books. If you like surprises with your mysteries then you will love this book.

June 2023

72. The Surrogate Mother by Frieda McFadden - 340 pgs. **** 6/1/2023
Abby really wants a baby but after years of failed infertility treatments and adoptions that have fallen through, it seems like motherhood is not in her future. That is, until her personal assistant Monica makes a generous offer that will make all of Abby's dreams come true. Or all of her nightmares. Because it turns out Monica isn't who she says she is. The woman now carrying Abby's child has dark, twisted secrets. And she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. This was a fun and fast-paced entertaining read that had twists and turns at every corner of the book. It kept me reading to the very surprise ending. Freida McFadden is a great writer of psychological suspense and if you like suspense with your thrillers than you will love this book!

73. The Devil Wears Scrubs by Freida McFadden - 282 pgs. **** 6/2/2023
Jane McGill is an intern at the County Hospital. Her life is hell! Between her drug addict patients, sleepless nights on call, and battling wits with the sadistic yet charming Sexy Surgeon, Jane can’t imagine an afterlife much worse than her first month of medical internship at County Hospital. Jane’s senior resident Dr. Alyssa Morgan becomes absolutely hell-bent on making her new interns pay tenfold for the deadly sin of incompetence, Jane starts to worry that she may not make it through the year with her soul or her sanity still intact. It seems that Freida McFadden can write books other than thrillers as this comedic novel was extremely funny. It made me laugh all the way through. The characters were great and so believable that I imagined that my best friend was telling me about her experiences from internship at a hospital. I definitely need to read the sequel to this book in order to find out what becomes of her relationship with the Sexy Surgeon, Ryan Reilly. If you like books that make you laugh out loud then you will love this book!

74. Ward D by Freida McFadden - 340 pgs. ****6/3/2023
Medical student Amy Brenner is spending the night on a locked psychiatric ward. Amy has been dreading her evening working on Ward D, the hospital’s inpatient mental health unit. There are very specific reasons why she never wanted to do this required overnight rotation. Reasons nobody can ever find out. And as the hours tick by, Amy grows increasingly convinced something terrible is happening within these tightly secured walls. When patients and staff start to vanish without a trace, it becomes clear that everyone on the unit is in grave danger. Amy’s worst nightmare was spending the night on Ward D. And now she might never escape. This is a light, fun and entertaining read with twists and turns that kept me reading until the very end. The story took place in one night as the hours were a count-down switching also from 8 years past to the present time. I love Freida McFadden books and I am trying to read all of them. So far I have read 8 books and loved them all. Some of the books are better than others but all of them have stellar writing. If you like a bit of humor with your reading then you will love this book!

75. Death of a Macho Man by M.C. Beaton - 216 pgs. **** 6/4/2023
When Hamish Macbeth, local constable of the Scottish village of Lochdubh, tries to break up one of the many fights involving Randy Duggan, the ruffian challenges him to a fistfight. But on the chosen day, Duggan is found shot to death and Macbeth is rumored to be the likely suspect. Macbeth must find the murderer, clear his name, and restore his Highland paradise to its usual tranquility. This is a light and entertaining cozy mystery which is a look at life in a small Scottish village. Hamish is the sort of character who grows on you. He needs to find out who murdered Randy Duggan in order to save both his career and his life. He is sure that the murder of the Macho Man was a crime of passion. I am now looking forward to another Hamish Macbeth novel. There are plenty more to choose from so that won't be a problem. If you like comedy with your mysteries then you will love this book.

76. Death of a Scriptwriter by M.C. Beaton - 214 pgs. **** 6/10/2023
Lockdubh Constable Hamish Macbeth meets with a troupe of filmmakers in the nearby Town of Drim. Patricia Matryn-Boyd is soon a victim and as the culprit strikes again, Hamish must quickly find the right killer. This is a fun entertaining read with quirky characters. the plot is so off-the wall and the ending is a complete surprise. If you like a little suspense with your mystery, then you will love this book.

77. Marauder by Clive Cussler - 427 pgs. ***** 6/12/2023
While interrupting an attack on a Kuwaiti oil tanker, Juan Cabrillo and his team discover something even more dangerous: a ruthless billionaire's dying wish has allowed a paralyzing chemical to end up in the hands of a terrorist group. When an Oregon crew member falls victim to the poison, Juan Cabrillo will stop at nothing to find an antidote before it is too late. He and his team must connect an ancient mystery with a cunning modern enemy in order to save millions of innocent lives, including their own. I was so happy to see The Oregon back in service. This is a great and exciting read this time near Indonesia/Australia with the threat of nerve gas. This was Clive Cussler's last book with Boyd Morrison at the helm. I'm looking forward to the next adventure. If you like lots of action and adventure then you will love this book.

78. Death of a Dustman by M.C. Beaton - 246 pgs. **** 6/13/2023
When Fergus Macleod, Lochdubh's abusive, drunk dustman is put in charge of the local recycling centre and is dubbed the 'Environment Officer', Hamish Macbeth smells trouble. Sure enough, Fergus, imbued with his new powers, becomes a bullying tyrant and when his body is found stuffed in a recycling bin, no one is sorry - including his long-suffering family. But Macbeth is surprised to find that many of the despicable dustman's victims refuse to talk - and when violence strikes again, the lanky lawman must quickly unearth the culprit among a litter of suspects... before the killer makes a clean getaway! It was very interested to learn that a "dustman" is a garbage man. The book is a fun read and you can just feel the Highlands as you read so I really liked this one. The plot was interesting but ends up very bad in the end which was a complete surprise to me. If you like a light read then you will enjoy reading this one.

79. The Wife Upstairs by Freida McFadden - 419 pgs. ***** 6/14/2023
Victoria Barnett has it all. A great career. A handsome and loving husband. A beautiful home in the suburbs and a plan to fill it with children. Life is perfect—or so it seems. Then she’s in a terrible accident… and everything falls apart. Now Victoria is unable to walk. She can’t feed or dress herself. She can’t even speak. She is confined to the top floor of her house with twenty-four-hour care. Sylvia Robinson is hired by Victoria’s husband to help care for her. But it turns out Victoria isn’t as impaired as Sylvia was led to believe. There’s a story Victoria desperately wants to tell... if only she could get out the words. Then Sylvia discovers Victoria’s diary hidden away in a drawer. And what’s inside is shocking. I love Freida's books and I am aiming to read everyone she wrote. I'm now on my 9th book and so far they have all been winners. This one is no different. A shocking book turns into a book that moves quickly. You don't really know if the husband or the wife is the problem. You need to read this yourself in order to see what I mean. It's one hell of a good book and I can't wait to read my next Freida McFadden book. If you like suspense with your psychological trillers then you will love this book.

80. Zero Days by Ruth Ware *** DNF

81. Wednesdays at One * Never received book from publisher

82. Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay - 354 pgs. **** 6/17/2023
While Andrew Mason was on a fishing trip, his wife Brie, vanished without a trace. Most everybody assumed Andy had got away with murder. Ir's always the husband, isn't it? Now, six years later, Andy has finally put his life back together. He sold the house he once shared with Brie and moved away. He settled down with a new partner, Jayne, and life is good. One day a woman resembling Brie shows up at his old address screaming " Where's my house? What happened to my house?" The police are notified and old questions resurface. Could Brie really be alive after all these years? Detective Hardy tries to get the goods on Andrew but couldn't find anything to stick. There are lots of twists and turns that had me reading to the surprise ending. It was great to be back with Linwood Barclay and I am looking forward to reading another book by him. If you like mystery along with your psychological thriller then you would love this book.

83. Letters From My Sister by Valerie Fraser Luesse - 317 pgs. **** 6/24/2023
Emmy and Callie Bullock are living as the only daughters of a wealthy Alabama cotton farmer at the turn of the 20th century. The arrival of Lily McGee turns everything upside down. Callie meets Solomon who offers her the freedom to abandon social constraints and discover her truest self. After Lily has a baby, Callie witnesses something of an image of Emmy standing on a riverbank cradling Lily’s missing baby girl. Only when the sisters are separated does the truth come to light through their letters including a revelation that will shape the rest of Callie’s life. This is a complex and suspenseful tale dripping with intrigue, romance and Southern charm. It is a coming of age story. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading another book by Valerie Fraser Luesse. I have read her book about New Orleans which was a very good story too. If you like books about history then you would love this book.

84. Fear The Silence by Robert Bryndza - 350 pgs. **** 6/25/2023
The police said that Maggie's husband killed himself but Maggie kept saying that he was not suicidal. Maggie travels to their holiday island of Tisina, Croatia and finds a disturbing letter written by Will, containing a dark secret. This psychological thriller left me on the edge. It is a fast-paced read, well-written and broadly atmospheric. It hooked me from the beginning to the satisfying ending. I loved reading about an island of Croatia as I have traveled to Croatia to find my relatives. There are about a thousand islands off of Croatia and we stayed on Pag and Hvar Island and had a wonderful time. I am now looking forward to the next Bryndza novel. If you love reading about Croatian islands then you would love this book.

85. The Clearing by Simon Toyne - 320 pgs. **** 6/26/2023
Maddie goes missing and the woods may hold the answer. Some people are blaming the Cinderman, a legend who haunts the woods looking for unsuspecting victims. Forensic specialist Laughton Rees with help from Adele and DCI Tannahill Kahn is determined to find Maddie and dispel the dangerous ghost stories. What if the monster of the woods isn't a myth? This is a fast-paced fun and entertaining read with many twists and turns which kept me reading until the end. It was a second good book in the series. Looking forward to the next book!

86. A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert - 320 pgs. **** 6/28/2023
Cameron “Cam” Clewe is seeking an archivist to inventory his ever expanding rare books and artifacts. Jane’s thrilled to be hired on by Cam and to uncover the secrets of his latest acquisition, a trove of items related to the classic mystery and detective authors. But Jane’s delight is upended when a body is discovered in Cam’s library. The victim, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, was the last in line of Cam’s failed romances—and now he’s suspect number one. Cam vows to use his intelligence and deductive skills to clear his name but he’ll need some help. It comes down to Jane to exonerate her new boss—but is he truly innocent? This is the first book in the Hunter and Clewe series of murder mysteries. It's a book about classic books and writers with a mystery thrown in. It has a large cast of characters and each one tells why they wanted the victim dead. Jane is a very likable character and Clewe asks her to help prove his innocence. The ending was a complete surprise to me. If you like cozy mysteries then you will love this book. I'm looking forward to the 2nd book in the series.

87. An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo - 320 pgs. ***** 6/29/2023
Chief of Police Kate Burkholder responds to a call only to discover an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow. Aden Karn was just twenty years old, well liked, and from an upstanding Amish family. Aden Karn was looking forward to marrying his sweet fiancé, Emily. All the while, Kate’s own wedding day to Tomasetti draws near. But as she delves into Karn’s past, Kate begins to hear whispers about a dark side. What if Aden Karn wasn’t the wholesome young man everyone admired? Kate comes face to face with the terrible consequences of a life lived in all the dark places. This is the 15th book in the Kate Burkholder series. I have read all the others and suggest you do too as that's the best way to get a feel for the series. Although it can be read as a standalone as enough background is given in each book. There are great plot twists which make you switch to other characters while reading the book. The ending is a complete surprise which I didn't see coming. I'm now looking forward to the next book in the series. If you like twists with your mysteries then you will love this book.

July 2023

88. How Can I Help You by Laura Sims - 256 pgs. - ***** 7/2/2023
No one knows Margo’s real name. They have no reason to suspect that she is, in fact, a former nurse with a trail of countless premature deaths in her wake. That is, at least, until Patricia, a recent graduate and failed novelist, joins the library staff. Patricia quickly notices Margo’s subtly sinister edge, and watches her carefully. When a patron’s death in the library bathroom gives her a hint of Margo’s mysterious past, Patricia can’t resist digging deeper—even as this new fixation becomes all-consuming. This is a really good book as the librarian, Patricia, is taking notes and keeping a journal. These writings have turned into a book about a psychotic nurse who is working as a librarian. The plot is unique and allowed me to read about Margo and her dark secrets. As I read on, I really enjoyed the ending and I am looking forward to reading another book by the author, Laura Sims. If you like unique books about someone who isn't who they are suppose to be then you will love this book.

89. Behold The Monster by Jillian Lauren - 512 pgs. ***** 7/4/2023
Jillian Lauren had no idea what she was getting into when she wrote her first letter to prolific serial killer Samuel Little. While the two exchanged dozens of letters and embarked on hundreds of hours of interviews, Lauren gained the trust of a monster. After maintaining his innocence for decades, Little confessed to the murders of ninety-three women, often drawing his victims in haunting detail as he spoke. How could one man evade justice, manipulating the system for more than four decades? Lauren delivers the harrowing report of her unusual relationship with a psychopath--but this is more than a deep dive into the actions of Samuel Little. Lauren's riveting and emotional accounts reveal the women who were lost to cold files, giving Little's victims a chance to have their stories heard for the first time. This book was published in 2018 but after the death of serial killer Samuel Little in 2020 from Covid 19, she decided to republish to include more murders solved and to mention his death. I found the story to be very interesting and the book centers on Samuel Little as the most prolific serial killer of 93 women in US history. The man was truly a monster that preyed on women as he would get them in his car and strangle them to death and then just dump them out of his car into the area and drive away. You need to read this book in order to get the full story as he became very fond of the author, Jillian Lauren. She was made next of kin and was notified of his death and received money and scraps of papers about his murders. If you like true crime about serial murders then you would love this book.

90. The Next Girl by Carla Kovach 352 pgs. **** 7/7/2023
Deborah Jenkins pulls her coat around her as she sets out on her short walk home in the pouring rain. But she never makes it home that night. And she is never seen again …
Four years later, an abandoned baby girl is found wrapped in dirty rags on a doorstep. An anonymous phone call urges the police to run a DNA test on the baby. But nobody is prepared for the results.
The newborn belongs to Deborah. She’s still alive.
This book is the first book of the DI Gina Harte series. There are 4 POV's (DI Gina Harte, Deborah, Luke and Deborah's kidnapper. The plot is action-packed and unputdownable as I had to find out what was going to happen. The ending was very satisfying and I'm now looking forward to the next book in the series. I'm kind of curious about Gina Harte and the next book will explain more about her. Looking forward to it!

91. Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates - 352 pgs. ***** 7/9/2023
When Christa joins a tour group heading deep into the snowy expanse of the Rocky Mountains, she's hopeful this will be her chance to put the ghosts of her past to rest. But when a bitterly cold snowstorm sweeps the region, the small group is forced to take shelter in an abandoned hunting cabin. Despite the uncomfortably claustrophobic quarters and rapidly dropping temperature, Christa believes they'll be safe as they wait out the storm. She couldn't be more wrong. Deep in the night, their tour guide goes missing...only to be discovered the following morning, his severed head impaled on a tree outside the cabin. Terrified, and completely isolated by the storm, Christa finds herself trapped with eight total strangers. One of them kills for sport...and they're far from finished. As the storm grows more dangerous and the number of survivors dwindles one by one, Christa must decide who she can trust before this frozen mountain becomes her tomb.
This is a standalone book by Darcy Coates. It is a suspenseful thriller packed with surprises that made me want to read it in one sitting. The ending was a complete surprise and filled me with fear as I read it. The characters seemed very real to me and I had a hard time picking out the killer. I'm now looking forward to another read by this author. If you like suspense with your thrillers then you will love this book.

92. Her Final Hour by Carla Kovach - 302 pgs. **** 7/15/2023
Melissa Sanderson has been murdered. Some say she was the perfect wife and mother. Some say Melissa was having an affair. Others say she was drinking too much. Then one night, Melissa Sanderson is dead. this is the 2nd book in the DI Gina Harte series. It has interesting characters with a good plot. DI Gina Harte was also in an abusive marriage for many years. She is asked to lead the murder investigation into this abusive situation. The plot is full of twists and turns that forced me to read until the very surprised ending. This book also delves into Gina's abusive relationship and forces her to be eager to solve this murder. There's a lot more to the story and I suggest that you read this book to find out what happens. If you like twists with your thrillers then you will love this book.

93. The Dancing Girls by MM Chouinard - 308 pgs. **** 7/16/2023
Woman are being strangled by a player of games on the internet. He makes friends with them and then meets them somewhere and then kills them. Detective Jo Fournier is taking on this case to find out who these women are and how they met. She finally comes to the conclusion that it's a gamer's nightmare. This is the first book of the Detective Jo Fournier series. It has interesting characters who are married but their husbands are not paying much attention to them. This forces them into a relationship online where a serial killer preys upon them. The plot is very unique and ends up with a surprise ending which I didn't see coming. I am now looking forward to reading book 2. If you like surprises with your thriller, then you will love this book.

94. The Little Grave by Carolyn Arnold - 339 pgs. **** 7/17/2023
It's been 5 years since Detective Amanda Steele's daughter and husband have been killed in Dumfries, VA. Her driver who killed her family is found murdered in a motel room. Amanda is in a race to prove that she can uncover the truth. This is book 1 of the Detective Amanda Steele series. It is full of secrets, mysteries and suspense. It has great characters and the plot is such that it forced me to read to a very surprising ending. I'm looking forward to book 2. If you like redemption in your thrillers then you will love this book.

95. The Gathering Dark by James Osburn - 445 pgs. **** 7/18/2023
A truck driver loses control in central Edinburgh, ploughing into a crowded bus stop and spilling his vehicle's toxic load. DI Tony McLean witnesses the carnage. He soon realizes there is much that is deeply amiss and everyone involved seems to have something to hide. The Chief Superintendent's son is missing in the area of the crash. This is the 8th book in the Inspector Mc Lean series. This is a detective novel but with a hint of the supernatural. Read this book and find out who is the mysterious person at the site who Mc Lean witnesses. I'm looking forward to the 9th book in the series. If you like supernatural with your thrillers, then you will love this book.

96. The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths - 359 pg. **** - 7/19/2023
When builders discover a human skeleton while renovating a café, they call in archaeologist Dr. Ruth Galloway, who is preoccupied with the threatened closure of her department and by her ever-complicated relationship with DCI Nelson. The bones turn out to be modern--the remains of Emily Pickering, a young archaeology student who went missing in 2002. Suspicion soon falls on Emily's Cambridge tutor and also on another archeology enthusiast who was part of the group gathered the weekend before she disappeared--Ruth's friend Cathbad. As they investigate, Nelson and his team uncover a tangled web of relationships within the archaeology group and look for a link between them and the café where Emily's bones were found. Then, just when the team seem to be making progress, Cathbad disappears. The trail leads Ruth a to the Neolithic flint mines in Grimes Graves. The race is on, first to find Cathbad and then to exonerate him, but will Ruth and Nelson uncover the truth in time to save their friend? This is the last book in the Ruth Galloway series. Nelson and Michelle have split up and Ruth and Kate are moving to a new collage which is 10 miles from her old cottage. She will still have a view of the sea. The murder of Emily has been solved and Cathbad has been exonerated. This was one of my favorite series and now it is finally over. I'm looking forward to reading another series by Elly Griffiths - Brighton Mysteries or Harbinder Kaur.

97. The Locked Door by Freida McFadden - 313 pgs. **** 7/20/2023
Some doors are locked for a reason. While eleven-year-old Nora Davis was up in her bedroom doing homework, she had no idea her father was killing women in the basement. Until the day the police arrived at their front door. Decades later, Nora’s father is spending his life behind bars, and Nora is a successful surgeon with a quiet, solitary existence. Nobody knows her father was a notorious serial killer. And she intends to keep it that way. Then Nora discovers one of her young female patients has been murdered. In the same unique and horrific manner that her father used to kill his victims. Somebody knows who Nora is. Somebody wants her to take the fall for this unthinkable crime. But she’s not a killer like her father. The police can’t pin anything on her. As long as they don’t look in her basement. This is another great book by Freida McFadden. I found all the characters to be well-drawn. The plot was one that kept me reading until the very surprised ending. The killer wasn't in my sights at all. I love the short chapters in the book. I am now looking forward to reading another book by Freida McFadden. Love her books! If you like psychological thriller books then you will love this book.

98. Taken To The Grave by MM Chouinard - 330 pgs. **** 7/21/20223
When a girl’s body is discovered in a park in the sleepy Massachusetts town of Oakhurst, local detective Jo is shocked to the core. Because the girl is the second innocent victim to turn up dead in three days. And just like the first, a tarot card has been left by the body. The meaning of the card: betrayal. After uncovering a series of threatening messages targeting the girl, a student at the university, and the first victim, her teacher, Jo thinks she’s locked the killer in her crosshairs. The primary suspect is a volatile ex-military student with an axe to grind for failing grades, and the frightened town is out for his blood. But the next day, a much-loved member of the community is found dead in her home, a tarot card in her mail. There’s no clear motive to link her death to the others, and the message on the card this time is even stranger: domestic bliss. With a fourth body and card appearing the following day, Jo knows she’s running out of time to crack the code and bring the killer to justice. And the pressure only gets worse with heart-breaking news about Jo’s father forcing her to choose between helping her family heal or the victims’ families get justice. Can Jo find the twisted murderer sending the town into a panic before another life is lost? Or this time, will the dangerous killer find her first? This is the 2nd book of the Detective Jo Fournier series. It is a police procedural in which we find out more about the background of Jo Fournier. Lots of twists and turns make the book reading enjoyable and kept me reading until the very surprised ending. I finally decide who wants these people dead and why. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you like police procedurals then you will love this book.

99. Death Is My Life by Susan Ayres Wimbrow - 275 Pgs. ***** 7/23/2023
Elizabeth Barclay was just five years old when her mother was brutally murdered and raped. That event shaped her young life in the most unexpected way - she became the comforting face of her uncle's funeral home. And in doing so, death became her life. I met Susan Ayres Wimbrow in Berlin Md when I visited her Indie Bookstore The Greyhound. She told me that she wrote a book about her mother who was murdered in Norfolk VA. I bought her book and read it and found it to be a very interesting story about how her Grandmother and Grandfather raised her. She also had an uncle who owned the Sycamore Creek Funeral Home where she worked for 20 years doing funerals. There is a lot more information but I'll let you read it for yourself and won't spoil the book for you. If you like books about real life situations then you would love this book.

100. The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge by Martin Edwards - 390 pgs. **** 7/28/2023
1930: Nell Fagan is looking for a second chance at a career in investigative journalism and the call of Blackstone Fell's sanatorium is irresistible. In 1606, a man vanished from a locked gatehouse in a remote Yorkshire village, and 300 years later, it happened again. Nell confides in the best sleuth she knows, Rachel Savernake Looking for answers, Rachel travels to lonely Blackstone Fell in Yorkshire, with its eerie moor and sinister tower. With help from her friend Jacob Flint – who's determined to expose a fraudulent clairvoyant – Rachel will risk her life to bring an end to the disappearances at Blackstone Fell where people go in, but never come out. This is the third book in the Rachel Savernake series. I hadn't read the first 2 books but this one can definitely act as a standalone. The book had a lot of characters to keep track of and Rachel reveals the solutions to what turn out to be more than one mystery. The addition of a ‘cluefinder’ at the end of the book is a feature during the so-called ‘Golden Age’ of detective fiction. There are twists that kept me glued to the book until the very end. If you like Golden Age Mysteries then you will love this book.

101. Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen - 352 pgs. ***** 7/30/2023
Catherine Sterling thinks she knows her mother. Ruth Sterling is quiet, hardworking, and lives for her daughter. All her life, it's been just the two of them against the world. But now, Catherine is ready to spread her wings, move from home, and begin a new career. And Ruth Sterling will do anything to prevent that from happening. Ruth Sterling thinks she knows her daughter. Catherine would never rebel, would never question anything about her mother's past or background. But when Ruth's desperate quest to keep her daughter by her side begins to reveal cracks in Ruth's carefully-constructed world, both mother and daughter begin a dance of deception. This was a great read from Sarah Pekkanen. The book is divided into three parts and has 2 POV's, one from Ruth and one from Catherine that switched back and forth. They both have hidden secrets that question everything they thought they knew about each other. It's a fast-paced plot that kept me reading until the very satisfying ending. There are things that happen that I did not see coming. I look forward to reading the next book by Pekkanen. If you like surprises with twists then you will love this book.

102. The Inmate by Freida McFadden - 302 Pgs. **** 7/31/2023
There are three rules Brooke Sullivan must follow as a new nurse practitioner at a men’s maximum-security prison:
1) Treat all prisoners with respect.
2) Never reveal any personal information.
3) Never EVER become too friendly with the inmates.
But none of the staff at the prison knows Brooke has already broken the rules. Nobody knows about her intimate connection to Shane Nelson, one of the penitentiary’s most notorious and dangerous inmates. And they certainly don’t know that Shane was Brooke’s high school sweetheart—the star quarterback who is now spending the rest of his life in prison for a series of grisly murders. Or that Brooke's testimony was what put him there. But Shane knows. And he will never forget.
This is a great read from Freida McFadden. I have read almost all of her books and I have loved each and every one. I don't know how she does it but each one has a surprising ending that gets you every time. I am now waiting for the next Freida McFadden book. Love her books. If you like books that surprise you then you will love this book. You will just have to read it

August 2023

103. Never Lie by Freida McFadden - 338 Pgs. ***** 8/2/2023
Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan are searching for the house of their dreams. But when they visit the remote manor that once belonged to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a renowned psychiatrist who vanished without a trace four years earlier, a violent winter storm traps them at the estate… with no chance of escape until the blizzard comes to an end. In search of a book to keep her entertained until the snow abates, Tricia happens upon a secret room. One that contains audio transcripts from every single patient Dr. Hale has ever interviewed. As Tricia listens to the cassette tapes, she learns about the terrifying chain of events leading up to Dr. Hale’s mysterious disappearance. Tricia plays the tapes one by one, late into the night. With each one, another shocking piece of the puzzle falls into place, and Dr. Adrienne Hale’s web of lies slowly unravels. And then Tricia reaches the final cassette. The one that reveals the entire horrifying truth. This book was so good. It had lots of twists and turns. It had an intriguing plot with lots of interesting characters and the ending is as shocking as ever. You really have to read one of her books just to get the feel of her amazing writing. If you like psychological thriller then you will love her books.

104. The Ex by Freida McFadden - 350 Pgs. ***** 8/3/2023
Cassie thinks she has met the perfect man. Joel is sweet, handsome, romantic, and best of all, he’s crazy about Cassie. She thinks she’s found the guy she’ll spend the rest of her life with. Have children with. Grow old with. Yes, she knows about his perfect ex-girlfriend, Francesca. The beautiful, brilliant chef, beloved by all his friends. But she thinks Francesca is out of the picture. She thinks Francesca is gone for good. Think again, Cassie.
Another great Freida McFadden book. I have read almost all of Freida's books. I think I have 2 more to go. I have loved all of them. This one was good all the way to the major twist at the end. That's what I love about her books. Things change majorly in the end and I usually don't see it coming. The characters were all good and the plot designed to keep me reading until the very end. I'm now looking forward to my next book and if you like psychological thrillers with a great twist at the end then you will love this book.

105. Deadly Silence by OMJ Ryan - 320 Pgs. **** 8/4/2023
This was a story about a priest who abused young boys. It was not the story that was advertised here. I tried to find the story but had no success so I'm writing the review under this title which is on the box set for these books. This is the first book in the series. There were 3 or 4 murders during the story which was solved by the end of the book. It was a very good story and the plot was one that had me reading until the very end. I am now looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Deadly Waters. If you like murder with you psychological thrillers then you will love this book.

106. Do You Remember? by Freida McFadden - 334 pgs. ***** 8/5/2023
Tess Strebel can’t recognize her own face. She can’t recognize her home. Her bedroom is unfamiliar. And she can’t remember the handsome stranger lying next to her in bed. A stranger who claims he’s her husband. Tess reads a letter in her own handwriting, composed during a rare lucid day, explaining her life as it now exists: She was in a terrible car accident one year ago. Every morning, she wakes up unable to remember most of the last decade. Including her own wedding. Tess has no choice but to accept her new life and hope her memory will return. After all, why should she doubt the letter she wrote to herself? Or the kind man from the wedding photos on her dresser who seems to genuinely care about her well-being? And then Tess receives a text message on her phone. One that changes everything. This is a great book by Freida McFadden. The characters were very interesting and the plot was fast-paced. It's one that kept me reading until the very surprised ending. Tess soon found out what was going on and contacting her father was the straw that broke the camel's back. She soon got things changed around and now is living a happy existence. I'm now looking forward to reading another Freida McFadden book. If you like books with twists and turns then you will love this book.

107. Brain Damage by Freida McFadden - 400 pgs. ***** 8/7/2023
After years of hard work, Dr. Charly McKenna finally has it all. Prosperous career as a dermatologist? Check. Spacious apartment overlooking Central Park? Check. Handsome lawyer husband? Double check. Then one night, a bullet rips through the right side of her skull and she loses everything. As Charly struggles to recover from her brain injury, she begins to realize that the events of that fateful night are trapped in the damaged right side of her brain. Now she must put the jigsaw pieces together to discover the identity of the man who tried to kill her... before he finishes the job he started.
This is another great book by Freida McFadden. It is a modern day romance more so than a psychological thriller. Charly is in the hospital recovering from her brain damage and meets Jamie, another brain damaged person. They have a relationship that is unique and different and really made it hard to put down this book. You really should read this book as I don’t want to put any spoilers out there. It is a very touching story and I do hope you do pick it up and read it. Having said that, I am now looking forward to my next Freida McFadden book as I have read almost all of her books. She’s great and I have enjoyed reading them. If you like a little bit of romance then you will love this book.

108. After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell - 386 pgs. **** 8/10/23
Alice Raikes takes a train from London to Scotland to visit her family, but when she gets there she witnesses something so shocking that she insists on returning to London immediately. A few hours later, Alice is lying in a coma after an accident that may or may not have been a suicide attempt. Alice's family gathers at her bedside and as they wait, argue, and remember, long-buried tensions emerge. The more they talk, the more they seem to conceal. Alice, meanwhile, slides between varying levels of consciousness, recalling her past and a love affair that recently ended. A riveting story that skips through time and interweaves multiple points of view, After You'd Gone is a novel of stunning psychological depth and marks the debut of a major literary talent. Maggie O'Farrell tells a good story about love, family, grief and loss. Alice gets hit by a car and is in a coma throughout the rest of the book. She reflects on her life remembering old boyfriends, fun times with her sisters and some difficult times with her mother. I'm now looking forward to reading another Maggie O'Farrell book. If you love a good story then you will love this book.

109. Hunting Evil by Chris Carter - 485 pgs. ***** 8/15/2023
'Every story one day comes to an end.' As roommates, they met for the first time in college. Two of the brightest minds ever to graduate from Stamford Psychology University. As adversaries, they met again in Quantico, Virginia. Robert Hunter had become the head of the LAPD’s Ultra Violent Crimes Unit. Lucien Folter had become the most prolific and dangerous serial killer the FBI had ever encountered. Now, after spending three and a half years locked in solitary confinement, Lucien has finally managed to break free. And he’s angry. For the past three and a half years, Lucien has thought of nothing else but vengeance. The person responsible for locking him away has to pay, he has to suffer. That person ... is Robert Hunter. And now it is finally time to execute the plan. This is the 10th book in the Robert Hunter series. It is not for the faint of heart as it is very gory. It is a psychological thriller that has a plot that kept me reading until the very end. I am now looking forward to the next book in the series. If you love psychological thrillers then you will love this book.

110. Suicide Med by Freida McFadden - 522 pgs. ***** 8/19/2023
There's a reason Southside Medical School has been nicknamed "Suicide Med." For the last six years, every year one student has taken his own life. Except for last year. Last year was a murder-suicide. The press has pointed to the heavy workload as the culprit in the high suicide rate. Some students believe that the school is cursed. And others believe that the deaths may not be suicides at all--that it's no coincidence that Dr. Conlon, Southside's quirky but beloved anatomy professor, joined the staff on the very year that the suicides began. Either way, the same question echoes through the minds of every first year student at Suicide Med: Who will be next to die? This is another great read by Freida McFadden. There was a POV by every person in this book. How do you write a book like that? Also had a bit of science fiction in it. It was a bit crazy but highly entertaining. I love Freida McFadden and will read anything by her. Her books are always hard to put down. I'm looking forward to my next Freida McFadden book. If you love craziness in you psychological thrillers then you will love this book.

111. Baby City by Freida McFadden and Kelley Stoddard - 418 pgs. ***** 8/21/2023
There are only three things in this world that are death, taxes, and babies. Nobody knows this truth better than Emily McCoy, a third year resident working in Baby City, the affectionate nickname for the busy Labor and Delivery unit at a New York City hospital. On a typical day in Baby City, Emily delivers more babies than the number of hours of sleep she manages to squeeze in that night. And definitely more than the number of dates she's been on since she started her training in OB/GYN two years earlier. As Emily works tirelessly to safely herald baby after baby after baby (after baby) into the world, she becomes well acquainted with the three hard facts of Baby
1) Babies never come when you want them to.
2) Babies always come when you don't want them to.
3) You don't know who your true friends are until your baby is sliding down the birth canal.
This is another great novel by Freida McFadden. She is also a doctor and writes about the OB/GYN unit of the hospital with her friend, Kelley Stoddard. I have read practically all of Freida's books and would have to say that I have loved them all. I'm now looking forward to my next Freida McFadden's book. If you love books about delivering babies then you will love this book!

112. Deadly Waters by O.M.J. Ryan - 288 Pgs. - **** 8/28/2023
113. Deadly Vengeance - 290 Pgs ****
114. Deadly Revenge - 274 Pgs. ****
Finished reading the four books. They were very intriguing and I hope to read the next books in the series. They have everything in it such as suspense, intrigue, murder, serial killers, great police work and twists and turns. The plots were interesting and had me reading until the very ending. If you love suspense with mystery then you will love these books.

115. The Coworker by Freida McFadden - 368 pgs. ***** 8/31/2023
Dawn and Natalie work for the same nutritional company. Dawn is autistic but Natalie is not. Dawn is always on time but doesn't show up for work one morning. Natalie is surprised and receives a phone call that changes everything. Natalie is irrevocably tied to Dawn as she finds herself caught in a twisted game of cat and mouse that leaves her wondering: who's the real victim? But one thing is incredibly clear: somebody hated Dawn Schiff. Enough to kill. This is another great psychological thriller by Freida McFadden. As the plot thickens, Natalie is arrested for her murder. Turns and twists galore and Freida has me guessing to the very end. I am now looking forward to the next McFadden book as she is an excellent writer. If you like mystery with your psychological thrillers then you will love this book.

September 2023

116. The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves - 400 pgs. ***** 9/3/2023
This is the 3rd book of the Two Rivers series by Ann Cleeves. Jem Rosco returns to his hometown of Greystone. His dead body is found in a dinghy anchored in Scully Cove and Matt Venn is called in to investigate. I have read all of Cleeve's books in her Vera Stanhope and Shetland series. She wants us to pay attention to the story as the characters act it out according to their personalities. She always keeps her cards close to her chest as she only lets us know as much as we need to know as we read towards the perfect ending. I'm now looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you like secrets mixed with your mystery thrillers then you will love this book.

117. The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger - 432 pg. ***** 9/5/2023
Landowner Jimmy Quinn is found floating in the Alabaster River. Sheriff Brody Dern is called in to investigate the murder of Jimmy Quinn. I have read many novels by William Kent Krueger who also wrote the Cork O'Connor novels and I look forward to reading more from him. Krueger knows how to keep the reader going until the very ending of the book. The novel is beautifully written and is very thought provoking. If you like powerful novels then you will love this book.

118. The Cook's Book by Bri McKoy 304 pgs. ***** 9/8/2023
The Cook's Book is an ideal cookbook to keep on hand. It's a cookbook that tells you every thing you need to know about cooking. It's broken down into parts such as; A Kitchen that works for you, Using Your Senses, The Most Powerful Kitchen Techniques, The Meats, Adding Flavor Like A Pro, Let's Get Saucy!, Side Hustles, The Art of Soup, Home Cookish, Everyday Food and Wine Pairings and The Beginner's Bar Cart. It also has some recipes you can cook in order to try out all the things that you have learned. It's all here in one place and no other cookbook is needed. If you like cookbook's that tell you everything you need to know to be a great cook, then you will love this cookbook.

119. The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin - 288 pgs. **** 9/10/2023
With every passing moment, Sarah’s life spirals further out of control—and with it, her sense of reality. Though she desperately clings to the lies she’s crafted to conceal her own secrets, Sarah Slade, as the new owner of the infamous Black Wood House, the scene of a grisly murder-suicide, she’s determined that the fixer-upper will help reach a new audience on her successful lifestyle blog, and distract her from her failing marriage. But as Sarah paints over the house’s horrifying past, she realizesd that a new façade can’t conceal every secret. Sarah knows there’s only so long she can continue to sleep in the bedroom with the bloodstained floor and suffer the mysterious footsteps she hears from the attic. When menacing notes start appearing everywhere, Sarah becomes convinced that someone or something is out to kill her, her husband, her neighbors, maybe even the house itself. The more she remodels Black Wood House, the angrier it seems to become. Sarah Slade must wonder was it all worth it? Or will this house be her final unraveling?
This a very unique and creepy psychological thriller. It is a fast paced read that kept me wondering all the way to the end. I'm looking forward to another book by Lisa Matlin. If you like scary things with your psychological reads then you will love this book.

120. Dark Angel by D.K. Hood - 361 pgs. ***** 9/22/2023
This is the first book in the series of Special Agent Beth Katz. I listened to the audio and the narrator did a great job narrating the book. It was an amazing story filled with great suspense. I was hooked from the start and didn't want to get out of my car so I brought it into my house and continued listening until the very end. This is one you don't want to miss listening to. If you like suspense with your thriller reads then you will love this book.

121. Dead on Target by M.C. Beaton, R.W. Green - 256 pgs. **** 9/19/2023
When an arrow hits a body of a local landowner in the woods, Agatha is convinced the man was murdered. DCI Wilkes believes that Agatha is the prime suspect. Determined to find the real killer Agatha launches her own investigation. This is a lovely cozy mystery and a real fun read. It also has some humor that kept me reading until the very end. The ending was a good one and Mr. R. W. Green did a great job filling in for M. C. Beaton who has passed away. I will continue to read Agatha Raisin in the future.

122. The Eye of God by James Rollins - 556 pgs. *** 9/20/23
Commander Gray Pierce, and Sigma, joined by a pair of Vatican historians, race to uncover a truth tied to the fall of the Roman Empire, to a mystery bound in the roots of Christianity's origins, and to a weapon hidden for centuries that holds the fate of humanity. I love the Sigma Force series but not this one. I found the book to be too convoluted and didn't understand the science that was presented in the book and I found it therefore boring. I loved that Seichen met up with her mother and did enjoy that aspect of the book. I'm just going to mark it as a one off writing for James Rollins and move onto the next book. I did give him 3 stars for writing the book.

>120 EadieB: I’ve seen some be critical of R W Green’s efforts in the Agatha Raisin and Hamish MacBeth series, with subtle changes to some characters. But I still find them very enjoyable and life would be poorer without these two series.

123. Traitor's Gate by Jeffrey Archer - 384 pgs. ***** 9/26/2023
A master criminal has set his sights on stealing the Crown Jewels. I have read all of the other books in the Detective William Warwick series. This is book #6 in the series by Jeffrey Archer. Archer is a master entertainer at telling stories. I love his books and look forward to reading the next book in the series. If you want to know if stealing the Crown Jewels is possible, then read this book. You will not be disappointed and will get a real enjoyment out of reading a story written by Jeffrey Archer.

>122 Andrew-theQM: I agree that R W Green is doing a great job with the writing of Agatha Raisin's books. I love her books and I'm glad he is continuing the series.

October 2023

124. Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig - 601 pgs. **** 10/5/2023
A small town is transformed by dark magic when a strange tree begins bearing magical apples in this new masterpiece of horror from the bestselling author of Wanderers and The Book of Accidents. Black River Orchard is written by Chuck Wendig. It is told with short chapters but is way too long a story for me. The first part of the book was interesting but the 2nd part was a little slow and the third part finally picked up for me. I noticed that the author was from Bucks County PA and that's where I live so I stuck to reading the story as I was interested in the different names he used for places in Bucks County. Such as; Plumridge for (Pennridge), Quaker Bridge for (Quakertown), Ramble Rocks for (Ringing Rocks), Harrowsblack for (Harrows), Heacock Salvage Yard for (Haycock Salvage Yard) etc. I especially liked the shout-out to Owowcow Creamery, an excellent ice cream store in Ottsville, PA. There were several POV's from the owner of the orchard, Dan Paxson, Dan's daughter Calla, Joanie, Emily and John. It is a horror/fantasy book and I would have loved it more if it was my genre. But it was a fun read for me with all the Bucks County places being mentioned!

125. The Brewery Murders by JR Ellis - 188 pgs. - ***** 10/8/2023
An award-winning beer worth killing for. Can DCI Oldroyd find the killer before last orders? The Brewery Murders is the 9th book in the Yorkshire Murders. There are two breweries run my competing brother and sister. Brendan Scholes offers the recipe of a beer made by the father and grandfather of Richard Foster and his sister, Emily. The award-winning recipe seems to have died along with the Foster family relatives long ago. Brendan Scholes is the first murdered victim. The plot is one that has some good twists and turns but kept me reading until the very surprising ending. The characters of DCI Oldroyd and Andy Carter are called in to investigate the murders. The suspects are plenty but soon the murderer is narrowed down. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy suspense with their thriller. An excellent addition to the series!

126. Murderabilia: A History of Crime in 100 Objects - 288 pgs. **** 10/9/2023
In Murderabilia, veteran true crime writer Harold Schechter presents 100 murder-related artifacts spanning two centuries (1808–2014), with accompanying stories of various lengths. This is a great book if you are interested in true crime. It consists of 100 true crime affects left by the killer or something that is attached to the killings. There is also information about the killer and killings. I also learned new information that I didn't know before. There is music that relates to some killings and movies that were made about the killings. Some of the murders that I never knew about makes me want to discover other books about the killings. It really is a handy book to keep around for short readings of true crime murders. If you like true crime, then this book is one for you!

127. Mrs. Pargeter's Patio by Simon Brett - 221 pgs. **** 10/10/2023
This is the 9th book in the series. Mrs Pargeter is having her morning coffee on the patio of her mansion. The patio's paving slabs crack into two slabs revealing a human skull with a hole in the middle of its forehead. She soon certain that a murder has been committed. But who is the mysterious victim? Who put the body under Mrs. Pargeter's patio?
I really enjoyed reading this book and all the other humorous characters that were involved. The plot was one that led me to read all the way to the engaging ending that I didn't see coming. If you enjoy books with humorous characters then you will love this book. I look forward to reading another Mrs. Pargeter's books as I really did enjoy this one.

128. What Darkness Brings by C.H. Harris - 444 pgs. **** 10/17/2023
London, September 1812. After a long night spent dealing with the tragic death of a former military comrade, a heart-sick Sebastian learns of a new calamity: Russell Yates, the dashing, one-time privateer who married Sebastian’s former lover Kat Boleyn a year ago, has been found standing over the corpse of notorious London diamond merchant Benjamin Eisler. Yates insists he is innocent, but he will surely hang unless Sebastian can unmask the real killer.
This was an excellent book in the series of Sebastian St. Cyr. I really did enjoy this book but it was a bit convoluted with a lot of stuff going on besides the murder. It was a bit slow in parts and had an occult happening that could have been cut from the book without missing it at all. A lot of different suspects and the murderer escaped me until the very end. Harris could have given us more clues in the book so we would have been given a chance to guess the murderer. But I will give her 4 stars for this book and move on to the next St. Cyr book.

129. Dilemma by B.A. Paris - 368 pgs. ***** 10/19/2023
It’s Livia’s 40th birthday, and her husband Adam is throwing her the party of a lifetime to make up for the wedding they never had. Everyone she loves will be there, except her daughter Marnie, who’s studying abroad. But Livia is secretly glad Marnie won’t be there.
Livia has recently uncovered a secret about their daughter which, if revealed, will shake the foundation of their family to its core. She needs to tell Adam, but she’s waiting until the party is over so they can have this last happy time together.
Adam, meanwhile, has his own surprise for Livia: he’s arranged for Marnie to secretly fly back for the party. But before Marnie arrives, Adam hears some terrible news. Now he too is faced with a dilemma: Does he share what he's learned with his wife? Is hiding the truth the same as telling a lie? And how far are Adam and Livia willing to go to protect the ones they love—and give each other a last few hours of happiness?
I really liked this book a lot. Livia and Adam both had a surprise to tell after the party. When she broke the story she had for Adam, they both were talking about the same story but different events arose. Finally the truth was told but not to the anger that Livia held. I don't want to tell what the secret was so you will have to read the book to find out. But the things that happen after the truth is let out shows us how they handled the surprise. It is a tear-jerking story so have the tissues ready. If you like a good cry then you need to read this book. I look forward to my next B.A. Paris book as I find her books amazing but not always liked by others.

yall my book it on tapas its called the color pink plz go read it and tell me how i did

130. Black Widows by Cate Quinn - 480 pgs. *** 10/20/2023
The only thing the three women had in common was their husband.
And, as of this morning, that they're each accused of his murder.
Blake Nelson moved onto a hidden stretch of land - a raw paradise in the wilds of Utah - where he lived with his three wives:
Rachel, the chief wife, obedient and doting to a fault.
Tina, the other wife, who is everything Rachel isn't.
And Emily, the youngest wife, who knows little else.
When their husband is found dead under the desert sun, the questions pile up.
But none of the widows know who would want to kill a good man like Blake.
Or, at least, that's what they'll tell the police...
This is a book about 3 Mormon wives who marry one man named Blake. It was not what I thought the book was about. I thought it was a book written by Kate Quinn but I started it anyway and got about 1/2 through it and decided I couldn't read anymore so I DNF'd it. But I did look in the back of the book to find out who the killer was. So I ended up with 3 stars as that's what it meant to me. Glad I'm done with that book as I couldn't read anymore.

yall my book it on tapas its called the color pink plz go read it and tell me how i did

131. Jack Ruby by Danny Fingeroth - 352 pgs. - ***** 10/28/2023
Jack Ruby changed history by killing Lee Harvey Oswald on live tv two days after the November 22, 1963 murder of John F. Kennedy. I was actually watching tv that day with my father and saw him pop out in front and shoot Oswald. They showed Oswald as they were in a hallway bringing him to another area of the Dallas police station. Who was Jack Ruby and how did he come to be in that spot on that day? The book states that he was known by the police and a friend of the police so he probably had someone he knew let him in a side door.. He was a crazy person who wanted to make a name for himself. He was a friend of the mobsters and ran a nightclub with strippers. He was also known to be a friend of the FBI and ran numerous legal and illegal smuggling of arms and vehicles to both sides in the Cuban revolution. As he shot Oswald he yelled, "You know me! I'm Jack Ruby!' He was tried in Dallas and convicted of murder and ready to die for the murder. But he was re-tried in Wichita Falls, Kansas but he died from pneumonia, circulatory disease and cancer on January 3, 1967. There is much talk about a conspiracy in the murder of Kennedy but nothing yet has come from The National Archives. In December 2022 they noted that numerous documents relating to Kennedy's and Oswald's killings are too sensitive to be seen. There are those who believe that the government will forever hold back any documents that would reveal the "actual truth". If you like true crime then you would love to read this book.

132. Chasing the Boogyman by Richard Chizmar - 336 pgs. **** 10/29/2023
In the summer of 1988, the mutilated bodies of several missing girls turns up in a small Maryland town. A serial killer in on the loose in a quiet suburb. Richard Chizmar returns to his hometown just as a curfew is enacted and a neighborhood watch is formed. Preparing for his wedding and embarking on a writing career, he soon finds himself thrust into a real-life horror story. Richard writes a personal account of the serial killer reign of terror, unaware that these events will continue to hound him for years to come. This is a clever, terrifying and heartrending work of metafiction. It is a marriage between horror fiction and true crime. The fact that this is made-up fiction is very shocking but very unique. I loved this book and would like to thank Richard for this overwhelming experience. I will definitely be reading another book by him.

133. Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys - 348 pgs. **** 10/30/2023
Josie Moraine, the daughter of a brothel prostitute, is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld in New Orleans. It is a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny. This is a character driven book and I especially liked Josie's character. Her mother was a prostitute but she was not going in that direction. The plot was one that led me to read the book to the sad ending. I look forward to reading more from this author as I really liked this book. If you like heartfelt books then you will love this book.

November 2023

134. The Lost Tomb by Douglas Preston - 320 pgs **** 11/8/2023
Douglas Preston, the #1 bestselling author of The Lost City of the Monkey God , presents jaw-dropping true stories of Egyptian burial chambers, prehistoric ruins, pirate treasure, bizarre crimes, and more. The Lost Tomb brings together an astonishing and compelling collection of true stories about buried treasure, enigmatic murders, lost tombs, bizarre crimes, and other fascinating tales of the past and present. This was a very interesting book to read. I especially liked the part about the Monster of Florence. I need to read more about the Monster as I found that aspect of the book most interesting. The last section entitled The Lost Tomb was a great read also about the Egyptian tombs. If you like real-life stories of Bones, Burials and Murders then you will love this book. I’m looking forward to reading another book by Douglas Preston.

135. The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths - 422 Pgs. ***** 11/13/2023
Ruth is back in Norfolk and is now head of the Archaeology Department as Phil has retired. She has hired David Brown as her new lecturer to take her place. A recently dead body is discovered on the beach along with Bronze Age artifacts by The Night Hawks who are detectorists. A murder/suicide happens next at the farmhouse of the detectorists. Nelson begins to not trust David Brown. Is he jealous of David's attention to Ruth?
I was glad to see Ruth and Kate return to Norfolk. Lots of changes in Nelson's police department too. I can't wait to read the next book in the series as this book left off as Nelson seems ready to make a decision about his and Ruth's relationship. I highly recommend this series as it is character driven and so interesting if you love a bit of history mixed with your mystery. I would like to thank NetGalley and Quercus Publishers for a free copy for an honest review.

136. Sudoku Stonkers 2 by Useful publishers - 94 Pgs - ***** - 11/14/2023
If you love Sudoku you will love this book. It is definitely a harder Sudoku book then I was used to, but it’s fun to be challenged and that’s what I love about Sudoku. I tried a few of the puzzles and it took me a while to figure them out but by writing in numbers and using logic I finally figured them out. I do look forward to doing more of the puzzles as I believe I will get better the more I do them. If you like a good challenge, this is definitely the book for you.

137. The Doors Unhinged by John Densmore - 360 Pgs - ***** 11/15/2023
This book was so good. The Doors are one of my favorite bands and when Jim Morrison was found dead in Paris I was shocked and horrified that he had died. The book is written by John Densmore who was their drummer. He recalled that when they were asked to sell their music for commercial use, Jim Morrison said “No Way”. They were not going to do that. It was so important that the four of them decided that they would each get a vote and if one of them disagreed then they would not do it. Jim Morrison was the one who wrote the poetry for their songs and the other band members set that poetry to music. But when Morrison died that was over as there would be no more poetry to set to music. Morrison’s poetry was so special and that is what made their band so great. Morrison was not a musician and that’s how they worked as he wrote the words and the other band members set the lyrics. It was a great collaboration of talents that worked for the band and each person helped to made it work. That is why they each had a say in what they did. Two members of the band, Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger, decided years later to get two more members and do concerts again. John Densmore told them if they did that they could not use the name The Doors as people would expect Jim Morrison to be in the band. They said that they would use the name The Doors of the 21st century. But when they started the concerts the fonts of The Doors of the 21st century were the problem was that “The Doors” was done in large font and “of the 21st century” was smaller font. John Densmore reminded them of Jim Morrison’s agreement that if one band member said “No” then they would not do it. They just ignored him and so John Densmore took them to court and sued them. This is what most of the book is about - the lawsuit. There is a lot more to the book and I would have to say that the book is well worth the read. If you love the bands, then you would love this book.

138. The River Girls by Melissa Woodhall - 345 pgs. **** 11/20/2023
WHO’S KILLING THE GIRLS OF WILLOW BAY?
When the body of a missing girl washes up on the banks of the Willow River, the killing is linked to two cold case murders, and the investigation must uncover the twisted motive of a serial killer before he kills again. This was a very interesting book with great characters. It is a gripping read with many twists that kept me reading until the very end. I’m looking forward to reading the next book of the series. If you like thrillers then you will love this book.

139. Girl Eight by Melinda Woodall - 360 Pgs- **** 11/25/2023
WILL ANOTHER GIRL BE ADDED TO A KILLER’S DEADLY COLLECTION? In this gripping second book in the Mercy Harbor Thriller series , a ruthless serial killer, who has evaded detection for over a decade, is once again preying on Willow Bay’s most vulnerable women. Can the unlikely killer be stopped in time to save Girl Eight? Eden Winthrop turns to Detective Nessa Ainsley for help after a vulnerable girl goes missing, and together they discover that a prolific serial killer lurks in the shadows of their small Florida town. Determined to stop the remorseless killer before he takes his next victim, Eden realizes that to catch the killer, and to save the life of an innocent girl, she must be willing to put her own life in danger. And as Leo Steele works to earn Eden’s trust and win her heart, his investigation into his mother’s death uncovers a series of abductions and murders that span more than a decade and reveals the horrifying truth that lies behind his own tragic past. The characters in this book are the same as the first book. It’s a fascinating book that keeps you guessing until the very end. Many twists and turns that keep the police action moving. If you like action packed books then you will love this book.

140. Christmas Lights and Cat Fights by Heather Weidner - 285 pgs. **** 11/29/2023
This was a suspenseful holiday mystery that kept me hooked from the first page to the end of the story. It's the 3rd book in the series and is full of surprises. The characters are engaging and entertaining. Many are suspects with secrets that kept me guessing. I also enjoyed reading all the recipes following the end of the story. I look forward to reading another book by Heather Weidner. If you like cozy mysteries, then I am sure you will love this one.

December 2023

141. Losing You by Nicci French - 368 pgs. **** 12/1/2023
This book is about a daughter who goes missing while delivering her paper route on the day of her departure to Florida for a holiday. Her mother calls the police but to no avail and is forced to search for Charlie (Charlotte) herself. It takes place on one day and the book is about her mother searching for her daughter. She calls her boyfriend and they search together. Then she finds out her husband lied and he becomes a suspect. I'm not going to tell you what happens next as you will have to read it to find out. If you love suspense with your thriller then you will love this book.

142. An Innocent Client by Scott Pratt - 374 pgs. *** 12/4/2023
A preacher is found brutally murdered in a Tennessee motel room. A beautiful, mysterious young girl is accused. In this Mystery Readers International finalist for "Best Debut Mystery," criminal defense lawyer Joe Dillard has become jaded over the years as he's tried to balance his career against his conscience. Savvy but cynical, Dillard wants to quit doing criminal defense, but he can't resist the chance to represent someone who might actually be innocent. His drug-addicted sister has just been released from prison and his mother is succumbing to Alzheimer's, but Dillard's commitment to the case never wavers despite the personal troubles and professional demands that threaten to destroy him.
This is book #1 in the Joe Dillard series. The book started out a little slow until about mid-way. It was a courtroom scene but I was not really into it. I'm looking forward to book #2 and hopefully it will be better than #1. This does look like a good series so I'm hoping that book #2 will be good.

143. The Blood Compass by J.K. Kelly - 523 pgs. ***** 12/17/2023
Life can be complicated enough but for Matt Christopher, living far from home and away from the mad world his America had become, he was free to pursue his passions. He delivered justice and sought to protect the abused, all from the splendor of his Mediterranean villa on Capri. An orphaned nephew, a corrupt president, a practical pontiff, and a love interest in an elusive former Navy SEAL are just a few of the complicated characters that will compromise him and make THE BLOOD COMPASS a riveting read. The suspenseful plot with may twists and turns kept me reading to the very end. It was highly engaging with great writing and a fantastic story. Matt Christopher is a well-developed character with a complex past. The young orphan, Mattie and Francesca further enhance the story. If you like thrilling and suspenseful reads, then you will love this book

144. You Know Her by D. E. White - 438 pgs. **** 12/19/2023
Five years ago, during a sweltering summer heatwave, perfect wife and mother Joy Maddison set off for her usual evening run – and vanished without a trace.
The final video of Joy, posted online by her devastated husband, has been viewed over a hundred million times. In the last frame she smiles for the camera, waves and says, ‘See you later, my darlings. Love you all!’, before turning to open the gate to the woods.
And then she was gone...
Now, on the fifth anniversary of Joy’s disappearance, in the midst of another oppressive heatwave, a chance sighting – a brief glimpse of blue-green eyes, that direct gaze, the curve of her mouth – changes everything.
Could Joy still be alive? And if so, why hasn’t she come home?
This book was mainly about Maddie searching for Joy. I was very surprised at about 40% into the book something happened and the whole book changed. It was then that a slow book turned into a very different book. It became an intense read and I was suddenly surprised to be intensely involved. I can’t tell you what happened as it will ruin the book. You will have to read it for yourself. If you like a story about a missing person then you will enjoy this book..

145. The Heiress by Rachael Hawkins - 320 pgs. **** 12/29/2023
This book is a twisted new gothic suspense about an infamous heiress and the complicated inheritance she left behind. Ruby McTavish is the victim of a famous kidnapping as a child. She ruled the tiny town of Tavistock from Ashby House, her family's estate high in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her adopted son, Camden, wants little to do with the house or the money. He settles into a normal life as an English teacher and marries Jules, a woman eager to escape her past. Was there any truth to the rumors following her disappearance as a girl? What really happened to the four husbands who all died under mysterious circumstances? Why did she adopt Cam in the first place? The characters speak right to the reader to tell their story until the very end we are putting the story together. The ending is great as we realize what happened. If you like stories that are unique then you will love this book. Looking forward to my next Rachael Hawkins read.

146. Leopold and Loeb by Hal Higdon - 392 pgs. ***** 12/30/2023
Leopold and Loeb were two well-educated and highly intelligent Jewish boys from wealthy South Side families. They chose 14 year old Bobby Franks at random as their victim. They were defended by the era's most famous attorney, Clarence Darrow. He requested that they not be put to death. They were imprisoned and while in jail Loeb was killed but Leopold was finally released after 30 years and lived until 1971 age 66. This was a very interesting case that was known as The Crime of the Century. If you like true crime then you will love this book. I would like to read another book about this murder in the future.