A Noise Downstairs by Linwood Barclay

The New York Times bestselling author of No Time for Goodbye returns with a haunting psychological thriller that blends the twists and turns of Gillian Flynn with the driving suspense of Harlan Coben, in which a man is troubled by odd sounds for which there is no rational explanation.

College professor Paul Davis is a normal guy with a normal life. Until, driving along a deserted road late one night, he surprises a murderer disposing of a couple of bodies. That’s when Paul’s "normal" existence is turned upside down. After nearly losing his own life in that encounter, he finds himself battling PTSD, depression, and severe problems at work. His wife, Charlotte, desperate to cheer him up, brings home a vintage typewriter—complete with ink ribbons and heavy round keys—to encourage him to get started on that novel he’s always intended to write.

However, the typewriter itself is a problem. Paul swears it’s possessed and types by itself at night. But only Paul can hear the noise coming from downstairs; Charlotte doesn’t hear a thing. And she worries he’s going off the rails.

Paul believes the typewriter is somehow connected to the murderer he discovered nearly a year ago. The killer had made his victims type apologies to him before ending their lives. Has another sick twist of fate entwined his life with the killer—could this be the same machine? Increasingly tormented but determined to discover the truth and confront his nightmare, Paul begins investigating the deaths himself.

But that may not be the best thing to do. Maybe Paul should just take the typewriter back to where his wife found it. Maybe he should stop asking questions and simply walk away while he can. . .

Audiobook, Duration: 9 hours, 9 minutes

Published July 24, 2018

 by HarperAudio

4/5 stars

A Noise Downstairs is my next stop as I go through Linwood Barclay's backlist. This was mostly an audio read with George Newburn and Jared Zeus doing a great job.

Life changes for college professor Paul Davis, one dark night when he stumbles across someone disposing of a couple bodies. His life is threatened and as he battles PTSD and other issues he slowly begins to think he’s losing his mind. Things take a drastic turn after his wife surprises him with a vintage typewriter.

A Noise Downstairs is a story of paranoia, trust and the battle within yourself. As with other Barclay stories there were many twists and turns along the road as Paul struggles. Whether it be trust of his friends, his wife and even his therapist. There is mystery as to what is going on with the typewriter as it seemingly comes to life in the middle of the night. All reaching a conclusion that took me by surprise on one hand and not on the other.

An enjoyable read with a unique premise and flawed cast of characters.

I obtained the audiobook through  CloudLibrary.

Win (Windsor Horne Lockwood III #1) by Harlan Coben

From a #1 New York Times bestselling author comes this thrilling story that shows what happens when a dead man's secrets fall into the hands of vigilante antihero—drawing him down a dangerous road.

Over twenty years ago, the heiress Patricia Lockwood was abducted during a robbery of her family's estate, then locked inside an isolated cabin for months. Patricia escaped, but so did her captors — and the items stolen from her family were never recovered.

Until now. On the Upper West Side, a recluse is found murdered in his penthouse apartment, alongside two objects of note: a stolen Vermeer painting and a leather suitcase bearing the initials WHL3. For the first time in years, the authorities have a lead — not only on Patricia's kidnapping, but also on another FBI cold case — with the suitcase and painting both pointing them toward one man.

Windsor Horne Lockwood III — or Win, as his few friends call him — doesn't know how his suitcase and his family's stolen painting ended up with a dead man. But his interest is piqued, especially when the FBI tells him that the man who kidnapped his cousin was also behind an act of domestic terrorism — and that the conspirators may still be at large. The two cases have baffled the FBI for decades, but Win has three things the FBI doesn't: a personal connection to the case; an ungodly fortune; and his own unique brand of justice. 

Hardcover, 375 pages

Audiobook, 10 hrs, 35 minutes

Published March 16th 2021 

by Grand Central Publishing

4/5 stars

I am a relatively new Harlan Coban fan, I thoroughly enjoyed his books The Boy From the Woods and  The Match. When I started reading Win there were familiar names and mannerisms from my two previous reads, which has me itching to read more of his books. That being said this is the beginning of a new series.

This ended up being an audio read for me, I did start reading it but felt the narrators voice reflected the character and made for a very enjoyable listen. Steve Weber was the narrator.

Win a.k.a. Windsor Horne Lockwood III, is a mysterious character with loads of money, not much of a conscience and thinks himself smarter than most. What follows is an intriguing story that involves the past that his family would like to forget, with old wounds, old mysteries and family strife. This tightly woven story was suspenseful with some witty banter to relief tension at the opportune moments. 

 I already have a copy of  Deal Breaker, the beginning of the Myron Bolitar Series which also features Win, but in no way do you have to read it first.  

I won this book from Grand Central Publishing back when it was first released.

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.

The Stranger Diaries (Harbinder Kaur #1) by Elly Griffiths

Clare Cassidy is no stranger to murder. A high school English teacher specializing in the Gothic writer R. M. Holland, she teaches a course on it every year. But when one of Clare’s colleagues and closest friends is found dead, with a line from R. M. Holland’s most famous story, “The Stranger,” left by her body, Clare is horrified to see her life collide with the storylines of her favourite literature.

To make matters worse, the police suspect the killer is someone Clare knows. Unsure whom to trust, she turns to her closest confidant, her diary, the only outlet she has for her darkest suspicions and fears about the case. Then one day she notices something odd. Writing that isn't hers, left on the page of an old diary: "Hallo, Clare. You don’t know me."

Clare becomes more certain than ever: “The Stranger” has come to terrifying life. But can the ending be rewritten in time? 

Paperback, 338 pages

Published March 5th 2019 

by Mariner Books 

4/5 stars

Elly Griffith is a new to me author and this her 1st book in brand new series grabbed me with its bookish theme.

The Stranger Diaries is told from three different POVS along with a short story written by a fictional Gothic writer (RM Holland.) Getting those different points of view created a sense of mystery and suspicion the further this read went. Add in the mysterious writing left in an old diary gave the story a supernatural feel.

Though this book got off to somewhat of a slow start for me but it didn’t take long to become captivated with the mystery surrounding the murder of English teacher Ella. I can’t say that it was a huge cast of characters but there were enough to keep me on my toes as to who was who and the connections. I enjoyed the mystery, I enjoyed the red herrings and the furry friend was an added bonus.

I will continue with this series and look forward to seeing Detective Harbringer again.

This book was part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge

The Shadow of Memory (Kate Hamilton Mysteries #4) by Connie Berry

In Connie Berry’s fourth Kate Hamilton mystery, American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton uncovers a dark secret buried in Victorian England.

As Kate Hamilton plans her upcoming wedding to Detective Inspector Tom Mallory, she is also assisting her colleague Ivor Tweedy with a project at the Netherfield Sanatorium, which is being converted into luxury townhouses. Kate and Ivor must appraise a fifteenth-century painting and verify that its provenance is the Dutch master Jan Van Eyck. But when retired criminal inspector Will Parker is found dead, Kate learns that the halls of the sanatorium housed much more than priceless art.

Kate is surprised to learn that Will had been the first boyfriend of her friend Vivian Bunn, who hasn’t seen him in fifty-eight years. At a seaside holiday camp over sixty years ago, Will, Vivian, and three other teens broke into an abandoned house where a doctor and his wife had died under bizarre circumstances two years earlier. Now, when a second member of the childhood gang dies unexpectedly—and then a third—it becomes clear that the teens had discovered more in the house than they had realized.

Had Will returned to warn his old love? When Kate makes a shocking connection between a sixty-year-old murder and the long-buried secrets of the sanatorium, she suddenly understands that time is running out for Vivian—and anyone connected to her. 

Paperback, 352 pages

Expected publication: May 10th 2022 

by Crooked Lane Books

4/5 stars

This is my first time reading a Connie Berry book. I had my doubts when accepting this copy since it is book 4 in the Kate Hamilton Mystery series, but it was fine. If anything it has piqued my interest in reading the rest of the series.

This is a multi layer mystery (the best kind).  American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton literally stumbling across a body in the local cemetery sending her on a search for answers.

Spanning events from decades ago to the present day mystery of not just the cemetery discovery but also a fifteenth century painting kept me reading and scratching my head. Just when I thought I had things figured out there would be a twist.  Suffice to say a well written and well executed story with likeable characters this whodunit was a pleasure to read.

My thanks to Crooked Lane Book for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Never Coming Home by Hannah Mary McKinnon

First comes love. Then comes murder.

Lucas Forester didn't hate his wife. Michelle was brilliant, sophisticated and beautiful. Sure, she had extravagant spending habits and that petty attitude, a total disregard for anyone below her status. But she also had a lot to offer. Most notably, wealth that only the one percent could comprehend.

For years, Lucas had been honing a flawless plan to inherit Michelle’s fortune. Unfortunately, it involved taking a hit out on her.

Every track was covered, no trace left behind, and now Lucas plays the grieving husband so well he deserves an award. But when a shocking photo and cryptic note show up on his doorstep, Lucas goes from hunter to prey.

Someone is onto him. And they’re closing in.

Told with dark wit and a sharply feminist sensibility, Never Coming Home is a terrifying tale of duplicity that will have you side-eyeing your spouse as you dash to the breathtaking end.

Kindle, 384 pages

Expected publication May 24, 2022

by Harlequin Trading Publishing (MIRA)

4/5 stars

Canadian author Hannah Mary McKinnon is releasing this, her pandemic book on May 24, 2022.

Never Coming Home is somewhat of a switch from her previous novels in that we know the bad guy right from the get go - no spoiler it’s right there in the blurb. With meticulous care Lucas planned everything, covering all his tracks with precision. But did he really??

Never Coming Home is mysterious, lots of red herrings with unreliable (and unlikable) characters. It is well written with moments of wit, disbelief and shock.  There is a dog, which is always a great addition. All in all an addicting read with an ending that was fitting.

My thanks to MIRA for a digitial arc in exchange for honest review.

The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben

Thirty years ago, Wilde was found as a boy living feral in the woods, with no memory of his past. Now an adult, he still doesn't know where he comes from, and another child has gone missing.

No one seems to take Naomi Pine's disappearance seriously, not even her father-with one exception. Hester Crimstein, a television criminal attorney, knows through her grandson that Naomi was relentlessly bullied at school. Hester asks Wilde-with whom she shares a tragic connection-to use his unique skills to help find Naomi.

Wilde can't ignore an outcast in trouble, but in order to find Naomi he must venture back into the community where he has never fit in, a place where the powerful are protected even when they harbor secrets that could destroy the lives of millions . . . secrets that Wilde must uncover before it's too late.

Hardcover ,371 pages 

First published March 17, 2020

by Grand Central Publishing

4.5/5 stars

I'm new to Harlan Coben books.  Grand Central Publishing graciously sent me The Match for review, which happens to be the sequel to this book and releases March 15th.  So here I am.

I wasn't sure what to expect given the title and not reading the blurb. But suffice to say this book grabbed me right from the beginnings.

Told from a couple different view points I got to know Hester, a feisty tv lawyer, grandmother/widow and a hoot.  I loved her, her one liners and bantering made me smile and want to read more about her (apparently she is in a Coben series as well - make room tbr pile.)  Wilde, the little boy lost in the woods is now an adult.  Driven, secretive, a survivalist and caring all at the same time.

Throw in a missing teen or two, some suspicious individuals, political intrigue made this layered story a pleasure to read.  Though political stuff isn't really my thing this one wasn't hard to follow.

The Boy from the Woods is a mystery with family drama, great characters a plot that kept me guessing along with the anticipation of seeing these guys in The Match (review coming tomorrow).

This book was part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#9)

Everything We Didn't Say by Nicole Baart

From the author of Little Broken Things, a “race-to-the-finish family drama” (People) following a mother who must confront the dark summer that changed her life forever in order to reclaim the daughter she left behind.

Juniper Baker had just graduated from high school and was deep in the throes of a summer romance when Cal and Beth Murphy, a childless couple who lived on a neighboring farm, were brutally murdered. When her younger brother became the prime suspect, June’s world collapsed and everything she loved that summer fell away. She left, promising never to return to tiny Jericho, Iowa.

Until now. Officially, she’s back in town to help an ill friend manage the local library. But really, she’s returned to repair her relationship with her teenage daughter, who’s been raised by Juniper’s mother and stepfather since birth—and to solve the infamous Murphy murders once and for all. She knows the key to both lies in the darkest secret of that long-ago summer night, one that’s haunted her for nearly fifteen years.

As history begins to repeat itself and a dogged local true crime podcaster starts delving into the murders, the race to the truth puts past and present on a dangerous collision course. Juniper lands back in an all-too-familiar place with the answers to everything finally in her sights, but this time it’s her daughter’s life that hangs in the balance. Will revealing what really happened mean a fresh start? Or will the truth destroy everything Juniper loves for a second time? Baart once again brilliantly weaves mystery into family drama in this expertly-crafted novel for fans of Lisa Jewell and Megan Miranda.

Paperback, 368 pages

Published November 2, 2021

 by Atria Books

4/5 stars

Nicole Baart is a new author to me, it's not for lack of desire because I do have a number of her books on my tbr shelf.  I've loaned them out and they come back with rave reviews but also with comments like 'heartbreaking' or 'an emotional' read.  Which then makes me a little hesitate.   I was surprised to see this mystery/suspense book and anxiously awaited for my turn at the library - I was #1 on the hold list, lucky me!

This was an entertaining read. I enjoyed the mystery, lots of clues, finger pointing but still I couldn't quite grasp what happened.  With the story weaving back and forth from past to present made from me taking my own advice and reading just one more chapter.

The characters really made this story, they were flawed, some unlikable and others suspicious. There are those keeping secrets while Juniper tries to unravel them.  The ending was not what I expected but it totally worked.

My introduction to Nicole Baart was a success, can't wait to read more.

My copy obtained from my local public library.

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf

A woman receives an unexpected visitor during a deadly snowstorm in this chilling thriller from New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf

She thought she was alone…

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.

Kindle Edition, 352 pages 

Expected publication January 25, 2022 

by Park Row

4/5 stars

For me Heather Gudenkauf is synonymous with intense physiological mysteries that keep me guessing.  Such was the case with The Overnight Guest, which releases 1-25-22.  This book gave off vibes that made me glad when insomnia hit I wasn't home alone - a snow storm would have really freaked me right out.

The Overnight Guest is a wonderful mystery that kept me guessing until things finally clicked into place. I expected a layered story from a number of POVs and through different time periods.  That's exactly what I got.

Atmospheric with flawed and mysterious characters that drew at my heartstrings.  Fast paced/slow paced I was anxious to unravel the mystery myself, some parts I was able to but not all of them.  That's what I love about reading a Gudenkauf book, keeps me on my toes.

Thank you to Park Row books for a digital advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle

Bestselling author of DEAR WIFE and THE MARRIAGE LIE, Kimberly Belle returns with her most heart-pounding thriler to date, as a masked home invader reveals the cracks in a marriage.

Everyone is about to know what her husband isn’t telling her…

Jade and Cam Lasky are by all accounts a happily married couple with two adorable kids, a spacious home and a rapidly growing restaurant business. But their world is tipped upside down when Jade is confronted by a masked home invader. As Cam scrambles to gather the ransom money, Jade starts to wonder if they’re as financially secure as their lifestyle suggests, and what other secrets her husband is keeping from her.

Cam may be a good father, a celebrity chef and a darling husband, but there’s another side he’s kept hidden from Jade that has put their family in danger. Unbeknownst to Cam and Jade, the home invader has been watching them and is about to turn their family secrets into a public scandal.

With riveting twists and a breakneck pace, My Darling Husband is an utterly compelling thriller that once again showcases Kimberly Belle's exceptional talent for domestic suspense.

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Expected publication December 28, 2021

by Park Row

3.5/5 stars

Kimberly Belle's new book releases Dec 28th.  Again she has delivered a domestic rollercoaster ride of a story.

Taking place over a matter of hours most of the story takes place inside the home of Jade and Cam.  Told from both POV was necessary to get the full story.

My Darling Husband is fast paced in the sense of timing, I however found it dragged a little just because I struggled to connect  with the story.  Knowing some of the background didn't really endear me to Cam nor Jade which in turn, of course did not help.  The story itself was interesting enough but suffice to say this isn't one of my favourite Bell books.  I appreciated the ending but I didn't feel the suspense that was promised.

That being said with all the 4/5 star reviews out there it could just be me.  You judge.  My favourite Kimberly Belle books are The Ones We Trust, The Marriage Lie and Three Days Missing (read that one in a day).

My thanks to Harlequin (via Netgalley) for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

Getaway by Zoje Stage

A cinematic and terrifying new novel from "the master of the psychological thriller" and the bestselling author of Baby Teeth and Wonderland, about three friends who hike into the wilds of the Grand Canyon—only to find it’s not so easy to leave the world behind (Entertainment Weekly).

It was supposed to be the perfect week away . . .

Imogen and Beck, two sisters who couldn't be more different, have been friends with Tilda since high school. Once inseparable, over two decades the women have grown apart. But after Imogen survives a traumatic attack, Beck suggests they all reunite to hike deep into the Grand Canyon’s backcountry. A week away, secluded in nature . . . surely it’s just what they need.

But as the terrain grows tougher, tensions from their shared past bubble up. And when supplies begin to disappear, it becomes clear secrets aren’t the only thing they’re being stalked by. As friendship and survival collide with an unspeakable evil, Getaway becomes another riveting thriller from a growing master of suspense and “a literary horror writer on the rise” (BookPage).

352 pages, Hardcover

Published August 17, 2021

by Mulholland Books

3.5/5 stars

This is another book that grabbed my attention on Instagram.  I love hiking and the thought of going off with a couple friends for some away time, hiking the Grand Canyon sounded awesome.

Of course, things don't go according to plan for Beck, Imogen and Tilda.  Sisters and friend who have grown apart and are together for the first time in years. The first part of the book  included a lot of hiking lingo that might have been interesting for those with no knowledge of the outdoors and all the gear that comes with it.  For me I felt it took some of the story away.

While I didn't feel an emotional connection to these women I was intrigued as to the outcome, how were they going to get out of this mess.  The author painted a vivid picture of the elements and has me wanting to dawn my hiking shoes again.

This book was obtained from my local public library.

Falling by T.J. Newman

You just boarded a flight to New York.

There are one hundred and forty-three other passengers onboard.

What you don’t know is that thirty minutes before the flight your pilot’s family was kidnapped.

For his family to live, everyone on your plane must die.

The only way the family will survive is if the pilot follows his orders and crashes the plane.

Enjoy the flight.

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published July 6th 2021

by Avid Reader Press / Simon Schuster

4/5 stars

What can I say, decisions, decisions what a horrible one to have to make.

Dubbed the 2021 Best Don't Read on a Plane winner is the perfect way to describe this book. T.J. Newman's debut is a fast-paced story that kept me wondering how this mess of an issue would be resolved. 

Without going into too much detail of the why and how that goes on here, the author approached this book in a manner that was tense (to say the least) and heartbreaking for all.   While the opening chapter didn't really do a lot for me the rest of the book flowed nicely. With alternating POV's the visual was felt right down to the support cast on the ground.

I loved the story behind this book, the 41 rejections before #42 accepting this manuscript.  Talk about perseverance!! She wrote idea and plot points on cocktail napkins while being a flight attendant. This book had an authentic feel on the aircraft with the lingo spot on - my husband is a pilot so I'm kinda familiar.

Falling released last month and part of my 2021 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (the wait was way too long at the library)

 

Hide Away (Rachel Marin Thriller #1) by Jason Pinter

From the bestselling author of the Henry Parker series comes a page-turning thriller about a vigilante who’s desperate to protect her secrets—and bring a killer to justice.

On the surface, Rachel Marin is an ordinary single mother; on the inside, she’s a fierce, brilliant vigilante. After an unspeakable crime shatters her life, she changes her identity and moves to a small town in Illinois, hoping to spare her children from further trauma…or worse. But crime follows her everywhere.

When the former mayor winds up dead, Rachel can’t help but get involved. Where local detectives see suicide, she sees murder. They resent her for butting in—especially since she’s always one step ahead. But her investigative genius may be her undoing: the deeper she digs, the harder it is to keep her own secrets buried.

Her persistence makes her the target of both the cops and a killer. Meanwhile, the terrifying truth about her past threatens to come to light, and Rachel learns the hard way that she can’t trust anyone. Surrounded by danger, she must keep her steely resolve, protect her family, and stay one step ahead, or else she may become the next victim.

Kindle Edition, 365 pages

Published March 1st 2020 

by Thomas & Mercer

5/5 stars

This was another hyped up author on Instagram and Twitter with the release of A Stranger at the Door - book 2 in this series.  I jumped at the kindle deal for Hide Away which is the first book in the Rachel Marin Series.  

It's been awhile since a mystery has grabbed my attention like this one did.  I was invested right away with Rachel, caring about her family and what happened in the past.  She gets herself involved in something that sets off a chain reaction of events that quickly evolve into something dangerous.

This fast paced story was filled with well-developed characters, the easy banter involving Rachel made for a fun read - can I say fun when it's filled with suspense, secrets and intrigue?

The mystery itself was interesting, it kept me on my toes guessing at the outcome. As for the outcome, I loved it!  I was thoroughly entertaining and can't wait to read book 2 in this series. 

This book is from my personal kindle library.

You Will Remember Me by Hannah Mary McKinnon

An unputdownable amnesia thriller that begs the question: how can you trust anyone when you can't even trust yourself?

Forget the truth.

Remember the lies.

He wakes up on a deserted beach in Maryland with a gash on his head and wearing only swim trunks. He can’t remember who he is. Everything—his identity, his life, his loved ones—has been replaced by a dizzying fog of uncertainty. But returning to his Maine hometown in search of the truth uncovers more questions than answers.

Lily Reid thinks she knows her boyfriend, Jack. Until he goes missing one night, and her frantic search reveals that he’s been lying to her since they met, desperate to escape a dark past he’d purposely left behind.

Maya Scott has been trying to find her estranged stepbrother, Asher, since he disappeared without a trace. Having him back, missing memory and all, feels like a miracle. But with a mutual history full of devastating secrets, how far will Maya go to ensure she alone takes them to the grave?

Shared fates intertwine in a twisty, explosive novel of suspense, where unearthing the past might just mean being buried beneath it. 

Kindle Edition, 294 pages

Expected publication: May 25th 2021

by Mira

3.5/5 stars

This is only my 2nd novel by Hannah Mary McKinnon - The Secret Sister was my first.  I love this cover, it very much gives that trouble is brewing vibe.

You Will Remember Me is somewhat of a slower paced story with secret keeping characters. Told between a number of POVS its about trying to remember the past while adjusting to the future and having to trust an unreliable bunch.

McKinnon wove this story while slowly revealing the past and concluded with an ending that left me rather stunned.   The mystery itself was interesting enough, with both unreliable and unlikable characters.  Predictable on one hand but with an ending I didn't see coming - well done!

You Will Remember Me releases in just a weeks time and available in all platforms.

My thanks to the publisher (via Netgalley) for a digitial arc in exchange for a honest review.

Review: The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier

A rash of grisly serial murders plagued Seattle until the infamous "Beacon Hill Butcher" was finally hunted down and killed by police chief Edward Shank in 1985. Now, some thirty years later, Shank, retired and widowed, is giving up his large rambling Victorian house to his grandson Matt, whom he helped raise.

Settling back into his childhood home and doing some renovations in the backyard to make the house feel like his own, Matt, a young up-and-coming chef and restaurateur, stumbles upon a locked crate he’s never seen before. Curious, he picks the padlock and makes a discovery so gruesome it will forever haunt him… Faced with this deep dark family secret, Matt must decide whether to keep what he knows buried in the past, go to the police, or take matters into his own hands.

Meanwhile Matt’s girlfriend, Sam, has always suspected that her mother was murdered by the Beacon Hill Butcher—two years after the supposed Butcher was gunned down. As she pursues leads that will prove her right, Sam heads right into the path of Matt’s terrible secret. 

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Published July 15th 2014

 by Gallery Books

3.5/5 stars

This is Canadian author, Jennifer Hillier's 3rd book.  I've read a number of her recent releases and am continuing on my journey to read her backlist.

This was an audio read (via Scribd), coming in at almost 10 hours.  The Butcher is high up there on the creepy factor - even the cover screams creep.  But knowing who the killer is right from the beginning is a new one for me.  At first I wasn't impressed with that knowledge but as the story progressed and knowing that fact just made the story all the more intriguing.  There are a nice variety of characters with unique and personalities that rounded this story out nicely. The various relationships and interconnections added to the suspense.

As for the mystery, what can I say other then it was totally whacked (see blurb above) and I mean that in a good way.  There were twists and turns, some I saw coming and others not so much.  I found excuses to continue listening just to see the outcome.

The Butcher is a book that can be gruesome at times with a mature subject matter.  I don't recommend for the squeamish as it's rather dark and disturbing.  I'm glad that I went the audio route, though I did find the voice of Matt a tad annoying (whiny actually) and I don't think that was the author's intend.

Review: The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave

We all have stories we never tell.
Before Owen Michaels disappears, he manages to smuggle a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her.

Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers: Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.

As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered; as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss; as a US Marshal and FBI agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.

Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth, together. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they are also building a new future. One neither Hannah nor Bailey could have anticipated. 

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Expected publication: May 4th 2021

by Simon & Schuster CA

4.5/5 stars

This was my first time reading a Laura Drake book, what can I say other than that I will definitely be on the lookout for more.

The Last Thing He Told Me was a quick read  (about a day & a half), quick in the fact I struggled to put it down. The story picked up right away and with nice sized chapters it was easy for just one more chapter (pun intended).

The writing flowed nicely, the characters were real and I loved the dialogue - how it defined the relationships and the characters. There was more to this story then meets the eye, there were layers and mystery, I was reading clues and wondering if it's a clue or not. I liked the ending for lots of reasons (sorry spoiler if I said more).

Definitely a book I highly recommend.  Look for it on bookshelves May 4th.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster Ca (via Netgalley) for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Stranger in the Lake by Kimberly Belle

Charlotte didn’t know her greatest risk was saying, “I do.”

When Charlotte married the wealthy widower Paul, it caused a ripple of gossip in their small lakeside town. They have a charmed life together, despite the cruel whispers about her humble past and his first marriage. But everything starts to unravel when she discovers a young woman’s body floating in the exact same spot where Paul’s first wife tragically drowned.

At first, it seems like a horrific coincidence, but the stranger in the lake is no stranger. Charlotte saw Paul talking to her the day before, even though Paul tells the police he’s never met the woman. His lie exposes cracks in their fragile new marriage, cracks Charlotte is determined to keep from breaking them in two.

As Charlotte uncovers dark mysteries about the man she married, she doesn’t know what to trust—her heart, which knows Paul to be a good man, or her growing suspicion that there’s something he’s hiding in the water. 

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Expected publication: June 9th 2020

by Park Row

3.5/5 stars

Kimberly Belle had me with The Last Breath, published back in 2014.  She is one of my go-to authors, I don't even need to read the blurb, I'll be reading her books. She has a knack for keeping me on my toes, with twists and turns.  Stranger in the Lake hits book stores next week.

Stranger in the Lake is a rag to riches story about a young woman, Charlotte. I loved the setting, the house overlooking the lake, taking the boat into town and lots of hiking/running trails. I could just smell the dirt and Mother Nature.

This is a book about the death of another young woman that sets in motion a journey of not just self discovery but of secrets . Drawing on a couple of story-lines Belle puts the puzzle pieces together in a way that connected them all. With the bodies of 2 women, close to the same age and found in the same spot, it’s an invitation for suspicion.

This is a hard book for me to rate. While I loved the writing and atmospheric feel I found the story a little predictable and just struggled to connect with the characters. Though I will admit to be suspicious of the whole lot of them, unsure who to believe and who could be trusted. So hats off to the author for creating that environment. The ending wasn't totally predictable, in true Belle fashion she threw a couple curve balls.

While this might not be my favorite Belle book - The Ones We Trust still holds that spot, this was a entertaining read.

My thanks to Park Row (via Netgalley) for an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Chain by Adrian McKinty

You just dropped off your child at the bus stop. A panicked stranger calls your phone. Your child has been kidnapped, and the stranger explains that their child has also been kidnapped, by a completely different stranger. The only way to get your child back is to kidnap another child within 24 hours. Your child will be released only when the next victim's parents kidnap yet another child, and most importantly, the stranger explains, if you don't kidnap a child, or if the next parents don't kidnap a child, your child will be murdered. 

You are now part of The Chain.

 Hardcover, 357 pages

 Published July 9th 2019

by Mulholland Books

*** 1/2

I first heard about this book from The Tonight Show, it being one of the 5 finalists for the summer read.

 The reviews for this one are all over the place as are my feelings. The Chain got off to a slow start, it didn’t grab me right away but when it did, maybe at the 10% mark, it didn’t let go.

A take off of those dreaded chain letters with a deadly repercussions if the chain is broken.  It’s a unique concept and as this story progresses it shows how far a parent will go and what they will do for their child. This was an addicting read for me, anything that involves the welfare of a child has me turning the pages. The story is told through a couple POV’s where I got to see the story unfold from different angles. There were times I had to suspend my believe and just go with the flow.

As for the execution it worked, even the ending had a fitting, and somewhat expected conclusion but it was the last 2 pages that really blew it for me - honestly I didn’t find it plausible or even necessary (my opinion only).

 3 1/2 stars but would have been 4 but for those final pages.

 My copy obtained from public library.

Review: The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

When she stumbles across the ad, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—a live-in nannying post, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan Caine arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare—one that will end with a child dead and herself in prison awaiting trial for murder.

 Writing to her lawyer from prison, she struggles to explain the unraveling events that led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the cameras installed around the house, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the girls, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman, Jack Grant.

 It was everything.

 She knows she’s made mistakes. She admits that she lied to obtain the post, and that her behavior toward the children wasn’t always ideal. She’s not innocent, by any means. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty—at least not of murder. Which means someone else is.

Kindle,  384 pages

Published August 6th 2019

by Simon & Schuster

***

I will freely admit to getting caught up in the hype for this book. Simon & Schuster graciously provided me with an ARC and I jumped in. I've never read anything by Ruth Ware before.

The book pretty well starts on a high with some letter writing, but it seems to go on and on, I honestly was afraid that would be the format for the whole book. Not that I have anything against this format, when done correctly it can be great.  But here it didn't exactly work for me and  I know I am going against the consensus with my thoughts.

I have a habit of not reading the blurb or forgetting some of the details when I get around to reading something, in this case it might have backfired. The death of a child is a touchy subject for me and I might have shied away from this one. But I persevered and after 10% I couldn’t get into the writing style. I like first-person POV’s but feel sometimes that lends itself perfectly in audiobook format. So that’s what I did, I bailed and grabbed the audio from Scribd.

I’m glad I went that route just for the simple fact that once I was invested I needed to know what was going on.  The audio was perfect in that I could finish it off faster and know what happened to put myself out of my misery, so to speak.  So kudos to the author for evoking that feeling in me. I had to suspend my belief too many times and that might have left a bad taste.  I found this book to be rather creepy and actually disturbing.  There is so much build-up and the ending was, disappointing. Oh, I get cliff hangers and all that but I didn't get the closure I craved and honestly needed. It almost felt like the author either had a deadline or word count to adhere to and wham it's done!

 All in all, it was an ok read, I'll probably try another Ware book sometime in the future.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster (via Netgalley) for an ARC.

Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.

 Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.

 Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him....

Kobo, 323 pages

Published February 5th, 2019

by Celadon Books

*****

As much as I love a good psychological thriller/mystery I will admit to being a hard sell. Is it plausible? Is the ending rushed for the sake of finishing the story off? Are there twists that are unforeseeable and comes out of left field that just doesn’t fit?  The Silent Patient was a whim read for me, it became available at the library (via Overdrive) and was an impulse loan. It was a classic case of the book picking me and I have no regrets at all! I loved it! It fit exactly what I want in a psychological mystery.

Debut novelist Alex Michaelides wove a story that kept me guessing and blindsided me with its ending. I love it when a book does that. The characters are flawed, the plot addicting and the pacing was perfect and really I’m not going to much more.

Just be forewarned this is an addicting read and while I thought my 2 days to finish was fast I’m sure others finished faster.

This is the authors' debut which has me anxious (and a little nervous) for what he has next, I mean The Silent Patient is mighty big boots to top.

As for the cover, not a fan, which might be why this book wasn't really on my radar.