A beautifully illustrated book for young children. I loved that it was open ended and allows the reader to engage the child in answering!
"We are goin A beautifully illustrated book for young children. I loved that it was open ended and allows the reader to engage the child in answering!
"We are going to see a little pink nose!" The reader can see which animals the child comes up with that have a pink nose, which is great fun for the child. The little ones I read to where overjoyed when their guesses where correct! Even when they guessed a different animal, they immediately wanted to read it again so they could guess again.
You could take this story further by counting the animals, discussing which live in a forest environment, and the repetitive language of the animals following each other is great recall!
Great for introducing a new baby into a family as they welcome a new baby mouse in the end! Recommend for ages up to 2-3 years old!
Thanks to Netgalley and Clavis Publishing for an early arc. ...more
A famous romance writer, Helena Ross has one last story to tell....and her guilty conscience needs to confess.
Helena is rich, famous, and hiding so 3.5
A famous romance writer, Helena Ross has one last story to tell....and her guilty conscience needs to confess.
Helena is rich, famous, and hiding something that is tearing her apart. I found the story compelling and enjoyed the three POV's as well as the excerpts from Helena's last novel. The story builds slowly and the suspense simmers as the author hints at why Helena needs to confess and what really happened.
I really enjoyed the book, but felt it lagged a bit and was not all that suspenseful and somewhat repetitive. Heartbreaking and tragic in many ways. Worth the read, but don't expect a fast paced thriller....more
It's 1943- Magda Ritter, young ,naive and German. She is a food taster for the Fuhrer.
Her position would place her in the Teahouse at Hitler's Berg 4.5
It's 1943- Magda Ritter, young ,naive and German. She is a food taster for the Fuhrer.
Her position would place her in the Teahouse at Hitler's Berghof, The Wolf's Lair and The Furer's Bunker in Berlin. -Is this a job she seeked? NO -Did she want to be separated from her parents/family? NO -Was she a supporter of Hitler or the SS Party? NO -Did she fear for her life and the lives of her family and loved ones? YES
Magda lives with her parents in Berlin and Allied bombs have been falling along with rumors that Germany is not doing well in the war. To protect her, they send her to live with her Nazi Uncle Willy. She is expected to do her part, her duty, and winds up at The Berghof, Hitler's own remote mountain retreat. She is trained to recognize the smell and taste of poisons. Her teacher states "Your body is offered in sacrifice to the Reich in case the food is poisoned." Magda is utterly horrified!
As the Allied forces move in and the war intensifies, so does the plight of Magda and those she loves. Magda must hide her hatred of Hitler or die.
The author notes that several scenes are based on Margot Woelk's account of her experiences as a taster for Adolf Hitler (although not a biography, it is fiction). Ms. Woelk kept her accounts confidential until she turned 95 years old. Fascinating!
If you enjoy WWII Historical Fiction, you may enjoy this "different take" as it is from the perspective of a German girl who despises Hitler. The story is fictional and the author does take some unsubstantiated turns, but it becomes part of her story!
Thanks to Kensington Books/ Netgalley for my copy....more
A homework assignment turned murder investigation! 30 year old murder investigation!
I loved the plot and the character of Joe Talbert. He is a 21 3.5
A homework assignment turned murder investigation! 30 year old murder investigation!
I loved the plot and the character of Joe Talbert. He is a 21 year old college student and he has not had an easy life growing up in Minnesota. His mom is an alcoholic and can barely care for his younger autistic brother, Jeremy(adored this character).
Joe has an English assignment and ends up interviewing Carl, a man convicted of murder 30 years prior. Carl went to Vietnam and was awarded a silver cross and a couple of purple hearts. Joe's research leads to questions about the murder and he starts digging.
I absolutely enjoyed this multi-layered plot and know many have raved about this one. It is graphic with some disturbing passages as the plot thickens. If you enjoy gritty crime novels, I'd say this may be a must read!...more
It is a cozy/mystery with a Victorian setting with a mansion fully staffed with cooks, servants, footman, butlers, et 2.5
This book didn't work for me.
It is a cozy/mystery with a Victorian setting with a mansion fully staffed with cooks, servants, footman, butlers, etc. I liked learning about them as well as Lord Rankin and his family that owned the house. I liked the cook, Kat Holloway and found her character interesting, but when she began running around investigating crimes, and looking for suspects, the story took a downward spiral! Obviously, she would not have time on her hands for all the shenanigans that were going on.
I have seen many favorable reviews and if you enjoy cozies that are adventurous in their plot, you may enjoy this one as well!
Enjoyed reading with Traveling Sisters Reading Group! Thanks to Edelweiss for my advanced arc in exchange for my honest review....more
Paul is successful, handsome, and quite the catch!! (Paul's thoughts, not mine!)
Paul is conniving, creepy, and someone to completely avoWickedly Fun!!
Paul is successful, handsome, and quite the catch!! (Paul's thoughts, not mine!)
Paul is conniving, creepy, and someone to completely avoid!! (My thoughts!)
Paul thinks he is God's gift to women (not just his wife either!) Boy, this is a book that will have you raising your eyebrows at all of Paul's ridiculous tactics!! He is so wicked, but yet his thoughts had me laughing, shaking my head and NOT taking him too seriously. Too me this book was more of a light, sarcastic, devilish read that one could devour easily in a day!
Told by Paul's POV (which is hysterical!!!) He sets out to give his wife Mia the BEST DAY EVER, but Mia isn't cooperating and Paul "doesn't like his wife thinking"! Plenty of surprises, twists, laughs, and just plain "dark" fun! The ending was chilling in more ways than one......more
3.5 A setting in Victorian England and a photographer Sarah Bain who has become a private eye is on her next case since solving the identity of Jack th3.5 A setting in Victorian England and a photographer Sarah Bain who has become a private eye is on her next case since solving the identity of Jack the Ripper (in book #1).
Hired by Sir Gerald Mariner in London to find his infant son, Robin, who is missing and believed to have been kidnapped. Her and her partner Hugh are hot on the trail of suspects possibly involved.
There are a few side stories involving Sarah and some dark secrets from her past come up and haunt her throughout the story. She is also involved in a sweet romance with one of London's top police officers that gets put on hold while she is on the case. As she gets closer to the truth of what happened to baby Robin, she puts herself and her closest friends in harms way. What happened to baby Robin?
This one read like a suspenseful "cozy" mystery (to me). A great who-dunnit with a lot of guessing going on. I enjoyed the mystery and was determined to solve the case, which I didn't! I liked how all the servants and family in the manor were ALL suspects. Told in first person narrative with an unexpected conclusion!
I'm sure we all have drawn a chalk man or a chalk girl, but never with the consequences that this young group of kids endure!
A veChalk men lurking...
I'm sure we all have drawn a chalk man or a chalk girl, but never with the consequences that this young group of kids endure!
A very clever thriller full of seething secrets. I read the description for this book and I wasn't sure that this would be something I would enjoy, but I was mesmerized by the slow unraveling of this tale!
Told from childhood (1986) to present day (2016) by one of the boys, Eddie. The author's writing transported me back and forth to each time period. The group of friends use chalk drawings to secretly communicate to each other. Terrible secrets are revealed, frightening scenes are described, and someone will die! We are told to "beware of the chalk man". Will the truth be uncovered?
Nothing could distract me while reading this book! I think almost EVERYONE would enjoy this suspenseful, unique, and unpredictable thriller.
I won this ebook via Penguin and I am so thrilled I chose this one!...more
I really thought I would enjoy this one more. It started out with a lot of promise, but became much too claustrophobic for my taste!
While I do enjoy I really thought I would enjoy this one more. It started out with a lot of promise, but became much too claustrophobic for my taste!
While I do enjoy a frantic tone and intense scenario, this one turned out to be very monotonous and redundant. I enjoyed the setting of the massive estate, The Elms and the fact that the wife/mother Alice seemed to be "trapped" inside and controlled by her husband, Simon and her evil mother-in-law.
The story line and dialogue just went round and round too much for me and I lost interest quickly. I finished the book because I really wanted to see what happened to their child, Florence/Little Face! I can't say the ending was satisfying to me. Sadly it just didn't work for me.
I really did like Sophie Hannah's writing style as far as descriptions and character development. This is a book from 2006, so I am looking forward to reading her newest novel, Did You See Melody? So the jury is still out on this author for me :)...more
This is a popular detective series featuring detective D.D. Warren. This is #9, although my first in the series. I would like to read the previous 3.5
This is a popular detective series featuring detective D.D. Warren. This is #9, although my first in the series. I would like to read the previous books and learn more about Flora’s character ( a victim who is now helping D.D. solve cases).
A tragic murder of a mom, her boyfriend, her 13 year old daughter and her 9 year old son. Missing are 16 year old daughter Roxy and their 2 senior dogs. Roxy is on their radar and they need to know if she was involved or if she is in danger. D.D. teams up with Flora to follow the many leads.
If you enjoy series with likeable characters and police procedural/detective stories, you will enjoy playing detective alongside D.D. and Flora. Although there are many likely suspects, in the end it was predictable. It was still an interesting, but tragic detective story.
This is number 7 in the Frieda Klein series and I read this one as a stand-alone and it worked out just fineChilling and compelling police procedural!
This is number 7 in the Frieda Klein series and I read this one as a stand-alone and it worked out just fine. I was easily drawn into the world of Freida Klein-psychologist and respected police consultant.
A serial killer that was believed to be dead is out for revenge and Frieda and her family are targeted. I really enjoyed the character of Frieda and how she is both intuitive and pro-active in her quest for justice.
The book is very engaging and builds suspense throughout which makes it so easy to get lost in the reading. There are some disturbing scenes, but they are not overly graphic and I was able to easily skim over them. There is one more book to come that will end this series. I have already purchased two more books so I can read from the beginning!
If you enjoy strong police/detective procedurals that build suspense throughout, this would be a great series to try out!
Thanks to Edelweiss for my ARC. On sale January 2018....more
This was way too confusing for me with short chapters constantly changing from one character to another. This drove my crazy and I couldn't keep all t This was way too confusing for me with short chapters constantly changing from one character to another. This drove my crazy and I couldn't keep all the characters straight! As soon as I started to follow one characters narrative, it switched to another.
I liked the sound of the premise of having a covert witness protection service in London. They rescue people from abusive situations and give them a new identity, but I wasn't able to keep tract of the plot.
I do think the author is talented, but the organization and pacing didn't work for me.
An clever, scandalous, courtroom drama! I was obsessed from start to finish.
It has all the elements that make a story compelling to me. The vivid*4.5*
An clever, scandalous, courtroom drama! I was obsessed from start to finish.
It has all the elements that make a story compelling to me. The vivid characters with the added appeal of having their POV written with emotion and details that bring them to life. The characters were intriguing and would definitely have enjoyed discussing this with someone while reading it together. The plot was perfectly thought out with an explosive twist! The ending was also very satisfying and left me feeling emotional.
Kate is the Queens Court prosecutor. She is determined to win this case against the defendant James. She knows it will be difficult because he is a high profile politician (very timely as of today!) and works closely with the Prime Minister. He is also very handsome, athletic and charming. His wife, Sophie, seems to be making excuses for his bad behavior and is standing tall beside him throughout his trial.
If you enjoy highly entertaining courtroom drama that will keep you absorbed with wanting to know the outcome, then you may enjoy this one! Highly recommend for fans of legal fiction.
Thanks so much Atria for my copy in exchange for my honest review....more
A beautifully written novel about the disappearance of a woman who is found on the beach of a Greek island, she has no idea what has happened to her o A beautifully written novel about the disappearance of a woman who is found on the beach of a Greek island, she has no idea what has happened to her or how she got there.
The woman is Eloise Shelley, who is a mother of two young children. Her husband, Lochlan, panics when he discovers she is missing and has left all her belongings behind. He learns that he didn't know his wife as well as he had thought.
The story unfolds slowly and is compelling. I was easily swept away in the heartfelt search that went on for Eloise. We also hear Eloise's story as she struggles on the island to recall what has happened. Who are these people helping her on this remote island? Will they help her get home or are they conspiring against her?
I also enjoyed the setting of the island and could visualize all the sights and sounds. I really enjoyed the first person narrative. This debut author does such a wonderful job with characterization and I felt deeply for Eloise and her family.
The story is an interesting one, but the last third of the book fell short for me. It took a completely different direction than I expected. At this point, I figured out where the mystery was heading and the ending was just too far-reaching for me.
The way it wrapped up is what didn't work for me, but others have loved it. Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC....more
Kat and her husband Nick are desperately trying to get pregnant. Two adoption attempts have already brLooking for a good binge book? This could be it!
Kat and her husband Nick are desperately trying to get pregnant. Two adoption attempts have already broken their hearts. Kat would do anything to become a mom, but the “anything” is the scary part!
“I’m slipping back into the past. The good. The bad. All of it.” – Kat feels an uneasiness in the air. Does anyone else feel it?
Kat and her friend Lisa run into each other unexpectedly and “catch up” with each others lives, but they share a dark past and they are both struggling to put their lives back together. Can Lisa be trusted with Kat’s most precious dreams? We’ll soon find out!
I had one issue with the way the end wrapped up with one of the characters (I won't go into it-no spoilers here) , but I was able to overcome it because the ending was so stunning and hair-raising!
A wonderful sister read with Brenda, Norma, Kaceey, Susanne, Berit, Mary, Lindsay, and Jennifer!
The Silent Companions is a gothic, foreboding, spooky ghost story. It is very well written and I especially enjoyed the setting of the crumbling mansiThe Silent Companions is a gothic, foreboding, spooky ghost story. It is very well written and I especially enjoyed the setting of the crumbling mansion (named The Bridge) in England. The story alternates between events of 1635 to the present day of 1865.
It begins with Elsie in an asylum, with a creepy attendant and a young doctor who exclaims, “I am here to decide your fate.” He wasn’t joking.
The history of the house is told and it is a strange one. It was left empty during and after the Civil War, until family started to return, but no one stayed for very long. Were skeletons buried under the house?
When Elsie moves back into the house, she begins to “experience” it. She describes her bed as “cold and sinister”, she finds mysterious items, hears hissing in the night, walks on a wobbling staircase and the house seems to be “watching her” along with the lurking servants.
Just who is going mad here?
A spookalicious read with a ending that made me gasp!
For fans of gothic, spooky/creepy historical fiction, haunted houses and the paranormal!
Thanks to Edelweiss for my ARC. Rating 4/5 stars. I read it on Halloween night and it made it even more spooky!...more
What a ride this was! It actually had me on edge and checking around corners (very edgy). Some people may not enjoy the downright frantic tone, but I What a ride this was! It actually had me on edge and checking around corners (very edgy). Some people may not enjoy the downright frantic tone, but I was hooked! The tone does get a bit monotonous as it never lets up, but that did not deter me! And the ending was sweet!
What is going on with the narrator, Cass? Is she losing it? Having a breakdown? Does she have a stalker? Is someone watching her? Does someone want to murder her? Is her medication getting to her? / Does she need medication??
Cass saw a woman broke down on the side of a wooded road in the pouring rain. She didn't want to get out of the car at night (especially on the dark Blackwater Lane) and decided the woman wasn't in distress so she left and continued home.
The next morning, Cass has heard that a woman was murdered around the time she pulled over on Blackwater Lane. She feels terribly guilty, but what should she do? Did the murderer see her that night? Is she perhaps in danger?
Cass experiences fear of the phone ringing and the letter box clattering. She spends time eating lunch at Sour Grapes (really who would eat there?) with a friend just so she is not at home alone.
This book reminded me of the tone of A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena. Most thrillers have a twist or two, and perhaps a knock-out ending, but this entire book was twisted with a double punch ending! Thank you to my library!...more
I'm not sure I would call this a thriller, but more of a crime, police-procedural mystery. This is a debut author and I did enjoy her writing 3.5 Stars
I'm not sure I would call this a thriller, but more of a crime, police-procedural mystery. This is a debut author and I did enjoy her writing for the most part. It started off very compelling as a kidnapping occurs, but ultimately does not keep up with the pace of the initial chapters.
Abby (the kidnapped and serial killer survivor) becomes a police officer and becomes involved in cases of three people who have disappeared/vanished at or around the same time every year. She suspects it may be some how connected to her own kidnapping case. There are some grisly details and uncomfortable descriptions, but it is a "serial killer" plot so be prepared for it if you read this one.
I didn't feel the story evolved into the suspenseful story it could have been. It ventures off into a lot of side stories that bogged down the story line and had me distracted. I would still be interested in this author and what she comes up with next.
If you enjoy serial killer plots with some twisted themes, you may enjoy this one very much!
Thanks for my wish granted- St. Martin's Press and Netgalley Publication expected December 5,2017
I found the characters confusing and the plot was hard to follow. I liked the premise of a gothic mystery set in the New York gilded age, but it didn'I found the characters confusing and the plot was hard to follow. I liked the premise of a gothic mystery set in the New York gilded age, but it didn't live up to my expectations. I enjoyed some parts, but the flow was not working for me.
It begins with Bayard Van Duyvil found with a knife in his chest on the night of a Ball at his family home. I thought this mystery would be center in the plot and that suspects would be drawn out and examined, but there were too many side stories and discussions of how family members met years before. It felt disconnected and the big reveal at the end was disappointing and honestly not at all worth reading nearly 400 pages to get too.
The book was too long, too confusing, too many side stories and had too many characters with similar names...George, Georgiana, Georgie, Giles, Georgina....honestly.
I was hoping for a gothic mystery with a historic setting, but was ultimately disappointed. The book has some very high ratings, so you might want to read those if you are interested in giving it a go!
Thanks to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for my ARC. Pub. date is Jan.9,2018...more
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