Murder Will Out
Family secrets, ghosts, mystery, murder, and a haunted house (hence the ghosts)! Murder Will Out is the debut book by Jennifer K. Breedlove. Willow Stone returns to Little North Island, off the coast of Maine when she learns of her godmother Sue’s death. There are whispers amongst those who live on the island about how Sue inherited Cameron House. Soon, Willow begins to wonder if Sue’s death was really an accident or was it murder????? Did I mention there are ghosts in this book???? Or shall I say there are ghosts in Cameron House. Did I mention that the ghosts were my favorite part of this book? Well, they stole the show for me. This book is a paranormal murder mystery with quite a few characters and deceased members of the Cameron family. While I enjoyed the book, I didn’t love it. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the paranormal part of the book. As I mentioned, the ghosts were my favorite part. There is the mystery of Sue’s death but hers is not the only death in this book. While this book was enjoyable, it was missing that little bit of something that would have pushed my rating higher. I found it to be slow in parts and I struggle with slow. Others have enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur 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.
Bone of My Bone
Johanna van Veen has delivered yet again! Bone of My Bone is a beautifully written book which grabbed my attention from the very first page and never let go! I found it to be gripping, thought provoking, romantic, original, atmospheric, creative, gothic, dark, and hard to put down! Bone of My Bone is the third book which I have read by this author, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next! 1635 War is raging, and unspeakable horrors are occurring when Sister Ursula flees the ruins of her convent. She soon comes upon Elsebeth, a peasant, and they flee into the Bavarian forest. There they meet a dying man who gives them the skull of a saint. He tells them what will happen if they are able to reunite the skull with the body. Thus, their journey begins. It is a journey full of horrors, devastation, and those who seek to do them harm. A necromancer and a character named Otto are in pursuit…… This book is equal parts horrific, imaginative, clever, dark, tense, romantic, heart wrenching, and eerie. Both Sister Ursula and Elsebeth are endearing characters, and I rooted for both. Over the course of Bone of My Bone they develop a close bond. This book is about many horrific things, but it is also about love, kindness, and sacrifice. I thought the author did a great job depicting place and time. Having the characters speak in wording and terms from a past era was also highly effective and also set the mood of the book. This book is more horrific than horror; although there are some gruesome scenes in this book. This book is more German folk horror as there is talk of a necromancer, a nachzehrer, and an aufhocker. All can be found in German mythology. I found myself looking the mythological creatures up as I read. As with the author’s previous books, I found Bone of My Bone to be beautifully written, unique, full of vivid descriptions, well researched, eerie, and full of intriguing characters. While this book may not be for everyone, if you can stomach it, this book is chilling, eerie, riveting, and a worthwhile read. The author did a great job of blending several genres in this book: horror, historical fiction, fantasy, Gothic, LGBT, and folk horror. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press 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.
Evil in the Family
Dark, diabolical, deadly, and devious! Evil in the Family is the thrilling, shocking, and gripping third book in the Dr Olivia Winter series. In this book, families are being murdered and left in the most horrific poses. Detective Inspector Foley is not prepared for what welcomed him at the first crime scene. He fears that London has a new serial killer on the loose! As I mentioned, the murderers are horrific and vile. The killer is vicious and maniacal. The killer’s crimes will have shivers going up your spine and the hairs standing up on the back of your neck! As the investigation progresses, Detective Inspector Foley decides to call in Forensic Psychologist Dr Olivia Winter to help catch the killer. Olivia is no stranger to serial killers. Her own father is a known serial killer and his crimes haunt her. The killer is very crafty and leaves no clues or DNA behind. It will be hard to catch this fiendish and evil killer, but Foley and Winter will do whatever it takes to make sure the killer is brought to justice. This book is not for the faint of heart. There are some gruesome scenes and descriptions of posed dead bodies. But if you can stomach it, Evil in the Family is a gripping book which shows those in law enforcement doing what they do best. Michael Wood, who also writes the amazing Matilda Darke series, knows how to write police procedural/mystery thrillers. The investigators are human, and their reactions to the crime scenes feel both real and relatable. As with books in this genre, I tried my best to figure out whodunit. Michael Wood led me down a few dark pathways and then left me reeling when the final reveal is made! Evil in the Family is brimming with tension, unease, dread, violence, danger, and suspense! I always get excited when I see Michael Wood has a new book coming out, and he never disappoints me! Thank you to One More Chapter 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 Wife Before
Secrets and lies are the name of the game in The Wife Before! This is the 8th book which I have read by Sheryl Browne and she never disappoints me. As with the other books I have read by her, The Wife Before was gripping, mysterious, wonderfully written, thrilling, and had me trying to figure out who could be trusted and who was telling the truth!!!! Kara has suffered a horrible, heartbreaking loss that has left her devastated and full of grief. When she met Jack, she realized that he had suffered a great loss as well. This helped them bond and lean on each other. As their bond deepens and their relationships blooms, there is a knock at the door which shakes the solid foundation they have built together. Jack’s former Mother-in-law has arrived and informed Kara that Jack killed her daughter! Jack denies the outrageous claim, but she has planted a seed of doubt in Kara. Who can be trusted? Who is telling the truth? Is Jack a killer? Is Kara safe? Is the woman lying???? I love the seed of doubt that was planted in me. I also loved the mounting tension, dread, drama, and danger in this book. This book began feeling like a romance book but quickly moves into a mystery thriller! I love the twists and turns along the way. I thought I figured things out, then changed my mind, then changed it once again. I enjoyed the pacing, the not knowing who I could trust, the well thought out plot, the characters, the twists, and the reveal in The Wife Before! Another thrilling and shocking book by Sheryl Browne. 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.
The Better Mother
Oh Baby! The Better Mother: A Thriller was an addictive, twisted, and chilling book!!!!! I could not turn the pages fast enough! I was glued to the pages and loved every moment of it. Jennifer van der Kleut has written a jaw dropping, thrilling, and fast paced book that people will be talking about! Wowza! There characters in this book range from likeable to off the charts psycho!!!!! What a wild dark ride!!!! Savannah Mitchell was still recovering from a breakup that blind sighted her when she had a brief fling with a man, she met named Max. She always wanted to be a mother but never thought she would find herself single and pregnant! But that short fling with Max has her expecting a baby. When she informs him that she was pregnant, he is happy but informs her that he and his girlfriend Madison have recently gotten back together. An even bigger shocker – Madison is thrilled about the pregnancy. I don’t know about you, but this right here would give me pause. As Ross Geller once proclaimed on the show, Friends, they were on a break. But who is happy about their partner getting another woman pregnant on a break in the relationship????? But I digress…. As the pregnancy progresses, Madison becomes increasingly ‘assertive’ in her attempts to help and celebrate the pregnancy…… This book is brimming with tension, unease, and diabolical moments. The characters range from likeable, to questionable, to straight up psycho! The drama is high; the stakes are even higher! This book became a fast-paced page turner which had my pulse elevated, and my hands clinched around my kindle. Holy Moly! This is a fantastic book. Yes, there are some OTT moments, but I didn’t care one bit. I was having too much fun while reading this wonderfully written, well thought out, and shocking book! Thank you to Crooked Lane 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.
Nowhere Burning
Well, this was a dark one. Catriona Ward is a gifted storyteller, and she has quite a few stories to tell in Nowhere Burning. Don’t confuse Nowhere with Neverland. Nowhere is a place for children to take refuge in the ruins of an infamous movie star’s ranch. The place is infamous due to the star’s penchant for dark crimes. In its ruins, children have gathered, and adults are not allowed. Riley and her younger brother Oliver ran away in the night from a horrific living situation. She has heard for Nowhere and thinks it may be just the place for them. But are they trading one horror for another. There she will learn that nothing in life is free and that all things come at a cost. That is just one of the stories being told in this book. Catriona Ward manages to include more. Some worked better than others. Keep in mind, this is not a short story collection but a book where their stories will have a merging at some point. Sadly, this book was a mixed bag for me. There were things that I enjoyed and things that did not work for me. I loved the atmosphere, the tension, the dread, and the eerie vibe in this book. I also enjoyed the setting and the menacing scenery. Plus, the ending was a very nice touch! I thought that was well done. What I struggled with was the pacing and its slower meandering trip through the dark bleak world of nowhere. I also felt that she had a lot going on with the other storylines and would have liked to just stick with one or two. I struggled to connect with this book even with the elements that I enjoyed. I had both the book and the audiobook. I found myself going back and forth between the two, hoping one would grab me more than the other. Again, a mixed bag. Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Tor Nightfire, 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.
Murder Will Out
Family secrets, ghosts, mystery, murder, and a haunted house (hence the ghosts)! Murder Will Out is the debut book by Jennifer K. Breedlove. Willow Stone returns to Little North Island, off the coast of Maine when she learns of her godmother Sue’s death. There are whispers amongst those who live on the island about how Sue inherited Cameron House. Soon, Willow begins to wonder if Sue’s death was really an accident or was it murder????? Did I mention there are ghosts in this book???? Or shall I say there are ghosts in Cameron House. Did I mention that the ghosts were my favorite part of this book? Well, they stole the show for me. This book is a paranormal murder mystery with quite a few characters and deceased members of the Cameron family. While I enjoyed the book, I didn’t love it. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the paranormal part of the book. As I mentioned, the ghosts were my favorite part. There is the mystery of Sue’s death but hers is not the only death in this book. While this book was enjoyable, it was missing that little bit of something that would have pushed my rating higher. I found it to be slow in parts and I struggle with slow. Others have enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur 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.
Bone of My Bone
Johanna van Veen has delivered yet again! Bone of My Bone is a beautifully written book which grabbed my attention from the very first page and never let go! I found it to be gripping, thought provoking, romantic, original, atmospheric, creative, gothic, dark, and hard to put down! Bone of My Bone is the third book which I have read by this author, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next! 1635 War is raging, and unspeakable horrors are occurring when Sister Ursula flees the ruins of her convent. She soon comes upon Elsebeth, a peasant, and they flee into the Bavarian forest. There they meet a dying man who gives them the skull of a saint. He tells them what will happen if they are able to reunite the skull with the body. Thus, their journey begins. It is a journey full of horrors, devastation, and those who seek to do them harm. A necromancer and a character named Otto are in pursuit…… This book is equal parts horrific, imaginative, clever, dark, tense, romantic, heart wrenching, and eerie. Both Sister Ursula and Elsebeth are endearing characters, and I rooted for both. Over the course of Bone of My Bone they develop a close bond. This book is about many horrific things, but it is also about love, kindness, and sacrifice. I thought the author did a great job depicting place and time. Having the characters speak in wording and terms from a past era was also highly effective and also set the mood of the book. This book is more horrific than horror; although there are some gruesome scenes in this book. This book is more German folk horror as there is talk of a necromancer, a nachzehrer, and an aufhocker. All can be found in German mythology. I found myself looking the mythological creatures up as I read. As with the author’s previous books, I found Bone of My Bone to be beautifully written, unique, full of vivid descriptions, well researched, eerie, and full of intriguing characters. While this book may not be for everyone, if you can stomach it, this book is chilling, eerie, riveting, and a worthwhile read. The author did a great job of blending several genres in this book: horror, historical fiction, fantasy, Gothic, LGBT, and folk horror. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press 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.
Evil in the Family
Dark, diabolical, deadly, and devious! Evil in the Family is the thrilling, shocking, and gripping third book in the Dr Olivia Winter series. In this book, families are being murdered and left in the most horrific poses. Detective Inspector Foley is not prepared for what welcomed him at the first crime scene. He fears that London has a new serial killer on the loose! As I mentioned, the murderers are horrific and vile. The killer is vicious and maniacal. The killer’s crimes will have shivers going up your spine and the hairs standing up on the back of your neck! As the investigation progresses, Detective Inspector Foley decides to call in Forensic Psychologist Dr Olivia Winter to help catch the killer. Olivia is no stranger to serial killers. Her own father is a known serial killer and his crimes haunt her. The killer is very crafty and leaves no clues or DNA behind. It will be hard to catch this fiendish and evil killer, but Foley and Winter will do whatever it takes to make sure the killer is brought to justice. This book is not for the faint of heart. There are some gruesome scenes and descriptions of posed dead bodies. But if you can stomach it, Evil in the Family is a gripping book which shows those in law enforcement doing what they do best. Michael Wood, who also writes the amazing Matilda Darke series, knows how to write police procedural/mystery thrillers. The investigators are human, and their reactions to the crime scenes feel both real and relatable. As with books in this genre, I tried my best to figure out whodunit. Michael Wood led me down a few dark pathways and then left me reeling when the final reveal is made! Evil in the Family is brimming with tension, unease, dread, violence, danger, and suspense! I always get excited when I see Michael Wood has a new book coming out, and he never disappoints me! Thank you to One More Chapter 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 Wife Before
Secrets and lies are the name of the game in The Wife Before! This is the 8th book which I have read by Sheryl Browne and she never disappoints me. As with the other books I have read by her, The Wife Before was gripping, mysterious, wonderfully written, thrilling, and had me trying to figure out who could be trusted and who was telling the truth!!!! Kara has suffered a horrible, heartbreaking loss that has left her devastated and full of grief. When she met Jack, she realized that he had suffered a great loss as well. This helped them bond and lean on each other. As their bond deepens and their relationships blooms, there is a knock at the door which shakes the solid foundation they have built together. Jack’s former Mother-in-law has arrived and informed Kara that Jack killed her daughter! Jack denies the outrageous claim, but she has planted a seed of doubt in Kara. Who can be trusted? Who is telling the truth? Is Jack a killer? Is Kara safe? Is the woman lying???? I love the seed of doubt that was planted in me. I also loved the mounting tension, dread, drama, and danger in this book. This book began feeling like a romance book but quickly moves into a mystery thriller! I love the twists and turns along the way. I thought I figured things out, then changed my mind, then changed it once again. I enjoyed the pacing, the not knowing who I could trust, the well thought out plot, the characters, the twists, and the reveal in The Wife Before! Another thrilling and shocking book by Sheryl Browne. 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.
The Better Mother
Oh Baby! The Better Mother: A Thriller was an addictive, twisted, and chilling book!!!!! I could not turn the pages fast enough! I was glued to the pages and loved every moment of it. Jennifer van der Kleut has written a jaw dropping, thrilling, and fast paced book that people will be talking about! Wowza! There characters in this book range from likeable to off the charts psycho!!!!! What a wild dark ride!!!! Savannah Mitchell was still recovering from a breakup that blind sighted her when she had a brief fling with a man, she met named Max. She always wanted to be a mother but never thought she would find herself single and pregnant! But that short fling with Max has her expecting a baby. When she informs him that she was pregnant, he is happy but informs her that he and his girlfriend Madison have recently gotten back together. An even bigger shocker – Madison is thrilled about the pregnancy. I don’t know about you, but this right here would give me pause. As Ross Geller once proclaimed on the show, Friends, they were on a break. But who is happy about their partner getting another woman pregnant on a break in the relationship????? But I digress…. As the pregnancy progresses, Madison becomes increasingly ‘assertive’ in her attempts to help and celebrate the pregnancy…… This book is brimming with tension, unease, and diabolical moments. The characters range from likeable, to questionable, to straight up psycho! The drama is high; the stakes are even higher! This book became a fast-paced page turner which had my pulse elevated, and my hands clinched around my kindle. Holy Moly! This is a fantastic book. Yes, there are some OTT moments, but I didn’t care one bit. I was having too much fun while reading this wonderfully written, well thought out, and shocking book! Thank you to Crooked Lane 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.
Nowhere Burning
Well, this was a dark one. Catriona Ward is a gifted storyteller, and she has quite a few stories to tell in Nowhere Burning. Don’t confuse Nowhere with Neverland. Nowhere is a place for children to take refuge in the ruins of an infamous movie star’s ranch. The place is infamous due to the star’s penchant for dark crimes. In its ruins, children have gathered, and adults are not allowed. Riley and her younger brother Oliver ran away in the night from a horrific living situation. She has heard for Nowhere and thinks it may be just the place for them. But are they trading one horror for another. There she will learn that nothing in life is free and that all things come at a cost. That is just one of the stories being told in this book. Catriona Ward manages to include more. Some worked better than others. Keep in mind, this is not a short story collection but a book where their stories will have a merging at some point. Sadly, this book was a mixed bag for me. There were things that I enjoyed and things that did not work for me. I loved the atmosphere, the tension, the dread, and the eerie vibe in this book. I also enjoyed the setting and the menacing scenery. Plus, the ending was a very nice touch! I thought that was well done. What I struggled with was the pacing and its slower meandering trip through the dark bleak world of nowhere. I also felt that she had a lot going on with the other storylines and would have liked to just stick with one or two. I struggled to connect with this book even with the elements that I enjoyed. I had both the book and the audiobook. I found myself going back and forth between the two, hoping one would grab me more than the other. Again, a mixed bag. Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Tor Nightfire, 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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