Book Review - Shadow Sands (Kate Marshall, #2) by Robert Bryndza

 

Criminology professor Kate Marshall is on a scuba dive with her son when they make a shocking discovery. They find a body of a teenage boy in the depths of the Shadow Sands reservoir. The detective chief inspector is quick to rule the case as an accidental drowning. However, Kate believes there is more to the story. As she begins to follow the evidence and clues, she discovers something more sinister.

It turns out the latest victim is one of the many in a series of deaths and disappearances linked to the moorlands. There is an urban legend of a phantom that uses the rolling fog to hunt for its victims. When a researcher studying urban legends disappears without a trace, Kate must act fast if she wants to find her alive.

This novel is the second book in the series but, I felt like it could be read as a standalone. I thought the book was an interesting read and it was nice seeing old characters making a reappearance while getting more history on Tristan. I enjoyed reading this book but, I definitely felt like I enjoyed the first book more. I felt like something was missing that I couldn't quite put my finger on. However, I am excited to read the next book in the series.

Book Review - The Other Girl by Erica Spindler

 

Miranda Rader is a police officer for Harmony, Louisiana and she is known for her ability to work under pressure and for her integrity and honesty. This wasn't always the case when she was growing up in Jasper. She grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and she worked hard to earn the respect of her coworkers and community.

Miranda and her partner, Jake,  is called to investigate the murder of a beloved college professor. When they arrived to the scene of the crime, they are unprepared for the brutality of the scene. She thought she saw the worst of it until she finds a piece of evidence that shakes her to her core. She finds an article about the terrible night that happened fifteen years ago that Miranda has tried to forget. She tried to bury the memories of that night as well as the girl she once was. 

Now another person has turned up dead. He was the cop who took Miranda's statement that night. His murder was different than the professor and nothing links the two of them except for Miranda. Will Miranda be able to find out who is behind the murders?

I thought the novel started off interesting then slowly descended to being unbelievable to boring. I found Jake's and Miranda's relationship to be tedious and confusing. Jake claims he loves her and trusts her but, then goes behind her back and discloses her secrets to other people time and time over again. And then she forgives him and takes him back repeatedly. Somehow, the two of them claim that they both love each other but, I don't see a single reason why they feel that way towards each other. Then in the end Jake mysteriously puts together all the clues and is able to solve the mystery behind the murders when he was supposedly off the force and visiting his family. The author hints that Jake might be hiding something else about his family but, we never get to know more. 

The plot is completely predictable. I am not sure how Miranda was able to guess so quickly how one person was tied to her past but, then forget another major player from that event until the last possible moment. It was fairly easy to guess who was behind the murders and their motive. I am not sure how this novel is billed a suspense or thriller as the story was slow and barely moved along at times. I also think the title gave away the twist to the end of the novel.

Book Review - The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

 

Lynette Tarkington survived a massacre which makes her a final girl. For more than a decade, she and five other final girls have been meeting their therapist in a support group. The women all have experienced unthinkable horror and they are working to put their lives back together. One day, one of the women misses a meeting and they expect the worst to happen. Someone knows about the group and they are determined to finish where the other monsters left off. However, they thing they don't know about final girls is that no matter how bad the odds seem, they will never give up.

I thought the book was an entertaining and engrossing read. However, I didn't care for any of the characters. I had a hard time connecting and rooting for them as the main character was very unlikable and we barely got to know the other women. I also felt like during the middle of the novel, the story just plodded along. Overall, it was a decent read for people who like reading about final girls and horror/slasher movies.

Book Review - Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman

 

Joey Green returns to Beaufort, South Carolina to visit his ailing father who suffers from dementia. He offers to watch over his father while his stressed mother take a break. Marshall Green's short term memory has been severely affected by dementia but, his long term memory is still strong as ever. At times, Marshall's mind slips back into time and believes that he is still a boy growing up in Beaufort.

At first, Joey feels this father's slipping memory to be benign. But, when a murder occurs near their home Joey is worried about his father when his father's hallucinatory arguments hint to deadly secrets and scandals.

I thought the book was an okay read. There were moments that I felt were a bit ridiculous like when Joey's mother was yelling at him to make the police stop questioning his father. I felt that it was silly since Joey wasn't a lawyer or had any power to make the questioning stop. The scenes where the characters interacted with the police to be a bit farfetched. Towards the middle of the book, the pacing felt a bit off. That the characters discovered things and another character would reveal the same thing again. And then the killer's relationship with Joey seemed to come out of nowhere. That relationship from zero to hundred in a few days and almost with no interaction with each other.

Book Review - The Cave Dwellers by Christina McDowell

 

The Green Book was a diary created by the niece of Edith Roosevelt’s social secretary. It only includes the families that are worthy. These families and their aristocratic bloodlines helped build the fabric of Washington - generation after generation. Their power and privileged is on prominent display in the streets of Georgetown, Kalorama, and Capitol Hill. They only socialize with people of their own rank and social circle and ignore the political merry-go-round unless it serves them.

I thought this novel was going to be a thriller and not a political commentary about the elite. I felt like the murders were introduced as a shock value but, we didn't really learn anything about them. Instead we were treated to a boring and pointless story of how the elite use and abuse their power and treat the people around them. Perhaps, if I had known that the novel would be mostly focused on selfish and spoiled people I wouldn't have wasted my time.

Book Review - Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian

 

Chloe Sevre looks like your average girl next door. She is an honor student, spends her time going to frat parties, and doing yogalates. Except, Chloe isn't your average hot girl next door. She is a psychopath that is planning to kill her childhood friend, Will Bachman, after he wronged her.

Chloe is one of seven students at her college that are a part of a unique clinical study of psychopaths. The study is lead by a renowned psychologist who tracks their movements and their moods. One of the students from the study is found dead. Chloe becomes the prey as the dangerous game of cat and mouse begins. She races to find the killer while trying to execute her own revenge plan. Will Chloe be able to find the killer before she becomes the next victim?

I thought the book was an interesting read. I didn't really care for any of the characters but, I was interested in where the story was going. The ending was a bit of a surprise that I didn't see coming. I did like that there was multiple story lines going on but, after all it felt like the book was dragging along. Overall, it was an interesting read and I would be open to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - Life Flight (Extreme Measures, #1) by Lynette Eason

 

Penny Carlton is used to high stress situations as an EMS helicopter pilot. However, when she was forced to land on a mountain in a storm with a critical patient and a serial killer is on the loose; her nerves are a bit frayed. She was able to escape the killer's grasp with the help of FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield.

As Penny tries to put the day behind her, she realizes that she might still be a target. She finds herself under attack and then she finds out that Holt might have killed the wrong man. Penny and Holt will need to work together to catch him before he claims another victim.

I thought the story was an interesting and entertaining read but, I didn't care for any of the characters. I felt like there were a lot of characters with different backstory. I felt like the connection that Penny and Holt had was unrealistic and had no bond. I didn't really feel a connection between the pair. I thought that the novel had a lot of different side stories and I didn't like how they were all dragged out through the entire story only to be tied up neatly in the end. I loved the story itself but, the execution was a bit choppy. However, I would be opened to reading more books by the author.

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

Book Review - Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey

 

Hazel Greenlee works as a transcriber at the Black Harbor police department. Every night she hears gruesome secrets from detectives as she transcribes their notes. Black Harbor is Wisconsin's prolific crime city and it ensures that Hazel will always have work. Hazel is an aspiring writer and believes its her only ticket out of the city. Her plan becomes derailed when her neighbor confesses to hiding the body of an overdose victim in a dumpster.

The police believe the death is related to a notorious drug dealer called Candy Man. Hazel finds herself entranced by the case, especially, the lead detective, Nikolai Kole. She decides to help Kole as she finds herself captivated by him and she can gain information for her book.Will Kole and Hazel be able to find Candy Man before it's too late?

The novel started off good and started rapidly becoming a dull read.The novel billed itself as a mystery but, I felt like it took a backseat to Kole and Hazel's relationship. The mystery behind Candy Man seemed to solve itself while Kole and Hazel spent more time with each other. I can't say that I actually like any of the characters especially, Hazel. She comes across information that made Kole seem like a killer and she didn't even care. She still continued to pursue a romantic relationship with him. I also felt that the author was very heavy on the description and there wasn't really much of a story. The author spends paragraphs to describe things but, only a few sentences is dedicated to moving the story along.

Book Review - Nine Elms (Kate Marshall, #1) by Robert Bryndza

 

Kate Marshall had a promising career as a police detective until she caught the notorious Nine Elms serial killer. What should have been a great victory quickly descended into a nightmare. Kate watched her career ended in scandal as she was publicly shamed and betrayed over shocking circumstances surrounding the murder case.

Fifteen years later, Kate is still being haunted by the ghosts of her past. She is a professor at a small English university, hoping to move on with her life. However, she was given a chance to face her demons when a copycat killer has taken up the Nine Elms legacy and continuing on the work of his idol.

Kate enlists the help of her research assistant, Tristan Harper, to find and catch the copycat. She believes this might be her chance to redemption. However, Kate doesn't realize she was intended to be the fifth victim and his successor means to finish the job.

I thought the book was an interesting read but, I was a bit torn on the ending. I felt like the story was suspenseful but, the ending seemed a bit of character. I wish there that the characters were developed a bit more and there were moments in the story that audience had to suspense belief. I did like that the author included a bit of foreshadowing at the end and I am hoping it is hinting what the second book would be about. Overall, I thought it was a good read and look forward to reading other books in the series.

Book Review - The Perfect Daughter by D.J. Palmer

 

 

Sixteen year old Penny Francone is accused of being a murderer. She was found alone in the victim's apartment covered in the victim's blood and holding the murder weapon. The victim's identity and her relationship to Penny gives Penny the perfect motive for committing the crime. The only thing the jury will need to decide is where Penny will serve out her sentence. Will she be spending the rest of her life in a state mental hospital or a maximum security prison? Her mother, Grace, is still reeling from the sudden death of her husband and now she is grateful that Massachusetts doesn't allow the death penalty. 

Penny is waiting for her trial to start in a mental hospital. She is being treated by Dr. Mitchell McHugh, a psychiatrist who is struggling with his own demons. Grace's determination to understand why her daughter murdered someone helps fuels Mitch's resolve to the family. They try to work together to find the truth behind that night and instead they discover secrets and lies that can tear them apart.

I thought the book was an interesting read with a few twists at the end. I thought the book was a bit slow during the middle parts and I sometimes felt that book would have been better if it was shorter. There was also some side stories that I didn't really care about such as, Jack doing a video documentary on his sister. I understand the author might have included that bit to show why Jack was involved in helping to prove his sister's innocence but, it felt unnecessary. I wish the author spent more time fleshing out the main characters more. Overall, it was a decent read and I would read other books by the author.

Book Review - Ice and Stone (Sharon McCone, #34) by Marcia Muller

 

Two bodies of Indigenous women are found in the wilderness in northern California. It's the latest grim discovery in a long line of similar crimes in the area. Contrary to the presented evidence, the officials still believe the deaths are isolated and the cases join the ranks of other similar unsolved cases that are dismissed by law enforcement.

The town is used to the callous behaviors of law enforcement and just tolerate the injustices. A few people though refuse to let more Indigenous people suffer the same fate. Sharon McCone is a private investigator that was hired to help solve the murders in Meruk county. Sharon must try to parse out who is telling the truth and who is willing to kill to keep it a secret.

This is my first book by the author and even though it's a part of a series, I found it easy to follow along. I thought the book was okay, it was a straightforward and easy read. I was able to guess most of the plot ahead of time. I appreciate that the author focused on the plight and harsh conditions that Native Americans face on a daily basis. Overall, the book was an easy going read but, I am not sure I would go out of my way to read another book by the author.

Book Review - The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

 

Mariana Andros is certain that Edward Fosca is a murderer but, he is untouchable. He is a devilishly handsome popular Greek tragedy professor at Cambridge.  He is well adored by staff and students especially by the secret society of female students called The Maidens. 

Mariana works as a group therapist and is fixated on Edward Fosca and the Maidens. She believes that they are responsible for the death of Tara, her niece's friend. Mariana was also once a student at the idyllic school but, she suspects something dark is hiding behind the beautiful facade. 

She remains convinced that Edward is guilty despite his alibi.When another body is found, Mariana's obsession with Fosca spirals out of control. As she falls into the rabbit hole, her reputation and credibility is being questioned. However, Mariana is determined to find and stop the killer even if it might cost her life.

I was very excited to read this book because I loved his previous novel. However, I had a hard time falling in love with this book because I didn't care for Mariana. I felt like she was frustrating and annoying at times. I thought the book moved very slowly in the middle and that the story just plodded along. I felt that ending was unsatisfying as it didn't really give any answers.  I would still be open to reading other books by the author.

Book Review - The Rumor by Lesley Kara

 

 

There is a rumor circulating in the small seaside town Joanna lives in. The rumor is that a notorious child killer is living a new life under an assumed identity. The person who committed the crime was a young child herself. Joanna starts to suspect everyone in town.

As Joanna starts to read more about the case, she becomes obsessed with finding out the truth. However, while she is searching for the killer, she puts her and her family in the killer's crosshairs. The person is ready to kill again to protect what they love. Joanna realizes how far someone is willing to go for people they love.  

The novel was an interesting read. The twist was a surprise for me but, might have been predictable to some. The novel moved a bit slow at times and had a lot of characters. I must admit, I didn't like the scenes with the killer's point of view. When the person was exposed, I felt like their inner thoughts didn't match the person we knew.

Book Review - The Reunion by Guillaume Musso

 

Twenty-five years ago while a snowstorm was occurring, Vinca Rockwell, a 19-year-old student ran away with her philosophy teacher. Rumor has it that Vinca was in love with her philosophy teacher and they ran away together. Vinca believes "love is everything or nothing". That was the last time she was ever seen.

Manon, Thomas, and Maxine were best friends but, they stopped talking to each since graduation. Twenty five years earlier, the three of them committed a murder and they buried the body in the gymnasium wall. The wall is now being slated to be demolished to make way for a new building. The three friends have to decide what they will do about their secret before the body is discovered.

I thought the book was an interesting read. I had a hard time following some of the references and I felt like I was missing some nuances. The book did  move a bit slow at times but, I found the ending to be a surprise. I personally didn't care for the main character because he literally wrapped his entire life to a person who didn't really care for him. And several times I was curious how he could trust certain people so blindly. I would be opened to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal

 

Company spy Ben Calix had a mission go wrong in Rome and when he returns to Paris, he finds his entire world turned upside down. He was targeted in an ambush and a sniper is after him. He tries to get in contact with his agency and was told that they are severing their ties with him and French SWAT is after him.

Ben is desperate for answers and he is trying to avoid a biochemical attack from happening. As he tries to escape, he unwittingly causes another civilian to end up in the Company's cross hairs. He decides to travel across Europe to connect with former team members to help him stop the attack. While Ben is looking for a plan, he will also deal with the fallout from being kicked out of the Company.

I thought the novel was a quick and fast paced read. I can't say that I care for any of the characters or what happened to them because there were a lot of characters involved. I felt that the novel was a bit too predictable and I was able to guess all the twists before they were disclosed. The book was an okay read and I would be open to reading other books by the author.

Book Review - Pretty Little Wife by Darby Kane

 

Lila Ridgefield seems to have the perfect life. She lives in a quaint college town, has a beautiful home, and a doting husband, Aaron. However, not everything is what seems like especially, Lila. 

A young college student vanished a few months ago and then Aaron disappears. The police thinks that the cases are unrelated until it's discovered the missing student case is very similar to other missing people cases. The police are desperate to find a connection.

They find a clue that makes them realize that there might be more to the story. While the town is worried over their beloved high school teacher, Lila isn't. She is confused about him being missing because she was the last person to see him alive.

The novel was an interesting and thrilling read. I enjoyed finding out the next twist and secret being revealed. I found that the novel moved at a fast pace. I didn't care much for some of the characters and thought they weren't unrealistic. Overall, the novel was a good read and I look forward to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - Shadow Girl by Gerry Schmitt

 

Leland Odin is rich and has made his fortune off of a home shopping network. However, his money can't help him save his life. Leland is on the donor list for a transplant and he loses all hope when the helicopter carrying his donor heart is shot out of the sky.

The two pilots from the helicopter are dead and many are injured. Afton Tangler is a family liaison officer with the Minneapolis Police Department and has been called on to assist. She and her partner, Max, will investigate family members, business associates of Leland and anyone else who may hold a grudge against him. As the team looks into the clues, someone sneaks into the hospital to finish off Leland. It seems Leland has crossed the wrong person and she will stop at nothing to get her revenge. Will the duo be able to stop her before they get caught in her cross hairs?

This was my first book by the author and it seems like it could be read as a standalone. However, I felt like there were some character and story nuances I may have missed. I found the book to be a boring read. The characters were dull and the story barely held my attention. The book was lackluster and had no excitement or surprise twists.

Book Review - The Anatomy of Desire by L.R. Dorn

 

Claire Griffith has it all. She rebranded herself as Cleo Ray and has a thriving influencer business, a successful boyfriend, and glamorous friends. Cleo knew she was meant for more than her super-strict religious parents preached to her. She arrives to Los Angeles and is completely broke. She climbs her way up to being a popular fitness coach and social media influencer. She is on her way to realizing her biggest dreams and getting everything she ever wanted.

Beck Alden and Cleo went on a canoe trip on a serene mountain lake one summer day. An hour later, Beck is found dead in the water Cleo is missing. The police suspect foul play and concentrate on locating Cleo because someone matching her description was found running away from the lake.  The news of Cleo's involvement goes viral and people are feverishly following the case.

I was a bit torn on this book. The format was interesting and I felt like it added a bit of "drama" to the story and that we were reading an actual court transcript. However, I found it annoying to keep track of who was talking at times. Sometimes, that broke the flow for me. I felt like sometimes, the story felt off-kilter because they had Chloe's perspective when they were describing the crime. I felt that there wasn't much of a plot but a constant rehash of the same bits of story.

 

Book Review - Twisted River by Siobhán MacDonald

 

Kate and Mannix O'Brien live in Curragower Falls in Limerick. They live in a beautiful house that they can barely afford. Fergus, their son, is constantly bullied in school. Izzy, their daughter feels helpless as she can't do anything to help protect her brother. Kate is struggling to see her family deal with life and decides that they all need a vacation.  She thinks their luck is about to change when she finds a beautiful Manhattan apartment available on a home exchange website.

Hazel and Oscar Harvey live with their two children in Upper West Side, Manhattan. On the outside, the couple seems happy and perfect. However, Hazel is covered with mysterious bruises and Oscar has secrets about his dental practice. They decide that they need a change of pace and offer their apartment  up on a home exchange website. Hazel always wanted to show her family her native home and it will give the couple a chance to work on their marriage. However, things take a turn for the worst when Oscar discovers a body in his host's car.

The book had an interesting premise but, it failed to keep my attention. Both couples were very similar and I had to go back a few times and try to remember who they were. The book had quite a few twists but, it was mostly the author led you to believe this but, they really meant this. Almost all the twists were like this. Around the middle point of the book, this book became insufferable that I was struggling to power through it.

Book Review - Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

 

In 1954, two U.S. Marshals have been assigned to find a missing patient at Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane on Shutter Island. Teddy Daniels and his new partner, Chuck Aule, were asked to locate a woman named Rachel Solando, who has murdered her children. Rachel has managed to escape her locked cell even though she is under constant surveillance. 

A deadly hurricane hits the island and causes the entire island to erupt into chaos. As Teddy and Chuck investigate the disappearance, they find clues of radical experimentation, patients being operated on, and strategies on how to win the covert shadow war. Teddy realizes nothing is what it seems like and that he will need to think ahead if he wants to leave the island alive.

I haven't seen the movie so, this book was new to me. I was able to guess where the book was going but, I wasn't fond of the ending. I thought the writing style was a bit choppy at times. I thought at times the novel stalled and the story went no where. However, I am still open to reading other books  by the author.