Katy Sweeney is looking for her younger sister Phoebe- a vivacious blogger who disappeared while traveling solo in her van. Her journey was sup3.5 ⭐️
Katy Sweeney is looking for her younger sister Phoebe- a vivacious blogger who disappeared while traveling solo in her van. Her journey was supposed to take her on a complete loop of Australia, starting and ending in Perth.
Pheebsinwonderland Day 6- Besides the “necessities” all you need is common sense, Phoebe assures her followers-“Trust your gut and if something’s off-just leave!” She posts along with her TOP TWENTY SAFETY TIPs. #solofemaletravel, #womenwhowander
And, yet, just three weeks later, her BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS and CHEERFUL POSTS completely stop.
It’s been a year, and the case has gone cold, but Katy believes that people don’t just vanish into thin air-everyone leaves a trace-you just have to find it.
So, using Phoebe’s social media accounts as a map, Katy retraces her sister’s steps, searching for any clues the police may have missed.
Her first clue comes when she finds a Bobby pin, painted with nail polish-in the dirt at one of the campsites-which is a unique item that Phoebe always wore in her hair.
Teaming up with Katy is Beth (Lily) who also found trouble while living a van life and literally ran into Katy while on the run from an abusive boyfriend.
The story alternates between the POV’s of Katy, Beth and Wyatt-a sick, young boy whose Mom also disappeared after leaving their home one day.
I have mixed feelings about this book.
The author captured the dark side of Women’s Solo travel brilliantly, with descriptive prose and nothing is scarier to me than reading about or imagining the awful things that some humans are capable of.
The story started out strong but the pace became too SLOW by the midway point and 384 pages began to feel too long. Despite mostly enjoying it, the book took me longer than usual to finish.
And the book took a turn in the end which disappointed me. It was a unique story but there was a missed opportunity to really make this an EMOTIONAL crime novel, and I felt cheated by the ending. How you feel about it may determine your final rating too.
I paired my reading with the audiobook, narrated by Maddy Withington, who did a terrific job voicing all three characters.
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title....more
On Friday night, July 15, 1994, ten year old, Ethan Marsh, and his best friend, Billy Barringer crawl into a tent in Ethan’s backyard for their weeklyOn Friday night, July 15, 1994, ten year old, Ethan Marsh, and his best friend, Billy Barringer crawl into a tent in Ethan’s backyard for their weekly camping sleepover.
On Saturday, July 16th, Ethan wakes up alone.
The flap remains shut, but there is a thirty eight inch gash along one side of the tent, and Billy is gone. Apparently, Ethan slept right through the whole thing.
No signs of a struggle and no clues.
It’s been thirty years and Billy is still listed on NamUs ( The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System ) as MISSING.
Ethan’s parents have retired to Florida, and at 40 years old, he finds himself unexpectedly moving back into the family home on Hemlock Circle-the last place he expected to be living at this stage of his life.
He struggles with Insomnia, something he developed after the abduction, so when the motion detectors of the neighboring houses are tripped, ONE BY ONE-he is awake to see them all!
But, he can’t see WHO or WHAT is setting them off.
The next morning, a baseball ⚾️ is in his yard-the secret code the two boys had which meant, “Billy wants to play”.
Could Billy be back? Or is this a GHOST story?
Alternating between the PAST and the PRESENT, the mystery of what happened to Billy will finally be solved.
I actually guessed MOST of the reveals this time-the CLUES are all there if you pay close attention-not all of the little details but definitely who had played a part in Billy’s disappearance.
This didn’t detract from my enjoyment because the author’s last two books were too twisty and OTT for my tastes, and this one was much more plausible which is my preference. I enjoyed reading to see if I was right…
The middle dragged just a bit, when we spent a lot of time in the past, so I will go with 3.75 ⭐️ rounded up!
I also love the cover depicting the ominous Cul de Sac, where those shocking things happened in the “middle of the night”…
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title. AVAILABLE NOW!...more
After reading all of the glowing reviews for this book from trusted Goodreads friends, I had to squeeze it in, and I have NO REGRETS!
This fictional sAfter reading all of the glowing reviews for this book from trusted Goodreads friends, I had to squeeze it in, and I have NO REGRETS!
This fictional story is set in the (real) Rehoboth Beach, Delaware-another beach town discovered in a book-that I think I would be happy living in. (guide book excerpts included)
The story:
Three generations of Schmidts have run their family’s beachfront restaurant, with Jack being the latest, since his father's death.
BUT, WILL HE BE THE LAST?
Jack has put the restaurant ahead of everything else, and it has cost him-most notably a long term relationship and maybe his last chance at starting a family of his own.
Is it too late to reinvent his life at age 52?
The DelDine group-a corporation that has been snapping up beloved eateries along this stretch of coast, has made Jack a very generous offer to buy the eatery. Although there would be a name change, they have agreed to keep on his staff, which is what he has worried about most-as they are like family to him.
This is a MELANCHOLY, character driven, “slice of life” story about how choices made in a minute-can alter your entire life. I grew to care about Jack-and his friends and employees as well.
But, it’s also a story of HOPE and one that may have you tearing up or cheering by its end.
I couldn’t help but to be swept away by Jack’s story as he grappled with his PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE. It is definitely a story that I will think about, long after the final page is turned.
I am now looking forward to catching up on the author’s previous work!
THANK YOU to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title....more
He sends emails in the tone of a British Gentleman using ChatGPT to disguise his real identity…
But WHO is François Loubet?
He is a powerful money smugHe sends emails in the tone of a British Gentleman using ChatGPT to disguise his real identity…
But WHO is François Loubet?
He is a powerful money smuggler and he is using unsuspecting “Influencers” being protected by Maximum Impact Solutions to move his money.
Amy Wheeler is a private security officer, for Maximum Impact Solutions and she is currently on a remote island keeping world-famous author Rosie D’Antonio alive. (think an older Samantha from Sex in the City or even Blanche from the Golden Girls)
It was supposed to be an EASY job.
But dead bodies and bags of money, keep showing up with Amy’s blood always found nearby. She is being set up.
Amy will have to turn to the ONLY person she feels she can trust for help-a retired cop and “sometimes” local investigator who just happens to be her father-in-law-Steve Wheeler.
Steve has recently lost his beloved wife Debbie, and he talks to her from a bench near his home, finds comfort from a stray cat named Trouble, which he recently adopted, and enjoys pints and Pub quizzes with his neighbors.
He has no desire to travel the World only one step ahead of the several would-be assassins who are tracking both Rosie and (now) Amy.
But, he loves Amy, so he won’t say no.
The result? Another fast paced, mystery filled with a new cast of likable characters and the same trademark HUMOR we have come to expect from the talented Richard Osman.
YES- he has another HIT on his hands!
I have LOVED his Thursday Murder Club series ( and am glad there will be more) but I am now ALSO looking forward to more cases for the “ We Solve Murders” agency. If you enjoyed TMC-I do believe that you will enjoy this series too!
The acknowledgments chapter at the end of the book hints at which characters will be back and I am glad to see that the hilarious and IRRESISTIBLE Rosie D’Antonio will be one of them. Hopefully we will get to know Amy’s husband Adam a bit better in the next installment.
A buddy read with Mary Beth-Did she enjoy her first by Osman?
AVAILABLE NOW!
I paired my reading with the fantastic Audible narrated by Nicola Walker. I wish to thank the Chandler Public Library for the loan of both formats!...more
Inspired by the HORROR classic, Rosemary’s Baby, we have “The New Couple in 5B”-55 Park Avenue-a historic NY city building now called the Windemere-buInspired by the HORROR classic, Rosemary’s Baby, we have “The New Couple in 5B”-55 Park Avenue-a historic NY city building now called the Windemere-built on the same soil where “The Church of the Holy Name” once stood until it burnt to the ground.
All that remained of the building was the foundation, some of the stones, and the Gargoyles that stood sentry over the front door.
Moving in, a newlywed couple, Chad and Rosie Lowan, he an actor, she a writer, who inherited the 5 million dollar unit from his Uncle Ivan.
Rosie has plans to write a book about the building’s history-divided into sections for the Violent Murders, the many Accidents, the frequent Suicides, and the natural deaths-which seem to have happened in abundance at this address-one of which occurred in their very own unit-where a writer, Paul, once lived with his beautiful, dancer wife, Willa.
Are there dark forces at work in this haunted building?
At first, the building and its eclectic tenants couldn’t feel more welcoming. But soon, the Lowans begin to wonder why the SAME doorman is always on duty, and why there are cameras everywhere? And, what about the intercom, which summons that doorman without needing to even press a button?
Creepy and claustrophobic, this ENTERTAINING story has a gothic feel which will grip you from the opening pages-but don’t expect it to feel plausible.
A fun buddy read with Susan, Ceecee and Mary Beth, which offered much lively discussion! Be sure to check out their amazing reviews for additional thoughts!
This book is available now!
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title!...more
Just SIX months earlier, Will was lovingly waking his wife Erin on Valentine’s Day, with a kiss and a delicate necklace, to celebrate their love, and Just SIX months earlier, Will was lovingly waking his wife Erin on Valentine’s Day, with a kiss and a delicate necklace, to celebrate their love, and their toddler daughter, Sadie. But, when he tries to fasten it around her neck she flinches, and feels a fear she can’t explain.
Then the “unthinkable”happens that evening.
While Will is supposed to be watching Erin’s beloved dog, Coco, he loses her. And, searching the neighborhood and posting signs, brings no results. Erin is inconsolable, and when she isn’t able to forgive Will for being so careless, a downward spiral begins.
They seek marriage counseling to try and save their relationship-and their family.
When Erin and Will walk into Maggie Day’s office for the first time, Maggie believes they are an ordinary couple with the usual issues, including an overbearing mother-in-law and a son who won’t acknowledge that fact.
But soon Maggie begins to sense that Coco was just a trigger for issues that started many years prior.
As they delve into Erin’s troubled past, she mentions something which could tie in to the therapist’s own personal traumatic experience years prior.
Maggie knows her “code of ethics” as a therapist should have her immediately stopping her work with the couple, but her own desperation keeps her pushing for answers, and she can’t resist using her position to delve deeper into Erin’s memories to find out what she might know.
The book continues to count down the time from SIX MONTHS ago to the PRESENT DAY and opening prologue which foreshadowed Erin being rushed to the ER-the Victim of a hit and run.
This is mostly told through the alternating perspectives of Erin and Maggie, which allows us to get to know both women well.
This story captured my interest from the opening page, and I was completely engaged throughout! And, it remained plausible without being predictable which is a big plus for me!!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title!...more
What Have You Done? by Shari LaPena Expertly narrated by January Lavoy (main text) with narrator Jorjeana Marie as Diana and narrator Barrett Leddy as What Have You Done? by Shari LaPena Expertly narrated by January Lavoy (main text) with narrator Jorjeana Marie as Diana and narrator Barrett Leddy as Evan 8 hrs 49 min at 1.0x speed, 5 hrs 53 mins at 1.5x speed
The turkey vultures found her first.
Roy Ressler thought it would be a deer that the vultures were circling in his field, as he drove his big farm tractor early Friday morning. Nothing could prepare him for what he found instead. A local girl lying naked, and dead and one he recognizes-Diana Brewer.
Nothing like this ever happens in the sleepy town of Fairhill, so Detectives Stone and Godfrey are called in from the Major Crimes unit of the Vermont State Police. As they begin to investigate, three suspects emerge, and I kept changing my mind about who I thought might be guilty.
Cameron Farrell-her possessive boyfriend Joe Prior, a customer who had been stalking her at her job at the Home Depot, and Brad Turner-her high school gym teacher and Coach-whom she has recently filed a complaint against for “inappropriate behavior”.
The pace is FAST as the story unfolds from multiple, alternating POV’s delivered in short, snappy, “just one more” chapters. We even have some from Diana, as she tries to make sense of her own death from beyond (reminiscent of Lovely Bones). Her best friends, Riley and Evan take an active role in the investigation and we are also privy to Evan’s journal entries as the story progresses. I found it interesting that different narrators were used to voice the viewpoints of the teens-Diana and Evan.
I read to be entertained and as always, Shari Lapena has done so, with her engaging writing style. Not once was I tempted to skim ahead-she held my interest from start to finish.
DO read the author’s note at the end to hear about the farmhouse and the ouija board which helped inspire this story.
I paired my reading with the audiobook for an enhanced experience and wish to thank the Chandler Public Library for the loan of both formats.
Originally an Amazon Original Audible, released in December 2021, this story is now available in print for the first time!
Lettuce Tomatoes Pickles OnOriginally an Amazon Original Audible, released in December 2021, this story is now available in print for the first time!
Lettuce Tomatoes Pickles Onions
Charlie Hudson, an autistic 17-year-old, is determined to escape Sawyer, PA and attend MIT as soon as she graduates high school — but in the meantime, she works as many hours as she can at “The Sawyer Sandwich Shop” (known as The Triple S to locals) to save money for college.
When shop owner Clay Cooper is found dead, each member of his staff becomes a suspect in the perplexing case-But, only one knows what really happened-Charlie-and she isn’t telling.
Charlie will have to figure out who to trust and what to do-using the rules of life she has learned from her mother and from TV- if she wants to protect the co-workers who are like family to her-and attain her dream of attending college.
What ensues is a story that was original, engaging and most of all SURPRISING!
Wendy Walker never disappoints!
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title! ...more
Nobody, and I do mean NOBODY, writes romances that I enjoy more than Abby Jimenez!
She makes me want to crawl inside the pages of her books and becomeNobody, and I do mean NOBODY, writes romances that I enjoy more than Abby Jimenez!
She makes me want to crawl inside the pages of her books and become one of her characters, so I can marry her “too good to be true” MMC, have a best friend like her MFC will have, and own one of the adorable (or ugly!) rescue dogs that she creates! (here’s looking at you, Brad!) ...more
I HIGHLY recommend the Audible version, narrated by Jessica Regan, Stephen Hogan and Jessica Lyman. (10 hours, 2 minutes)
Each narrator captured the mI HIGHLY recommend the Audible version, narrated by Jessica Regan, Stephen Hogan and Jessica Lyman. (10 hours, 2 minutes)
Each narrator captured the mood perfectly and sounded exactly as I imagined their character would sound . Plus-when a certain tape is played, complete with whispers, it was downright creepy!
“My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it” THOSE were the opening words to “Lying in Wait”, the first book by Liz Nugent to capture my attention, and she has continued to shock me with her dark, twisted stories of dysfunctional families since then.
And, the opening sentence for Strange Sally Diamond:
“Put me out with the trash” he said regularly. I’ll be dead so I won’t know any different. You’ll be crying your eyes out-(and he would laugh, and his daughter Sally would laugh too, because both knew that Sally NEVER cried)
But then the day arrives and when Sally finds her father has stopped breathing- the reclusive and “Socially Deficient” Strange Sally Diamond does just that-attracting the attention of an entire town!
Her father has left her THREE letters to explain why she has no memories from before the age of 7-(our minds are very good at blocking out disturbing events)
But as Sally discovers WHY she “IS AS SHE IS” and steps out into the World for the first time, at age 44, she will actually come into her own despite the traumatic events of her earliest years, AND the man on the other side of the World who knows her as “Mary”.
Chapters narrated by Peter, fill us in on what Sally and her mother endured (heartbreaking) but I was most captivated by Sally in the present day, as you cannot help but root for her to succeed. (heartwarming).
Strange Sally Diamond will NOT soon be forgotten!
As always with Liz Nugent, there are many possible triggers including but not limited to Captivity, Pedophelia, Rape, Mental and Physical Abuse. No animals are harmed.
AVAILABLE NOW
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this Audible....more
HUSBAND: “We need to find a moment to talk. It’s important” WIFE (rendered speechless) thinking…”Is the marriage over?”
Rewind a week…and the story begiHUSBAND: “We need to find a moment to talk. It’s important” WIFE (rendered speechless) thinking…”Is the marriage over?”
Rewind a week…and the story begins, told in the first person POV of the WIFE, over the course of one week, one COLORFUL day at a time…
⚠️ You will hear the words “MY HUSBAND” so many times throughout this book that you will have already lost track of the number of times you have heard it, before MONDAY is even over.
That is by design, because she is in fact, OBSESSED with her husband.
Monday: “I’m in love with my husband or should I say, I’m still in love with my husband. I love my husband as much as the first day I met him.”
And, OBSESSED about wanting to be sexually desired by her husband.
But is her love and passion reciprocated? She will TEST her husband often.
She doesn’t feel the need to spend time with friends, her parents or her CHILDREN-she only needs to spend time with her husband.
She will in fact, forget to kiss her children goodbye when she leaves the house, and be angry when her husband only gives her a peck on the cheek in greeting.
And, so help him, if he dares to try to discuss the weather!
She can JUSTIFY everything that SHE does.
Over analyzing everything that HE says and does, she will punish him in both passive aggressive ways when appropriate, and in ways more unforgivable and I couldn’t help but wonder if she was like this when the two married, or if had perhaps been a slow descent into madness over the fifteen years of their union.
YOU WILL LEARN THE TRUTH IN THE EPILOGUE
LIKE A CAR WRECK that you can’t help but peek at as you drive by-I couldn’t stop listening to this crazy AUDIBLE, narrated brilliantly by Kiiri Sandy.
This dark, entertaining, character study written by Maud Ventura and translated from French by Emma Ramadan runs for only 5h 33 minutes and I listened to it in one sitting.
It’s an impressive DEBUT, and the winner of France’s First Novel Prize.
I loved the glimpses into the culture of France-the exquisite descriptions of food, and family life, and of course, I was captivated by this MARRIAGE and our VERY unlikable WIFE.
Clearly, it’s not for everyone with a current average rating on Goodreads of 3.74 but, it is UNIQUE and QUITE UNFORGETTABLE so it’s earning 5 stars from me!
Positive reviews on the same day by both Michelle H and Brandice, caught my attention and I am so glad they put this one on my radar!
AVAILABLE NOW
Thank you to the Chandler Public Library for the AUDIBLE loan of this title....more
Jack was 9 years old when his father said goodbye to him as he left for the government’s Witness Protection Program.
Excerpt :
He reached around into Jack was 9 years old when his father said goodbye to him as he left for the government’s Witness Protection Program.
Excerpt :
He reached around into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. A simple billfold made of brown leather. He opened it up briefly, exposing a couple of bills. A ten and a five. “There’s a few bucks in there,” he said. “Enough for some comics or ice cream or something.” He took his son’s hand and placed the wallet in it. The boy studied it, like it was some strange, unidentifiable artifact. “What about your driver’s license?” the boy asked. “They’ll get me a new one of those. New Social Security card, too, probably even a library card. Along with my new name, whatever it turns out to be.” “You won’t be Dad anymore?” The man looked as though he might crumble. He took a moment. “I’ll always be Dad,” he said. He folded the child’s fingers around the wallet. “You hold on tight to it, just in case. You never know, maybe one day I’ll come back for it.”
Now:
Jack is a struggling author and his third book has been rejected. So when the U.S Marshalls approach him with a lucrative job offer-writing the back stories for people who are about to go off grid in the Witness Protection Program, he sees it as not only an opportunity to earn some money, but also as a way to possibly get information about his Dad, and maybe reconnect with him.
But, how can he find a man he’s never truly known?
Jack and his investigative reporter girlfriend, Lana, are likable and believable characters who you can root for, and unlike the last two thrillers that I read, this one delivered an ORIGINAL PREMISE, which was ENTERTAINING from the very first page through the last one.
Full of suspense, it managed to SURPRISE me more than once, and it had an adrenaline finish like one you might find in the movie theater! ...more