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The Body in the Apartment by Judi Lynn [Book Review]

Posted on March 16, 2020January 16, 2024 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: The Body in the Apartment

Author: Judi Lynn

Publisher: Lyrical Underground

Publish Date: March 17, 2020

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Jazzi Zanders Mystery #4

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

The charming homes of River Bluffs, Indiana, make perfect projects for house-flipper Jazzi Zanders. Less charming is her hothead brother-in-law, who’s a bit of a fixer-upper himself.
But could he also be a murderer?

Jazzi married her gorgeous contractor Ansel—not his family. But somehow she keeps living with them. So she’s delighted to help Ansel’s brother Radley move out of their home and into his own place, in the same building as his work supervisor, Donovan. But when Donovan is shot and his apartment ransacked following an argument with Ansel and Radley’s older brother Bain, their sibling becomes a suspect—especially after his missing gun turns up as the murder weapon.

Told not to leave town by Detective Gaff, big brother moves in with . . . Jazzi and Ansel. Now Jazzi needs to prove Bain’s no killer, not only to keep him out of jail—but to get him out of their house. What was the killer looking for in Donovan’s apartment? And what will happen to the next person who gets in the way?

MY REVIEW

This is the fourth book in the Jazzi Zanders mystery series by Judi Lynn. Ansel’s brother Radley has decided to stay in town, and Jazzi and Ansel help him move into his new apartment. During the move, Ansel and Radley’s brother Bain shows up to try and convince Radley to return to the family’s dairy farm. Unfortunately, Radley’s friend Donovan, who lives in the same apartment complex, is killed while everyone is there. Bain becomes a suspect. Jazzi helps solve the murder.

I’ve read the previous three books in this series and recommend reading them in order: The Body in the Attic, The Body in the Wetlands, and The Body in the Gravel. They can be read out of order though. The personal stories are continued, but the mystery is standalone for each book.

Jazzi, Ansel, and her cousin Jerod flip houses. I enjoy the idea of a house flipper amateur sleuth, so this cozy series is a good one for me. Jazzi also likes to cook and enjoys hosting meals for her family and friends. She seemed to cook more in this book, and there are a few recipes included at the end of the book. I’m still perplexed why the detective on the cases always includes Jazzi in the investigation, even bringing her to interviews. Still, it’s a fun and entertaining series.

A light, cozy mystery. Likable characters and a good mystery.

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

Books in the Jazzi Zanders Mystery Series:

The Body in the Attic
The Body in the Wetlands
The Body in the Gravel
The Body in the Apartment
The Body from the Past
The Body in the Beauty Parlor
The Body in the Trench
The Body in the Buick
The Body in the Wheelbarrow
The Body in Someone Else’s Bed

Revolver Road by Christi Daugherty [Book Review]

Posted on March 10, 2020January 16, 2024 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: Revolver Road

Author: Christi Daugherty

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Publish Date: March 10, 2020

Genre: Amateur Investigator

Series: Harper McClain #3

My Rating: 5/5

BOOK BLURB

Crime reporter Harper McClain is back on the beat when a troubled musician vanishes in Christi Daugherty’s Revolver Road.

Even in the chill of February, no place touches Harper McClain’s heart like Savannah. She should be walking beneath the historic city’s towering oaks, surrounded by graceful mansions. Instead, she’s hiding miles away on Tybee Island after a mysterious voice on the phone warned her that someone wanted her dead. The call was too specific to ignore. The caller knew everything about her. But that was months ago, and she’s getting tired of being scared.

Her only escape is her work at the newspaper, where the hottest story in town is the disappearance of Xavier Rayne. The singer had a hit album on his hands, and was about to go on tour, but then he walked out of his beachfront home and vanished. The police believe he drowned, but Harper suspects his disappearance may be more ominous than that. Something doesn’t feel right about it.

His bandmates and actress girlfriend say he’s run away before. They expect him to come home. Until a body washes up with two bullet holes in it. Now everyone in Rayne’s life is a suspect. As Harper digs deeper into the case, though, the threats against her own life return. The phone call she received was very real. A killer from her past is coming for her.

Now she must solve two murders, or end up dying on Revolver Road…

MY REVIEW

Crime reporter Harper McClain is back in Revolver Road, the third book in this crime series. Someone wants Harper dead, and she’s been scared into hiding. She’s tired of hiding though, and she believes finding who killed her mother will help solve the mystery of who is after her. For work, Harper is staying busy with the case of missing man Xavier Rayne, a popular musician. Harper works to solve both mysteries.

The mysteries are intriguing. One mystery has Harper digging into the past, and learning the truth about her mother’s murder. The other mystery involves a celebrity that everyone assumes drowned, but Harper suspects there’s more to the story. The characters are well-developed, and I especially like Harper. She is smart, independent, and hard-working. I love settings like Savannah, with such a rich history, the setting is like another character and adds to the enjoyment of the story.

This is one of my favorite mystery series, so I was excited to read this latest book. I’m happy to say, this continues to be an engaging series. I recommend reading this series in order.

Compelling characters. Entertaining story. Atmospheric setting. A recommended read for fans of crime thrillers with strong female protagonists.

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

Books in the Harper McClain series:

The Echo Killing
A Beautiful Corpse
Revolver Road

Unfollow Me by Charlotte Duckworth [Book Review]

Posted on March 9, 2020January 16, 2024 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: Unfollow Me

Author: Charlotte Duckworth

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Publish Date: March 10, 2020

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 5/5

BOOK BLURB

A gripping domestic thriller examining the terrifying depths of our social media obsessions.

You can’t stop watching her.

Violet Young is a hugely popular journalist-turned-mummy-influencer, with three children, a successful husband and a million subscribers on YouTube who tune in daily to watch her everyday life unfold.

Until the day she’s no longer there.

But one day she disappears from the online world – her entire social media presence deleted overnight, with no explanation. Has she simply decided that baring her life to all online is no longer a good idea, or has something more sinister happened to Violet?

But do you really know who Violet is?

Her fans are obsessed with finding out the truth, but their search quickly reveals a web of lies, betrayal, and shocking consequences…

MY REVIEW

Violet is a popular social media influencer and “mom” vlogger with over a million followers. When all of her social media accounts are suddenly deleted, fans start to question what happened. Some think Violet simply decided to quit it all, while others believe something more sinister has happened.

Told from multiple points of view – Lily, Yvonne, and Henry. Lily and Yvonne are fans that have unhealthy obsessions with Violet. Henry is Violet’s husband. Everyone has secrets.

Unfollow Me is a witty psychological thriller. Unreliable narrators in a story about social media and obsession. Clever, engaging, and highly entertaining.

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

Books by Charlotte Duckworth:

The Rival
Unfollow Me
The Perfect Father
The Sanctuary

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen [Book Review]

Posted on March 2, 2020January 16, 2024 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: You Are Not Alone

Author: Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Publisher: St. Martin

Publish Date: March 3, 2020

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating 4/5

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

BOOK BLURB

Shay Miller wants to find love, but it eludes her. She wants to be fulfilled, but her job is a dead end. She wants to belong, but her life is increasingly lonely.

Until Shay meets the Moore sisters. Cassandra and Jane live a life of glamorous perfection, and always get what they desire. When they invite Shay into their circle, everything seems to get better.

Shay would die for them to like her.
She may have to.

MY REVIEW

Shay witnesses a woman commit suicide, and becomes consumed with wanting to know more about the dead woman. She befriends some of the woman’s friends. Shay wants friends. They have darker ideas.

You Are Not Alone is told using multiple points of view – Shay and the dead woman’s friends. Shay is lonely and struggling. She’s working as a temp since getting downsized at her last job. She’s single, but wants a relationship. Her friends are busy moving on, and Shay is feeling a little left behind. Shay is a data analyst and loves statistics. After witnessing a suicide, she uses her research skills to learn about the dead woman. When she meets the woman’s friends, they seem so glamorous, and she dreams of being accepted into their circle. The dead woman’s six friends have something they are hiding though.

A fun psychological thriller. Shay is relatable and a little quirky. Fans of this writing duo will likely enjoy this latest novel by them. Suspenseful, fast-paced, and wild.

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

Books by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen:

An Anonymous Girl
The Wife Between Us
You Are Not Alone
The Golden Couple

Watching from the Dark by Gytha Lodge [Book Review]

Posted on February 27, 2020January 16, 2024 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: Watching from the Dark

Author: Gytha Lodge

Publisher: Random House

Publish Date: February 25, 2020

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: DCI Jonah Sheens #2

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

You never saw him. But he saw it all.

When a vibrant young woman is murdered while on a video chat, a small-town detective wades into a circle of friends and lovers with dangerous secrets—from the acclaimed author of the “enjoyably chilling” (The New York Times Book Review) She Lies in Wait.

Aidan Poole logs on to his laptop late at night to Skype his girlfriend, Zoe. To his horror, he realizes that there is someone else in her flat. Aidan can only listen to the sounds of a violent struggle taking place in the bathroom—and then the sound of silence. He is desperate to find out if Zoe is okay. But then why is he so hesitant to call the police?

When Aidan’s cryptic messages finally reach them, Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens and his team take the case—and discover the body. They soon find that no one has a bad word to say about Zoe, a big hearted young artist at the center of a curious web of waifs and strays, each relying on her for support, each hiding dark secrets and buried resentments. Has one of her so-called “friends” been driven to murder? Or does Aidan have the biggest secret of them all?

MY REVIEW

Aidan is on Skype with his girlfriend Zoe when he hears the sounds of a struggle. He’s concerned about Zoe, but his call to the police is cryptic. The police investigate and find Zoe has been killed. Their investigation leads to a unique group of people each connected to Zoe.

Watching from the Dark is the second book in the DCI Jonah Sheens series, but it can be read as a standalone. I’ve read the first book, She Lies in Wait, and found this second book to be a little better. Both are good reads for fans of British police procedurals.

There is an assorted group of characters that the police must interview and investigate to solve who the killer is. It seems none of the characters is quite as innocent as they appear, and everyone has secrets.

An entertaining crime read. Well paced and it’s not a super obvious mystery. Twisty and interesting.

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

Books in the DCI Jonah Sheens series:

Follow Me by Kathleen Barber [Book Review]

Posted on February 27, 2020January 16, 2024 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: Follow Me

Author: Kathleen Barber

Publisher: Gallery Books

Publish Date: February 25 2020

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Everyone wants new followers…until they follow you home.

Audrey Miller has an enviable new job at the Smithsonian, a body by reformer Pilates, an apartment door with a broken lock, and hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers to bear witness to it all. Having just moved to Washington, DC, Audrey busies herself impressing her new boss, interacting with her online fan base, and staving off a creepy upstairs neighbor with the help of the only two people she knows in town: an ex-boyfriend she can’t stay away from and a sorority sister with a high-powered job and a mysterious past.

But Audrey’s faulty door may be the least of her security concerns. Unbeknownst to her, her move has brought her within striking distance of someone who’s obsessively followed her social media presence for years—from her first WordPress blog to her most recent Instagram Story. No longer content to simply follow her carefully curated life from a distance, he consults the dark web for advice on how to make Audrey his and his alone. In his quest to win her heart, nothing is off-limits—and nothing is private.

MY REVIEW

Audrey is an influencer with over a million Instagram followers. She moves to Washington, DC, for a new job, and attracts the attention of an obsessed fan. Now, she’s faced with figuring out who is her friend and who is her stalker.

Told from multiple points of view – Audrey, Cat (Audrey’s best friend), and Him (the stalker). Audrey is insecure and anxious, but she’s also somewhat shallow. Having so many followers makes her feel good about herself, and she enjoys sharing things online. Cat values Audrey’s friendship more than Audrey does. They’ve been friends since college, but are opposite in many ways. Cat stays away from social media and has something dark in her past she doesn’t want getting out. Him is an obsessed fan who follows Audrey’s every move online and in real life.

Follow Me is a twisty psychological thriller with plenty of suspects. Audrey seems to attract some creepy guys in her life – the neighbor, the ex-boyfriend, the co-worker, the new beau, and Cat’s crush. With alternating POVs and plenty of suspects, this is a fun read. Clever, suspenseful, and chilling.

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

Books by Kathleen Barber:

Are You Sleeping
Follow Me

Pretty as a Picture by Elizabeth Little [Book Review]

Posted on February 27, 2020January 16, 2024 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: Pretty as a Picture

Author: Elizabeth Little

Publisher: Viking

Publish Date: February 25, 2020

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

An egomaniacal movie director, an isolated island, and a decades-old murder–the addictive new novel from the bestselling author of Dear Daughter

Marissa Dahl, a shy but successful film editor, travels to a small island off the coast of Delaware to work with the legendary–and legendarily demanding–director Tony Rees on a feature film with a familiar logline.

Some girl dies.

It’s not much to go on, but the specifics don’t concern Marissa. Whatever the script is, her job is the same. She’ll spend her days in the editing room, doing what she does best: turning pictures into stories.

But she soon discovers that on this set, nothing is as it’s supposed to be–or as it seems. There are rumors of accidents and indiscretions, of burgeoning scandals and perilous schemes. Half the crew has been fired. The other half wants to quit. Even the actors have figured out something is wrong. And no one seems to know what happened to the editor she was hired to replace.

Then she meets the intrepid and incorrigible teenage girls who are determined to solve the real-life murder that is the movie’s central subject, and before long, Marissa is drawn into the investigation herself.

The only problem is, the killer may still be on the loose. And he might not be finished.

A wickedly funny exploration of our cultural addiction to tales of murder and mayhem and a thrilling, behind-the-scenes whodunit, Pretty as a Picture is a captivating page-turner from one of the most distinctive voices in crime fiction.

MY REVIEW

Marissa is a skilled film editor who gets sucked into a real life mystery on her latest job. The job is working with a demanding director on a set in an isolated location. The film is based on the unsolved murder of a girl that happened 20 years prior. When Marissa arrives to work, she soon learns that something is wrong on set, and everyone is on edge.

The unsolved murder had a big impact on the locals. Everyone believes they know who did it, and the director sets out to solve the case in his film. It’s not as clear as everyone would like to believe though. Marissa gets involved with a couple of teens looking to find the real killer, and things get more complicated.

Pretty as a Picture is a slow-burning mystery. I enjoyed Marissa, a socially awkward woman wanting to prove herself in the film industry. The teen podcasters she helps to solve the mystery are entertaining and on point. The isolated setting adds to the intriguing atmosphere. Suspenseful, clever, and witty.

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

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James [Book Review]

Posted on February 18, 2020June 25, 2024 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 Sun Down Motel

Author: Simone St. James

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: February 18, 2020

Genre: Paranormal Mystery

Series: na

My Rating: 5/5

BOOK BLURB

Something hasn’t been right at the roadside Sun Down Motel for a very long time, and Carly Kirk is about to find out why in this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Broken Girls.

Upstate New York, 1982. Viv Delaney wants to move to New York City, and to help pay for it she takes a job as the night clerk at the Sun Down Motel in Fell, New York. But something isnʼt right at the motel, something haunting and scary.

Upstate New York, 2017. Carly Kirk has never been able to let go of the story of her aunt Viv, who mysteriously disappeared from the Sun Down before she was born. She decides to move to Fell and visit the motel, where she quickly learns that nothing has changed since 1982. And she soon finds herself ensnared in the same mysteries that claimed her aunt.

MY REVIEW

In Fell, New York, the Sun Down Motel is a rundown motel where strange things happen. In 1982, Viv was the night clerk at the Sun Down Motel. One night she simply disappeared. In 2017, Carly is curious what happened to her aunt Viv in 1982, so she goes to Fell to retrace Viv’s steps. Not much has changed since 1982, and Carly is faced with the same mysteries as her aunt.

Told with alternating points of view (Viv and Carly) and alternating timelines (1982 and 2017). Viv is a young woman wanting to get away from her family in 1982. She makes it as far as Fell, and ends up with a job as a motel night clerk. While there, she is intrigued with several local murders, and starts to investigate. Carly has always wondered what happened to her aunt Viv. While looking for answers, Carly’s steps are eerily similar to her aunt’s.

The Sun Down Motel is an absorbing and atmospheric paranormal mystery. The characters are captivating. The setting is haunting. The story is gripping. An excellent read that I highly recommend

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

Books by Simone St. James:

The Haunting of Maddy Clare
An Inquiry Into Love and Death
Silence for the Dead
The Other Side of Midnight
Lost Among the Living
The Broken Girls
The Sun Down Motel
The Book of Cold Cases
Murder Road

The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica [Book Review]

Posted on February 18, 2020January 16, 2024 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 Other Mrs.

Author: Mary Kubica

Publisher: Park Row

Publish Date: February 18, 2020

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

A woman is drawn into a mysterious web of secrets in this twisty whodunnit from New York Times bestselling author Mary Kubica

Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to a coastal island in Maine when their neighbor Morgan Baines is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie.

But it’s not just Morgan’s death that has Sadie on edge. And as the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of what really happened that dark and deadly night. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light.

MY REVIEW

Sadie and her family recently moved to a small island town in Maine. Their neighbor is killed in her home, and everyone on the island is on edge. Sadie’s family is under suspicion, and she is determined to find out what happened.

The Other Mrs. is an atmospheric and twisty psychological thriller. The story is told with alternating points of view – Sadie, Camille, and Mouse. The viewpoints are all female, but very different.

I enjoyed the writing style and eerie atmosphere of this book, but wasn’t wowed with the story. I imagine occasional readers of this genre will be highly entertained, but more seasoned readers of domestic thrillers may be a bit let down. Dark, suspenseful, and twisty.

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

Books by Mary Kubica:

The Good Girl
Pretty Baby
Don’t You Cry
Every Last Lie
When the Lights Go Out
The Other Mrs.
Local Woman Missing
Just the Nicest Couple
She’s Not Sorry

Dead to Her by Sarah Pinborough [Book Review]

Posted on February 10, 2020January 16, 2024 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: Dead to Her

Author: Sarah Pinborough

Publisher: William Morrow

Publish Date: February 11, 2020

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Marriage can be murder…

SOMETHING OLD

Marcie’s affair with Jason Maddox catapulted her into the world of the Savannah, GA elite.

Old money, old ties, old secrets. Marcie may have married into this world—

but she’ll never be part of it.

SOMETHING NEW

Then Jason’s boss brings back a new wife from his trip to London.

Young, attractive, reckless—nobody can take their eyes off Keisha.

Including Marcie’s husband.

SOMETHING YOU CAN NEVER, EVER UNDO…

Some people would kill for the life Marcie has—what will she do to keep it?

MY REVIEW

Marcie had an affair with Jason, but now she’s his new wife. She’s married into the high society life, and she wants to keep her place in it. When Jason’s boss, William, brings home a new, young wife, Marcie feels threatened. Jason starts acting sketchy, and Marcie thinks the worst.

A fun thriller that starts off with drama that leads to murder. Told with multiple points of view – Marcie and Keisha. Marcie was the young new wife in the social circle until Keisha came along. Marcie has become accustomed to the high-class lifestyle, but everything isn’t perfect between her and Jason. Keisha is William’s new wife, and it’s pretty clear she’s in it for the money. Marcie and Keisha are second wives and trophy wives, and both have secrets from their pasts.

This novel has unlikable characters, secrets, betrayals, voodoo, and a delicious ending. The characters are unlikable, but they’re enjoyable to read about. The southern setting of Savannah is fantastic. A great read for fans of domestic thrillers.

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

Books by Sarah Pinborough:

Behind Her Eyes
Cross Her Heart
Dead to Her
Insomnia

Behind Every Lie by Christina McDonald [Book Review]

Posted on February 3, 2020January 16, 2024 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: Behind Every Lie

Author: Christina McDonald

Publisher: Gallery Books

Publish Date: February 4, 2020

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

If you can’t remember it, how do you prove you didn’t do it?

Eva Hansen wakes in the hospital after being struck by lightning and discovers her mother, Kat, has been murdered. Eva was found unconscious down the street. She can’t remember what happened but the police are highly suspicious of her.

Determined to clear her name, Eva heads from Seattle to London—Kat’s former home—for answers. But as she unravels her mother’s carefully held secrets, Eva soon realizes that someone doesn’t want her to know the truth. And with violent memories beginning to emerge, Eva doesn’t know who to trust. Least of all herself.

Told in alternating perspectives from Eva’s search for answers and Kat’s mysterious past, Christina McDonald has crafted another “complex, emotionally intense” (Publishers Weekly) domestic thriller. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell’s I Found You and Karin Slaughter’s Pieces of Her, Behind Every Lie explores the complicated nature of mother-daughter relationships, family trauma, and the danger behind long-held secrets.

MY REVIEW

Eva is determined to clear her name when she is suspected of killing her mother. On the night of her mother’s murder, Eva was struck by lightning, and she doesn’t remember anything from that night. As Eva tries to discover what happened that night, she learns her mother had secrets.

Told with alternating points of view – Eva and Kat, Eva’s mother. Eva’s story is told in the present day, while Kat’s story tells about the past. Eva is an unreliable narrator, since she’s been struck by lightning and can’t remember what happened the night of her mother’s death. Eva does have vague memories of being with her mother, but it’s unclear what happened that night.

Every person in this book is keeping secrets and telling lies, so Behind Every Lie is an apt title for this book. There is a complicated backstory and a lot of twists and turns. An entertaining read for fans of psychological thrillers. Suspenseful, dramatic, and intense.

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

Books by Christina McDonald

The Night Olivia Fell
Behind Every Lie
Do No Harm

Last Day by Luanne Rice [Book Review]

Posted on January 30, 2020January 16, 2024 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: Last Day

Author: Luanne Rice

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Publish Date: February 1, 2020

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

From celebrated New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice comes a riveting story of a seaside community shaken by a violent crime and a tragic loss.

Years ago, Beth Lathrop and her sister Kate suffered what they thought would be the worst tragedy of their lives the night both the famous painting Moonlight and their mother were taken. The detective assigned to the case, Conor Reid, swore to protect the sisters from then on.

Beth moved on, throwing herself fully into the art world, running the family gallery, and raising a beautiful daughter with her husband Pete. Kate, instead, retreated into herself and took to the skies as a pilot, always on the run. When Beth is found strangled in her home, and Moonlight goes missing again, Detective Reid can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu.

Reid immediately suspects Beth’s husband, whose affair is a poorly kept secret. He has an airtight alibi—but he also has a motive, and the evidence seems to point to him. Kate and Reid, along with the sisters’ closest childhood friends, struggle to make sense of Beth’s death, but they only find more questions: Who else would have wanted Beth dead? What’s the significance of Moonlight?

Twenty years ago, Reid vowed to protect Beth and Kate—and he’s failed. Now solving the case is turning into an obsession . . .

MY REVIEW

When Beth and Kate Lathrop were teenagers, they suffered a tragedy that left their mother dead and a valuable painting stolen. Now, Beth and Kate are grown, and it seems life is repeating itself when Beth is found murdered and the same painting is once again missing.

There are a lot of characters and points of view in Last Day, though the story is primarily from Kate’s POV. Kate discovers her sister Beth has been murdered. Conor is the detective working the case, and he has a link to the sister’s past. Pete is Beth’s husband and a primary suspect in her death. Nicola is Pete’s mistress. Sam is Beth and Pete’s daughter. There are also a lot of friends mentioned throughout the book.

Last Day was a disturbing and mysterious thriller. This book hooked me at the start, but disappointed me in the end. It’s a good mystery, and I imagine a lot of readers will enjoy it. For me, the number of characters and their various stories bogged down the novel. While some tangents were entertaining, the primary mystery was the only thing I was interested in.