THE UNQUIET BONES by Author Loreth Anne White is based on a true unsolved crime that occurred in North Vancouver, Canada in 1976 where White resided aTHE UNQUIET BONES by Author Loreth Anne White is based on a true unsolved crime that occurred in North Vancouver, Canada in 1976 where White resided as a young teen. A local sixteen-year-old girl disappeared after parting from her best friend and proceeding home alone. Her murder remains unsolved today, leaving loved ones in limbo without closure. White's compassion and empathy for the lost and those left behind to grieve fuels her desire to highlight their plight via her books giving a voice to the emotionally distraught suffering the aftermath of trauma, loss and especially the unknown.
THE UNQUIET BONES, a highly atmospheric suspense thriller involving skeletal remains unearthed during the moving of an old chapel, is book one in the Munroe and Quinn series. Upon the discovery of the remains, speculation is that it could be Annalise Jansen, a young teen who's been missing for forty-seven years after vanishing on her way home from a party. RCMP Sgt. Jane Munro who's mourning the mysterious disappearance of her finance, Matt Rossi, is struggling to come to terms with her overwhelming grief as well as her six-month pregnancy, when she's assigned the cold case. Having experienced unsolved loss, she's sympathetic to families desperate for closure, and determined to give them answers. Jane calls in forensic anthropologist Dr. Ella Quinn and together they vow to identify the remains through every means possible and bring this long-lost individual home to their family.
When news of the recovery circulates, rumors run rampant among the people in the small town. The possibility and high probability it’s Annalise make six outstanding citizens once dubbed the Shoreview Six extremely nervous as they wonder if their long-buried secrets and lies are about to unravel. Meeting in secret, they shore up old alibis and alliances. If the truth is revealed, affluent lives are going up in smoke and someone is going to pay the price for what happened all those years ago. If no one talks, their secrets remain buried, right? Maybe, maybe not. Authorities look to the recovered bones for answers while a town holds their collective breaths. In the hands of a skilled forensic anthropologist like Dr. Ella Quinn, the long buried, unquiet bones speak. They have a story to tell. What do they reveal?
Author Loreth Anne White renders another riveting, impossible to put down, page burner in THE UNQUIET BONES. Her skill as a writer and the fact that this story is based on a true crime take it to another level. Through multiple points of view and past/present chapters, a heartbreaking story emerges with dire implications for several of the large cast of unreliable characters. As fingers are pointed and threats made, an inevitable tone of malice permeates the pages. With each exposed secret and lie, the pace steadily increases, and White brilliantly manipulates readers and characters toward the shocking conclusion. Layers are stripped away, skeletons rattled, and the truth finally breaks free giving loved ones left behind needed closure.
White's unique gift for taking real life tragedies and turning them into mesmerizing stories with grace and passion while weaving forensic science into a riveting story line is simply amazing. No one does it better. The level of research, time, devotion and heart she puts into her work is evident. I can't wait for the next book in this series. Highly recommended to fans of mysteries, suspense and thrillers as well as lovers of crime fiction. Many thanks to Montlake and Author Loreth Anne White for an arc of this title and for the book tour invitation. All opinions expressed are my own. This book is scheduled for release March 5, 2024. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine on Feb. 21, 2024. It will be available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews on March 5 during the book tour as well on Bookstagram....more
Another super great book in the Joe Pickett series. I'm hopelessly hooked and am loving these books on audio. Highly recommended.Another super great book in the Joe Pickett series. I'm hopelessly hooked and am loving these books on audio. Highly recommended....more
The more I read of the Joe Pickett series, the more I fall under his spell. Below Zero is outstanding in every way. The case Joe gets involved in quicThe more I read of the Joe Pickett series, the more I fall under his spell. Below Zero is outstanding in every way. The case Joe gets involved in quickly becomes personal for he and his family resulting in a shocking climax for them as well as for series' readers. The ending left me no doubt that I'll need to grab the next book asap! I highly recommend the audiobooks as the narrator does a fantastic job of bringing each character to life in the best of ways. Highly recommended!...more
Another fantastic addition to the Joe Pickett series! This is the most complex case yet with several excellent twists and turns including the shocker Another fantastic addition to the Joe Pickett series! This is the most complex case yet with several excellent twists and turns including the shocker ending. I love the way the characters are growing and evolving from book to book. It would be easy for Joe to become stagnant within a little box, but he's changing and evolving by leaps and bounds. Great story! Highly recommended! btw - the audios are fantastic!!...more
THE TEACHER is a foreboding psychological thriller with cleverly executed twists and turns contrived to keep readers and characters off-kilter and reeTHE TEACHER is a foreboding psychological thriller with cleverly executed twists and turns contrived to keep readers and characters off-kilter and reeling from beginning to end. Author Freida McFadden has honed her craft to near perfection, especially when it comes to those last minute, final page shockers no one sees coming. In that aspect, THE TEACHER is the crème de la crème of psychological thrillers - a masterpiece of illusions with unreliable characters and scandalous over the top twists.
THE TEACHER opens with a mysterious, eerie scene in the middle of nowhere where an unknown is digging a grave before flashing back three months where readers are introduced to Eve and Nate Bennett - a couple who both teach at the local high school. Students dread Eve's math class like the plaque while Nate's English class is highly lauded especially among young teenage girls who swoon over his movie star good looks and charismatic personality while gossiping about how a plain Jane like Eve ever hooked a star like Nate. Addie is a student in both classes where she struggles in math and excels at English - an obsessive loner who's bullied by the in-crowd and shunned by old friends. Eve views the presence of Addie in both her and her husband's classes as a potential complication because of a scandal involving Addie and a teacher who was fired for improper behavior last year while Nate is sympathetic to Addie's plight, offering to help her hone her writing skills as a young poet and encouraging her to find her place among her peers. Before long, the three characters' lives are hopelessly intertwined in a dangerous, highly combustible situation that can't end well. The story that unfolds is one that quickly morphs into a sordid tale of bullying, stalking, abuse, revenge and murder. There's little more I can say without spoilers. I advise going into this one as clueless to the plot line as possible and prepare to be blown to smithereens by a signature McFadden explosive ending that I suspect will leave readers reeling and discussing for some time.
Author Freida McFadden has rendered another fast-paced, addictive thriller readers will find nigh on impossible to put down. The disturbing story is narrated via the voices of Eve and Addie with chapters alternating between their points of view. An overall tone of impending doom permeates the pages as characters and readers struggle with deciding who can be trusted and who's hiding behind a mask of civility waiting for their chance at the ultimate revenge. The author's utilization of short, engaging chapters is highly effective at drawing readers into this mystifying tale of abuse and murder. Support characters are as riveting and believable as the main characters, playing major roles in the outcome of this heart wrenching tale. Readers should be forewarned that THE TEACHER accentuates dark themes including abuse of power and sexual molestation of minors some may find disturbing.
THE TEACHER is one of those books that swallows readers whole, sucking them in on page one and holding them hostage until the very end. Simply said . . . McFadden's books should come with a highly addictive warning label in neon colors on the front cover. Even when some of the twists border on the unbelievable, readers will find themselves thoroughly engaged and reading into the wee hours seeking answers. And, as always, McFadden will absolutely stun readers with the final big reveal in the epilogue.
THE TEACHER is a raw, riveting, compulsive psychological thriller that I suspect will top many readers' favorite lists in 2024. With each subsequent book, Author Freida McFadden has risen steadily through the ranks to take her place among the elite of psychological thrillers' authors. Highly recommended to fans of thrillers, suspense and mysteries. 4.5 Stars Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for a free advanced readers' copy of this title which releases on Feb. 6, 2024. All opinions expressed are my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog, Cross My Heart Reviews. ...more
As a devoted fan of Author Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series, I couldn't wait to crack open her first offering in the suspense thriller genre. THERE As a devoted fan of Author Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series, I couldn't wait to crack open her first offering in the suspense thriller genre. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EIGHT is an intense, locked room style mystery set in a partially burned-out gothic mansion in New Zealand during a storm that strands the cast with no contact with the outside world for the duration. We're talking secret panels and tunnels, mysterious attacks, people who disappear, murder. Are you spooked yet?
Nine years ago, a tight group of eight teenagers were the best of friends until Bea, the girl everyone loved, died, and the group drifted apart. Bea's sister, Darcie, organizes a reunion of the seven remaining now adults in her family's old, isolated mansion - an opportunity for the group to catch up with each other and reminisce about Bea and the good old days. Luna, our narrator, is a photographer who's just received devastating news that she has a genetic disease that will steal her eyesight over time, a diagnosis she chooses not to share with the others - a decision that elevates the tension and drama to come as readers soon learn. It's through her eyes and camera lens that readers learn about each of the other individuals in attendance along with their sordid affairs and dark secrets. Luna hopes to gain answers to troubling questions surrounding Bea's death as well as the shocking decision by Darcie to have her sister cremated before any of her friends could say goodbye. There's a lot of resentment, frustration and rage festering between members of the group, and it's soon painfully clear someone is seeking revenge. When a fall down the stairs results in one dead from a broken neck and a blizzard cuts off communication with the outside world, it becomes a game of survival. One of them is a murderer . . . who is it?
THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EIGHT is a chilling, highly atmospheric gothic suspense thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they're charged with sifting through the multitude of secrets, lies and strange happenings to unmask a murderer. Singh excels at building intriguing, beautiful yet deadly worlds that take on the role of another character as is evident in the setting of this story. While some may feel the pace moves a bit slow in the beginning, I appreciate the author's diligence while introducing each player and setting the scene, affording readers a good feel for each character and their stake in the deadly game playing out. Readers will find it nigh on impossible to put this book down as the pace and tension increase dramatically as members go missing or suffer mysterious accidents and the full extent of their dire, life or death situation becomes a reality.
Author Nalini Singh has penned an intriguing, super atmospheric locked room mystery in THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EIGHT. Strong characterizations, a tension laden plot line and spooky setting are all inducive to a creepy, gothic style who-done-it mystery. I'll admit to being surprised at the big reveal in an explosive climax that's sure to leave readers stunned, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else Singh will release in this genre. Highly recommended to fans of locked room mysteries and suspense thrillers. Many thanks to Berkley Publ. for an arc of this title. It's release date is Nov. 21, 2023. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
'TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is the twenty-eighth book in the Andy Carpenter series, and I must say up front this book cover is adorable! I mean, w'TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is the twenty-eighth book in the Andy Carpenter series, and I must say up front this book cover is adorable! I mean, who could resist that face? However, for those who may say "Bah Humbug" to Christmas themed books, spike your glass of eggnog and dive in as references to the holiday are mostly limited to this sweet doggie in the window type cover and a few snarky remarks from Andy about what he considers the highly overrated eggnog. 'TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is all about Andy and gang's efforts to work through a complex group of misfit red herrings with mafia and gang ties to solve a murder and save a client and friend from being convicted of something he swears he didn't do. Andy believes him, but can he prove it?
The annual Christmas party at the Tara Foundation is in full swing complete with all the trimmings including the often-maligned eggnog when the police arrive. The Tara Foundation, a dog rescue organization, is lawyer Andy Carpenter's passion and he's not happy to have to call his friend Derek outside at the request of the police. Derek is slapped into handcuffs, read his rights and carted off to jail to stand trial for the murder of a gang member from Derek's past. Andy is stunned to learn Derek has been in a witness protection program for years, having testified against members of his former gang. Derek, aka Bobby swears he's turned his life around and asks Andy to represent him and take care of his two rescue dog adoptees until he returns home. As always, Andy is reluctant to take on another case, but agrees to do some digging and see what turns up. He willingly takes Derek's two dogs home bringing his in-house total to five. It doesn't take Andy long to recruit his own gang, wife Laurie, ex-cop Corey and Marcus, to assist him in the quest for answers. Their only hope of clearing Derek's name is to discover the identity of the real killer. Let the games begin!
David Rosenfelt is challenged with the same issue facing many other authors of long running series, and that's to keep stories fresh, unique and entertaining for readers. I'm happy to say he accomplished these goals in 'TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. This story is beautifully written, fast paced and humorous in all the right places. Rosenfelt presents an interesting, complex case that keeps Andy and his gang befuddled for some time as they pick through all the various clues to find the missing piece that will win the case for the good guys. As always, characterizations are great with a fired-up, highly confident support cast that series readers will recognize. While Andy remains the same reluctant lawyer, his signature courtroom antics with the philosophy that it's better to ask forgiveness than permission along with his tongue in cheek sense of humor carries the plot forward while entertaining both readers and courtroom participants. The story is nicely rounded out with the individual attitudes and tomfoolery of the family dogs, especially the immensely lazy basset hound Sebastian. While this is one of many Andy Carpenter series books, new readers will have no issue picking it up to read and enjoy as each book stands alone. Special thanks to Minotaur Books for an advanced readers copy of this title. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews. You'll also find me sharing the love on Instagram at 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. All opinions expressed are my own....more
Hands down, this is the best Alex Cross book up to this point! If you ever wanted to get to know Alex Cross the man, it's here in Cross Justice. All oHands down, this is the best Alex Cross book up to this point! If you ever wanted to get to know Alex Cross the man, it's here in Cross Justice. All of the books are fast-paced, but this one is so much more personal as Alex and his family travel back to his hometown where Alex will try to help prove his nephew's been falsely accused of a brutal crime against a young boy. In the middle of working to find evidence, Alex's own childhood returns to haunt him and it turns into an investigation to find out the truth of what really happened to his parents and how they died. The story is heartbreaking, riveting and just so real. Definitely Patterson's best thus far in my opinion. This is why I continue reading this series. Highly recommended!...more
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