Narrated by: Stephanie Racine, Indra Ove, Colin Mace, Aysha Kala, Beth Eyre ,Josie Dunne,11 hrs and 29 min, Library loan
LittlGood beginning/OTT ending
Narrated by: Stephanie Racine, Indra Ove, Colin Mace, Aysha Kala, Beth Eyre ,Josie Dunne,11 hrs and 29 min, Library loan
Little Lottie has wandered off.....
Her mom is frantic and the search begins....
I was intrigued enough to finish. There was misdirection and red herrings along the way. I had a few theories (all were wrong). Overall, it was too long for a missing child story. I was more than ready for the "wrap up"! The narration also became too frantic and dramatic. Alex seemed like she was about to unravel at any second and her voice was making me anxious. I kept thinking, "Please find her before I lose my mind".
If you don't mind the plot holes and an OTT end, it might be entertaining enough.
I think I've read too many books with this trope, so I'll give it a rest.
Merged review:
Good beginning/OTT ending
Narrated by: Stephanie Racine, Indra Ove, Colin Mace, Aysha Kala, Beth Eyre ,Josie Dunne,11 hrs and 29 min, Library loan
Little Lottie has wandered off.....
Her mom is frantic and the search begins....
I was intrigued enough to finish. There was misdirection and red herrings along the way. I had a few theories (all were wrong). Overall, it was too long for a missing child story. I was more than ready for the "wrap up"! The narration also became too frantic and dramatic. Alex seemed like she was about to unravel at any second and her voice was making me anxious. I kept thinking, "Please find her before I lose my mind".
If you don't mind the plot holes and an OTT end, it might be entertaining enough.
I think I've read too many books with this trope, so I'll give it a rest....more
She is one that I can count on to keep the pages moving! This time we have a story about an author who finally gets hMy fifth novel from this author!
She is one that I can count on to keep the pages moving! This time we have a story about an author who finally gets her first novel published. Camryn Lane is on top of the world UNTIL.... Dun,dun,dun... the reviews start rolling in. ...more
The police arrest Tate, but she claims her innocence. She thinks her lawyer doesn't believe her.
I was hoA woman falls from the roof of a London bank.
The police arrest Tate, but she claims her innocence. She thinks her lawyer doesn't believe her.
I was hooked from the start. The way everything unfolds is a little different from most revenge type novels. A lot of secrets and motivations will surface and some shocked me.
I really enjoyed some of the surprising twists and turns. There is a bit of repetition in events though, and one major EYE ROLL! Still a good, entertaining revenge tale that is served chilled! If you like this kind of tale, add it for 2024.
Thanks NG for my ARC! This one is out January 16, 2024...more
Ernest Cunningham returns in book two with another clever metafiction mystery.
I really enjoyed the train/locked room setting and set-up of a 50th AusErnest Cunningham returns in book two with another clever metafiction mystery.
I really enjoyed the train/locked room setting and set-up of a 50th Australian Mystery Writers Society festival. The train is packed with the who's who of crime writers ( 7 in all, including Ernest).
I thought the premise was fun, but with so many characters and discussion about who the murderer was, who had motive, who had opportunity, misdirection, etc AND Ernest's commentary on every situation, it became a lot of work! I was more in the mood to just read and follow some crumbs.
I wanted to finish and find out who the murderer was, but wasn't in a hurry to flip any of the pages to get there. I will read the next, but hope the author goes for "less is more" as this one was a bit drawn out.
I wanted to give this author another try after giving her last, Wrong Place Wrong Time three stars.
I thought it was a good police procedural3.5 STARS
I wanted to give this author another try after giving her last, Wrong Place Wrong Time three stars.
I thought it was a good police procedural, but moves a bit slow in the first half. Some unexpected twists and turns kept me reading because of my curiousity of what would happen next. The problem was that the author gets wordy and a little repetitive which had me skimming some of the fluff! ...more
Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca is my favorite classic gothic novel so I couldn't pass this "take" on it by Jillian Cantor!
Instead of a mansion i3.5 STARS
Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca is my favorite classic gothic novel so I couldn't pass this "take" on it by Jillian Cantor!
Instead of a mansion in Cornwall, this one is set in Malibu. Last night I dreamt I went to Malibu again…
I obsessed over all the details~ guessing who the narrator was, the portrait in the bedroom, the creepy vibes in the mansion.
Does the housekeeper have a sinister voice? I couldn't help but compare the different secrets and reveals to those in the classic. Was Olivia living in her own meta escapades? Is she somehow trapped?
This was definitely slow building and had some repetition that really affected the pacing. The protag Olivia digs into the past of Henry “Ash” Asherwood, a reclusive billionaire who has hired her as a "ghost-writer." She gets in over her head more than once!
There was alot going on! A book within a book, some uncanny parallels, and jumping into some romantic subplots.
I was often frustrated (especially at Olivia), but at the same time I couldn't stop reading! I think the author missed the mark of what could have been an outstanding read. I would still recommend to fans of gothic suspense!
Twenty five years ago a female student disappeared at Briarwood College's campus. A writing professor, Hugo Moss, died while searching for he3.5 STARS
Twenty five years ago a female student disappeared at Briarwood College's campus. A writing professor, Hugo Moss, died while searching for her.
The book is written in Then and Now chapters.
It is a locked room mystery featuring the old college, urban legends, bones that are found in a cave, stories of an ice cave girl, and a reclusive author. Some twists and turns along the way.
It was entertaining, but I struggled to get invested. I was hoping for a faster paced story. Others have really enjoyed this one, so be sure to check out more reviews!
Thanks to NG for the arc. OUT on Sept 5, 2023...more
His gig was a book reviewer. He didn't "really work". He meets Alice Stone, ten years younger than him and they get married after six months of datingHis gig was a book reviewer. He didn't "really work". He meets Alice Stone, ten years younger than him and they get married after six months of dating.
It is going to be a thrilling honeymoon for Henry and Alice.
Henry chooses a book from the bookshelf at their rental. Soon, a deep sense of déjà vu grips his every thought. The novel mirrors his current situation. Things spiral out of control and reality/fiction starts to blur.
I was loving the direction and read this short story in a day( it is only 55 pages). BUT, the ending left me at a total loss! I'll just quote one of the characters, " I don't like it Henry, Not one little bit."
I am up for trying a few more of these Bibliomysteries from Amazon....more
I enjoyed, but it was a bit drawn out and could have been shorter (384 pgs).
I was pulled in early with the cleaning lady and the mysterious w3.5 STARS
I enjoyed, but it was a bit drawn out and could have been shorter (384 pgs).
I was pulled in early with the cleaning lady and the mysterious wife upstairs! Sound familiar? I have read quite a few books featuring a nosy maid character recently.
I liked the different pov's from all the players and the chapters that alternated between excerpts of interrogations, newspaper postings, and even a peek at the crime scene in the beginning.
There is a lot of delving into the personal lives of the main characters and it became a bit slow in parts which affected the pace. If you love character driven, you'll enjoy discovering the secrets that unravel. You'll get some good story telling if you can hang with the characters and their questionable behavior.
The ending was a little nuts, but I will say it surprised me!
Thanks to Celedon from my arc. OUT June 13, 2023...more
A mystery, a family drama, and a truly emotional journey!
I changed my opinion about what happened to tWas I hooked?
YES
Was it problematic?
YES,( for me)
A mystery, a family drama, and a truly emotional journey!
I changed my opinion about what happened to the missing mother, Jane Larkin, many times. Of course, the husband is always a suspect! In this case, he is a criminal defense attorney named Dan Larkin. The three children have their own opinions about whether their father killed their mom. The question in my mind that was always swirling was "Did he do it?" Also, I kept thinking of the real life trial of Alex Murdaugh who was also accused of murdering his wife (he was found guilty).
There is a very meta feel to the way the story unfolds from the pov of a writer who tells parts of this story and I really enjoyed that aspect. Miranda was my favorite character and she surprised me all the way to the end.
A slow burn, character driven family drama. There were parts that seemed to wander into mundane conversations, this had me wanting to skim. I didn't need all the meaningless banter, get to the point please! I wanted more suspense and a more even pace, with no meandering.
The biggest shock for me came around the halfway point and it was RIVETING!
I had to know how it would end! Would the truth be revealed? Well, you'll have to read it to see.,but for me it was problematic. I was somewhat shocked and very frustrated. I'm still thinking about it, I still have questions, but there won't be any answers.
This was a library loan and came out March 7, 2023...more
I REALLY wanted to give it a FIVE, but it didn't quite get there! 4.5 STARS
Super fun metafiction mystery.
The author promises to be a reliable narratoI REALLY wanted to give it a FIVE, but it didn't quite get there! 4.5 STARS
Super fun metafiction mystery.
The author promises to be a reliable narrator and "play fair".
It has quite a cast of characters and I needed to keep a list to keep everyone straight. I was able to refer back to it until I had them sorted and no longer needed a sneak peek.
I love a good puzzle and this one kept me entertained from the start. The audio was so FUN! The author states that he will follow Ronald Knox's 10 Commandments of Detective Fiction 1929. The mystery is reminiscent of the detective series by Agatha Christie, but much more modern with graphic scenes of some of the crimes.
The setting is a family reunion at a ski resort. There is also a literal "plot hole", haha, with lots of laughs with the dark humor. We have a police detective who is a wannabe Poirot, but not very experienced, a narrator who gives an update on the clues, and a lot of finger pointing by the family members!
Loved the style, but became a bit complicated and the resolution was too drawn out with a long "tell". Still a good time!!
I listened via Audible and had a library copy. 9 hours, 30 min. I've already added the author's next in the series Everyone On This Train is a Suspect! Soon to be an HBO series too! Woohoo!
It was a very chilly/icy week in Texas and this added to the chilling setting of the novel.
Three plot threads. TWhat in the horror did I just read??!!
It was a very chilly/icy week in Texas and this added to the chilling setting of the novel.
Three plot threads. Three locked room scenarios. Three POV's. That is all you need to know.
A dizzying post apocalyptic thriller that gripped me from beginning to end.
I listened to the entire book. The narration was amazing, gave it that cinematic boost that took it to another level of edge of your seat, nerve-racking, nail biting tension. Not scary, but oh so dark and foreboding.
Peppered with dark humor, lots of cursing, ghastly descriptions and a sense of dread that builds like a snowball heading downhill and fast.
The twist was brilliant! How did she pull THAT off? I was dumbfounded. She got me!
Locked-room mystery at a secluded historical mansion!
It is season ten of the hit show Bake Week and 6 bakers will compete at Grafton Manor. The winnerLocked-room mystery at a secluded historical mansion!
It is season ten of the hit show Bake Week and 6 bakers will compete at Grafton Manor. The winner will be awarded America's Best Baker.
The mansion is in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, and holds many secrets that are tucked away in the hidden staircase and two wings.
We get to meet all the contestants and learn about how they really feel about things going on, which is much more than baking!
You'll hear a few screams, get hungry hearing about all the delicious ingredients in the recipes, crave something sweet and question the motives of some. I had a good time piecing together the clues. Read for a lighter, cozy mystery with a foodie theme. ...more
A historical fiction novel based on a real life crime that happened on March 1, 1932.
I had heard of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, but had limited knoA historical fiction novel based on a real life crime that happened on March 1, 1932.
I had heard of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, but had limited knowledge of the case or any of the details. There was no DNA, security cameras, or other sophisticated technology in 1932. They did use fingerprinting, but the crime scene had been wiped.
This book is narrated Betty Gow, the nanny to baby Charlie. She was in the NJ home the night Charlie was taken.
What a whirlwind story! How terrifying for anyone to have to endure. I felt for the family, Betty and poor Charlie.
After finishing, I had to google the Lindbergh family, the NJ mansion, the babies precious photos and the nanny. I also saw pictures of the WANTED posters, and a ransom note. What a heartbreaking case!
Really enjoyed the narration by Penelope Rawkins. 12 hours and 18 minutes.
Well researched with notes about Betty Gow and a section on Fact VS Fiction. Recommend to those who are curious about the case and enjoy the genre.
Pub on Novemeber 15, 2022/ Listened via Hoopla...more
Lots of disturbing people doing disturbing things!
I did like the author's writing style though, it is to the point and moves quickly.
Betty L3.5 STARS
Lots of disturbing people doing disturbing things!
I did like the author's writing style though, it is to the point and moves quickly.
Betty Lou is a struggling author and a therapist (with a BIG secret). I guess you could call her Author-Doctor?? She lives in a historic mansion in a quiet coastal town.
More than one of the characters are certifiable bat-sh*t craaaazy! Ulterior motives, some nightmarish scenes, a cabin in the woods, and a shot in the dark. There are more than a few plot holes I questioned, but I liked the end.
This novella is part of a standalone domestic suspense series. It is free on KU and the next comes out on Jan 20, 2023. I'll read it because I'm curious....more
Alex finds a book waiting for her on the front doormat! Who doesn't love bookmail, right?
She wonders if it is "another run-of-the-mill thriller."
Let'sAlex finds a book waiting for her on the front doormat! Who doesn't love bookmail, right?
She wonders if it is "another run-of-the-mill thriller."
Let's just say it is not!
She soon realizes that her life will change forever.
She is a journalist and this gifted book titled, Falling, will send her to Cornwall, chasing answers. You see, the author was murdered, just like the character in the book. Alex has a sense that something isn't right.
I was wrapped up in the mystery as well as the book within the book. A fascinating premise, with a quick pace and eerie setting. The ending went in a different direction than I thought it was heading. A bit too far from the cliff (no I didn't like it), but still a compelling read! I've read my share of "cliff" books this year and this one kept me reading.
Narrated by: Daphne Kouma / Enjoyed the narration Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
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