Friday, January 26, 2024
In The Depths of Winter, What You Need is a Cozy Fantasy Read!
Sunday, January 14, 2024
Amazon First Read - Thriller with Magical Realism
Today at my house we all have the day off. My husband works from home and he is terrible about actually taking time off, so we will see if he goes ahead and logs a few hours of work. It's below zero here so I'm not going to be doing my but staying home today. My big excitement for today is to sign up for my local library's Winter Reading Challenge! I want to win a fun prize! A few years ago I won a Fitbit, which was an excellent reward for doing something I love to do.
Do you have a local library? Do they do reading challenges?
For January you can get two Amazon First books if you are a Prime member. I chose Almost Surely Dead as one of my choices. In the book, we follow our unreliable narrator and try to figure out who is trying to kill her and why. There are supernatural elements that reveal themselves as it goes along. Dunia is the main character and her family is from Pakistan and they are Muslim. She isn't a practicing Muslim and is very disconnected from her heritage--but in the book, her heritage is key to the plot.
It's a fast-paced book and I enjoyed it. I did have a few wait what? moments toward the end regarding a couple of developments in the story. Overall it was a decent read from a new author and I would consider reading another book from her. Four Stars!
Thursday, July 20, 2023
The Eden Test- A Thriller and a Few Botanical Garden Pics
Monday, July 10, 2023
Rogue Justice by Stacey Abrams
Monday, June 12, 2023
Those Empty Eyes- An Engaging Thriller
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Looking for someone to listen to while you work or work around the house?
It was a Saturday afternoon in January, I had loads of laundry to wash and fold---a sink full of dishes and I didn't feel like listening to music or a podcast. What to do? I clicked on my Libby App and scrolled to find an audiobook that was available and looked decent.
What I found was The Liar's Wife by Kiersten Modglin. I listened at 2.0 speed and finished the book by dinnertime. It's an easy listen, there aren't a ton of characters so it's easy to keep people straight when you listen to while you work.
A couple of things that are done in the book that I really liked. The main character Palmer has just given birth and as the book begins you aren't sure if she is dealing with normal post-pregnancy worries and attachment to her new baby or if her husband is truly up to no good. Up until a certain plot point I was not sure if she was a reliable or completely unreliable narrator. I am not going to tell you which it is, I don't want to spoil you.
At the very end of the book is a plot twist that you will either love or roll your eyes.
Sunday, February 5, 2023
My Sister's Grave by Robert Dugoni
When the sister's body was found, then Tracy has an excuse to try and revisit the case. The sheriff in the small town tries to stop her from doing it.
If you like courtroom drama and police procedurals you may enjoy this book and the rest of the series. I picked it up because it was on the top of the list of free with membership thrillers. I thought it was decent but I was left at the end thinking most of what happens in this book could have been avoided if some people hadn't decided other people needed protecting.
Overall, it was a pretty good book and if you listen or read it and you like Tracy, the good news is that there are a bunch more books and I imagine moving forward they are cases she wasn't intimately involved with and that may lead to better twists and turns!
3.5 stars
Thursday, January 12, 2023
That Dangerous Energy Thank You #Netgalley!
The pacing of the book is wonderful, and I appreciated that the characters are nuanced and have depth, there is no knight in shining armor or a perfect badass hero--which makes everyone in the story more relatable.
And as an aside, the color scheme on the cover and the artwork of it is gorgeous!
Five Stars for this romantic thriller it was a great ride!
Thank you,
NetGalley for the ARC!
*** Kensington Books has a little reading challenge for the first quarter of 2023 and I am counting this book for a book by an Author of Color category.
#ReadignRefreshChallenge
Monday, August 15, 2022
An Audible Original IE No Credits Needed!
I was looking for something to listen to while I was running and I saw this on audible and, well free is my favorite, so I quickly downloaded it! I found this to be a quick, fun listen. I didn't care too much for 3 out of the four widows at first, but by the halfway point of the story, the writing had me rooting for those ladies. This is part thriller, part mystery, and part mafia wives' story.
Each of the widows is voiced by a different writer, so this is an ensemble story as opposed to your classic audiobook. The story takes place in the 1980s and has a nice level of camp. If you are looking for something fun to listen to while you are working out, commuting, or doing chores around the house, give this a listen.
3 stars for this fun audiobook!
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
This Thriller's Main Character has the coolest job!
I follow this writer on Twitter and for far too long I have been following her without having read a thing she had written. Fortunately, I finally made a point to read one of her books, I got the audiobook for These Toxic Things and overall this is a nice thriller that really lends itself to a listening experience, enough action to keep you distracted while you are working out or cleaning or working.
My favorite part of the book was Mickie's job, she makes interactive digital scrapbooks, she is like a 3/D documentarian. She has work troubles and then she finds herself pulled into a suspicious death investigation involving her client. She really inserts herself into the drama as only a noisy mystery MC can do.
I had trouble when listening to realizing when the POV switched from the Mickie to the killer. If I was reading the book it would not have been an issue, this was more due to the audio reader not differentiating their voice btwn Mickie and the Killer enough for my ears. You many not have this issue-- and probably definitely won't now that you know their is more than one POV you will hear.Thursday, April 7, 2022
Like A Sister by Kellye Garrett
Having enjoyed Hollywood Homicide immensely, I was looking forward to the day it was my turn to check out Like A Sister from my library. Now this book is considered a thriller, not a cozy mystery, which is fine because I enjoy both genres.
Thrillers are usually tense, and this book does have tension--but there isn't the ticking clock countdown most thrillers have, and this book has more humourous lines than a thriller usually has, Like a Sister contains elements found in cozy mysteries in a thriller situation.
One example of the descriptive humor in this book:
"Ms. Scott, you beat us." Green was behind me, joined by a standard-issue young white guy. The type who looked like he made daily use of his Planet Fitness membership but never whipped the machine down after. "My partner, Detective Zizza."
This book was a fast read, I really don't like putting down thrillers if I can help it. I have heard that the audio version of this book is fantastic. As I said above, I borrowed the book from my library after having to wait a month on the holds list. The first option my library had was the physical copy of the book, so I grabbed it.
This book is good it is entertaining and I rate it a 4.
I will say I have a couple of questions about the how of the murder and the why. I could have really used an additional paragraph or two from the killer explaining how they did it and why they felt they needed to--I think they could have resolved the issue easily without killing anyone. Two of the other suspects could have committed the murder more easily and with good very good motives.
I wonder if Kellye Garrett wrote any drafts with one of the other suspects as the killer but then decided to go with who is ultimately the murderer. This book could really have at least three different very plausible endings. I kind of wish this was a choose your own adventure book with several endings!
In any case, I look forward to what Kellye Garrett writes next!
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
American Girl by Wendy Walker - A Thriller!
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
I Was Thrilled To Get This ARC from Net Galley. I love a good Charlie Donlea Tale!
When this popped up as an ARC available via Net Galley, I could not have clicked the request button any faster than I did. A couple years ago I got a copy of Some Choose Darkness via the Kensington's Between the Chapters Facebook group. I enjoyed Charlie Donlea's writing style and since then I have looked forward to each of his releases!
In this book, as I was reading I developed a crazy theory, and then shortly after I developed my crazy theory, Avery had a crazy theory. Yes, indeed, Avery and I were on the same page. I find in Charlie Donlea's writings he often writes so that the reader can be one step ahead of the protagonist and the action unfolds. I love it! I feel like I am part of the action and that is a big part of why I enjoy his books each and every time.
4 Stars to Twenty Years Later!
Thursday, August 19, 2021
While Justice Sleeps! A thriller by Stacey Abrams
A rarity in my bookcase, a hardback version of a book. I received this book from my dad for my birthday. A great choice on his part as it was on my TBR list and my library hold list. While Justice Sleeps is a thriller about a cover-up that goes all the way to the President. Our main character is Avery, a Supreme Court Justice Clerk. Avery is not just book smart, but street smart, she is passionate and she is able to keep working on a problem until she is able to solve it with not just a good outcome, but the best possible outcome.
The book contains many details about how the court system works, a fair amount of discussion on genetic research, and some new vocabulary words for me. I enjoyed that this book required more attention and taught me about things I didn't already know. It's a challenging ride, which I appreciated! I also appreciated that Avery isn't beat up or attacked physically over and over in the book. She outsmarts not outfights.
I thought the ending left things open enough that there could be a series staring Avery--if Stacey Abrams has time to write it!
All in all a quality thriller 4.25 stars from me!
Friday, July 9, 2021
When It Comes to Thrillers,
Today I have a review of a physical book that was published 20 years ago. Sometimes it's hard to believe 2001 was two full decades ago. The book is called The Third Victim and it is by Lisa Gardner who has been writing for almost 30 years. If you click on her name, that will take you to her website. The Third Victim is part of a series, but you don't need to read the first book to enjoy this thriller.
Major CW- The book is about a school shooting.
When it comes to thrillers, I have reached the conclusion that I don't need the main character to be likeable or even realistic, I'll still read the book because I am invested in the ticking time clock of disaster looming. In this book, the main female character, Raine, honestly didn't feel like a real person, she was more like an amalgam of 'strong' female cop tropes. And the villain was pretty ridiculous. But the book was easy to pick up and put down, not a lot of characters to remember or get invested in, so it's a book you can keep in your car and read when you are waiting at an appointment, picking someone up, on lunch break, etc.My star rating of this book is 3 stars. If I had to describe it in one word, I would say, it's fine.
**********************************************************************
This weekend is our city's fest. As part of the fest, they have bingo. I have never bingo'd at the fest,but I'm planning to drag the husband there for bingo under the tent. This is a great year to do things I've never done before--maybe I'll win big! I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!
Have a great weekend!
Sunday, June 13, 2021
Two! Two! Reviews in One Post! Happy Monday!
I wanted to get back to give a proper review of One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline. I listened to this while running, shopping at Aldi, and doing dishes. It was an audiobook that kept me doing chores so I could listen longer, so a real win, win for the cleanliness of my cozy abode!
The book had unexpected but earned twists and I really enjoyed how the story concluded. I was completely wrong about where it ended up. There are multiple POV characters in addition to Chris Brennen. This is a suspenseful thriller, but it isn't a graphic psychological thriller, so I would recommend this book as one to read if you are new to thrillers or if you like TV shows like 911 on the Fox Network.
3.5 stars for this book- it's got some good twists!
And now for something completely different. This is a romance, so there will be a happy ending, it's just how are we going to get there? Well, this time it's going to be through a reality TV show. Yes, this book is like an alternative Bachelorette. In this book, unlike the show, for once the Bachelorette isn't a size 2. Bea is a successful plus-size fashion blogger whose scathing critique of the fictional show "Main Squeeze" goes viral and she winds up being the next main squeeze.
I used to watch the Bachelor franchise but gave it up a few years ago when I realized it was always going to be a parade of thin young women and men who were on the show more often than not to up their social media profiles so they could translate that into endorsement deals. This fiction version of the show will ring true to watchers of the actual show, and also gives the show true romance.
I borrowed this book from my library's Libby App because I need distractions while I train for the marathon. This book was a good distraction! A must listen if you are part of #BachelorNation
3.5 stars for this book as well!
Tomorrow we head back to the DMV for Youngest Child's second attempt at passing the road test. Please send good vibes!
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
#AudioBook Challenge! A Thriller with an Unreliable Narrator for a Humid week in June!
We have some thunderstormy, cloudy, humidity-filled weather this week, and I was looking for something to listen to as I go about my day. I saw that this was available via the Libby App from my library system so I borrowed it. It's on the shorter side, which worked for me. I listen to it at 1.65 speed. I found the reader to be engaging, his name is George Newbern.
If you don't like audiobooks, I would still consider picking this one up, it's a good travel book if you have a vacation planned and are going to be sitting in an airport or in a car, or on a train, this will make the time fly.
This was my first time reading a book by Lisa Scottoline. It turns out she has had over 30 books published so I was really late to learn about this author!
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
How Do You Stop A Determined Assassin?
If you enjoy watching thrillers, if you enjoy stories set with the backdrop of the white house, if you have seen the movie Air Force One; you'll likely find Carol Leonnig's book Zero Fail a compelling and fascinating read.
How do you keep a President safe? Especially in this 21st century where there are drones, and Havana Syndrome, and 3-D printers able to print plastic guns. This book examines the decades-long struggle of the secret service to protect the President of the United States, their families, and candidates for office. The push and pull of trying to protect a highly visible person, one who wants and needs to interact with the citizens of the United States as well as travel the world spending time with foreign leaders and dignitaries, is a real sticky wicket.
I listened to the audio version of this book while I was out running over the last week or so. It was very interesting to learn about failures on the part of the Secret Service that may have played a part in the shooting of JFK, a near-miss with George HW Bush as well as the shooting of Ronald Regan. In each case, one small slip, one lack of imagination, or too much deference to the person being protected lead to disaster. And on the other hand, we will never know how many times people or organizations were stopped by one small thing going right. Lack of funding and resources has plagued the Secret Service--with many of those who were part of Presidential details working an untenable amount of hours on a regular basis.
It came as no surprise to me to learn that often thanks to booze or men not being able to keep their pants on -(be that the President or secret service personnel) Presidents have been thisclose to being assassinated or compromised by a foreign agent. And also there is the usual BS you find in any office situation where people are trying to climb the corporate ladder. I'd been busy with raising kids and I have to say that I completely missed the sex scandal the Secret Service was embroiled in during President Obama's second term--there was a real frat-boy culture.
5- stars for Zero Fail from me. This is a very comprehensive look at an incredibly important agency.
Friday, October 30, 2020
When No One is Watching Review and A New Recipe
When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
An excellent thriller! As I read I could not see any way out for Sydney and Theo--I had to keep reading to see where this story was going to go. I appreciated the history lessons interspersed in this fictional version of Brooklyn, I was very glad to see that Alyssa Cole included sources for more information on Weeksville, New Yor because I did not know of Weeksville and now I would like to learn more about its story.
The story was loaded with tension, the two Point-of-view characters were slowly unveiled as their lives were unraveling, and history lessons are shared with the readers who probably didn't learn any of this in school.
I'd love to see HBO make this book a limited series.
View all my reviews
This was my first time cooking Spaghetti Squash in the slow cooker. This recipe was easy to follow. I used ground turkey instead of ground beef. I added fresh basil, a couple extra garlic cloves and a tablespoon of Italian blend seasoning. I also added a pinch of sugar to offset the acidity of the tomatoes and I cooked tomato paste before adding it to the pot. Here is a link to the recipe from Real Simple magazine: Slow-Cooker Ragu with Spaghetti Squash.
Saturday, July 11, 2020
Summer Reading Challenge
Here are the two books I finished this week-
The Museum of Desire by Jonathan Kellerman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
One in a long, long series of psychological crime books staring Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis. As is usually the case, the murder is really weird. I have read many of the books in the series. This was alright, not my fave. I listened to it on audible.com. I find the reader for this series is perfect and enjoy listening to these books when I run or when I am cooking. I found during this installment my mind tended to wander away from the story more than usual. I have no idea how writers manage to get 30 plus books out of a series, that's a lot of creepy murders. In any case, I was glad that Milo was still hanging in there, he really doesn't do a great job taking care of himself.
View all my reviews