A husband goes missing in the wilderness, leaving his wife and son devastated and desperate to find him. Locals wo2.5 stars
Atmospheric and mysterious!
A husband goes missing in the wilderness, leaving his wife and son devastated and desperate to find him. Locals work together to try to find any trace of what happened to him.
This was a highly atmospheric, nature focused book. The wilderness theme was strong and palpable. The vivid earthy imagery was done well, drawing the reader easily into the vast, isolated, wintry forest landscape.
As great as the atmosphere was, the characters seemed to lack something for me. I never quite felt invested in what was happening to them. The suspense and worry should have drawn me into the situation, but it didn’t. I enjoyed following the story and finding out how it all came together in the end, but even the ending was lacking for me as it all tied up too neatly and felt somewhat cheesy.
Overall, this was a miss for me, but I’m glad I read it as I had been curious about it since its release.
Audio rating: 3 stars. The audio narrator was decent but didn’t stand out or enhance my overall enjoyment.
Thank you to my lovely local library for the audio loan!...more
Another twisty police procedural featuring my favourite British detective, DI Dan Riley.
I am not a series reader but4+ “I’m loving this series” stars!
Another twisty police procedural featuring my favourite British detective, DI Dan Riley.
I am not a series reader but I simply can’t get enough of this one! I can honestly say this is the best series I’ve ever read! Each book is equally as clever, witty, suspenseful, shocking, well-written, and addictive.
As with each book, the novel starts with a highly intriguing, unique, questionable scene. This one features a nanny gone missing.
This story will keep you on your toes. I thought I had it figured out a few times. It’s multi-layered and thought provoking. There are some dark themes explored.
It’s easy to see I loved this and highly recommend this book and the entire series! I’ve already started on Book 4 (and am loving it!)
Audio rating: 5 stars! The audio narrator is phenomenal! The perfect voice for the main character!...more
A family needs a fresh start and moves into a crumbling mansion, Cross House, that has been vacant for years. 4+ stars!
Mysterious. Gothic. Foreboding.
A family needs a fresh start and moves into a crumbling mansion, Cross House, that has been vacant for years. Soon after moving in, they feel another presence.
I loved this book! It was tension-filled and paranoia inducing. I was gripped by the storyline from the very start and completely engrossed throughout. The author does an amazing job creating an eerie, dark, palpable atmosphere that had me feeling like I was right beside the characters.
The characters themselves were unique and entertaining. The mother of the family is the narrator and I loved her personality and inner thoughts. I could relate to her from a mothering perspective in so many ways. Her grit and inner snark were highly entertaining.
The atmosphere was thick and foreboding. I felt enveloped within the claustrophobic walls of Cross House with the family. The mother’s panic was bleeding off the pages, causing my heart to race as I read.
This was a backlist NetGalley title that I’m sorry to not have picked up earlier. It was highly enjoyable and entertaining and I will be looking to read more from this author.
I’m obsessed with this British police procedural series!
Last month, I listened to The Couple On Cedar Close (Book 2 in this series) and love4.5 stars!
I’m obsessed with this British police procedural series!
Last month, I listened to The Couple On Cedar Close (Book 2 in this series) and loved it! It was an older NetGalley title that I didn’t realize was part of a series when I originally downloaded it. Upon finishing it, I immediately downloaded this book (Book 1) as I needed to know how things all started. I’m happy to report this book was amazing too!
I adore the main detective, DI Dan Riley (have a slight book crush on him!). He is a stand out character with depth, vulnerability, charm and an intriguing back story. I love all that his personal story and inner thoughts bring to the plot.
I’m thrilled that there are 7 books in this series (so far) which means I have 5 more chances to spend time with DI Riley. I have already downloaded Book 3 and look forward to starting it soon! Highly recommend this series!!!
Audio rating: 5 stars! The audio narrator is fantastic and greatly enhanced my overall connection to this book. I love his voice and all he adds to the overall listening experience!...more
5 fabulous stars for this backlist NetGalley British police procedural hidden gem!
In a wealthy, close knit neighbourhood, an estranged husband is foun5 fabulous stars for this backlist NetGalley British police procedural hidden gem!
In a wealthy, close knit neighbourhood, an estranged husband is found murdered in his family home. His wife is covered in his blood without any memory of what happened.
I had no idea this was book 2 of a series when I downloaded it years ago. Knowing that would have deterred me from downloading it so I’m glad it worked out this way. This book can EASILY be read as a standalone. Yes, there is mention of things that happened in the past. But nothing that is so important that I felt like I was missing something. In fact, this book was SO AMAZING that I’ve already downloaded book 1 so I can get the backstory on the main character and I plan to read the remaining 5 books after. This is important information to know in my review as I am NOT a series reader. This shows you just how FANTASTIC this book was!
First, I ADORED, the main detective, Dan Riley. (I actually have a slight book crush on him ...more
An entertaining instalment in the series, although not my favourite. It was nice to get reacquainted3 stars.
Worth the read, but not overly memorable.
An entertaining instalment in the series, although not my favourite. It was nice to get reacquainted with some of these characters but the plot failed to fully pull me in. I didn’t find that intense connection to the storyline I usually have with this authors work.
I look forward to reading further in this series as this is a favourite author of mine!
Audio rating: 4 stars. The narrator was entertaining and enhanced my overall enjoyment. ...more
An entertaining collection of short story thrillers!
Solomon Wept by SA Cosby - 4+ stars! Relative Stranger by Amanda Witt - 3 stars Seat to 3.5 stars.
An entertaining collection of short story thrillers!
Solomon Wept by SA Cosby - 4+ stars! Relative Stranger by Amanda Witt - 3 stars Seat to See by Alafair Burke - 3.5 stars Kohe Noir by Smita Harish Jain - 3.5 stars Avalon by Michael Connelly - 4+ stars! Here’s To New Friends by Jacqueline Freimor - 5 stars! Room For One More by Joe R Landsdale - 4 stars! Exit Now by Emilya Naymark - 3 stars A Six Letter Word for Neighbor by Lisa Unger - 4.5 stars Howard’s Heart by Bryon Quertermous - 3.5 stars Perfect Strangers by Tilia Klebenov Jacobs - 3.5 stars Do You Remember by Lori Roy - 2 stars Assignment by Paul A Barra - 2.5 stars P F A by Michael Koryta - 4 stars! Genius by Elaine Togneri - 4.5 stars! Favourite narration Ruskies by Jonathan Stone - 5 stars! A Different Kind Of Healing by Steve Hamilton - 4 stars! Tokyo Stranger by Tina Debellegar - 3.5 stars Blessed Fair by Joe Hill - 4.5 stars!
A family with two young children. A dedicated pilot. A hijacked plane.
This book was fast-paced, suspenseful, and highly addictive from start4.5 stars!
A family with two young children. A dedicated pilot. A hijacked plane.
This book was fast-paced, suspenseful, and highly addictive from start to finish! I was on the edge of my seat listening to every word. The tension and atmosphere was thick and palpable. The main characters were brave, endearing and root-worthy. I was invested, gripped and engrossed with each perspective and personal storyline.
Audio rating: 5 stars! The narrator did a fantastic job and enhanced my overall enjoyment! Highly recommend the audio!...more
Why did I let this sit on my unread NetGalley shelf for so long? This was really good!
London, 1853: Florenc4.5 Victorian mystery stars!
A hidden gem!
Why did I let this sit on my unread NetGalley shelf for so long? This was really good!
London, 1853: Florence Nightingale is the new nurse Superintendent at the Establishment For Gentlewomen During Temporary Illness. At the end of her first week on the job, she discovers the dead body of one of her nurses in the hospital library. Local police deem it a suicide, not caring to look any deeper into the incident. Florence knows there is more to the death and begins some detective work to piece the devastating situation together, all while continuing to manage the hospital.
I found this novel to be equally entertaining and fascinating. Florence Nightingale is a historical figure that I’ve always been curious about. While this book is a fictional historical mystery, it includes countless historical facts and scenarios that were informative and educational.
The author did a terrific job with the atmosphere of the novel as I could clearly picture every room, nook and cranny in the Establishment. In the 1850’s, nursing was viewed as a lowly career, one that was not sought after by someone of Florence Nightingale’s stature. Her wealthy family was appalled to have her leave their estate to join the nursing profession but Florence felt a calling - this is a true piece of history. Upon finishing the book, it is revealed that Florence Nightingale has been the most impactful individual in the nursing profession. In this book we see her make small but important changes within the hospital in regard to sanitary conditions, fresh air and nurses hygiene that we are accustomed to now.
Florence’s character was extremely likeable and inspiring. She was always determined to the ‘right’ thing instead of the ‘easy’ thing in her work and investigations. Her clever and witty inner thoughts were entertaining and kept a lighter tone to the story. The pace was perfect as there was a consistent amount of suspense piquing my curiosity from start to finish.
My one tiny critique that kept this from being a 5 star read was the ending had a little too much going on. Everything comes together but slightly overdone on drama.
Audio rating: 5 stars! The narrator was phenomenal!! I immediately began my search for other audiobooks read by Lucy Raynor as her voice enhanced my reading enjoyment immensely.
Thank you to my lovely local library for the audio loan! Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy!...more
Warning: the very first scene in this book includes an animal getting hurt. It was hard to listen to but is a4 stars!
A small town filled with secrets.
Warning: the very first scene in this book includes an animal getting hurt. It was hard to listen to but is an important part of the story.
The storyline grabbed me immediately. There is a sense of mystery and tension that starts in the first chapter and continues to build throughout the book. My curiosity was kept piqued from start to finish.
The characters were all unique and interesting to me. I was intrigued by each of their back stories which were slowly revealed. The pace was steady and the changing perspectives flowed smoothly. A strong theme was rich family cover ups and it was included in a realistic way that shares a side of life that many of us will never know.
There are some thought provoking topics explored throughout this novel including just how far a parent will go to protect their child. Some heavy topics are covered including alcoholism, loss of a child, sexual assault, murder.
Thank you to my lovely local library for the audio loan!...more
Viola Davis, producer and Academy Award winning actress, shares her life story. It isn’t pre4+ stars!
Raw. Honest. Gut wrenching. Shocking. Inspiring.
Viola Davis, producer and Academy Award winning actress, shares her life story. It isn’t pretty. This book is intense, heavy and brutally honest. I found it difficult to read at times. Viola has been through abuse, trauma and tragedy which she openly shares within these pages. Her childhood was traumatic, leaving her with lifelong scars. These scars she recognizes, nurtures, accepts and chooses to learn from and grow from.
One of the many takeaways for me is the understanding of just how hard it is for actors to “make it”. The stats Viola shares about the percentage of actors that make livable wages is surprising. Another huge takeaway for me was her love story and how finding “the one” changed her life forever. He healed her, loved her, supported her, empowered her, accepted all her scars. Unconditional love. I’m not one to enjoy love stories but this was a stand out part of the book that really impacted me.
Audiobook rating: 5+ stars! Viola Davis narrates this herself. I could listen to her voice forever. She added a powerful intensity to this book — it’s one I will never forget listening to. Highly recommend the audio!
Thank you to my lovely local library for the audio loan!...more
An intimate and emotional look into the family life of one of the Columbine shooters.
On April 20, 1999, Dylan Klebold, along with one other 3.5 stars.
An intimate and emotional look into the family life of one of the Columbine shooters.
On April 20, 1999, Dylan Klebold, along with one other student, walked into Columbine high school with an array of guns and bombs. Together they killed twelve students and one teacher and wounded twenty four others. This book is Sue Klebold’s, Dylan’s mother, story.
I can understand how writing this book would have been therapeutic for Sue. Written sixteen years after the massacre, Sue is able to provide some insight into Dylan’s life and how this devastating event came as a completely unexpected shock that she is still trying to process.
I appreciated learning learning about Dylan’s childhood and just how ‘normal’ he seemed until this tragic day. Sue was very clear that there were no warning signs that she missed. I felt the emotional pull of Sue’s words at the start of the book, however, my emotional connection TO SUE faded as the book went on (my emotional connection to the devastating tragedy remains high). After the first couple chapters, the book became focused on Sue’s grief and her personal loss as a mother rather than the worlds’ loss during this tragedy. It turned from panic-filled to preachy. There became a selfish tone to the book which is totally understandable and acceptable as it’s her memoir, but some of it rubbed me the wrong way. I felt Sue was trying to convince the reader that her son was a “good boy”, a “golden boy” and she had no warning signs that this was coming. It felt preachy at times, like she was trying to absolve herself of any fault, which in many ways I can’t blame her for but it felt forceful and like she was trying too hard.
As a mother, I couldn’t help but put myself in the shoes of the parents of the victims so I often found Sue’s words uncomfortable and (slightly) offensive. Sue focused on the love she had and still has for Dylan which is a brave thing to admit. Sue’s strength and determination is admirable in all that she has faced and overcome since the shooting.
One thing that stood out for me was the demand for ethical reporting and just how important this is. Mass media sensationalizes tragedies like this which has been proven to cause others to be intrigued and inspired by these heinous acts. Media needs to be strictly controlled when reporting on these types of events.
This memoir is definitely one I will never forget. I listened to the majority on audio, narrated by Sue herself. The audio was done well and added a personalization to the story that made it even more impactful.
Thank you to my lovely local library for the audio loan!...more
Not invested in any part of the storyline - very slow and drawn out.
Audio rating: 2 stars. Narrator is boring, making the story drag.
PerhapsDNF @ 34%
Not invested in any part of the storyline - very slow and drawn out.
Audio rating: 2 stars. Narrator is boring, making the story drag.
Perhaps I’d have a better connection if I read it. May consider trying again with the physical book in the future as I loved Book 1 in this series and enjoyed Book 2. ...more
A woman is murdered in the Boston Public Library which brings together a group of four strangers.
This novel was such a fresh and unique4 clever stars!
A woman is murdered in the Boston Public Library which brings together a group of four strangers.
This novel was such a fresh and unique treat! The way this murder mystery unfolds is brilliant! A book within a book concept is always appealing to me and this one was done so extremely well!
An author is writing a book and sends each chapter draft to a beta reader for feedback which is provided as the novel progresses. The author and beta reader have a unique relationship that kept me invested and intrigued from start to finish.
The characters are fantastic! Each harbouring a secretive side that had me suspicious and guessing. The plot was multilayered and had a surprising twist!
I think the novel would have been stronger without the romance, but that’s just a personal preference.
Audio rating — 5 stars for the narrators! They did an incredible job and added immensely to my overall enjoyment! I highly recommend the audio!
Thank you to my lovely local library for the audio loan! ...more
One of the most impactful, eye-opening, informative and inspiring memoirs I’ve ever read! A powerfully phenomenal book that supports and stren5 stars!
One of the most impactful, eye-opening, informative and inspiring memoirs I’ve ever read! A powerfully phenomenal book that supports and strengthens the LGBTQ+ community. I am forever changed after reading this.
This is Amanda’s family story. It is a heart wrenching, raw, emotional, eye-opening look at her life during some very difficult years centring around LGBTQ+ rights and education. Amanda openly shares her family’s experiences while they go through some big transformations that drastically change their family dynamic. I applaud Amanda and thank her for sharing this intimate look at her life as a mother of a transgender child and the wife of a transgender spouse. This book challenged my thinking. I believe that all who read this could learn a lot from Amanda and how she processed and moved forward with the major changes in her family. She CHOSE LOVE, KINDNESS AND ACCEPTANCE each and every time she was faced with a challenge and she fought for her family. She teaches the importance of promoting love, support and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community rather than simple ‘tolerance’. There is a HUGE difference between the two.
Not only did I find the content of this book extremely intriguing, informative and unforgettable, but I found the writing truly mesmerizing! The way Amanda wrote touched my heart repeatedly and never felt preachy. She narrated the audiobook herself and I often felt as though I was simply having a conversation with her, learning from her and feeling true connection with each and every word. Amanda is such an inspiring person!
This book challenged my thinking, my opinions, my biases, my naivety. It’s truly a life changing book that I highly recommend to everyone.
Amanda - thank you for sharing your story and teaching me.
Thank you to my lovely local library for the audio loan!
A mysterious and unique story exploring a woman’s determination to break boundaries and expectations in the 1960’s.
There is a lot packed in2.5 stars.
A mysterious and unique story exploring a woman’s determination to break boundaries and expectations in the 1960’s.
There is a lot packed into this novel! Several heavy topics are explored within this era — race, class, women’s rights, etc. I enjoyed the newsroom/reporter aspect. The mystery kept me intrigued until the end that had some interesting surprises.
There are a lot of perspective changes. I appreciate how the author kept the narratives fresh and surprising, but in all honesty, I found myself lost within the details. The multiple characters, narrative perspectives and storylines were tedious to keep track of and therefore hard to feel invested in. The story’s focus became lost in the shuffle and I found it dragged at times. The main character wasn’t likeable and failed to tie the multiple narratives together for me. This book offers a lot to think about but it failed to truly pull me in.
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy! Thank you to my lovely local library for the audio loan!
Audio rating: 3 stars. The audio narration was good. Neither enhanced or took away from my enjoyment....more
There are plenty of novels revolving around neighbourhood secrets, lies and drama. I found this story exp4+ stars!
A neighbourhood filled with secrets.
There are plenty of novels revolving around neighbourhood secrets, lies and drama. I found this story explored a fresh and captivating plot with unique and fascinating characters and relationships. I connected as soon as I started listening and my interest never wavered. This is an Edelweiss backlist title that I’m regretting not getting to sooner.
The characters snarky inner thoughts had me giggling and wanting more. There is a constant hum of underlying tension that kept me curious and invested throughout. The author offered just enough of the character side stories to become invested but didn’t add an abundance of detail to overshadow the main plot.
There are some heavy and uncomfortable topics covered within these pages, including domestic abuse, human trafficking and drug addiction.
Toward the end, as with many domestic drama/thrillers, there were some unbelievable aspects but nothing that took away from my connection to the story.
Overall, a fresh storyline that kept me engrossed from start to finish.
Audio narration rating : 5 stars! The narrators did a phenomenal job with this story and added even more enjoyment to the storyline! Highly recommend the audio!
Thank you to the publisher for my digital review copy! Thank you to my lovely local library for the audio loan! ...more
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