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The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald [Book Review]

Posted on May 23, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: The Night Olivia Fell

Author: Christina McDonald

Publisher: Gallery Books

Publish Date: February 5, 2019

Genre: Domestic Suspense

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald

BOOK BLURB

A search for the truth. A lifetime of lies.

In the small hours of the morning, Abi Knight is startled awake by the phone call no mother ever wants to get: her teenage daughter Olivia has fallen off a bridge. Not only is Olivia brain dead, she’s pregnant and must remain on life support to keep her baby alive. And then Abi sees the angry bruises circling Olivia’s wrists.

When the police unexpectedly rule Olivia’s fall an accident, Abi decides to find out what really happened that night. Heartbroken and grieving, she unravels the threads of her daughter’s life. Was Olivia’s fall an accident? Or something far more sinister?

Christina McDonald weaves a suspenseful and heartwrenching tale of hidden relationships, devastating lies, and the power of a mother’s love. With flashbacks of Olivia’s own resolve to uncover family secrets, this taut and emotional novel asks: how well do you know your children? And how well do they know you?

MY REVIEW

Abi gets a call that every parent fears. Her daughter, Olivia, is in the hospital. Abi rushes to the hospital to find that seventeen-year-old Olivia fell off a bridge and is brain dead. Olivia is dead, but she is on life support because she is pregnant. The police believe Olivia’s fall to be an accident, but Abi thinks someone killed her daughter. She starts to question the people in Olivia’s life, and also ends up learning more about her daughter.

Told with alternating points of view (Abi and Olivia) and timelines (before and after Olivia’s fall). Abi suspects that Olivia’s fall was not an accident, even though it seems everyone else wants her to believe that it was. To learn about what caused Oliva’s fall, Abi must learn about what was going on in Olivia’s life leading up to that night. Olivia’s POV provides insight as to what Olivia was thinking and doing in the months preceding the fall.

An emotional and suspenseful novel. No parent wants to get a call that their child has been in an accident, and even worse, has died as a result. Abi was a strong character in the way she pursued the truth about Oliva’s fall. Sadly, Olivia and Abi were not truthful with one another before the fall, and that hurt their relationship.

The Night Olivia Fell is a compelling read for fans of domestic suspense. Intense, dramatic, and gripping.

Books by Christina McDonald

The Night Olivia Fell
Behind Every Lie
Do No Harm

The Women by S.E. Lynes [Book Review]

Posted on May 22, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: The Women

Author: S.E. Lynes

Publisher: Bookouture

Publish Date: May 21, 2019

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

The night she moves in with Peter, she’s so happy, so exhilarated, so in love. Later, she will remember a much smaller feeling, a tiny one percent in her gut. And she will remember pushing that feeling aside…

Samantha Frayn doesn’t know why Peter Bridges picks her – a nobody with bitten fingernails and a troubled childhood behind her – but she falls quickly. He’s older, charming, likes fine wine and French films, and his beautiful home has real art on its walls.

Peter transforms Samantha’s life in an instant. He sees the better version of herself – the one she’s always wanted to be. It’s only normal that there’s a little friction, when she moves in, over domestic matters like where things are kept, or the proper times to eat, sleep and shower. She’s lucky to be with someone who can help her find a new job, move on from childish friends, and speak with greater sophistication.

But as Samantha notices, more and more, Peter’s temper, she starts to wonder if there might be consequences to breaking the rules of the world he has so quickly built around her.

And then she receives an anonymous note that makes her ask: is she the first woman to feel trapped by Peter? Is she being paranoid, manipulated, or could she be in danger?

You can tell the truth about your life, but someone needs to be listening. Someone needs to trust you. And someone needs to save you from the man you thought you loved.

MY REVIEW

Samantha falls for Peter. Peter is quite a bit older than Samantha, and, at first, it seems like he is an encouraging and sophisticated man. After moving in together and having a baby, Samantha realizes Peter isn’t as great as she thought.

The Women opens with Samantha and Peter on their honeymoon. It then goes back to when Samantha met Peter, a professor at her university. They get serious quickly, moving in together and having a baby. On Peter’s insistence, Samantha takes a job teaching a creative writing class. She soon starts receiving anonymous notes that lead her to believe Peter isn’t the dream man she envisioned.

A story of lies, manipulation, and control. An entertaining and fast-paced psychological thriller.

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

Books by S.E. Lynes:

Valentina
Mother
The Pact
The Proposal
The Women
The Lies We Hide
Can You See Her?
The Housewarming
The One to Blame
The Baby Shower
The Ex
The Summer Holiday

Murder by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge [Book Review]

Posted on May 20, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: Murder by the Sea

Author: Kathleen Bridge

Publisher: Lyrical Underground

Publish Date: May 21, 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: A By the Sea Mystery #3

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

When a murderer crashes a masquerade ball, it’s up to Liz to unmask the killer…

It’s been quite a year for novelist Liz Holt. She’s overcome a lot and is finally feeling at peace with her new life at her family’s hotel, the Indialantic by the Sea, on the beautiful barrier island of Melbourne Beach, Florida. She’s exactly where she needs to be to ring in the New Year at the Florida Writes Literary Masquerade Ball.

But when her ex-boyfriend surprises her at the ball, she can’t disguise her anger, and the two engage in a very public argument. Naturally, after her ex is found dead on the hotel grounds, shot through the heart, Liz tops the suspect list. With the help of family and friends, she needs to clear her name before the real killer waltzes away scot-free…

MY REVIEW

Liz and friends are celebrating New Year’s Eve with a masquerade ball. When Liz’s ex-boyfriend shows up at the ball, Liz is surprised and angry with his arrival. Even more surprising is his sudden demise, and Liz is the primary suspect. Fortunately, Liz has some good friends to help sleuth and discover the truth.

Murder by the Sea is the third book in A By the Sea Mystery series by Kathleen Bridge. I recommend reading this series in order, starting with Death by the Sea. There are a number of characters, and their relationships progress through the series.

This is a highly entertaining cozy mystery. Quirky characters in a fun and light read. I especially enjoyed the masquerade ball of literary characters and the talk of favorite sleuths, including Sherlock Holmes and Nancy Drew. 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.

Books in the By the Sea Mystery Series:

Death by the Sea
A Killing by the Sea
Murder by the Sea
Evil by the Sea
Buried by the Sea

No Exit by Taylor Adams [Book Review]

Posted on May 16, 2019January 15, 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: No Exit

Author: Taylor Adams

Publisher: Joffe

Publish Date: June 25, 2017

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

A brilliant, edgy thriller about four strangers, a blizzard, a kidnapped child, and a determined young woman desperate to unmask and outwit a vicious psychopath.

A kidnapped little girl locked in a stranger’s van. No help for miles. What would you do?

On her way to Utah to see her dying mother, college student Darby Thorne gets caught in a fierce blizzard in the mountains of Colorado. With the roads impassable, she’s forced to wait out the storm at a remote highway rest stop. Inside are some vending machines, a coffee maker, and four complete strangers.

Desperate to find a signal to call home, Darby goes back out into the storm . . . and makes a horrifying discovery. In the back of the van parked next to her car, a little girl is locked in an animal crate.

Who is the child? Why has she been taken? And how can Darby save her?

There is no cell phone reception, no telephone, and no way out. One of her fellow travelers is a kidnapper. But which one?

Trapped in an increasingly dangerous situation, with a child’s life and her own on the line, Darby must find a way to break the girl out of the van and escape.

But who can she trust?

With exquisitely controlled pacing, Taylor Adams diabolically ratchets up the tension with every page. Full of terrifying twists and hairpin turns, No Exit will have you on the edge of your seat and leave you breathless.

MY REVIEW

Darby is driving home to see her dying mother when she gets caught in a blizzard. Having to exit the road, Darby pulls into a rest area to wait out the storm. Inside the building are some vending machines, restrooms, and four strangers. Darby needs to contact her family, but there is no cell reception. When she wanders outside trying to get a signal, she makes a horrifying discovery. In the van parked next to her is a little girl in a cage. With no cell reception and no way to contact anyone for help, Darby must decide what to do.

No Exit is an intriguing and suspenseful novel. Darby stumbles across something that is clearly not right, but she’s not sure what to do. She knows she needs to find out who the girl is and why she’s locked in a cage. Beyond that, she must discover which of the strangers is behind it. How to find everything out without drawing attention to herself is the trick.

This reads almost like a closed room mystery. It’s not a closed room, instead it’s a rest area that no one can leave due to weather. With no outside contact, Darby is left with only her wits to save the little girl.

No Exit is an exciting thriller with interesting characters and an amazing atmosphere. My only complaint has to do with the ending… so, I won’t post it to keep this spoiler free. Otherwise, this is a top-notch thriller. Complex, gripping, and binge-worthy.

Books by Taylor Adams:

Eyeshot
Our Last Night
No Exit
Hairpin Bridge

The Last Time I Saw You by Liv Constantine [Book Review]

Posted on May 6, 2019January 15, 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 Last Time I Saw You

Author: Liv Constantine

Publisher: Harper

Publish Date: May 7, 2019

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

The Last Time I Saw You by Liv Constantine

BOOK BLURB

In a world of wealth and privilege, a killer is hiding . . .

The internationally bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish follows that success with an addictive novel filled with shocking twists about the aftermath of a brutal high-society murder.

Dr. Kate English has it all. Not only is she the heiress to a large fortune; she has a gorgeous husband and daughter, a high-flying career, and a beautiful home anyone would envy.

But all that changes the night Kate’s mother, Lily, is found dead, brutally murdered in her own home. Heartbroken and distraught, Kate reaches out to her estranged best friend, Blaire Barrington, who rushes to her side for the funeral, where the years of distance between them are forgotten in a moment.

That evening, Kate’s grief turns to horror when she receives an anonymous text: You think you’re sad now, just wait. By the time I’m finished with you, you’ll wish you had been buried today. More than ever, Kate needs her old friend’s help.

Once Blaire decides to take the investigation into her own hands, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems in Baltimore high society. As infidelity, lies, and betrayals come to light, and tensions rise to a boiling point, she begins to alienate Kate’s friends and relatives with her relentless, accusatory questions, as she tries to find Lily’s killer. The murderer could be anyone—friend, neighbor, loved one. But whoever it is, it’s clear that Kate is next on their list. . .

In The Last Time I Saw You, Liv Constantine takes the lightning pace of The Last Mrs. Parrish and raises the stakes, creating an exquisitely tension-filled and absorbing tale of psychological suspense in which innocent lives—and one woman’s sanity—hang in the balance.

MY REVIEW

When Kate’s mother, Lily, is found murdered, Kate turns to her former best friend, Blaire, for support. Kate soon receives an ominous text, and it seems she may be the next victim. Blaire decides to investigate and find who killed Lily.

Kate and Blaire had been best friends as teens, but grew apart as they got older. Kate married, had a child, and became a doctor. She has a perfect life. Blaire is divorced, childless, and her career is suffering. Her life is not so perfect. Still, when they reconnect after Lily’s death, their friendship picks right back up. As someone targets Kate with disturbing texts, Kate’s paranoia about those around her increases. In addition, Blaire’s investigation into the murder has some people upset.

Secrets, lies, and betrayal. The Last Time I Saw You is an entertaining, though somewhat ridiculous, thriller. Unreliable characters, murder mystery, friendship, and family drama. Some intriguing things happening, but it wasn’t pulled together as well as I was hoping for. My main complaint was the lackluster ending. Readers who devour psychological thrillers may find this one to be a disappointment. However, it would make a good choice for those looking for a melodramatic thriller to read at the beach/pool this summer.

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

Books by Liv Constantine:

The Last Mrs. Parrish
The Last Time I Saw You
The Wife Stalker
The Stranger in the Mirror

Read on Arrival by Nora Page [Book Review]

Posted on May 1, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: Read on Arrival

Author: Nora Page

Publisher: Crooked Lane

Publish Date: May 7, 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Bookmobile Mystery #2

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

Death, deadly omens, and a decades-overdue book put senior librarian Cleo Watkins on a collision course with a killer in the second Bookmobile mystery.

Septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins believes in gracious manners, sweet tea, and justice—library justice. For over forty years, Cleo has tried every trick in the book to get delinquent patron Dixie Huddleston to return the most overdue volume in Catalpa Springs, Georgia. When Dixie says she’ll finally relinquish the book, Cleo is shocked. She’s even more startled by the reason: superstitious Dixie says she’s seen the signs: she’s about to die and is setting her affairs in order.

Cleo dismisses Dixie’s ominous omens…until she and her gentleman friend, Henry Lafayette, arrive at Dixie’s home to find her dead. Cleo suspects murder. The police agree but promptly list Cleo among the likely culprits. To clear her good name and deliver justice, Cleo uses her librarian skills to investigate, with Henry and her trusty bookmobile cat, Rhett Butler, at her side.

However, the killer has opened a new chapter of terror. Death threats appear around town, and residents start seeing bad luck everywhere, including in Cleo and her beloved bookmobile Words on Wheels. With her bookmobile and legacy on the line, Cleo accelerates her sleuthing. Suspects and clues stack up, but so does the danger. Another death is coming due, and Cleo fears the killer may be about to turn the final page on someone she loves most.

MY REVIEW

Cleo is a 75-year-old devoted librarian. One of the library patrons, Dixie, has been delinquent on returning a book for over forty years, and it really irks Cleo. When Dixie agrees to finally return the book, it shocks Cleo. It shocks Cleo even more when she shows up to Dixie’s to get the book, and instead finds Dixie dead. The feud between Cleo and Dixie is well known, so Cleo jumps to the top of the suspect list. Cleo uses her sleuthing skills to investigate. As threats appear around town, it seems the killer is targeting everyone… including Cleo and her bookmobile.

Read on Arrival is the second book in the Bookmobile Mystery series by Nora Page. I have read the first book in the series, Better Off Read, and recommend reading them in order. The mystery is a standalone for this book, but, as is often found in a series, the relationships between characters grow with each book.

A fun cozy mystery with quirky characters and a charming Southern setting.

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

Books in the Bookmobile Mystery Series:

Better Off Read
Read on Arrival
Read or Alive

Cold Waters by Debbie Herbert [Book Review]

Posted on April 29, 2019January 15, 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: Cold Waters

Author: Debbie Herbert

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Publish Date: May 1, 2019

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: Normal, Alabama #1

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

Everyone thinks fourteen-year-old Violet is a murderer. After a summer-night swim with her best friend, Ainsley, Violet is found confused, wandering in the forest—and Ainsley’s never seen again. But without a body, murder charges won’t stick, so Violet is sent away.

After more than a decade in a psychiatric ward, Violet returns to her broken-down hometown of Normal, Alabama, to claim her dead mother’s inheritance and help her overworked sister care for their unstable, alcoholic father. Violet, still haunted by that night eleven years ago, endures horrific flashbacks and twisted hallucinations while townsfolk spit accusations—and for all she knows, they’re right.

As the summer heats up, details of Ainsley’s fate appear like a beast’s wild eyes, watching in the darkness, and grim revelations about Violet’s family threaten to devour her. Already on the edge of madness, Violet must fight to keep her sanity long enough for the terrible truth to burst from the cold, dark waters.

MY REVIEW

Violet returns to Normal, Alabama after 11 years away. She returns to claim her inheritance from her deceased mother’s estate and help her sister take care of their ailing father. Violet left town after her friend Ainsley went missing. The locals believe Violet killed Ainsley, and now with Violet’s return home, they believe the truth will finally be revealed.

When Violet was 14 years old, she and Ainsley met up for a late night swim. That night, Violet was found confused and wandering the woods. Ainsley was never found. Violet has been in a psychiatric facility ever since. Violet doesn’t remember the events of that night, but the locals believe she got away with murder. Coinciding with Violet’s return home is the draining of the lake where Ainsley went missing. With speculation being that Ainsley’s body may finally be found, Violet is haunted by her past and the occasional flashback of what happened that night.

Cold Waters is partly mystery about what happened to Ainsley and partly family drama. There is a lot of drama happening in Violet’s life. She and her sister are not on good terms. Her father health is failing and his behavior is odd. Violet was close to her mother, but her mother’s death has left her feeling alone. Also, Violet is not welcomed back into town with open arms.

Cold Waters started off as a good story, but I was not feeling it by the end. It starts with a protagonist with no memory of the night that forever changed her life and a small community ready to turn on her. An unreliable narrator and a cast of unlikable characters always peaks my interest. Unfortunately, it didn’t hold my interest at the end of the book. In the end, everything is wrapped up, but I was let down in how it was handled.

Books in the Normal, Alabama series:

Cold Waters
Scorched Grounds

The Dare by Carol Wyer [Book Review]

Posted on April 25, 2019January 15, 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 Dare

Author: Carol Wyer

Publisher: Bookouture

Publish Date: April 25, 2019

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: Detective Natalie Ward #3

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Jane’s daughter is a good girl. But what is she hiding?

When thirteen-year-old Savannah Hopkins doesn’t come straight home from school as she always does, her mother Jane immediately raises the alarm. With her blonde ponytail and red school jumper, someone must have spotted Savannah.

Detective Natalie Ward is determined to help the distraught mother – her own daughter is the same age as Savannah. But before Natalie and her team can get started, their worst fears are confirmed when the teenager’s broken body is found in nearby shrubland.

Evidence points towards a local recluse, but just as Natalie closes the net around him, one of Savannah’s friends, Harriet, is reported missing. Harriet might look grown up and sophisticated but she is only fourteen…

As Natalie delves into the lives of both girls, she soon discovers a sinister video on both their phones, daring the girls to disappear from their families for 48 hours. She’s sure this is the key to the case, but before she can act, Harriet’s body is found discarded on a roadside.

Natalie’s superiors don’t have to put any extra pressure on Natalie. Devastated, she and her team work without sleep, watching that video over and over. But just as she thinks they’re getting close, the person Natalie loves more than anything goes missing.

Natalie is no stranger to loss. She is terrified and the clock is ticking. Can she push through her fear to catch this depraved killer, before her loved one becomes the next victim?

MY REVIEW

The Dare is the third book in the Detective Natalie Ward series by Carol Wyer. In The Dare, Natalie and her team investigate a case involving missing girls. The police work to find the first missing girl, and soon learn they are too late to save her. Another girl goes missing, and the race is on to find who is behind the terrible crimes.

This is a crime mystery series, but it interweaves some of the investigators personal stories. In this book, Natalie’s marriage is strained and she feels disconnected from her two teen children. Since Natalie has a young teen daughter, she feels more of a personal connection to this case. The mystery is good, and the addition of more personal details makes Natalie a stronger character.

A great series for fans of police procedurals. The Dare is a good book in this series, though I did enjoy the first two books a little more than this one. This is a series I look forward to reading, and I can’t wait for the next book. A complex and gripping page-turner.

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

Books in the Detective Natalie Ward series:

The Birthday
Last Lullaby
The Dare
The Sleepover
The Blossom Twins
The Secret Admirer
Somebody’s Daughter

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

Posted on April 24, 2019January 15, 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 Body in the Wetlands

Author: Judi Lynn

Publisher: Lyrical Underground

Publish Date: April 23, 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: jazzi Zanders Mystery #2

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

High summer in River Bluffs, Indiana, turns chilly when house flipper Jazzi Zanders has to catch a killer while hammering nails and stripping paint.

When established house flippers Jazzi Zanders and her cousin Jerod donate a week’s worth of remodeling work to Jazzi’s sister Olivia, they’re expecting nothing more than back-breaking roofing work and cold beers at the end of each long, hot day. With Jazzi’s live-in boyfriend and partner Ansel on the team, it promises to be a quick break before starting their next big project—until Leo, an elderly neighbor of Olivia’s, unexpectedly goes missing . . .

When the friendly senior’s dog tugs Jazzi and the guys toward the wetlands beyond Olivia’s neighborhood, they stumble across a decomposing corpse—and a lot of questions. With Jazzi’s pal Detective Gaff along to investigate, Jazzi finds her hands full of a whole new mystery instead of the usual hammer and nails. And this time it will take some sophisticated sleuthing to track down the culprit of the deadly crime—before the killer turns on her next . . .

MY REVIEW

The Body in the Wetlands is the second book in A Jazzi Zanders Mystery series by Judi Lynn. Jazzi and her cousin Jerod are house flippers. Also on their work crew is Ansel, Jazzi’s boyfriend. Besides working on houses, Jazzi has a knack for stumbling into mysteries. In this book, Jazzi and crew are working on her sister’s house. They meet an elderly neighbor, who soon goes missing. When Jazzi helps look for him, she stumbles across a corpse.

I started reading this book and then realized it was book 2 in the series. So, I hopped on Amazon and got the Kindle version of the first one. These are quick reads, so I was able to read the first one fast and then go back to this book. I’m glad I read The Body in the Attic first, as it did allow me to have more background on the characters. That said, The Body in the Wetlands can be read as a standalone.

The mystery in this book starts with a missing elderly man. That soon leads to the discovery of two dead bodies. So, not only does Jazzi want to find the missing man, but now she’s looking for a killer. Jazzi doesn’t sleuth on her own, she is friendly with a detective who keeps her up-to-date on the cases and even brings her along when talking with witness and suspects. So, yeah, a little far-fetched.

This is a cozy mystery with romance and humor. I like Jazzi’s family and the house flipping aspect of the series. Personally, I don’t like Jazzi’s boyfriend Ansel. Or, maybe I don’t like Jazzi with Ansel. She’s mostly a strong character, but with Ansel, she’s weak and insecure.

A light and fun read for fans of cozy mysteries. The mystery is solid and has enough to keep the reader guessing.

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

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth [Book Review]

Posted on April 22, 2019January 15, 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 Mother-in-Law

Author: Sally Hepworth

Publisher: St. Martin

Publish Date: April 23, 2019

Genre: Domestic Suspense

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

A twisty, compelling new novel about one woman’s complicated relationship with her mother-in-law that ends in death…

From the moment Lucy met her husband’s mother, she knew she wasn’t the wife Diana had envisioned for her perfect son. Exquisitely polite, friendly, and always generous, Diana nonetheless kept Lucy at arm’s length despite her desperate attempts to win her over. And as a pillar in the community, an advocate for female refugees, and a woman happily married for decades, no one had a bad word to say about Diana…except Lucy.

That was five years ago.

Now, Diana is dead, a suicide note found near her body claiming that she longer wanted to live because of the cancer wreaking havoc inside her body.

But the autopsy finds no cancer.

It does find traces of poison, and evidence of suffocation.

Who could possibly want Diana dead? Why was her will changed at the eleventh hour to disinherit both of her children, and their spouses? And what does it mean that Lucy isn’t exactly sad she’s gone?

Fractured relationships and deep family secrets grow more compelling with every page in this twisty, captivating new novel from Sally Hepworth.

MY REVIEW

Diana, Lucy’s mother-in-law, has died in an apparent suicide. As the police investigate her death, it seems she may have been killed… and everyone in the family is keeping secrets.

Told with alternating points of view, both Lucy and Diana’s stories are told. Lucy and her mother-in-law, Diana, have never been close. While Lucy wishes they could have a better relationship, Diana has always kept her distance. Diana is a woman who believes her adult children should manage their own lives, especially their finances, and not rely on her.

I very much enjoyed getting Diana and Lucy’s viewpoints. It showed miscommunications and misunderstandings, and how there is often more to the story. Diana’s POV shows her background and helps explain why she views things the way she does. Lucy is probably the most likable character in the book, and it was hard for her to have a MIL with a cold and impersonal demeanor. That said, Diana wasn’t intentionally mean, but she did have different priorities than others in her family. Sadly, her family could have used her love and support, and she was not providing that.

I wouldn’t really consider this novel a mystery or thriller. While there is a mystery involving Diana’s death and what happened to her, the majority of the book is family drama. For me, this read as women’s fiction. This is my first Sally Hepworth novel, so I had no idea what to expect. Based on the book blurb, I was expecting something more along the lines of a domestic thriller. It’s an enjoyable novel and I want to read more by Hepworth, but if you’re in the mood for a domestic thriller, look elsewhere.

A compelling read about the complexities of family relationships. Not only MIL/DIL, but other family relationships too. I was drawn into the story, and was curious how things would end.

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

Books by Sally Hepworth:

The Mother’s Promise
The Family Next Door
The Mother-in-Law
The Good Sister
The Younger Wife
The Soulmate
Darling Girls

Verity by Colleen Hoover [Book Review]

Posted on April 18, 2019January 15, 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: Verity

Author: Colleen Hoover

Publisher: Hoover Ink, Inc.

Publish Date: December 7, 2018

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of the night their family was forever altered.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

MY REVIEW

After a terrible accident, Verity Crawford is unable to finish writing her best selling book series. Her husband hires Lowen Ashleigh to ghostwrite the remaining books. While searching for Verity’s notes, Lowen comes across an unfinished autobiography by Verity. The autobiography was never meant to be found, and contains some chilling admissions.

Told with the alternating viewpoints of Verity and Lowen. Lowen is a struggling author who prefers to live a very private life. The opportunity to ghostwrite a popular series comes at a time when she needs the money and the escape. Verity is a popular author who is basically catatonic after an accident. Verity is married to Jeremy, who Lowen starts to have feelings for as the story progresses.

A plot that is fast-paced, twisted, and complex. Characters that are well developed, intriguing, and unlikable. A thriller that will leave you unsettled. Recommended to fans of domestic thrillers.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides [Book Review]

Posted on April 18, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: The Silent Patient

Author: Alex Michaelides

Publisher: Celadon Books

Publish Date: February 5, 2019

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive.

Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.

Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.

Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him….

MY REVIEW

Alicia Berenson is a unique case. She killed her husband and never spoke again. Alicia, the silent patient, is incarcerated at the Grove, a psychiatric facility. Theo is the new criminal psychotherapist at the Grove. He is determined to get Alicia to talk, and reveal what happened that day.

Told with alternating points of view – Alicia and Theo. Alicia’s viewpoint is told using her journal entries before killing her husband. Theo’s viewpoint is as a therapist at the Grove, but also includes info about his personal life. Two different voices that make for a compelling read.

The Silent Patient is a psychological thriller that kept me intrigued. I read this book after seeing so many rave reviews, and can say it does not disappoint. Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers. Clever, suspenseful, and twisted.

Books by Alex Michaelides:

The Silent Patient
The Maidens