Book Review - The Deep by Alma Katsu

 

The Deep by Alma Katsu is about a young woman who travels across the ocean on a haunted ship. Annie Hebley decided that she needed a change of pace. She was in a relationship with someone and it took an unexpected and unwanted turn. When she saw that a cruise ship was hiring for maids, she found herself drawn to the prospect of traveling.

Annie is surrounded by some of the wealthiest people in the world. In her small village in Ireland, people never saw that much luxury as she has experienced on the ship and with the guests on board. As Annie tries to do her job and help the guests, she feels an ominous presence. She feels that something is amiss. It doesn’t help that one of the guest’s errand boys dies mysteriously and things are unexplainably going missing. When Annie feels that she finally understands what is going on, the ship hits an iceberg, plaguing her and her fellow guests into a night they would never forget. 

A few years later after that unfortunate night, Annie is trying to piece back her life together.She wants to overcome the trauma of the Titanic sinking. However, one of her friends, Violet Jessop, a survivor from the Titanic’s final journey,  reached out with an opportunity she thought Annie would like. 

The Titanic’s sister ship, the Britannic, has been refitted as a hospital ship to ferry wounded soldiers from World War I. Violet and Annie both decide to work as nurses on the ship’s sixth voyage. As she takes care of the ship’s patients, she notices one of her charges looks very familiar. 

It turns out the soldier is no other than Mark Fletcher. He was one of Annie’s charges that she had taken care of on the Titanic. She was excited that he survived that fateful night. She always felt a  romantic bond towards Mark and she hopes that since he is on this ship that they could have a relationship together. As she tries to connect with Mark, she feels that something is off and has an eerie haunted feeling like she did when she was on the Titanic. 

I was very excited to read this book as I have read a few books about the Titanic.The book started off interesting. It alternated between the past and present and it was mostly narrated from Annie’s point of view. They did have some chapters that were narrated by the other passengers from both ships along with articles and a doctor’s journal.  It was interesting to learn that the Britannic and Violet Jessop were based on truth.  However, the book would jump back and forth between the characters and the two different ships that it got confusing at times.

My attention and interest started waning around the halfway mark. There were too many characters and their side stories to keep track of. The book would go on for pages without the story progressing at all. The book was billed as a horror and scary book but nothing scary or horrifying really happened and the events that did occur were so spaced apart that it didn't have any spooky appeal. The book started picking up on the last few pages and got interesting. It tied up all the loose ends between the two story arcs. However, I wish this was done earlier because at that point I just wanted the book to be over with. I felt that I would have enjoyed this book more if it was edited down and had more spooky elements to it.

Book Review - Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly

 

For most people. life is what you make of it. For Dixie Wheeler, her story was chosen for her when her father murdered her family before taking slashing a knife across his own throat. Dixie was the only one spared from the family massacre. She became infamously known as Baby Blue because of the song that was left playing during the aftermath of the murders.

Twenty-five years later, Dixie yearns for a connection with the family she can't remember. When Dixie sees that her childhood home goes on sale, Dixie feels herself drawn to the house. When Dixie moves in against her better judgment, she sees the ghosts of her family taken up residence in the house too. Dixie begins to question her sanity as strange things start happening. She wonders if her father is haunting her or if its an demon of her own making.

Dixie decides to reach out to the original detective who investigated the murders to unravel the truth. As she investigates the murders she realizes that someone else might have committed the murders. Dixie will need to find  a way to prove the truth behind her family's murder and save her loved ones before it's too late.

I thought the premise of the book was interest but, towards the middle of the book I lost interesting. I felt like the story was plodding along. I felt like the story was very unrealistic and the writing was chopping. I didn't find any of the characters and didn't really care what happened to any of them. It was an okay book but, I won't be in a rush to read anymore books by the author.

Book Review - The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky

 

The rules are simple when it comes to horror movies. You should avoid abandoned areas at all times, never split up, and if there is a murderer on the loose, be careful of who you hang out with. However, if only real life was this easy.

After a tragic experience, new girl Rachel Chavez likes to watch horror movies for comfort. She prefers watching movies than dealing with the rich kids of Manhattan Prep and  her past trauma.

Rachel comes across a club called the Mary Shelley Club, which is a secret society of students who love watching horror movies. The club hosts Fear Tests that are elaborate pranks that are inspired by movie and urban legend tropes.  At first, Rachel loves the idea and the power that comes with pranking other students. However, as the Fear Tests progress, the competition becomes deadlier and Rachel realizes this is one game she can't afford to lose.

I thought the book was a unique and entertaining read. I can't say that I liked any of the characters or liked how Rachel reacted towards the end. However, I was interested in how things will play out.  I didn't care for the romance portion of the book as it was mostly Rachel following any guy who showed her affection. I also didn't like that she kept trying to be a part of something when other people made it obvious they didn't want her there. I did wish that horror portion of the book took place a bit earlier. I felt like during the middle of the book, it was a quiet lull without much going on. The story was an entertaining read and I look forward to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - This House Is Haunted by John Boyne

Its a cold winter day in 1867 and Eliza Caine decides that she is ready for a new challenge. She reads an ad for a governess position at Gaudlin Hall and she decides its the change she needs. When she traveling to her new home, she is shaken by an accident that occurs during her trip. However, she tries to move on from the occurrence when she meets her new wards, Isabella and Eustace. 

Upon her arrival and meeting the children, she realizes that there is no adult present with the children or any sign of her mysterious employer. The children are hesitant to speak about their parents and she is met with an similar experience with the townspeople. Eliza tries to get some sleep and decides to tackle the issue tomorrow but, she feels a foreboding presence in her room. She knows that something is very wrong at Gaudlin Hall.

Eliza tries to discount her experience from the previous night. However, she keeps feeling that something is following her. Eliza realizes that if is she and the children are to survive the violent ghost, that she will need to uncover the history behind the evil presence. Will Eliza be able to uncover the truth before it's too late?

The book was an interesting tale but, was poorly executed. While reading the novel, it reminded me of older Gothic stories I have read and I was surprised that the book was published in 2013. I thought the novel moved a bit slowly for my taste.I felt like details were used to draw out the novel in place of actual story details. Eliza is portrayed as a smart woman but, I felt like she did some questionable things. Perhaps, I should be more understanding as she seems to be grieving and the job seems to be something out of her realm of experience. The ending and "secret" was predictable and I was able to figure it out quickly.

Book Review - House of Shadows (House of Shadows, #1) by Darcy Coates

 

Sophie has grown up in a privileged world. However, that all changes when a disaster bankrupts her family. As Sophie tries to come terms with news, an unexpected solution appears. A wealthy stranger, Mr. Argenton, asks for her hand in marriage. Sophie knows if she marries Mr. Argenton it will save her family's fortune and from scandal. Sophie is torn because she knows she will have to leave her family and live in Northwood, a vast and dark mansion that is hours away from civilization.

She struggles with her new life as the mistress of the cold and desolate mansion. Her new relatives are distant and cold, while Mr. Argenton is keeping secrets. Sophie feels that there is something wrong with the house and it feels unnatural.

She hears a piano play during the middle of the night but, no one in the house plays. The house drips blood from the ceiling and she feels a dark and cold presence. Sophie begins to learn that the house is haunted and the house doesn't like intruders.

Sophie feels trapped at Northwood and she is desperate to escape. She wants to leave but, she is unable to leave Mr. Argenton behind. She finds herself drawn to him and suspects he feels the same way about her. However, she knows that the secrets that Mr. Argenton keep might cost her life.

I have quite a few of the author's novels and I have enjoyed them. This book is part of a series and it was an interesting read. However, I had a hard time liking Sophie. I felt like the character was weak and pathetic and she turns hysterical over everything. When Sophie finally grew a backbone, it was unrealistic and out of character for her. I thought it was unrealistic how quickly Sophie fell in love with Mr. Argenton when they mostly kept their distance and she knew he was keeping secrets.  I didn't understand why Sophie kept the odd behaviors of her husband's family a secret when he was nothing but understanding towards her.

Book Review - The Haunting of Rookward House by Darcy Coates

 

 

Guy is going through a tough time and had to move back home with his mother. He decides to thank his mother for taking him back in by cleaning up her attic. While cleaning her attic, he finds a deed for a house. He decides that he will clean and update the house and he will be able to sell it for a profit. He figured it would be a great opportunity for him and his mother.

When Guy visits Rookward House, he feels like he is being watched. However, Rookward House doesn't have any neighbors within its vicinity. The locals claim that the house is haunted but, Guy doesn't believe in ghost stories. He decides to spend a week at the crumbling estate to do repairs.  He figured nothing can go wrong during his weeklong stay. However, there is a reason why the mansion has stayed empty for years. There is something buried deep within the walls that's yearning to be free. Almost forty years ago, a woman tormented the family that lived in Rookward house. Her ghost clings to the house and now that Guy moved into her house, she has no intention of letting him go.

I enjoyed reading this story but, I felt like the ghost story was very predictable. This book along with her other works follows the same basic format. I didn't feel like there was a lot of spookiness to this book but, maybe shock/creepy factor. I did feel like the novel was a bit lackluster compared to the other books I read from her. Overall, I am still a fan of her novels and look forward to reading her other books.

  **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates

 

 

 In the small town of Ipson, everyone knows about the Ashburn House. There are rumors that the old owner, Edith went mad and that the house is haunted by ghosts. The ghost stories hint at a cruel supernatural being that dwells near the house. When Edith dies, Adrienne inherited the house. She is beyond ecstatic at her good fortune as she is in dire need of a new home. She has no money and has nowhere to go. Adrienne looks at the house as a chance to start over.

Adrienne notices that there are strange messages scratched into the walls. When she leaves a room, the furniture moves around. And when the night falls, something is lurking in the darkness. When exploring the area around the house, Adrienne finds a grave in the forest. The grave has a vague headstone but, it hints at a dark secret. As Adrienne tries to unravel the mystery behind the grave, she discovers that something is hunting her and it won't stop until it gets its prey.

 This was my first novel by the author and now I am hooked! The story was suspenseful and an entertaining read. I did feel that the novel progressed very slowly with many frivolous details. The story had a few predictable elements along with a few twists. I enjoyed reading the parts with her cat, Wolfgang.

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Photo Credit - Amazon

Dr. Montague wants to investigate Hill House which is known to be haunted and none of the inhabitants of the house stay for long. Dr. Montague and three other adults decide to stay in the house to see if they can witness any paranormal events. Dr. Montague picked them for special reasons. Theodora was invited because had psychic abilities of guessing cards without seeing them; Eleanor had an experience with poltergeists, and Luke is the heir of Hill House. In the beginning, their stay seems like merely a spooky encounter until Hill House starts gathering its power to make one of them their own.

I was very excited to read this book but, felt quite disappointed. The novel was very short and felt incomplete. There wasn't much character development or story building. I felt like the story was written where the author hints of what might have happened but, the reader is left to guess what happened. I had a hard time liking any of the characters, they seemed cruel to each other for no reason. I think the author is hinting that is the house changing the characters' personalities. This wasn't my type of book but, it might be for others.

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.*

Book Review - Elizabeth Webster and the Uncommon Pleas by William Lashner + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Elizabeth Webster prefers to stay under the radar and away from the spotlight in middle school. However, when the popular all-star swimmer Henry Harrison asks Elizabeth to tutor him in math, her invisible days are long gone. When Elizabeth arrives to tutor Henry, she realizes he has an ulterior motive. Henry's house is being haunted by a ghost calling Elizabeth's name. As Elizabeth investigates Henry's ghost, she makes a few startling discoveries and realizes is Henry really the one who needs saving?

I thought the book was a very fun and laugh-out-loud read. The cast of characters were all lovable and helped our novice lawyer heroine along the way. It was fun seeing how each character grew and helped each other along. A must-read for any mystery fan!

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

About the Book

Title: ELIZABETH WEBSTER AND THE COURT OF UNCOMMON PLEAS

Author: William Lashner

Pub. Date: October 15, 2019

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 320

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Welcome to Elizabeth Webster's world, where the common laws of middle school torment her days . . . and the uncommon laws of an even weirder realm govern her nights.

Elizabeth Webster is happy to stay under the radar (and under her bangs) until middle school is dead and gone. But when star swimmer Henry Harrison asks Elizabeth to tutor him in math, it's not linear equations Henry really needs help with-it's a flower-scented, poodle-skirt-wearing, head-tossing ghost who's calling out Elizabeth's name.

But why Elizabeth? Could it have something to do with her missing lawyer father? Maybe. Probably. If only she could find him. In her search, Elizabeth discovers more than she is looking for: a grandfather she never knew, a startling legacy, and the secret family law firm, Webster & Son, Attorneys for the Damned.


Elizabeth and her friends soon land in court, where demons and ghosts take the witness stand and a red-eyed judge with a ratty white wig hands out sentences like sandwiches. Will Elizabeth's father arrive in time to save Henry Harrison-and is Henry the one who really needs saving?


Set in the historic streets of Philadelphia, this riveting middle-grade mystery from New York Times best-selling author William Lashner will have readers banging their gavels and calling for more from the incomparable Elizabeth Webster.

 

About William:

William Lashner is the New York Times Bestselling creator of Victor Carl, who has been called by Booklist one of the mystery novel’s “most compelling, most morally ambiguous characters.”  The Victor Carl novels, which have been translated into more than a dozen foreign languages and have been sold all across the globe, include BAGMEN, KILLER’S KISS, FALLS THE SHADOW, FATAL FLAW, and HOSTILE WITNESS.  He is also the author of GUARANTEED HEROES, THE BARKEEP, which was an Edgar Award nominee and a Digital Book World Number One Bestseller, THE ACCOUNTING, and BLOOD AND BONE.

Writing under the pseudonym of Tyler Knox, Lashner is also the author of KOCKROACH, described as “roaringly entertaining,” by Publisher’s Weekly, and “an energetic tour de force,” by USA Today.  As Tyler Knox he has written a number of book reviews for the Washington Post Book World.

Lashner was a criminal prosecutor with the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. before quitting the law to write fulltime.  A graduate of the New York University School of Law, as well as the Iowa Writers' Workshop, he lives with his wife and three children outside Philadelphia.

William Lashner Photo © Sigrid Estrada

Website | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of ELIZABETH WEBSTER AND THE COURT OF UNCOMMON PLEAS, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2989/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/1/2019- Pandora's Books- Excerpt

10/2/2019- Southern Girl Bookaholic- Review

10/3/2019- Shelf-Rated- Review

10/4/2019- BookHounds YA- Excerpt

Week Two:

10/7/2019- Odd and Bookish- Review

10/8/2019- EatingbetweenthelinesINC- Review

10/9/2019- Little Red Reads- Review

10/10/2019- History from a Woman’s Perspective- Review

10/11/2019- Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers- Excerpt

Week Three:

10/14/2019- Books_andPoetrii- Excerpt

10/15/2019- Jena Brown Writes- Review

10/16/2019- Nerdophiles- Review

10/17/2019- Savings in Seconds- Review

10/18/2019- The Reading Corner for All- Review

Week Four:

10/21/2019- Books a Plenty Book Reviews- Review

10/22/2019- Wonder Struck- Review

10/23/2019- Smada's Book Smack- Review

10/24/2019- Novel Novice- Excerpt

10/25/2019- fictitious.fox- Review

Week Five:

10/28/2019- Fyrekatz Blog- Review

10/29/2019- Two points of interest- Review

10/30/2019- Fictitiouswonderland- Review

10/31/2019- PopTheButterfly Reads- Review

Book Review - Ice by Lauren Carr + Giveawway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Years ago, Sandy Lipton was a young unwedded pregnant woman who disappears one night Everyone believes it is Chris Matheson, a young man she fancies and they were fighting the same night before her disappearance. Fast forward a few decades later, Chris is now a retired FBI agent who is still haunted by his past. He relies on fellow retired law enforcement officers to help assist solving the cold case but when more dead bodies turn up, will Chris finally be free of suspicion?

 When reading this novel, I noticed there was a key detailing the list of characters in the order of appearance. At first, I didn't think it was needed but I am glad the author included it because, with many overlapping murders and the number of characters, it got confusing very quickly. I did enjoy the story but I didn't like some of the characters and felt that the conversations were a bit unrealistic. For example, Chris's mother, Doris calls women "tramps" when she doesn't approve of them or their behaviors but yet when it was noted that Doris conceived Chris out of wedlock no one commented on her "tramp status" or how she started dating again after 8 months after her husband has passed. Overall, it was a decent book and I would be open to reading other works by the author.

**Disclosure - I receieved a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Details:

Book Title:  ICE by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult fiction, 380 pages
Genre:  Mystery, Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Cozy
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  February 26, 2018
Tour dates:  April 2 to 30, 2018 
Content Rating:  PG (It's a murder mystery and there is mild violence. Very mild swearing no F-bombs. No on-stage sex scenes.)

Book Description:

The clues for a close-to-the-heart missing person’s case heat up when Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on the cold case.

When Sandy Lipton and her unborn child disappear, the court of public opinion finds young Chris Matheson guilty. Decades later, the retired FBI agent returns home to discover that the cloud of suspicion cast over him and his family has never lifted. With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on this cold case to uncover what had happened to Sandy and her baby and the clues are getting hot!

Buy the Book:
Amazon
Add to Goodreads

About the Author:
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Now, Lauren has added one more hit series to her list with the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries. Set in the quaint West Virginia town of Harpers Ferry, Ice introduces Chris Matheson, a retired FBI agent, who joins forces with other law enforcement retirees to heat up those cold cases that keep them up at night.
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
​Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

​Connect with the author: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Instagram

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Book Review - Things We Lost in the Fire: Stories by Mariana Enriquez

Photo Credit - Amazon

A collection of short stories by an talented International writer that uses readers emotions to explore the multi-dimensions of life in modern day Argentina. The stories range from a nine year old serial killer, a handicap girl who wanders into a ghostly house, to a girl who mutilates herself.  After reading the short and somewhat disturbing stories, you will start to question what the world is really like. 

The book was a bit more graphic than I am used too but it was an interesting read and made me question and think about life. At first value, the stories aren't much, the characters never develop while the story sometimes just drops off. However, if you are the type to read between the lines and like to imagine what could have happened, you might enjoy this book better.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The Silent Children by Amna K. Boheim

Photo Source - Amazon

In 1938, Annabel Albrecht's life takes a turn for the worst. Her favorite maid, Eva disappears then her friend Oscar leaves as well. Annabel is left alone when her brother is murdered and her mother is taken away after being accused of his murder.  Around 70 years later,  Annabel has passes away and  leaves her house to her son, Max. While trying to cope with his mother's death and cryptic dying message, he begins to unearth deep, dark, and deadly secrets. Will these secrets help bridge his relationship with his mother or will it keep them apart forever?

A haunting modern day ghost story with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until you turn the last page. I like how the novel alternates between  in the past with Annabel and then modern day with Max. It was very interesting and kept me hooked until the last page. Little by little, all perceptions of what you know to be true is torn down.

**Disclosure - I received a  uncorrected book in exchange for my honest opinion**

Book Review - The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum by Kirsten Weiss

Photo Source -  Amazon

**May Contain Spoilers**

Maddie Kosloski had a promising career as an international executive but when she loses her job she decides to return home to figure out  her next steps. Adele, Mad's good friend, "tricks" her into managing the town's paranormal museum whose own future and past are mysterious. Local town rumors say the museum is haunted and now even more so when a dead body is found in it. The detective on the case is Maddie's own high school bully who seems more concerned about getting even with Maddie than with finding the real killer.  When her friend is arrested, she must manage through a wide cast of eccentric characters to prove Adele's  innocence.

The book was a quick and easy read. I found the book to be a bit boring at times and not enough "excitement".  It is billed as thriller but I found it to be more of an easy going book to read at the beach or as I did on the train.

**Disclosure - I received a copy of an uncorrected ebook for my honest opinion --- this had no impact on my review and feedback**