Review: Bring Me Back

Title Bring Me Back
By B.A. Paris
Genre Adult, Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Format Ebook
Rating ⭐️

Synopsis
Finn and Layla were in love and Finn was about ready to propose. On a road trip he stops at a rest station and leaves Layla sleeping in the car while he uses the restroom. When he comes back, Layla is gone. That's the story he tells the police, but it's not the whole truth. Years later Finn's grief and Layla's sister Ellen's grief have brought the two together. But when they get engaged everything starts falling apart. Item's from Ellen's childhood with Layla start to show up and an old neighbor claims to have seen Layla. Could Layla be back? What does she want? Is she seeking revenge?

First Sentence
We were on our way back from skiing in Megeve.



I really loved Paris' other two books, Behind Closed Doors and The Breakdown so I was eager for this one. However, instead of buying it I borrowed it from the library and, boy, am I glad I did. Spending a  single dime on this would have been as bad as spending all that time reading it.

I kept seeing disappointed reviews so I should have known but I still had my hopes up. This book was one big mess! It honestly felt like Paris grabbed an old rejected manuscript from ages ago and polished it up a bit and her publishers published it now that she's made a name for herself.

It was awful. The twist wasn't surprising at all and completely unbelievable, the characters were all flat and uninteresting and the plot was boring and repetitive and made me lose interest 50 pages in.

Please, please, please don't let this one deter you from her others, though, they were both very good. This one should have been left at the bottom of her rejected manuscripts pile.

Oh well. Every author  usually has a book or two that disappoints us. I intend to read anything else she publishes so it wasn't a complete loss.

Review: Bird Box

Title Bird Box
By Josh Malerman
Genre Adult Suspense Thriller Horror
Format Audio book
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Malorie and her two small children need to make a perilous journey; rowing a boat on the river for twenty miles...completely blind. Five years ago something was unleashed on the world. When you see it you go mad and become violent and eventually kill yourself. Alternating between the past and the present, Bird Box tells the terrifying story of a horror you cannot see. 

First Sentence
Malorie stands in the kitchen, thinking.



A million thanks to Jen at BookDen for drawing this book to my attention. This book! Guys, this book! Just thinking about it makes me nauseated and tense all over again.

Can you even imagine a horror you cannot see? You know it's out there, you know if you see it you'll go mad and become violent and then kill yourself, and you don't know what it is. There's no way I would have been able to keep my eyes shut. I would have been too terrified of the unknown.

Add in a women, alone except for two four year-olds, rowing blind down a river being followed by something and you'd be as sick as I was.

This book was so freaking intense! And it wasn't just the intensity I loved. I felt for the characters and was rooting for them. The creepy characters were just the right amount of creepy and knowing that others were at their breaking point was almost too suspenseful.

Seriously! I think I'll be pushing this book on everyone I know.

With the current popularity of The Quiet Place which had a sort of similar feel, I don't know how people haven't read this one. It was much more intense for me. Being quiet is one thing but being stalked by something you can't look at; feeling it right beside you and. Not. Being. Able. To. Open. Your. Eyes. And. Look??? I just can't!

Read this book!!!! 

Review: The Broken Girls

Title The Broken Girls
By Simone St. James
Genre Adult Suspense Horror
Format ebook
Rating ⭐️

Synopsis
Alternating between the past and the present, The Broken Girls tells the story of a run down boarding school and the secrets it holds. Fiona has reason to hate the abandoned and derelict boarding school Idlewild. Her sister was found murdered and dumped on the grounds 20 years ago. But the old school has a history long before the tragedy that's haunted Fiona for years and she's about to learn all about it.

First Sentence 
The shrill of the cell phone jerked Fiona awake in the driver's seat. 

Oi! I've seen this one popping up all over the place; people raving, and praising it. So of course I had to get my hands on it. Peer pressure and all that. And once again,  I found myself feeling like the little child in The Emperor's New Clothes; wondering what the hell everyone was talking about! There's nothing special here!

Ugh! I kept stopping mid sentence in this book to look up again who published it because I was so sure it was self published. It had to be. It was so painfully bad. The conveniences were too many to count! I found myself rolling my eyes so hard and often I got a headache.

Why? Why did I keep reading? I guess I wanted to know how it would end and if it could redeem it's self but when the MC ended up with the man who's father tried to kill her...Yeah, no. I just couldn't get behind this one. At all.

Review: The Little Stranger

Title The Little Stranger
By Sarah Waters
Genre Horror, Suspense
Format Audio book
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Dr. Faraday is called to the Georgian house Hundreds Hall, home to the Ayres for over two generations. Always an admirer of the old manor he soon finds himself enmeshed with the family and their troubles. The house is struggling financially and as a result is falling down around them but soon strange occurrences begin to take place and Dr. Faraday struggles to determine if the house is truly haunted or if the family is slowly going insane.

First Sentence
I first saw Hundreds Hall when I was ten years old.


I saw a preview of the movie they're making based on this book and became intrigued. I'd heard of Sarah Waters but haven't read any of her books before. I guess this one isn't her usual style but it sounded good to me so I gave it a listen.

It was pretty creepy, guys. My anxiety was flaring up while listening and I had to put it down sometimes and give my poor nerves a break.

I really loved the style and slow mystery as it unfurled. I loved the creepy house and the recounts of the haunting that was taking place. I was emotionally invested and dying to know what was going on. It was hard to stop listening.

But that ending made me want to scream! I wanted answers and was offered none! I guess if I was expected to come up with my own answers I have a theory but that's MY theory and I didn't write the book. Waters did and I'd like to know what HER theory was! Sheesh!

Still, despite the lack of any answers I liked the book and am interested in reading Water's other books. 

Review: My Sister's Bones

Title My Sister's Bones
By Nuala Ellwood
Genre Adult suspense
Format ebook
Rating ⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Kate never wanted to return to her hometown. The place holds nothing but bad memories but when her mother dies she has to return to her old home, her alcoholic sister and the memories. On the first night of her stay in her old home she hears a horrible scream and sees a little boy in the neighbors yard but the neighbor claims to have no children. Is Kate losing her mind or is something much more sinister going on?

First Sentence
"Would you like me to repeat the question?"

These books are really gaining in popularity: Suspenseful mysteries with an unreliable narrator. I couldn't resist this one and it was available on Overdrive so I dove right in.

I was going through a bit of a non reading mood and I couldn't tell if it was that or if the beginning was really that slow because I had a hard time getting into it. There were tons of typos too and I was under the impression this was published by a traditional publisher but it felt more self published and messy.

Still, I started to get into it about half way through and while I saw one big twist coming, I didn't see the other. I like when these books catch me by surprise.

While I didn't find this one as great as I wanted to, I found it entertaining enough but I doubt I'll be checking anything else out by this author.

Review: The Woman In The Window

Title The Woman In The Window
By A.J. Finn
Genre Adult suspense
Format ebook
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Anna is an agoraphobic. Living alone in her New York City home she spends her time drinking too much wine, watching old movies and spying on her neighbors. When she witnesses a murder but no one believes her she starts to questions her own sanity.

First Sentence
Her husband's almost home.



I thought the premise of this one sounded a lot like the old movie, Rear Window, so I had to give it a read.

This is Finn's first book and I was blown away by his unique writing style. I can't believe I'm going to say this but I haven't actively noticed unique writing like this since Markus Zusak. I don't mean Finn writes like Zusak but they both have this unusual style that makes you pause and reread the sentence with goosebumps running up and down your arms.

The entire time I was reading this I was so immersed in the story and writing that I started feeling like the character. Foggy headed, delusional and a little crazy. I just wanted to go outside and feel the wind and breath! I couldn't stand that she never went out and never cracked a window. I could almost smell the staleness of her house.

A lot of the twist and turns in this one were fairly obvious to me but a few things caught me by surprise which is always good. While I didn't love the ending and found the "villain" cliche, I enjoyed the journey and can't WAIT for more books by this author.

Should you read it
You should. And tell me what you think of his writing style.

Review: He Said/She Said

Title He Said/She Said
By Erin Kelly
Genre Adult Suspense
Format Audio
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
After viewing an eclipse with her boyfriend, Laura witnesses a rape. The case becomes a he said/she said case but with Laura's testimony the rapist can be put away. Years later, Laura and her now husband Kit are living in hiding. Trying to keep their whereabouts a secret from Beth the victim of the rape. What happened to make them go in hiding? What secrets are Kit and Laura keeping from each other that's causing a strain on their marriage? What will happen when the truth comes out?

First Sentence
London is the most light-polluted city in Britain, but even here, in the northern suburbs, you can still see the stars at four o'clock in the morning.

I'm going to start off saying I wanted to like this one a lot more than I did. The story takes us all over in time from the past to the present slowly puts the pieces of the puzzle together. I had no problem with the format. I liked getting bits and pieces of the story and watching it come together. What I disliked so much was the characters.

No one was really likable and the only character that was, was the character you were supposed to hate. That's not good, am I right?

I found some of the "secrets" not even good enough to be called secrets and saw absolutely no reason why they needed to be kept secret. It made for a completely unbelievable story.

When everything comes to light, however I was rooting for a certain ending and I got it. THAT is why this one gets three stars rather than the two I was going to bestow upon it. It was a very satisfying ending.

Should you read it
I'm not going to stop you but know that I didn't adore it or anything.

Review: I Let You Go

Title I Let You Go
By Clare Mackintosh
Genre Adult, Suspense, Crime
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
A hit and run takes the life of a child. Detective Inspector Ray Stevens is determined to find the driver but has nothing to go on.
Jenna Gray, devastated at the loss of her child and the horrible memory of the accident runs away from the life she's known to Wales. Hiding out in a small rental on the beach she slowly begins to heal but the past isn't done with her yet.


First Sentence
Detective Inspector Ray Stevens stood next to the window and contemplated his office chair on which, an arm had been broken for at least a year.


As I've mentioned before, I used to love crime novels (a story that follows a detective or police officer as they solve a crime) but have been having a hard time enjoying them these days. I'm determined to not lose my love of them, though and have heard good things about this author so I decided to give this one a go.

And I ended up liking it. Mostly because as we followed Detective Stevens we saw a lot of his personal life and not just the investigation. I ended up really liking him in spite of a few things and am curious if he features in the author's other books. I kind of hope so.

We also get a first person POV from Jenna as she escapes to Wales and tries to start a new life. While I found her a bit too victimized and fragile I did have empathy for her.

I was shocked numerous times in the book, which, as you know, is rare. I always see things coming from a mile away but was shocked at how easily I had been mislead and fooled. I did not see several twists and really enjoyed being surprised.

I listened to this one and really liked the two narrators and was entranced the whole time. I loved how just as you start to think things will settle down and this might be a quieter book, you get wrenched back into the mystery and suspense. It easily distracted me from hours of painting and cleaning during the remodel. 

The epilogue threw in a little twist that had be rolling my eyes and docking  one star from my review. Sorry, but I really hate endings like that. It would have been just fine the way it was, thank you very much. Still, it was an entertaining read that had me on the edge of my seat.

Should you read it?
Usually I only recommend these types of books to people who like them but this one I'd recommend to anyone. Even those who DON'T like these types. I think they'll like this one.

Review: It

Title It
By Stephen King
Genre Adult Horror Suspense Fantasy
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
As kids they battled the evil that has haunted their town for hundreds of years. Now as adults it's happening again. Fulfilling an oath they took as kids they must return and destroy the evil once and for all.

First Sentence
The terror, which would not end for another twenty-eight years  - if it ever did end- began, so far as I know or can tell, with a boat made with a sheet of newspaper floating down a gutter swollen with rain.



I love Stephen King's writing. I haven't read all his books, not even close, but I usually end up liking the ones I do read. I wanted to read this one because of the upcoming movie. Otherwise I'm not sure I would have picked it up. I'm so glad I did, though.

 King claims he doesn't consider himself a horror writer and the more I read of his books the more I agree. I know, I know, just look at that cover. How can he claim to not write horror when he writes a story about an evil that appears as a clown (among other things) and kills children? But I really think his stories are much more fantasy and drama than horror. *shrugs*

Let's just get this out of the way. This one was Loooooong!!!! At fourteen hundred plus pages I knew I was in for the long haul. I feel like as I'm getting older I read slower too, so it took me forever to read this one. Still, it was a very fun read.

The way the past and present move seamlessly back and forth and coalesce at the end was amazing. The perfect way to tell a story of this magnitude. And those last 500 pages blew by. I stayed up late into the night to finish because it was just too exciting and I had to know how it all ended.

I adored the relationship these kids had. It was beyond mature and grown up, it was godly. Which of course explains why it wouldn't really last which made me so sad. Ah well. These characters and this story will stick with me for years, I'm sure of it.

I think this is one of King's masterpieces. It's not just a creepy little story about some kids and a clown. It's so, so, soooooo much more than that. It's an epic story so perfectly put together I feel privileged to have read it.


Should you read it
If you know it will give you nightmares then, no, don't read it, but if you've been curious then yes, read it.

Review: The Breakdown

Title The Breakdown
By B.A. Paris
Genre Adult Suspense
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Cass took the wrong road home during a horrible storm. She saw a car pulled over on the road that night but something stopped her from stopping. When the word gets out that the women in the car was murdered Cass' life begins to spiral out of control. The phone rings but there's no one there, she feels like she's being watched and keeps seeing a strange man outside her house. Is it the murderer? Does he somehow know she saw the car that night? Or is the answer much more sinister than that.


First Sentence 
The thunder starts as we're saying goodbye, leaving each other for the summer holidays ahead.

I loved Paris' other book Behind Closed Doors so much that I couldn't wait for this one. When you love one book by an author, it's always scary to try another. What if it doesn't hold up? Luckily, this one did.

I got sucked right into Cass' plight. Her guilt at having not stopped and helped the lady in the broken down car, her slow grip on reality as her fear makes her a prisoner in her own home, her desperation to have anyone believe her when she says she's being watched. Yep! All good stuff.

The breakdown title could very well have referred to Cass' breakdown not just the car that was broken down. (see how smart I am?) ;)

And just when your sympathy for poor Cass starts to turn to impatience at her simpering, the twist is slowly revealed and then comes the good part!

I can't say anything without giving it away but Paris seems to have found a nice little niche of writing about women who are tormented and then get their revenge. And the best part is the revenge. It's always so rub-your-hands-together-and-laugh-manically perfect.

I stayed up late into the night to finish this one and can't wait to see what else Paris comes up with. Whatever it is I'll be right there to read it.

Should you read it
Yes! And read her other book too!

Review: While You Were Sleeping

Title While You Were Sleeping
By Kathryn Croft
Genre Adult Suspense
Rating  ⭐

Synopsis
Tara Logan's life may not be perfect. Her husband and her are on rocky ground since his affair and her teenage daughter is a handful. Still, life is mostly calm and quiet. That is until Tara wakes up in her neighbor's bed and discovers he's been stabbed. She has no memory of how she got there. Terrified, she chooses to keep quiet. With an investigation getting closer and closer she may have to tell what she knows.

First Sentence
I lie in bed and watch Noah pack.



Ugh! I seriously need to check out a books publishing info before reading it? Will I ever learn? This one wasn't self published; I believe a small publishing house published it and I didn't notice any typos but, damn, the writing was mediocre at best and the story had me rolling my on every page.

I got more than half way through before I started skimming. Usually if I don't officially finish a book (meaning I read every last word) I don't rate a book and mark it as DNF but I read most of this book and skimmed the last 100 pages or so, so I'm calling it read. And I'm reviewing it to warn you to stay away.

First of all if the MC knew she didn't kill her neighbor then rather than stay quiet she should have spoken up. There was no real reason for her silence. I won't go on with everything else that was completely unbelievable because I don't want to waste my time.  If you don't heed my warning and read it anyway, I don't want to ruin it for you but, seriously, don't read this pathetic book.

Should you read it? 
Were you not listening? Don't read it!

Review: The Chemist

Title The Chemist
By Stephanie Meyer
Genre Adult Suspense
Rating ⭐⭐

Synopsis
She used to work for the government until they wanted her dead. On the run years, always looking over her shoulder, she has one more chance to get her old life back. But things are about to go from bad to worse.

First Sentence
Today's errand had become routine for the women who was currently calling herself Chris Taylor.





For those of you who know me, you know I really hated the Twilight series. I gave up on the series and never read the last book. I have a myriad of reasons for my dislike but won't go into that here. Yet, despite my dislike of those books I read The Host by the same author and chose to read this one.

Despite how cringe worthy I find her romance and insta-attraction/love there is something about Meyer's writing that sort of sucks you in and holds you down while the story licks your face like a cutesie wittle puppy dog. So annoying.

That being said, this one didn't suck me in at all. I read it with a couple of good friends and we had a fun Twitter chat about it midway through so that kept me reading but about half way through I just wanted to be done so I could read something else.

It felt like the author had done her best to research it but it ended up being overly detailed and then, of course, she just couldn't help herself; she threw in a completely unnecessary and unbelievable romance. The characters just felt too young and naive for the kinds of people they were supposed to be.

Filled with convenience and predictability the rushed ending just didn't do it for me and I wished it had ended another way. Oh well.

Should you read it?
If you're a Twilight fan I think you'll find this one lacking in that Meyer strong hold style but it's got the romance so give it a whirl.    

Review: With Malice

Title With Malice
By Eileen Cook
Genre YA Suspense
Rating ⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis
When Jill wakes up in a the hospital she's shocked to learn she was in an accident in Italy and that her best friend was killed. The media is in a frenzy, Jill is being blamed for her friend's death and the Italian government wants her extradited back to Italy. But Jill's biggest problem is she has absolutely no memory of  the event. She doesn't even remember going to Italy.

First Sentence
I'm not a morning person.




I've been hearing great things about this book and it sounded pretty exciting so I bought it when it was released and decided I better read it sooner rather than later.

I inhaled this book in two sittings. I challenge you not to do the same. The story jumps from following Jill in the hospital after the accident to rehab to police interviews, emails, witness accounts and incident reports. It drags you in and won't let you go. That cliche "compulsively readable" comes to mind again.

That being said, and I did end up giving it 3 stars, I had quite a few problems with the book.

First off was I saw the mystery coming a mile away. I really hate when it's so obvious. Still, the book was hard to put down and I just wanted to know how it all turned out.

And that leads me to another problem with the book. I don't know what I think of these endings. I've read a few books now that are trying this twist ending and I'm not sure how I feel about them. I can't say much or I'd give it away so this review is turning out rather dull, I'm afraid. It's just that most of what I liked and disliked has so much to do with the plot that I'd ruin it if I said anything. Sigh! Oh well. Just know that I thought it was suspenseful and fun to read but I didn't think it was perfect.

Should you read it?
If you like suspense, I'd highly recommend it.  

Review: A Madness so Discreet

Title A Madness so Discreet
By Mindy McGinnis
Genre YA suspense
Rating ⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis
Grace is in an insane asylum. She doesn't speak. The ever growing bulge in her belly speaks for her. Speaks of the dark secrets of her family that landed her there. Rescue comes in the form of a faked lobotomy and a strange doctor who is making strides in a new form of solving murders. Grace's eye for detail is put to use and her new home and friends make life worth living again. But can she escape her past or will her past catch up to her?

First Sentence
They all had their terrors.



This is one of those books I bought based solely on the cover. Isn't it a beautiful cover? It's a more metaphorical depiction of the story within its pages, however.

So, I started this one and was not liking it...at all. I was rather bored and wanted to know where it was going. I actually set it aside to finish another book I was working on and when I came back to it I gulped it down in a few hours. I guess I just wasn't in the mood the first time or maybe it just took a bit to get going? I'm not sure but either way I ended up liking it.

While I found a lot of it highly unlikely and unrealistic I easily overlooked those things and just fell into the story. The characters were all great. I loved that good people were to be found in even the darkest of places.

This one was a sad story with a lot of hard things to read about but offered hope in the end. I really ended up liking it and am glad I picked it up based on that lovely cover.

Should you read it?
I would highly recommend this one. Know that's it's a tough one to read and a bit sad but worth it.

Review: The Girl From The Sea

Title The Girl From the Sea
By Shalini Boland
Genre Adult Suspense
Rating ⭐

Synopsis
Waking on a beach with no idea who she is or what her name is a woman searches for answers. Before the accident it seemed like she had the ideal life but something seems off. But as she searches for answers she might not like what she finds.

First Sentence
The scent of salt and seaweed.






This was my first book of 2017 and sadly, is not going down as a favorite. I actually read this one on the recommendation of my mother in law. She loves to read too and is always recommending books to me but we have completely different taste in books so I always decline. Which makes me feel a little bad that we can't discuss what we're reading with each other in depth. So when she mentioned this one I thought it sounded like something I might like and quickly downloaded it.

Not far into it, however, I discovered this one was not published by a mainstream publisher. That's not a bad thing but in a lot of cases that's not a good thing either. There were several typos and discrepancies that irritated me and the writing had that unpolished, amateur quality to it. I just about gave up on it even though I really wanted to finish it for my mother in laws sake.

Luckily, at some point, I became just interested enough to know what happened to finish it.

I'd love to say the ending blew me away and that it totally made the read worth it. Well, the ending surprised me alright, just not in a good way. I sat there after finishing it thinking, "what the hell did I just read?". I think the author just wanted to shock us. As if that would make up for the rest of the shoddy book. Ugh! Now what do I tell my poor mother in law? Sigh!

Should you read it?
Absolutely not. Sorry, I can't recommend it.

Review: Blood Harvest

Title Blood Harvest
By S. J. Bolton
Genre Adult Suspense
Rating ⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
When the Fletchers built their house in Heptoncough near the church and the graveyard they didn't know what was in store for them. In a town with as many secrets as weird rituals anything can happen.

First Sentence
"She's been watching us for a while now."






I've heard good things about this author so I knew I'd want to check out her books and decided on this one because it sounded perfectly atmospheric. (I read it in October) At over 400 pages I was worried it might drag a bit but thankfully was wrong. The book speeds along with just enough creepiness to keep the pages turning.

However, (there had to be a "however") the book was very predictable. I could see what was happening a mile away. And it was one of those things you see but kind of hope you're wrong because it's far too obvious. Nope. I was right on the mark. And what I was right about just made me sick! The big reveal, the evilness revealed was just awful. It made me squirm to read about it.

And what really angered me about the whole book was, not only did I see the whole thing coming, and got grossed out by it but there was no justice served! The bad people took the easy way out and everything was just covered up. I was livid!

So, yeah, I'm not so sure I should give this author another shot. The writing was done well enough but the story angered me. Will the rest of her books anger me too? Is it worth seeing? I just don't know.

Should you read it?
I seem to be in the minority again. I always am. Sigh! So, you might like it.

Review: Behind Closed Doors

Title Behind Closed Doors
By B. A. Paris
Genre Adult Suspense
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Jack and Grace are the perfect couple. He's a successful lawyer who's never lost a case and Grace is slim, elegant and the perfect hostess at parties. But why doesn't Grace ever go out without Jack? Why does he never leave her side? Why does she not even have a cell phone? And why are there bars on all the windows of the house?  Sometimes things aren't as they appear.

First Sentence
The champagne bottle knocks against the marble kitchen counter, making me jump.



First off. Huge shout out to Marce for recommending this book!

 I'm glad I picked this one up. I listened to it on audio while I cleaned, went walking or did yard work. I would find any excuse to listen to it. In the end, I just lay on the couch listening.

Maybe you can guess from the synopsis what's really going on and maybe you can't. I knew pretty quickly what was going on. It's not a huge mystery. But the author reveals this early on too so I don't think it was meant to be a mystery. That's why, you'll notice, I called it a suspense. And, boy, was it suspenseful! I was hooked from page one! And it was so creepy! More than once I got that delightfully crept out feeling.

The book wasn't perfect though. Maybe I noticed more because I listened to it rather than read it but this book was littered, and I meant LITTERED with cliches. It didn't bother me at all I just noticed. Besides I wasn't really interested in the writing anyway. The plot was so great I didn't care! Not to say it was bad writing just nothing new or original.

Well gee! I'm having a hard time writing this review. I feel like I can't say anything much without giving away the plot and spoiling it. Just know that I loved it and would highly recommend it.

Should you read it?
Yes! Even if this isn't your type of book, read it! You won't regret it.

Review: Dead Ringer

Title Dead Ringer
By Jessie Rosen
Genre YA Suspense/mystery
Rating ⭐️

Synopsis
What really happened to Sarah Castro-Tanner on the night she committed suicide by throwing herself into the river? Follow golden boy Charlie and his group of friends, who might have been there that night to Laura Rivers, the new girl in school who looks similar to the dead girl to Sasha, a hacker determined to discover what really happened at any cost.

First Sentence
Deep breath, big smile, and remember: it's all about swag.  




Note to self: Freaking research a book's author and publisher before blindly downloading it because the price is right! Oh my hell! This book, guys! I have been really working on giving up on books that aren't doing it for me and have been doing pretty good, thank you very much, but this book...Ugh! I should have known to give up the minute I started.

The writing was dreadful. It sounded like a first draft that some 12 year old wrote. (no offense to 12 year olds) It was seriously painful to slog through such horrible writing. Then why did I, you ask? Because of the mystery. I wanted to know what happens.

Somewhere, about half way through, I suspected what was going on but by this point I felt committed to see where this stupid book would go. So, I kept reading, and reading and reading! That's another thing I hated about it. It was so LOOOOONG!!!! Needlessly, pathetically, desperately LONG!

And are you ready for this kicker? It ended practically mid sentence! It was a non-ending! A stupid cliffhanger! A damn setup for the monstrosity that will be book two!!! When I realized this I think I sat for a full minute with my eye twitching! I couldn't believe what this stupid book had the gall to do to me!

I'm livid but at least I learned my lesson. Right?

Should you read it? 
I don't know, are you a masochist?

Review: Black-Eyed Susans

Title Black-Eyed Susans
By Julia Heaberlin
Genre Adult mystery/suspense
Rating ⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Tessa, is the sole survivor of a serial killer. Left for dead with several other victims in a shallow grave surrounded by black-eyed susan flowers, the victims become know as the Black-Eyes Susans. Years later the killer is on death row, his execution just months away, when someone starts planting black-eyed susans outside Tessa's house. Is the man on death row really the killer? Is the real killer still out there? Is Tessa and her daughter safe?

First Sentence
For better or worse, I am walking the crooked path to my childhood.   


I saw this book being talked about on Susan's blog awhile back. She hadn't read it but was mentioning she thought it looked good. Well, I concurred. It sounded very good. So, my radar for this book was on but I wasn't finding it for a price I liked. Enter my new foray into Overdrive and online library rentals. I placed this one on hold and a day or two later it was ready for me. I stopped everything I was doing and proceeded to read.

This book is more of a quiet suspense than a mystery. And by quiet I mean it was slower than I had anticipated. I read it in two days but wasn't nearly as riveted as I'd hoped. The story jumps back and forth from right after Tessa was found alive in the shallow grave to the present where she's helping a law firm try to save the man on death row for the murders. There's a lot of doubt that he's the actual killer and Tessa is quite sure it's not him.

But Tessa remembered nothing about what happened and she felt like a very unreliable narrator. I didn't know if she really didn't remember or was lying and it drove me a bit crazy. There was a lot of forensic details that, quite frankly, bored me to tears. The "romance" was unbelievable and unnecessary. The mystery, while it kept me guessing, was completely unbelievable as well. There's just no way! I can't say more. I don't want to ruin it but I was raising a skeptical eyebrow through the roof.

Still, I stayed up late into the night to finish it and I thought the writing was lovely. While I didn't outright hate the book I didn't love it either. Normally I'd chalk it up to my expectations being too high but, no, the story just didn't do it for me.

 Should you read it? 
I feel like I'm the last person who should decide that. If you're a fan of the TV show Bones you might find it fascinating enough but I still couldn't say if you'd like it.

Review: A Head Full of Ghosts

Title A Head Full of Ghosts
By Paul Tremblay
Genre Adult, Suspense
Pages 286
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Merry recollects her tragic childhood. At eight years old her father lost his job and her older sister Marjorie begins to show signs of acute schizophrenia. Merry's father turns to the Catholic church thinking Marjorie is possessed. When a production company offers to pay them to turn their lives and the upcoming exorcism into a TV show, the family reluctantly agrees. As Merry reveals more and more of the past, the truth of her horrific past is revealed.

First Sentance
"This must be so difficult for you, Meredith."

• I was having trouble getting into the book I had chosen to read and on a whim I started reading this one. I can't remember who was talking about it out there in the blogosphere but when it came up as a Kindle Daily Deal I purchased it. So I started to read it and got sucked right in
• I love books that have an adult protagonist recalling their childhood. So what you get is a very adult book but from a child's perspective. 
• I liked the way this one made you wince in uncomfortable horror at what you were reading. It was really rather disturbing. And what made it worse was knowing but not knowing what was going on.
• I liked the mystery. It wasn't so much mysterious as it was confusing. That's not the best word to describe it. I guess what I mean is this one has you constantly second guessing yourself. 
• Not only did it have an intriguing plot but it was very character heavy too. This story was as much about the characters and each of their own very real struggles as it was about the events taking place. 
• The writing, plot and scenes reminded me of a Stephen King book. (That's high praise coming from me.) 
• The ending had me feeling a bit let down. Not only was it sad and shocking in a bad way but it was sort of confusing too.
• All in all, though, I liked the book. It was disturbing and not one I'd recommend to everyone but it was well written, engaging and memorable.

Should you read it?

Like I said, it's not one I'd recommend to everyone. It's really kind of disturbing and graphic so if that's not your thing I'd avoid it. However, if you like suspense, and a plot that reveals itself one scene at a time, I'd give it a read.