Nightcap Books – reading into the night

Weekly Wrap-Up (May 22)

Posted on May 22, 2020May 21, 2020 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

Hey! I hope everyone is enjoying their week! We had beautiful weather earlier this week, so I was able to enjoy being outside – reading, working in the flowerbeds, and relaxing by the pool.

BOOKS READ

They Did Bad Things by Lauren A. Forry
An eARC via Edelweiss. I’m a sucker for a locked room mystery, so had to give this one a shot.

Happy and You Know It by Laura Hankin
An eARC via Edelweiss. I didn’t know anything about this one, but the blurb sounded interesting. Glad I got it, because it was a great read.

Ignite Me & Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi
I’m still working on this series. Hoping to finish these books this month.

CURRENTLY READING

The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle
Book 14 in the Bibliophile mystery series. I like this series, so I was happy to receive the latest books via NetGalley.

The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren
I’ve read a few books by this duo, so I was excited to read their latest book. I checked this one out from the library. My local library is opened for curbside service, so I can request books and schedule a pick-up time. It’s not ideal, but it’s great to be able to get library books again.

Defy Me by Tahreh Mafi
Book 5 in the Shatter Me series.

ADDED TO MY TBR

Blacktop Wasteland – eARC via Flatiron Books

BLOG POSTS

• Book Review: What Lie Between Us by John Marrs
• Book Review: Happy and You Know It by Laura Hankin
• Book Review: Read or Alive by Nora Page
• NetGalley and Edelweiss Shelves (May 2020)
• Weekly Wrap-Up (May 22)

Thanks for stopping by Nightcap Books. Happy Reading!

NetGalley & Edelweiss Shelves (May 2020)

Posted on May 21, 2020May 20, 2020 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

Since last month’s update, I’ve added 4 ARCs from Netgalley and Edelweiss to my shelf. Two books are cozy mysteries and two are thrillers.

The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle
Publisher: Berkley
Expected publication date: June 2, 2020
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Bibliophile Mystery #14

Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Expected publication date: July 14, 2020
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Series: na

The Body From the Past by Judi Lynn
Publisher: Lyrical Underground
Expected publication date: September 22, 2020
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Jazzi Zanders Mystery #5

Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell
Publisher: Atria Books
Expected publication date: October 13, 2020
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Series: na

STATS

NETGALLEY
Books To Read: 18
Books Approved (all time): 201
Books Reviewed (all time): 183
Feedback Ratio: 91%

EDELWEISS
Books To Read: 4
Books Approved (all time): 63
Books Reviewed (all time): 59
Feedback Ratio: 94%

Book Review: Read or Alive by Nora Page

Posted on May 20, 2020May 20, 2020 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Read or Alive
Author: Nora Page
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Publish Date: May 12, 2020
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Bookmobile Mystery #3
My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

A match-made in cozy heaven for fans of Jenn McKinlay, Kate Carlisle, and book lovers everywhere, Nora Page’s third Bookmobile mystery will (book)worm its way into your heart.

Wrongful accusations have librarian Cleo Watkins and her loved ones booked for trouble.

It’s springtime and septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins is celebrating new blooms and old books. To her delight, the Georgia Antiquarian Book Society has brought its annual fair to Catalpa Springs in honor of Cleo’s gentleman friend, respected antiquarian bookseller and restorer, Henry Lafayette. However, trouble rolls in with the fair when a flirtatious book scout makes the rounds, charming locals out of prized books.

Among the conned is Cleo’s cousin, Dot, who handed over a signed, first edition of Gone With the Wind. With no proof the scout took the valuable book, Dot is at a loss. And when the deceitful man is found murdered the very next morning, Dot becomes a prime suspect. To Cleo’s dismay, so is Henry. The scene of the crime is behind Henry’s shop and his bookbinding tool is the murder weapon. As evidence stacks up against Henry, the police aren’t alone in questioning his innocence. Even friends and family ask Cleo how well she truly knows her gentleman friend.

Although books are at the heart of the crimes, Cleo feels dizzyingly out of her depths. Someone is setting up the people she holds dearest. With the authorities on the wrong trail, Cleo has no choice but to catalog the evidence herself. Along with her trusty bookmobile cat Rhett Butler, it will be up to Cleo to book the real killer for good.

Purchase Links:Amazon | Books-a-Million

MY REVIEW

The third book in the Bookmobile mystery series by Nora Page. Cleo is back with a new mystery to solve! A conman who deals in books comes to the antiquarian book show in Catalpa Springs. He’s swindling Cleo’s friends, and things go downhill when he is found killed. Cleo knows those close to her can’t be behind the murder, so she sleuths to find the killer.

A cozy mystery centered around books. I enjoy Cleo, her bookmobile, and the small town setting. A delightful read with an older protagonist. Fun and entertaining.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Happy and You Know It by Laura Hankin

Posted on May 20, 2020May 20, 2020 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Happy and You Know It
Author: Laura Hankin
Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: May 19, 2020
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Series: na
My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

A dark, witty page-turner about a struggling young musician who takes a job singing for a playgroup of overprivileged babies and their effortlessly cool moms, only to find herself pulled into their glamorous lives and dangerous secrets….

After her former band shot to superstardom without her, Claire reluctantly agrees to a gig as a playgroup musician for wealthy infants on New York’s Park Avenue. Claire is surprised to discover that she is smitten with her new employers, a welcoming clique of wellness addicts with impossibly shiny hair, who whirl from juice cleanse to overpriced miracle vitamins to spin class with limitless energy.

There is perfect hostess Whitney who is on the brink of social-media stardom and just needs to find a way to keep her flawless life from falling apart. Caustically funny, recent stay-at-home mom Amara who is struggling to embrace her new identity. And old money, veteran mom Gwen who never misses an opportunity to dole out parenting advice. But as Claire grows closer to the stylish women who pay her bills, she uncovers secrets and betrayals that no amount of activated charcoal can fix.

Filled with humor and shocking twists, Happy and You Know It is a brilliant take on motherhood – exposing it as yet another way for society to pass judgment on women – while also exploring the baffling magnetism of curated social-media lives that are designed to make us feel unworthy. But, ultimately, this dazzling novel celebrates the unlikely bonds that form, and the power that can be unlocked, when a group of very different women is thrown together when each is at her most vulnerable.

Purchase Links:Amazon | Books-a-Million

MY REVIEW

Claire is in her late twenties and struggling with the loss of her music career. Her former band replaced her just before they hit it big. She still has bills to pay though, so she takes a gig as music leader for a playgroup. As Claire gets to know the moms, she is surprised that she starts to like them. The moms seem to have it all together, but there are secrets under that glossy exterior.

The mom group consists of six women. Whitney is the group leader and has a picture-perfect lifestyle. Amara is the mom struggling with the loss of her career. Gwen is the one with parenting advice. Vicki is the peaceful hippie. Meredith and Ellie are mostly interchangeable and don’t bring much to the group. Claire is the outsider. She’s single, childless, and the group’s new music leader. Claire is not a mom, but she starts to connect with the other women and care about them.

A contemporary novel about motherhood and friendship. Humorous and twisted. There are moments that go deeper and reveal a darker side, but overall, this was fun and light read.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: What Lies Between Us by John Marrs

Posted on May 20, 2020May 20, 2020 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: What Lies Between Us
Author: John Marrs
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publish Date: May 15, 2020
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Series: na
My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Nina can never forgive Maggie for what she did. And she can never let her leave.

They say every house has its secrets, and the house that Maggie and Nina have shared for so long is no different. Except that these secrets are not buried in the past.

Every other night, Maggie and Nina have dinner together. When they are finished, Nina helps Maggie back to her room in the attic, and into the heavy chain that keeps her there. Because Maggie has done things to Nina that can’t ever be forgiven, and now she is paying the price.

But there are many things about the past that Nina doesn’t know, and Maggie is going to keep it that way—even if it kills her.

Because in this house, the truth is more dangerous than lies.

Purchase Links:Amazon | Books-a-Million

MY REVIEW

Nina keeps Maggie locked away in the attic. The reasons for their dysfunctional relationship are slowly revealed using alternating points of view and flashbacks.

A complicated and disturbed relationship between a mother and daughter. Maggie and Nina are intriguing characters. Both women have kept secrets from one another for many years. The revealing of secrets was well-paced and kept the suspense up.

A wild and twisted domestic thriller. This book had me turning the pages late into the night. A fun and fast-paced read for fans of psychological thrillers.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Weekly Wrap-Up (May 15)

Posted on May 15, 2020May 20, 2020 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

Hey! I hope everyone had a fantastic week! I didn’t do much reading or blogging this week. Hope to get a little reading time in this weekend.

BOOKS READ

Beloved by Toni Morrison
I read this book for a reading challenge. Also, I own it, and I’m slowly working my way through reading all the books on my bookshelves.

CURRENTLY READING

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs
I’m reading an eARC of this one. I should have a review up for it next week.

ADDED TO MY TBR

No books added this week.

BLOG POSTS

• Weekly Wrap-Up (May 15)

Thanks for stopping by Nightcap Books. Happy Reading!

Weekly Wrap-Up (May 8)

Posted on May 8, 2020May 7, 2020 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

Hey there! I hope everyone has been reading some good books lately.

BOOKS READ

The Last Scoop by R.G. Belsky
I read an eARC received via Edelweiss. This is the third book in a mystery series featuring an investigative journalist.

Evil by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge
This one was an eARC via Netgalley. I’ve read other books in this series, and it’s a fun cozy mystery series.

Rogue Wave by Jennifer Donnelly
I read this one to work toward my goal of catching up on series. This is the second book in a YA fantasy series. I read the first book a couple of years ago, but didn’t read any more of the series until now.

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez
This one has been on my shelf for a long time. I’ve been reading more books that I own, and it’s been good to check them off my TBR.

All Adults Here by Emma Straub
This was an eARC via Edelweiss. It had a little too much going on for me, but I still enjoyed the writing style.

CURRENTLY READING

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
I’ve seen a lot of good reviews for this book. The audio version was available on OverDrive, so I’m listening to this one.

Pretty Revenge by Emily Liebert
This one was listed in this week’s Simon & Schuster ebook selection.

Don’t Make a Sound by T.R. Ragan
My Amazon First Reads pick for this month. I’ve liked other books by T.R. Ragan, so I was happy to see she had a new one out.

ADDED TO MY TBR

The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle
The 14th book in the Bibliophile mystery series. I’ve read other books in this series, so I was happy to see another book was available. I received an eARC via Netgalley.

BLOG POSTS

• Book Review: All Adults Here by Emma Straub
• Book Review: The Last Scoop by R.G. Belsky
• May 2020 TBR
• Book Review: Evil by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge
• Weekly Wrap-Up (May 8)

Thanks for stopping by Nightcap Books. Happy Reading!

Book Review: Evil by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge

Posted on May 7, 2020May 7, 2020 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Evil by the Sea
Author: Kathleen Bridge
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Publish Date: May 5, 2020
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: A By the Sea Mystery #4
My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Liz Holt is bewitched, bothered, and bewildered when a wicked killer objects to a wiccan wedding…

Island life can get pretty weird. Wiccan weddings, psychic brides, mermaid parades, eccentric parrots… Novelist Liz Holt has gotten used to it since moving back to the barrier island of Melbourne Beach, Florida, and once again working in her family’s hotel and emporium, the Indialantic by the Sea. But one thing she’ll never get used to is murder.

Groom-to-be and leader of the Sunshine Wiccan Society, white warlock Julian Rhodes is poisoned at his rehearsal dinner on the hotel’s sightseeing cruiser. His psychic bride, Dorian Starwood, never saw it coming. An old friend of Liz’s great-aunt Amelia, the celebrity psychic engages Liz to find out who intended to kill her intended. With her Macaw, Barnacle Bob, squawking “Pop Goes the Weasel” at Dorian’s pet ferret, and the streets teeming with mermaids in tails, Liz has got to wade through the weirdness and cast a wide net for the killer—before she’s the next one to sleep with the fishes…

Purchase Links:Amazon | Books-a-Million

MY REVIEW

Liz, a novelist and amateur sleuth, works at her family’s hotel and emporium. In this book, a Wiccan wedding is planned at the Indialantic by the Sea. Unfortunately, the groom dies at the rehearsal dinner. Liz investigates to find the killer.

The 4th book in the By the Sea mystery series. I recommend reading this series in order. There are a number of characters, and their relationships progress through the series.

An entertaining cozy mystery series. Quirky characters. Charming setting. Fun and light read. A recommended read for fans of cozy mysteries.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

May 2020 TBR

Posted on May 6, 2020May 5, 2020 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

Happy May!

I hope everyone is enjoying Spring! I love to read outside this time of year, and I got a few books read that way last month. This month, I hope to enjoy some more time outside with good books. On my to-read list for May, I have five ARCs and the last two books in the Shatter Me series. I also want to read some books toward reading challenges, but I haven’t decided which ones yet. What’s on your TBR? Happy reading!

ARCs

• What Lies Between Us by John Marrs
• Happy and You Know It by Laura Hankin
• They Did Bad Things by Lauren A. Forry
• The Girls Weekend by Jody Gehrman
• Stranger in the Lake by Kimberly Belle

Owned Books

• Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
• Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi

Book Review: The Last Scoop by R.G. Belsky

Posted on May 5, 2020May 4, 2020 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: The Last Scoop
Author: R.G. Belsky
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
Publish Date: May 5, 2020
Genre: Mystery – Crime
Series: Clare Carlson #3
My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

The scariest kind of serial killer—one you don’t know exists
Martin Barlow was Clare Carlson’s first newspaper editor, a beloved mentor who inspired her career as a journalist. But, since retiring from his newspaper job, he had become a kind of pathetic figure—railing on about conspiracies, cover-ups, and other imaginary stories he was still working on. Clare had been too busy with her own career to pay much attention to him.
When Martin Barlow is killed on the street one night during an apparent mugging attempt gone bad, it seems like he was just an old man whose time had come.
But Clare—initially out of a sense of guilt for ignoring her old friend and then because of her own journalistic instincts—begins looking into his last story idea. As she digs deeper and deeper into his secret files, she uncovers shocking evidence of a serial killer worse than Son of Sam, Ted Bundy, or any of the other infamous names in history.
This really is the biggest story of Martin Barlow’s career—and Clare’s, too—as she uncovers the path leading to the decades-long killer of at least twenty young women. All is not as it seems during Clare’s relentless search for this serial killer. Is she setting herself up to be his next victim?

Purchase Links:Amazon | Books-a-Million

MY REVIEW

The third book in the Clare Carlson series by R.G. Belsky. When Clare learns her mentor has been killed in an apparent mugging, she takes on his last story. At first, she is looking into corruption in the city. As she investigates, she is led to another story her mentor was working. This one involves a serial killer that has gone under the radar for decades. Clare suspects her mentor was killed because of his stories, so she investigates on her own to discover what led to his death.

Clare is a flawed character, but she has some great investigative skills. She is a Pulitzer Prize winner working for a TV news station. Big stories bring in more money for the news station, but her latest reporting is more personal. She feels guilt about ignoring her mentor, and now that he’s dead, she wants to uncover what happened to him.

I’ve read the first book in this series, but missed the second one. This is a good mystery series, and I plan to read the second book soon to get caught up. I recommend reading the first book, but The Last Scoop can be read as a stand-alone.

Intriguing characters. Gripping mystery. Engaging, interesting, and suspenseful.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.