The Weirdies by Michael Buckley

This is a very, very sad story. The characters suffer terrible tragedies. People die in unspeakable ways. Only a truly horrible person would be amused by their misfortune.

Nevertheless, it is kind of funny.

My advice is that you listen to this all by yourself. People can be judgy.

If you’re a fan of A Series of Unfortunate Events, Edward Scissorhands, or the darkest bits of Roald Dahl, the Weirdie triplets - Barnacle, Garlic, and Melancholy - will feel like old friends.

 After being left behind when the entire estate of Deadeye Manor is packed up for a doomed vacation cruise, the triplets have to learn how to fend for themselves. (When a staff of 200 servants has taken care of your every need, even brushing your own teeth is a mountainous task.) 

From their time at the Our Lady of the Perpetual Side-Eye Orphanage to their adoptive home on picture-perfect Sunshine Circle, the Weirdies have a lot to learn about the world...but, at least, they have each other.

Audiobook, 1 hours, 47 minutes

Published November 19, 2020

by Audible Originals

4/5 stars

The Weirdies is a wild and crazy ride that blends humor, mystery and just the right amount of weirdness. 

It follows the life of three siblings, triplets as a matter of fact, named Barnacle, Garlic and Melancholy. After they are abandoned in their home, meaning their parents have left along with the 200 servants that serve them. They are taken into an orphanage and then handed off to a kind woman at a cheerful place called Sunshine Circle. 

I listened to the audiobook, which was read by Kate Winslet, she did a spectacular job bringing the whole situation to life while emphasizing the wit and laugh out loud moments along with the bizarre twists that happen.

This is the first book in a series called The Weirdies, it’s a story about being different to put it mildly, and it’s great for readers that love characters that are...well different. This will appeal to fans of the Series for Unfortunate Events.

 Like I said, I listened to the audiobook which I got through Audible Originals, it's a freebie. I am looking forward to book 2, The Weirdies Get Weirder (again read by Kate Kinslet) and #3 The Weirdies: Maybe This is a Bit Too Weirder (read by Helena Bonham Carter). They come in at under two hours in length.

Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher

She's ready for adventure--isn't she?

Kate Cunningham is facing the opportunity of a lifetime. As a zoo photographer, she's spent years photographing animals in carefully controlled environments, but now National Geographic has dangled an irresistible prize: If Kate can snag a unique photo of a legendary bear in Grand Teton National Park, they just might publish it. It's the kind of challenge Kate has been waiting for, and she's eager to prove herself in the wild. 

With more enthusiasm than experience, Kate soon realizes that capturing an image of this bear isn't as simple as she hoped. Fortunately, she crosses paths with Grant Cooper, a seasonal park ranger who knows the terrain--and the bears--better than anyone. His tracking skills could be exactly what Kate needs to succeed, and it doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes. But they're not the only ones with an interest in the park's most famous bear. And his motives are far from innocent.

A clean, kisses-only contemporary romance and summer read by Suzanne Woods Fisher for wildlife, travel, and photography enthusiasts set in Grand Teton National Park.

Audiobook,  8 hours, 50 minutes

Published May 8, 2025

by Recorded Books

4/5 stars

As a longtime Suzanne Woods Fisher fan, I dove into Capture the Moment and knew she wouldn't disappoint. 

The story kicks off in Grand Teton National Park, where Kate Cunningham, a zoo photographer ventures into the wild for the first time.  Her goal is to capture a picture of Grizzly Bear #399, a picture that could launch a new direction for her in photography.  Maybe, just maybe grab the attention of National Geographic. She’s enthusiastic, but as she soon finds out photographing a legendary bear in its natural habitat is nothing like shooting in a zoo. It doesn't take long before she is known as the zoo girl.

Then there is the rugged, terrain-savvy seasonal park ranger with tracking skills to match his good looks. Along with some great support characters like Maisie (the talkative thirteen-year-old) and Frankie (a moody teen intern) giving some great balance. Together they trek through breathtaking landscapes, waiting and watching for the perfect photo.

But it’s not all sunshine and wildlife: someone else is stalking Bear 399 with less noble motives. Suspense builds for Kate as this multi layer story deals with a lurking poacher and more. Ultimately this is a story of self‑discovery as Kate journeys from zoo girl to a wildlife photographer willing to take bold steps to get what she wants while be mocked and challenged along the way.

Capture the Moment is Christian Fiction with authentic characters, a unique settings and great storytelling, which is why Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my go‑to authors.

This audiobook was obtained through my Everand subscription.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano

Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero are in sore need of a girls’ weekend away. They plan a trip to Atlantic City, but odds are―seeing as it’s actually a cover story to negotiate a deal with a dangerous loan shark, save Vero’s childhood crush Javi, and hunt down a stolen car―it won’t be all fun and games. When Finlay’s ex-husband Steven and her mother insist on tagging along too, Finlay and Vero suddenly have a few too many meddlesome passengers along for the ride.

Within hours of arriving in their seedy casino hotel, it becomes clear their rescue mission is going to be a bust. Javi’s kidnapper, Marco, refuses to negotiate, demanding payment in full in exchange for Javi’s life. But that’s not all―he insists on knowing the whereabouts of his missing nephew, Ike, who mysteriously disappeared. Unable to confess what really happened to Ike, Finlay and Vero are forced to come up with a new plan: sleuth out the location of Javi and the Aston Martin, then steal them both back.

But when they sneak into the loan shark’s suite to search for clues, they find more than they bargained for―Marco's already dead. They don’t have a clue who murdered him, only that they themselves have a very convincing motive. Then four members of the police department unexpectedly show up in town, also looking for Ike―and after Finlay's night with hot cop Nick at the police academy, he’s a little too eager to keep her close to his side.

If Finlay can juggle a jealous ex-husband, two precocious kids, her mother’s marital issues, a decomposing loan shark, and find Vero’s missing boyfriend, she might get out of Atlantic City in one piece. But will she fold under the pressure and come clean about the things she’s done, or be forced to double down?

Audiobook, 9 hours, 5 minutes

Published March 5, 2024

 by Macmillan Audio

3.5/5 stars

This is Book 4 in Finlay Donovan Series, right now I am in the middle of book 5, which releases in March and just realized that I have not done my review for Rolls the Dice. The thing is I listened to this book way back in July and I still remember it. I remember my drive home from north as I listened, shaking my head and thinking oh my what do we have here?

I can honestly say this was an entertaining listen.  It seems as the series progresses it gets a little more outrageous and far-fetched.  And that's not always a bad thing. That being said, it was funny and mysterious all at the same time. If I had to suspend my belief in book 3 at the Police Academy, Roll the Dice takes it up a whole other level. If something is gonna go wrong, then it’s gonna go wrong a hundred fold. And it wasn’t just a case of Finley and her sidekick Vero, but the rest of the family gets involved also.

What has been consistent throughout all her books is a mystery, the mob, Finley‘s new boyfriend who happens to be the police detective, her ex-husband, her kids, her sister, and a very strong case of suspending one’s belief. The star of the show... Kevin Bacon. 

Not much more I can say other than you have to read this series in order. And I highly recommend the audiobook as the narrator does an amazing job.

My copy of the audiobook was obtained through my local library via CloudLibrary

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by Elle Cosimano

From New York Times bestselling author Elle Cosimano, comes Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank—a hilarious short story diving into Finlay Donovan's partner-in-crime Vero's past.

Anyone can spot a window of opportunity, but not everyone can manage to fall straight through one.

Veronica Ruiz is on the run for the first time in her life—though certainly not the last. After being falsely accused of stealing money from her college sorority, she packs up and heads to her cousin Ramón's apartment, planning to change her name and rebuild start over away from backstabbing girls and university drama (and far, far away from her arrest warrant in Maryland).

At the local bank on the first morning of her new life, it occurs to Vero that she'd be a better bank teller than most of the current employees: she may not have much money, but what little she does have, she knows how to manage. Unfortunately, the only available position is a cleaning job and so, desperate for a fresh start, she takes the bank manager’s offer.

But nothing in Vero's world has ever been simple, so of course shortly after she begins work, she overhears a conversation between her new boss and a security guard: someone who works there has been stealing. Seeing a window of opportunity, Vero sets out to find the identity of the thief, present the evidence, and then push for the perfect job. All of which would be easier if her irresistibly infuriating childhood crush Javi wasn’t living in the same damn town.

Offering the insight that listeners have been craving into fan-favorite Vero's past and a closer look at the moment Finlay and Vero first meet, Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank is a can't-miss addition to the Finlay Donovan series.

Audiobook, 2 hours, 27 minutes

Published November 7, 2023

 by Macmillan Audio

3.5/5 stars

This is book 3.5 in the Finlay Donovan series. a novella/short story coming in just over 125 pages or 2 hours 27 minutes audio, which is the route I went.

My only disappointment with this book started with a different reader than the rest of the series. Maybe I was just used to her voice and can't handle the change, but suffice to say the other is spot on for Vero's voice.

The previous three books in the series hint at something that happened in Vero‘s past and here we finally get the story of what took place. It was a short listen/read, but gave insight into more of her character and what she is running from. It also offers more insight into how Finlay and Vero first meet.  Not required reading for this series but a fun break.

I obtained the audiobook via CloudLibrary

From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir by Lisa Marie Presley & Riley Keough

Born to an American myth and raised in the wilds of Graceland, Lisa Marie Presley tells her whole story for the first time in this raw, riveting, one-of-a-kind memoir faithfully completed by her daughter, Riley Keough.

In 2022, Lisa Marie Presley asked her daughter to help finally finish her long-gestating memoir.

A month later, Lisa Marie was dead, and the world would never know her story in her own words, never know the passionate, joyful, caring, and complicated woman that Riley loved and now grieved.

Riley got the tapes that her mother had recorded for the book, lay in her bed, and listened as Lisa Marie told story after story about smashing golf carts together in the yards of Graceland, about the unconditional love she felt from her father, about being upstairs, just the two of them. About getting dragged screaming out of the bathroom as she ran toward his body on the floor. About living in Los Angeles with her mother, getting sent to school after school, always kicked out, always in trouble. About her singular, lifelong relationship with Danny Keough, about being married to Michael Jackson, what they had in common. About motherhood. About deep addiction. About ever-present grief. Riley knew she had to fulfill her mother’s wish to reveal these memories, incandescent and painful, to the world.

To make her mother known.

This extraordinary book is written in both Lisa Marie’s and Riley’s voices, a mother and daughter communicating—from this world to the one beyond—as they try to heal each other. Profoundly moving and deeply revealing, From Here to the Great Unknown is a book like no other—the last words of the only child of an American icon.

Audible Audio, 5 hours, 42 minutes

Published October 8, 2024

 by Random House Audio

4/5 stars

Though celebrity stories are really not my thing I was intrigued about Lisa Marie Presley‘s story which released last month. It’s not a long book, the audio coming in at about 5 1/2 hours or 304 pages.  I went the audio route, but I am sure that the print copy would also include photos.

Told from Lisa Marie‘s point of view, she had begun this process before she passed away suddenly, and the audio includes excerpts of her recorded interviews. Other than that, Julie Roberts told her story along with Riley Keough, Lisa Marie's eldest daughter.

This is one of those audios that I found hard to listen to as she described her life at Graceland, the death of her father when she was quite young, the relationship with her mother, and then growing up with her addictions and grief.  A very open and honest look at Lisa Marie‘s life that evoked a lot of emotions. Sad for her upbringing without guidance that left her handling her grief on her own. How she married four times and still seemed like she was searching.

I knew very little about Lisa Marie’s life before reading this book and it has opened my eyes to her struggles.

My audio was obtained through my Spotify account

The Honeymoon Crashers by Christina Lauren

A perfectionist maid of honor and a carefree, surfer-bro best man team up to plan a wedding and end up finding a spark of their own in the first audio original from author duo Christina Lauren, a full-cast sequel to their New York Times bestseller The Unhoneymooners.

Ami is determined to break the Torres family wedding curse. Her own disaster of a reception ended with all the guests getting food poisoning, and she left her cheating husband soon after. But even though she’s still processing her own divorce, Ami won’t let her twin sister Olive’s day be anything but perfect. Olive may think she wants a private ceremony in Maui, where she and her fiancé Ethan first fell in love, but Ami knows better and secretly flies the whole Torres family out to surprise the couple. Now she and her meticulously organized binder have less than two weeks to get everything together for the big day, thousands of miles from home.

Enter Brody, Ethan’s best man, who happens to be living in Maui and insists on helping with the preparations. His playfully elaborate schemes and happy-go-lucky attitude are the last thing Ami needs. When sparks start to fly, could it derail all her carefully laid plans?

Equal parts hilarious and swoon-worthy, this full-cast production is your ticket to the ultimate destination wedding, bringing to life both a captivating couple and an unforgettable family. The Honeymoon Crashers is Christina Lauren at their charming, hilarious best.

 Audiobook, 4 hours, 47 minutes

Published August 1, 2023

 by Simon & Schuster Audio Originals

3/5 stars

A cute follow-up to The Unhoneymooners, that takes place in Hawaii.  This novella/short story is one I would have preferred to read vs listen to.  It was different from any audiobook I've listened to before, with sound effects and more dramatization.

The story itself was fun, predictable and a nice addition to its predecessor. Though it would have been nice to have been a little longer, maybe see more of Ami's life after her divorce, amongst other things (possible spoiler).

I listened to this audio via CloudLibrary.

The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle

A dream vacation turns deadly when secrets from the past catch up to a married couple in Paris in this new edge-of-your-seat thriller from USA Today bestselling author, Kimberly Belle.

When Stella met Adam, she thought she had finally found a nice, normal guy—a welcome change from her previous boyfriend and her precarious jetsetter lifestyle with him. But her secure world comes crashing down when Adam goes missing after an explosion in the city square. Unable to reach him, she panics.

As the French police investigate, it’s revealed that Adam was on their radar as a dealer of rare and stolen antiquities with a long roster of criminal clients. Reeling from this news, Stella is determined not to leave Paris until she has the full story. Was Adam a random victim or the target of the explosion? And why is someone following her through the streets of Paris?

An irresistible, fast-paced read set in some of Europe’s most inviting locales, The Paris Widow explores how sinister secrets of the past stay with us—no matter how far we travel.

Audiobook, 10 hours, 23 minutes

Published June 11, 2024 

by Harlequin Audio

3/5 stars

Kimberly Bell's latest took this reader to different countries in Europe.  There were 2 different points of view, that of Stella and her husband Adam.  Their dream vacation takes a drastic turn when a bomb goes of in a Paris square leaving Stella searching for Adam 

It was an intriguing plot that took me into the black market of stolen art and antiquities. This was very much a telling story that was entertaining, but not as suspenseful and thrilling as I had hoped it to be.

It was mysterious and kept me guessing but it wasn't without issues. Had I read this book vs the audio maybe my thoughts would be different.  But I found the narrators not in tune with the characters personalities. Stella came off as hysterical and gullible with a very whiny and loud voice.  Adam's point of view came in at a slower speed, therefore I was constantly upping and slowing the speed down. Thankfully he didn't get as much time as Stella did.

Like I said, I wish I'd gone the book/ebook route and recommend that way to go.

My audiobook was obtained through Hoopla via local public library.

Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale

If you had the power to change the past…where would you start?
Cassandra Penelope Dankworth is a creature of habit. She likes what she likes (museums, jumpsuits, her boyfriend, Will) and strongly dislikes what she doesn't (mess, change, her boss drinking out of her mug). Her life runs in a pleasing, predictable order…until now.
• She's just been dumped.
• She's just been fired.
• Her local café has run out of banana muffins.

Then, something truly unexpected happens: Cassie discovers she can go back and change the past. One small rewind at a time, Cassie attempts to fix the life she accidentally obliterated, but soon she'll discover she's trying to fix all the wrong things.

Audiobook, 13 hours, 15 minutes

Published June 6, 2023

 by Harlequin Audio

2/5 stars

Cassandra in Reverse is the June '23 Reese's Book Club pick, honestly I think it's time Reese and I parted ways. Be forewarned for unpopular comments.

I went the audio route with this book, part of me thinks maybe reading the book might have been better in terms of performance.  Yea there were some jarring moments of raised voices that disrupted the flow and were more dramatic then necessary.

All in one day, Cassandra loses her boyfriend, her job, and her situation with her flatmate is tense. The next day she wakes up and starts all over again. This is my first time reading a Groundhog Day story, I contemplating DNF around the 40/50% mark. It was only through reviews/comments advising to persevere as the ending is good. Sadly, though the action does not start till after the 70/75% mark at which time things really did pick up and the meat of the story shined through. Unfortunately for me it was a little too late. The story was slow and repetitive with characters I didn't necessarily like. It had great potential but sadly it didn't live up to the hype (for me anyways).

My audiobook was obtained through my Scribd membership.

The Great Escape by Paul Brickhill

One of the most famous true stories from the last war, The GREAT ESCAPE tells how more than six hundred men in a German prisoner-of-war camp worked together to achieve an extraordinary break-out. Every night for a year they dug tunnels, and those who weren't digging forged passports, drew maps, faked weapons and tailored German uniforms and civilian clothes to wear once they had escaped. All of this was conducted under the very noses of their prison guards. When the right night came, the actual escape itself was timed to the split second - but of course, not everything went according to plan...

 Audible Audio

7 hours, 36 minutes

Published June 19, 2009 

by Blackstone Audio, Inc.

5/5 stars

Over the years, I have watched bits and pieces of this movie, The Great Escape, since it is one of my husband's favorites. It has an all star cast, some good musical vibes, and tells the story of some brave POWs in World War II. There were some crazy scenarios played out as these prisoners tunnelled 30 feet deep and over 200 feet to escape. There were other things that took place - obtaining authentic passes and identification cards, travel vouchers and even clothing and accessories to make these men blend into society. It’s an entertaining movie, but unbeknown to me this is based on a true story.

Written in 1950 by one of the prisoners, Paul Brickhill, an Australian pilot, he told the story of what actually happened. And it is pretty darn close to the movie which makes this story all the more compelling.

We listen to this audiobook on a recent road trip, though the audiobook comes in at 7 1/2 hours, the time flew by.  Paul Rickman was methodical in his attention to detail, how this group were able to make such a large tunnel so deep in the ground, how the forgeries took place and all the things that I mentioned above.

The Great Escape, well entertaining is a story of courage and resilience, but also sad and heartbreaking. Brickhill researched the last part meticulously to find out what exactly happened to those that got out.  Definitely an audio I recommend.

I obtained the audiobook through Audible, it was a free read with my account.

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take—and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter means she’ll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She’s a good soul in search of honest fun.

Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met—when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes—to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air.

Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them...right?

Paperback, 309 pages

Published September 4, 2018

 by Gallery Books

Audiobook, 7 hours, 16 minutes

by Simon & Schuster Audio

4/5 stars

This was an impulse audio read.  I can't really say that the writing duo named Christina Lauren is a new to me author.  I've read a couple books last year that I loved.  So for 2023 my goal is to read her backlist.

Josh and Haley is the story of reunited friends (with a past from high school days).After Josh's breakup this pair sets out to create blind dates for each other, but these blind dates are also double dates.  What follows was a laugh out loud read - yes I did almost spit wine on my puzzle a couple times.

Would I have enjoyed it as much if I had read the book?  I can't really say. Nevertheless the plot was fun, the characters well developed, personalities authentic making an entertaining story.

That being said there were a few things that niggled at me.  Josh & Hazel haven't seen each other in over a decade and within moments are the best of friends -bester than their teen years. Plus the epilogue felt a bit over the top IMHO.

But other than that this was an entertaining audio read where I followed along with my print copy.

Audiobook was obtained through CloudLibrary with the print copy being a recent thrift shop rescue.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

For fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope, tracing a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.

After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late.

Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible. 

Audiobook, Unabridged, 11 hours, 16 minutes

Marin Ireland (Narrator)

Michael Urie (Narrator)

Published May 3rd 2022

 by HarperAudio

5/5 stars

To be honest this was a book that was not on my radar even when I started seeing the buzz on Instagram. But when a few of my favourite Instagrammers started raving about it I wanted to be one of the cool kids. I went the audio route and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The narrators (noted above) did a great job bringing this book to life.

Told from a number of POVs (including the non human kind) these different characters who at the beginning have no connection. I loved watching the different journeys and to see how all the pieces fit together. Marcellus the giant octopus who lives at the aquarium where Tova works made this story. He was wise, smart and sneaky.

Remarkable Bright Creatures is a debut novel, it is well written, gripping and was hard to put down.  Humorous at times it’s a story of grief, friendship, loneliness and family.

Well I can’t comment on whether I would’ve felt the same if I had read this book, though I imagine I would.  I highly recommend the audiobook to those that feel inclined and are fans of that method of reading.

My copy was obtained through Scribd as part of my monthly subscription

 

My Wife Is Missing by D.J. Palmer

When a woman disappears with her two children, one husband will do anything to find them—even confront the secrets of his own past—in D. J. Palmer's My Wife Is Missing, a twisty thriller from the author of The New Husband...

A family vacation turns into a nightmare for Michael Hart when he discovers his wife and two children have disappeared from their New York City hotel room. Horrified, he fears they’ve been kidnapped. Michael’s frantic search to find them takes a shocking turn when he discovers that his wife, Natalie, appears to have left quite willingly, taking their children with her. The police want to know why, and so does Michael. But there may be a reason why Natalie ran, something Michael can’t tell the police—the truth about his past.

While untangling his deceptions might be the key to locating Natalie, Michael knows it could also be his undoing. To find his wife, he must now turn to the one person capable of exposing all that he’s been hiding. Natalie thinks she has Michael all figured out and has hatched a plan to escape from him permanently. One detail, though, threatens to derail her efforts: sleep—or more accurately, the lack of it. Since the moment the shocking revelations about her husband came to light, Natalie’s insomnia has worsened to the point that she now suffers from delusions.

Are her fears about Michael valid—or a symptom of her condition? With her children’s lives at risk, the stakes for Natalie could not be higher. On her own, running low on energy and resources, avoiding increasingly close calls with Michael—who is on the hunt and closing in fast—Natalie needs someone to turn to for help. But who can she trust when she can’t even trust herself?

Audiobook, 11 hours, 8 mins

Narrated by Karissa Vacker

Published May 10, 2022 

by Macmillan Audio

4/5 stars

What begins as a family getaway turned into a nightmare for Michael when left in New York City with no idea where his wife and two children have disappeared to.

This is my first time reading DJ Palmer, I went with the audio book which comes in just over 11 hours giving it enough time to develop the characters and plot. Weaving back and forth between Michael and Natalie‘s point of view we also see through her eyes the past that led to her disappearance.

There are many layers to this story along with many secrets. I enjoyed the authors writing style and how he flawlessly went back-and-forth in time, I was kept in the dark as I tried to unravel the clues myself . My wife is Missing is a domestic story with the relationship between husband and wife, secrets of the past along with murder and much more.

I grabbed this audio book via Scribd because of all the hype I was seeing on Instagram about Palmer. I’m glad I did the impulse listen and highly recommend this book for those that like to be kept on their toes.

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari

Saffron Everleigh is in a race against time to free her wrongly accused professor before he goes behind bars forever. Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Anna Lee Huber, Kate Khavari’s debut historical mystery is a fast-paced, fearless adventure.

London, 1923. Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh attends a dinner party for the University College of London. While she expects to engage in conversations about the university's large expedition to the Amazon, she doesn’t expect Mrs. Henry, one of the professors’ wives to drop to the floor, poisoned by an unknown toxin.

Dr. Maxwell, Saffron’s mentor, is the main suspect, having had an explosive argument with Dr. Henry a few days prior. As evidence mounts against Dr. Maxwell and the expedition's departure draws nearer, Saffron realizes if she wants her mentor's name cleared, she’ll have to do it herself.

Joined by enigmatic Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher, Saffron uses her knowledge of botany as she explores steamy greenhouses, dark gardens, and deadly poisons. Will she be able to uncover the truth or will her investigation land her on the murderer’s list?

Kindle Edition, 304 pages

published by Crooked Lane Books

Audiobook 8 hours, 13 minutes

published by Dreamscape

on June 7, 2022

3/5 stars

Set in 1923 this book is a combination cozy mystery and historical fiction. I was drawn to this book from the stunning cover.

I did a combination read and audiobook listen, thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for those arcs.

Saffron is a young woman who is determined, resourceful and at times a little foolish. Driven to clear the name of a mentor she impulsively does things that put her own life and others at risk.

It was a fun read and an entertaining listen. With an interesting cast of characters, some likeable some not so much. The mystery played out nicely with adventure, wit and risk. There was a satisfying ending as well. I am not sure if this is the beginning of a series or not but it does have the makings for one.

While there are some comparing this book to Deanna Raybourn‘s Veronica Speedwell Series I don’t think I would go that far.

My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for advanced copies in exchange for a honest review.

The New Neighbor by Carter Wilson

Aidan holds the winning Powerball numbers.

Is today the best day of his life... or the worst?

Aidan Marlowe is the superstitious type—he's been playing the same lottery numbers for fifteen years, never hitting the jackpot. Until now. On the day of his wife's funeral.

Aidan struggles to cope with these two sudden extremes: instant wealth beyond his imagination, and the loss of the only woman he's ever loved, the mother of his twin children. But the money gives him and his kids options they didn't have before. They can leave everything behind. They can start a new life in a new town. So they do.

But a huge new house and all the money in the world can't replace what they've lost, and it's not long before Aidan realizes he's merely trading old demons for new ones. Because someone is watching him and his family very closely. Someone who knows exactly who they are, where they've come from, and what they're trying to hide. Someone who will stop at nothing to get what they want...

Paperback, 384 pages

Audiobook 9 hours 22 minutes

Published April 12th 2022 

by Poisoned Pen Press

3/5 stars

This was an audio read for me. Again it’s another author I read a lot about on Instagram and had to see for myself what the hype was about.

The author doesn’t waste any time getting to the heart of this story. During his wife’s funeral Aidan discovers his Powerball numbers finally came up. What follows is a change of direction and new beginning for him and their children.

Part of me feels I would have liked this book better if I had read the book. Aidan is an unreliable character and while the story started out strong and had the power to continue it started to falter for me. The pacing slowed between back story and the present day threats just couldn’t keep my attention. 

The mystery was intriguing but I wasn’t satisfied with the ending, there were issues unresolved that made it feel flat.  I know I am in the minority with my thoughts, so it could just be a me thing.

My audiobook was obtained through my Scribd account.

The Ghostwriter by A.R. Torre

Four years ago, I lied. I stood in front of the police, my friends and family, and made up a story, my best one yet. And all of them believed me.

I wasn't surprised. Telling stories is what made me famous. Fifteen bestsellers. Millions of fans. Fame and fortune.

Now, I have one last story to write. It'll be my best one yet, with a jaw-dropping twist that will leave them stunned and gasping for breath.

They say that sticks and stones will break your bones, but this story? It will be the one that kills me.

Paperback, 321 pages

Audiobook, 9 hours 26 minutes

Published October 2, 2017 

by DCA

4/5 stars

This was an audiobook read for me.

It took me a bit to get into this story with all the different povs. With a print copy you can differentiate between characters and time lines, so it took a little to connect and feel the rhythm. I won’t even scary anyone off with the different timelines and voices. Once I got that this story took off.

It was mysterious waiting to discover what happened 4 years ago. A slow burn that detailed Helena’s career as an author, her relationship with spouse, daughter, mother and even rival author. At one point I found it hard to listen to more (sorry can’t say more), it was sad and a tad depressing but then the twist came - wow did not anticipate that at all.

Though I have been behind on my reviews I really feel the need to get this one done so I can try and forget about it, suffice to say it might stay with me for a bit.

Audiobook read through my Scribd account.

The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont

Nina de Gramont's The Christie Affair is a beguiling novel of star-crossed lovers, heartbreak, revenge, and murder—and a brilliant re-imagination of one of the most talked-about unsolved mysteries of the twentieth century.

Every story has its secrets.
Every mystery has its motives.

“A long time ago, in another country, I nearly killed a woman. It’s a particular feeling, the urge to murder. It takes over your body so completely, it’s like a divine force, grabbing hold of your will, your limbs, your psyche. There’s a joy to it. In retrospect, it’s frightening, but I daresay in the moment it feels sweet. The way justice feels sweet.”

The greatest mystery wasn’t Agatha Christie’s disappearance in those eleven infamous days, it’s what she discovered.

London, 1925: In a world of townhomes and tennis matches, socialites and shooting parties, Miss Nan O’Dea became Archie Christie’s mistress, luring him away from his devoted and well-known wife, Agatha Christie.

The question is, why? Why destroy another woman’s marriage, why hatch a plot years in the making, and why murder? How was Nan O’Dea so intricately tied to those eleven mysterious days that Agatha Christie went missing?

Kindle, 320 pages

Audiobook, 10 hours, 23 minutes

Published February 1, 2022

 by St. Martin's Press

4/5 stars

Confession time, I have never read an Agatha Christie book. But the buzz on Instagram had me wanting to be one of the cool kids and read it.

There are 2  distinct povs in The Christie Affair. One is that of Christie herself and the other of Nan O’Dea, The woman having the affair with Christie’s husband Archie

This was an audiobook read for me, Lucy Scott was the narrator who did a great job. Alternating between the past brought this story full circle . I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was treated to a multi layered story that was intriguing, mysterious and entertaining. I got to learn more about Christie, her family and the times she lives in. The pressure placed about this writer and the twists and turns kept me listening.

The ending was fitting bringing a nice conclusion to this historical fiction read.

My audiobook was obtained through Scribd.

The Lady's Mine by Francine Rivers

New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers returns to the California frontier in this sweeping, romantic tale of a displaced New England suffragette, a former Union soldier disinherited by his Southern family, and the town they join forces to save.

1875. When Kathryn Walsh arrives in tiny Calvada, a mining town nestled in the Sierra Nevadas, falling in love is the farthest thing from her mind. Banished from Boston by her wealthy stepfather, she has come to claim an inheritance from the uncle she never knew: a defunct newspaper office on a main street overflowing with brothels and saloons, and a seemingly worthless mine. Moved by the oppression of the local miners and their families, Kathryn decides to relaunch her uncle's newspaper--and then finds herself in the middle of a maelstrom, pitted against Calvada's most powerful men. But Kathryn intends to continue to say--and publish--whatever she pleases, especially when she knows she's right.

Matthias Beck, owner of a local saloon and hotel, has a special interest in the new lady in town. He instantly recognizes C. T. Walsh's same tenacity in the beautiful and outspoken redhead--and knows all too well how dangerous that family trait can be. While Kathryn may be right about Calvada's problems, her righteousness could also get her killed. But when the handsome hotelier keeps finding himself on the same side of the issues as the opinionated Miss Walsh, Matthias's restless search for purpose becomes all about answering the call of his heart.

Everyone may be looking to strike it rich in this lawless boomtown, but it's a love more precious than gold that will ultimately save them all.

Audiobook, 15 hours, 19 minutes

Published February 8, 2022

 by Recorded Books Audio

3.5/5 stars

This was one of my highly anticipated book of 2022. Francine Rivers has written some of my favourite books, The Masterpiece, Redeeming Love and her Mark of the Lions Series. So maybe my expectations were is a tad to high. That being said, after I finished reading I discovered that the author has made it known she wrote something lighter this time around.

The Lady’s Mine follows the arrival of Kathryn to any unknown area and basically to fend for herself. It’s a time when women are suppose to cater to the men, to be at their beck and call and forgo their own desirers, but such is not the case for Kathryn.

I liked her determination, her strength and the way she stands up for herself. She is smart and doesn’t bow down to those against her, no matter the danger.I also loves how she stood up for others, those being taken advantage of or just with no one to lend a hand.

The story was lighter than what I am used to, so that took a bit of adjustment. This book took me to the era of saloons, mines and printing presses. There was mystery, intrigue and of course, romance.

Not my favourite Rivers book but still entertaining. I went with the audiobook, narrated by Kate Forbes, who did a great job.

This audiobook was obtained through my subscription to Scribd, if you would like to try it for free for a month let me know and I can send you link.

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

Scribd Audio, 11 hours, 11 minutes

Narrator - Olivia Song

Published August 2, 2016 

 by Simon and Schuster Audio

4.5/5 stars

I didn't really know what to expect with this book.  Colleen Hoover has been the buzz over on Instagram these days, sometimes the buzz can be overwhelming and other times makes me curious.  I read Verity a few years back and really enjoyed it.  Part of me thought this might be something along the same lines but boy was I mistaken.

The first part was your typical romance with a little bit of com in there.  But then it wasn't and went in a direction I didn't expect at all.  I listened to the last 5 hours in one day, it was that captivating. The blurb doesn't give anything away about what happens and I loved that.  Now I really can't say anything either (spoiler!) and while it does pack a punch it should come with possible trigger warnings.

It Ends With Us is a story of love, sacrifice and strength.  It is well written, captivating and heartbreaking at the same time.  There is strong message that rings loud and true from Lily, after reading the author notes made this all the more compelling.  So glad I allowed the buzz to push me to grab the audiobook.

“And as hard as this choice is, we break the pattern before the pattern breaks us.”

Audio Review: Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill,

Based on a true story, "The Book of Negroes" tells the story of Aminata, a young girl abducted from her village in Mali aged 11 in 1755, and who, after a deathly journey on a slave ship where she witnesses the brutal repression of a slave revolt, is sold to a plantation owner in South Carolina, who rapes her. 

She is brought to New York, where she escapes her owner, and finds herself helping the British by recording all the freed slaves on the British side in the Revolutionary War in The Book of Negroes (a real historical document that can be found today at the National Archives at Kew).Aminata is sent to Nova Scotia to start a new life, but finds more hostility, oppression and tragedy. 

Separated from her one true love, and suffering the unimaginable loss of both her children who are taken away from her, she eventually joins a group of freed slaves on a harrowing odyssey back to Africa, and ends up in London as a living icon for Wilberforce and the other Abolitionists. "The Book of Negroes" is a page turning narrative that manages to use Aminata's heart-rending personal story to bring to life a harrowing chapter in our history. 

Audiobook, 15 hours, 46 minutes

Narrator: Adenrele Ojo 

Published 2007 by Books on Tape

4/5 stars

I am so glad that I went the audio route with this book.  It is such a captivating story that I would have struggled to read it when I could listen doing chores and such.

This book isn't for the faint of heart, it is a gritty and heartbreaking story.  The narrator, Adenrele Ojo did a great job of bringing this book to life. I was put in the various locations and felt a whole range of emotions.  She couldn't have done that without an intricately written story that spans years and settings.  

Beginning in 1755, Aminata's village is set upon changing the direction of her young life.  Forced to grow up before her time she endures so much through the years.  The author doesn't hold back with vivid descriptions of this heart wretching time in history. Coming in at almost 500 pages the reader witnesses her life as she travels across countries ending up in London.  It's been a year since I listening to this book, parts have stayed with me.

This is my first Lawrence Hill book by another Canadian author, I will definitely be on the lookout for more.

This book is part of my audiobook library from Audible.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

Eagerly anticipated by her legions of fans, this sixth novel in Diana Gabaldon's bestselling Outlander saga is a masterpiece of historical fiction from one of the most popular authors of our time.

Since the initial publication of Outlander fifteen years ago, Diana Gabaldon's New York Times–bestselling saga has won the hearts of readers the world over -- and sold more than twelve million books. Now, A Breath of Snow and Ashes continues the extraordinary story of 18th-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his 20th-century wife, Claire.

The year is 1772, and on the eve of the American Revolution, the long fuse of rebellion has already been lit. Men lie dead in the streets of Boston, and in the backwoods of North Carolina, isolated cabins burn in the forest.

With chaos brewing, the governor calls upon Jamie Fraser to unite the backcountry and safeguard the colony for King and Crown. But from his wife Jamie knows that three years hence the shot heard round the world will be fired, and the result will be independence -- with those loyal to the King either dead or in exile. And there is also the matter of a tiny clipping from The Wilmington Gazette, dated 1776, which reports Jamie's death, along with his kin. For once, he hopes, his time-traveling family may be wrong about the future.

Mass Market Paperback, 1410 pages 

Audiobook, 57 hours, 48 minutes

Published September 7, 2006  

by Arrow

4.5/5 stars

I put off reading this book because of memories to do with book 5 in this popular series. It wasn't a favorite and I struggled just to finish.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes had what I loved in books 1 and 3 (both were awesome). Given the size there were many subplots that kept me reading - actually listening since I went that route.  I enjoyed the action and mayhem, the mystery and suspense.  There was closure and new beginnings.

All in all a great listen with lots to look forward to in An Echo in the Bone.

Will I  start right away? probably not, maybe the new year.

This book was part of my 2021 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge