The Book of Witching
Another compelling, gripping, and thought-provoking book by C.J. Cooke. Be sure to read the author’s note as well. I found it to be informative and detailed the research that went into the writing of this book. I enjoyed the two timelines which were both captivating and pulled on the emotions. I did find that the timeline in Scotland in the 1500’s which featured Alison Balfour, who had been accused of witchcraft. That timeline was the most gripping to me as I felt for Alison and the way she was treated. The timeline in the present featured Clem, a mother whose daughter, Erin, has been hospitalized. Erin’s best friend is missing, and Erin’s boyfriend is dead. What is more troubling is that when Erin wakes up, she claims to be someone else. I enjoyed how well thought out this book was. Everything came together nicely and for several moments had me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. This book had me thinking back to the past and how women (and men) were accused of being witches and what befell them. I enjoyed the tension and feeling of dread which flowed throughout this book. I especially enjoy C.J. Cooke’s writing and how each book is completely different from her previous books. Each book feels fresh, original and riveting. Knowing that this book was based on a real person made this book even better for me. I admire the amount of research that went into the writing of this book. Wonderfully written, well thought out, terrifically paced, and hard to put down. I can’t wait to read what C.J. Cooke writes next! Thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Silenced Girls
I’ve got a new book series to binge read! Silenced Girls, a gripping thriller, sucked me in and had me turning the pages. The plot was intriguing, and I enjoyed the investigation, the banter, the investigators, and the well thought out plot. FBI Special Agent Tori Hunter received a disturbing letter which had her going back to her hometown of Manchester, Minnesota to investigate the case of a missing woman. It has been twenty years since she has been back to the place where her twin sister disappeared without a trace. There she will work with detective Will Braddock to catch a killer. As they began their investigation, I did my best to also figure out whodunit. I enjoyed the premise of a woman coming home to investigate a case which has similarities to her sister’s missing person case. Tori’s old wounds that coming home opened, the questions that have lingered, and the desire to know the truth were palpable. I enjoyed the investigative work and the chemistry between Tori and Will. I enjoyed the tension, the dread, the twists, the mystery and the writing. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Witness 8
Witness 8 is another gripping, entertaining, well written, and well thought addition to the Eddie Flynn series! I enjoy Eddie Flynn who is a former conman turned defense attorney who knows both sides of the law which make him a force to be reckoned with. In Witness 8 he has been called in to help an innocent man who has been accused of murder. I enjoyed being back in Eddie Flynn’s world. He is tough, smart, cunning, and clever. Eddie, as usual, has gotten on the bad side of someone and a man called Mr. Christmas is hot on his tail. But that won’t stop Eddie as there is a man to defend and a case to be solved! Ruby is the maid and nanny for the man accused of killing a neighbor. When she was younger, Ruby lived in the same posh Manhattan neighborhood as the family who employs her. It is a hard pill to swallow having been one of the elite and now having to clean their homes and care for their children. Ruby makes a call one night, seizing a chance to change her life…… This book kept me on my toes and turning the pages. I enjoyed the mystery, the tension, the banter, the humor, the relationships between the series characters, and the writing. I enjoyed the cat and mouse aspect of this book. I also enjoy seeing Eddie being vulnerable with his mentor, Harry in this book. Steve Cavanagh continues to write a gripping and well thought of series. I enjoy his characters, their relationships with each other, and the cases they work on. I enjoy how Eddie has not forgotten where he comes from and continues to have a relationship with his childhood friend who is now a crime boss. I also continue to enjoy his bonds with not only with Harry but with those he works with. I am always on the lookout for new books in this series and look forward to reading what comes next for Eddie and the gang. Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
And Then There Were None
The invites have been sent out and ten guests arrived on an island off the coast of Devon. They have been invited by an unknown millionaire. The host is nowhere to be found but what is found is a framed nursery rhyme in all the guests’ rooms. A nursery rhyme which hints at their fate… This masterpiece by Agatha Christie has stood the test of time. She was a genius at writing mystery. With And Then There Were None she set the perfect stage: an isolated island, guests with things in their past they want to keep secret, and tension galore. This book has that trapped feeling that I love in books. In addition to tension, And Then There Were None also has secrets, dread, danger, and a great mystery. As the guest meet their fate, readers get the chance to do their own detective work to figure out whodunit. That is if you have not already read the book, seen the play, or watched the movie! After all, Agatha Christie is considered to be one of the most read authors of all time. This proved to be a fast and thrilling read which had me wanting to pick up another book by Agatha Christie right away! Thank you to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Cottage by the Sea
Holy Moly! What a gripping, addictive, and shocking ride! The Cottage by the Sea grabbed my attention from the very first page and never let go! I had a very difficult time putting this book down as I was glued to this jaw dropping page turner! Starting over after a horrible loss when her husband and best friend were killed in a car accident, Harper has taken the plunge with online dating. It’s been two years of grief, wondering why her friend and husband were together in the car, but Harper if finally ready to dip her toe in the dating pool. After going on a few dates, strange things begin to happen – very strange and uncomfortable things… Wowza! Keri Beevis has wowed me yet again! I enjoyed how Harper was tentative about dating again after the death of her husband and friend. It’s hard to put yourself out there and I thought the author did a great job depicting this. From the dates to the feeling of being watched, I was fully invested. I found my heart beating a little faster along with Harper when she felt she was being watched or if someone had come onto her property. This book had enough tension, dread, suspense, and secrets to make my head spin. There were also plenty of twists and turns along the way that had me wondering who could be trusted, and how things would turn out. I had fun trying to narrow down my suspect as I kept changing my mind about characters. I enjoyed getting Harpers’ POV as well as the person toying with her. Getting the sinister creepy character’s POV provided some eerie and creepy vibes to the book as well. If you have not read a book by Keri Beevis before this is a great book to start with. This is my 8th book by the author, and she never disappoints. I know that I am in for a wonderfully written great psychological thriller when I pick up one of her books. Well thought out, dark, tension filled and pulse pounding! Highly Recommend! 4.5 stars Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Two Good Men
Gripping, thought provoking, intense, and hard to put down, Two Good Men is another great book by S.E. Redfearn. This book has many characters but centers on two men, who have their own choices, motivations, actions, and judgement calls. One takes matters into his own hands while the other is doing his job following the law. Both men have their own personal reasons for what they do. One man is protecting loved ones, the other lost a child due to vigilante targeting the wrong person. Both men believe in doing the right thing…. Dick’s marriage is over and his job as a scientist has hit some bumps in the road. When his sister, Dee informs him that Otis, a pedophile that she helped put away has been released, and living near her and her son, he vows to protect them. Dick has been working on a formula which predicts recidivism in violent sex offenders, and he knows how high the risk is and what is at stake. Steve Patterson is an FBI agent whose job is to investigate crimes against sex offenders. When he notices a pattern of their deaths, he begins to investigate. Little does he know that his investigation will take him…. I loved how both Dick and Steve are in fact, good men. Their personal reasons for what they do is strong and compelling. Both are doing what he feels is right. I loved how thought provoking this book became. What are you willing to do to protect those you love? How thin is the line between right and wrong? Is vigilantism the way? The plot of this book may not be an easy read for some as it deals with pedophiles, justice, revenge, trauma, etc. But nothing is depicted in detail. I love the moral and ethical questions that this book brings up. I think this would be an excellent book club books as there is a lot to discuss. Both men are wonderfully drawn and fleshed out. Both men are likeable, intelligent, dedicated, and it is easy to understand their motivations and actions. I enjoyed the writing, the pacing, the characters, and the questions that arose while reading. This book had a nice blend of tension, mystery, suspense, drama, tension, and the relationships between the characters. I enjoyed the author’s note and encourage everyone read it. I enjoyed the author’s first name for the book and chuckled a little while reading that part. Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Book of Witching
Another compelling, gripping, and thought-provoking book by C.J. Cooke. Be sure to read the author’s note as well. I found it to be informative and detailed the research that went into the writing of this book. I enjoyed the two timelines which were both captivating and pulled on the emotions. I did find that the timeline in Scotland in the 1500’s which featured Alison Balfour, who had been accused of witchcraft. That timeline was the most gripping to me as I felt for Alison and the way she was treated. The timeline in the present featured Clem, a mother whose daughter, Erin, has been hospitalized. Erin’s best friend is missing, and Erin’s boyfriend is dead. What is more troubling is that when Erin wakes up, she claims to be someone else. I enjoyed how well thought out this book was. Everything came together nicely and for several moments had me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. This book had me thinking back to the past and how women (and men) were accused of being witches and what befell them. I enjoyed the tension and feeling of dread which flowed throughout this book. I especially enjoy C.J. Cooke’s writing and how each book is completely different from her previous books. Each book feels fresh, original and riveting. Knowing that this book was based on a real person made this book even better for me. I admire the amount of research that went into the writing of this book. Wonderfully written, well thought out, terrifically paced, and hard to put down. I can’t wait to read what C.J. Cooke writes next! Thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Silenced Girls
I’ve got a new book series to binge read! Silenced Girls, a gripping thriller, sucked me in and had me turning the pages. The plot was intriguing, and I enjoyed the investigation, the banter, the investigators, and the well thought out plot. FBI Special Agent Tori Hunter received a disturbing letter which had her going back to her hometown of Manchester, Minnesota to investigate the case of a missing woman. It has been twenty years since she has been back to the place where her twin sister disappeared without a trace. There she will work with detective Will Braddock to catch a killer. As they began their investigation, I did my best to also figure out whodunit. I enjoyed the premise of a woman coming home to investigate a case which has similarities to her sister’s missing person case. Tori’s old wounds that coming home opened, the questions that have lingered, and the desire to know the truth were palpable. I enjoyed the investigative work and the chemistry between Tori and Will. I enjoyed the tension, the dread, the twists, the mystery and the writing. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Witness 8
Witness 8 is another gripping, entertaining, well written, and well thought addition to the Eddie Flynn series! I enjoy Eddie Flynn who is a former conman turned defense attorney who knows both sides of the law which make him a force to be reckoned with. In Witness 8 he has been called in to help an innocent man who has been accused of murder. I enjoyed being back in Eddie Flynn’s world. He is tough, smart, cunning, and clever. Eddie, as usual, has gotten on the bad side of someone and a man called Mr. Christmas is hot on his tail. But that won’t stop Eddie as there is a man to defend and a case to be solved! Ruby is the maid and nanny for the man accused of killing a neighbor. When she was younger, Ruby lived in the same posh Manhattan neighborhood as the family who employs her. It is a hard pill to swallow having been one of the elite and now having to clean their homes and care for their children. Ruby makes a call one night, seizing a chance to change her life…… This book kept me on my toes and turning the pages. I enjoyed the mystery, the tension, the banter, the humor, the relationships between the series characters, and the writing. I enjoyed the cat and mouse aspect of this book. I also enjoy seeing Eddie being vulnerable with his mentor, Harry in this book. Steve Cavanagh continues to write a gripping and well thought of series. I enjoy his characters, their relationships with each other, and the cases they work on. I enjoy how Eddie has not forgotten where he comes from and continues to have a relationship with his childhood friend who is now a crime boss. I also continue to enjoy his bonds with not only with Harry but with those he works with. I am always on the lookout for new books in this series and look forward to reading what comes next for Eddie and the gang. Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
And Then There Were None
The invites have been sent out and ten guests arrived on an island off the coast of Devon. They have been invited by an unknown millionaire. The host is nowhere to be found but what is found is a framed nursery rhyme in all the guests’ rooms. A nursery rhyme which hints at their fate… This masterpiece by Agatha Christie has stood the test of time. She was a genius at writing mystery. With And Then There Were None she set the perfect stage: an isolated island, guests with things in their past they want to keep secret, and tension galore. This book has that trapped feeling that I love in books. In addition to tension, And Then There Were None also has secrets, dread, danger, and a great mystery. As the guest meet their fate, readers get the chance to do their own detective work to figure out whodunit. That is if you have not already read the book, seen the play, or watched the movie! After all, Agatha Christie is considered to be one of the most read authors of all time. This proved to be a fast and thrilling read which had me wanting to pick up another book by Agatha Christie right away! Thank you to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Cottage by the Sea
Holy Moly! What a gripping, addictive, and shocking ride! The Cottage by the Sea grabbed my attention from the very first page and never let go! I had a very difficult time putting this book down as I was glued to this jaw dropping page turner! Starting over after a horrible loss when her husband and best friend were killed in a car accident, Harper has taken the plunge with online dating. It’s been two years of grief, wondering why her friend and husband were together in the car, but Harper if finally ready to dip her toe in the dating pool. After going on a few dates, strange things begin to happen – very strange and uncomfortable things… Wowza! Keri Beevis has wowed me yet again! I enjoyed how Harper was tentative about dating again after the death of her husband and friend. It’s hard to put yourself out there and I thought the author did a great job depicting this. From the dates to the feeling of being watched, I was fully invested. I found my heart beating a little faster along with Harper when she felt she was being watched or if someone had come onto her property. This book had enough tension, dread, suspense, and secrets to make my head spin. There were also plenty of twists and turns along the way that had me wondering who could be trusted, and how things would turn out. I had fun trying to narrow down my suspect as I kept changing my mind about characters. I enjoyed getting Harpers’ POV as well as the person toying with her. Getting the sinister creepy character’s POV provided some eerie and creepy vibes to the book as well. If you have not read a book by Keri Beevis before this is a great book to start with. This is my 8th book by the author, and she never disappoints. I know that I am in for a wonderfully written great psychological thriller when I pick up one of her books. Well thought out, dark, tension filled and pulse pounding! Highly Recommend! 4.5 stars Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Two Good Men
Gripping, thought provoking, intense, and hard to put down, Two Good Men is another great book by S.E. Redfearn. This book has many characters but centers on two men, who have their own choices, motivations, actions, and judgement calls. One takes matters into his own hands while the other is doing his job following the law. Both men have their own personal reasons for what they do. One man is protecting loved ones, the other lost a child due to vigilante targeting the wrong person. Both men believe in doing the right thing…. Dick’s marriage is over and his job as a scientist has hit some bumps in the road. When his sister, Dee informs him that Otis, a pedophile that she helped put away has been released, and living near her and her son, he vows to protect them. Dick has been working on a formula which predicts recidivism in violent sex offenders, and he knows how high the risk is and what is at stake. Steve Patterson is an FBI agent whose job is to investigate crimes against sex offenders. When he notices a pattern of their deaths, he begins to investigate. Little does he know that his investigation will take him…. I loved how both Dick and Steve are in fact, good men. Their personal reasons for what they do is strong and compelling. Both are doing what he feels is right. I loved how thought provoking this book became. What are you willing to do to protect those you love? How thin is the line between right and wrong? Is vigilantism the way? The plot of this book may not be an easy read for some as it deals with pedophiles, justice, revenge, trauma, etc. But nothing is depicted in detail. I love the moral and ethical questions that this book brings up. I think this would be an excellent book club books as there is a lot to discuss. Both men are wonderfully drawn and fleshed out. Both men are likeable, intelligent, dedicated, and it is easy to understand their motivations and actions. I enjoyed the writing, the pacing, the characters, and the questions that arose while reading. This book had a nice blend of tension, mystery, suspense, drama, tension, and the relationships between the characters. I enjoyed the author’s note and encourage everyone read it. I enjoyed the author’s first name for the book and chuckled a little while reading that part. Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
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