Book Review - Death on Ocean Boulevard by Caitlin Rother

 

On the morning of July 13, 2011 a call came in that someone is hanging from the lavish historic Spreckels Mansion. The beachfront property is owned by pharmaceutical tycoon and multimillionaire Jonah Shacknai.When police arrive to the scene, they find the naked body of Jonah's girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau, gagged and bonded by her ankles and wrists behind her. Jonah's brother, Adam, claims to have found her body hanging by a rope from the second floor balcony. On the bedroom door in black paint they find an ominous message "she saved him can you save her".

The authorities are not sure if the message was a suicide note or if it was left by the killer. Rebecca's death came two days after Jonah's son, Max, took a fatal fall while in her care. The police believe Rebecca took her own life because of the guilt. Authorities and the nation is stumped on who would commit suicide or murder in such a bizarre and elaborate way.

This is my first true crime novel by this author and I thought she did a good job. I felt like she objectively presented the case in a straightforward and consistent manner. I like that towards the end that she explains her feelings and background while writing the book. There was a few times I did get confused by the different people and how they related to that point in the story though. Overall, I thought it was an interesting case and I look forward to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - The House Next Door by Darcy Coates

 

Jo lives near a haunted house. She suspected something is wrong with the house since no one stays there long. Recently a family fled during the middle of the night and left all their belongings in the house. Animals including her cats avoid going near the house. Once Jo saw someone pacing through the upstairs room but, no one was living there at the time.

Anna recently bought the house next door. Jo is curious about her new neighbor and decides to reach out to Anna. Jo didn't expect to become friends with Anna but, she is excited to have a friend. However, the Marwick House has become active again with the arrival of its new occupant. Will Anna and Jo be able to get out of the house alive? Will they be able to figure out what is haunting the house?

This was my third book by the author and I enjoyed it. The book isn't really scary but, suspenseful. I found the book to be well written and engaging. As I was reading the book (stupidly late at night and in the dark) I could imagine being inside the dark and creepy house. I felt like the story took a while to build and there wasn't much of a "haunting".  I can't say this was my favorite book but, I am still interested in reading her other novels.

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