The Scientist and the Serial Killer - Lise Olsen

 The Scientist and the Serial Killer - Lise Olsen

Pub. Date: April 1, 2025

She read

In the 1970s, at least 27 teenage boys in Houston were kidnapped, sexually assaulted, tortured, murdered and buried by Dean Corll, given the moniker “The Candy Man.” Many were reported missing, but the police never put the cases together and in many instances wrote off the reports as kids who had run away.The horror these boys experienced was only made known when one of Corll’s young accomplices killed him. As bodies and bones were dug up, most of them were in such decayed condition that they couldn’t be identified. They became known as the “Lost Boys” until thirty years later when forensic anthropologist Sharon Derrick was determined to put a name to as many as she could, an effort that took years and was made possible only by scientific advances.  

This is an important story; one that needs to be told and especially the lesson of how, along with prejudice against “ hippies” and homosexuality, 

reports of poor teenagers missing from dysfunctional families were basically ignored by authorities. Equally important is the recounting of Derrick’s relentless search for the identity of the lost boys. The account, unfortunately, gets bogged down a bit in details, shifting timelines, and repetition. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouse for the DRC.

***

The Influencers - Anna - Marie McLemore

 The Influencers - Anna-Marie McLemore

Pub. Date: April 15, 2025

She read

“Mother May I” Iverson has created a very lucrative social influencer realm, often on the backs of and to the detriment of her daughters, January, March, April, June, and July. When her second husband, August,  is found murdered and part of her mansion burned, her audience (and the police) carefully follow the family to try to discover the culprit. Soon the family’s true dysfunction becomes fodder for all. 

This book is a great idea. Written from different POVS, including May’s audience, it is very contemporary with some clever actions and Iines…a good satire with harsh truths about our social media driven world. However, it just went on too long. The story dragged. It could have been so much more entertaining if it just hadn’t been so bogged down in length. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouseBooks for the DRC.

***

Coram House - Bailey Seybolt

 Coram House - Bailey Seybolt

Pub. Date: April 15, 2025

She read

It is 2010 and Alex, a true crime writer, is hired to ghostwrite the story of abuse during the 1960s at Coram House, a one time orphanage on Lake Champlain in Vermont operated by nuns and priests. Her employer is the attorney who represented former residents in a settlement with the Catholic Church. Her contract gives him total control over what she writes, as well as an NDA. Widowed, and the author of a second novel that led to some disgrace, she moves to Burlington in the middle of a cold, dark winter.  Haunted by the tale of Tommy, a young child supposedly drowned by Sister Cecile and another student, she doggedly investigates that part of the story despite the hostility toward her inquiries. When a murder occurs, and then another, she is convinced they are related to her investigation. Why the silence about Tommy and who is complicit in keeping it quiet? 

Wow!  What a debut novel! Inspired by the true story of abuse at Saint Joseph’s orphanage which operated in Vermont from 1854 to 1974, the book is atmospheric, twisty, and suspenseful. I could not put it down. I liked the writing technique of interspersing the story with testimony of some of the characters during the compensatory trial in the late 1980s. This was a great read.  

Thanks to #NetGalley and @Atriabooks for the DRC. 

*****

Their Dying Embrace - Helen Phifer

 Their Dying Embrace - Helen Phifer

Pub. Date: Feb. 3, 2025

She read

Detective Morgan Brooks is back on the job after being injured. When a couple two doors down from her and her partner, Ben’s house in Rydal Falls is found murdered, they take the case even though it is their day off. The murders are gruesome and suspicion falls on a number of different suspects. Tension mounts as Morgan finds a threatening note and someone close to her is assaulted in a similar manner to the dead couple’s attack. 

This is the fourteenth in the Morgan Brooks series. Helen Phifer is one of those authors for whom when I see her name, I request the title without reading the synopsis. She writes one of those books I have to force myself to put down or I would accomplish nothing until it is finished. This latest entry in the series does not disappoint. 

There are twists (wait til you read one of them!) in this suspenseful story. Morgan is a capable, empathetic female protagonist. I enjoy her character and the convivial, teasing relationships within the investigative team. 

As an aside, I smiled at the reference to Lisa Regan’s Josie Quinn series, another of my favorites.

If you enjoy mysteries, police procedurals, thrillers, check this one out.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @Bookouture for the DRC.

*****

Written in Stone - Paige Shelton

Written in Stone - Paige Shelton

Pub. Date: April 1, 2025

She read

Kansas born Delaney has married a Scotsman and is settled in Edinburgh, working in a charming bookshop. Delaney is thrilled; she and her husband have been invited to visit the home/studio of reclusive artist Ryory whose speciality is recreating historic Picts, stone carvings from the tattooed tribes who lived in Scotland more than 2,000 years ago.There, she has a chance meeting with Dr. Adam Pace who is from her home state and teaches at her alma mater. When Dr. Pace is murdered and nefarious activities on his part are revealed, Delaney, along with her cohorts from the bookshop, cannot resist investigating. 

An intriguing, cozy mystery with some delightful and quirky characters, this is a fast paced read. Although seeped in history, the role of 3D printers in the story made it quite contemporary. I liked this book and look forward to reading the next installment in the series. I particularly enjoyed learning more about the history of Scotland and a revisit to Edinburgh is always welcome.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @StMartinspress for the DRC.

****

 

The Unlucky Ones - Hannah Morrissey

 The Unlucky Ones - Hannah Morrissey

Pub. Date:  March 25, 2025

She read

Black Harbor is a dark place; crime ridden, derelict, drug filled. Hazel, a former police transcriber escaped the town and her abusive ex husband, Tommy, eight years ago and wrote a successful book based on Black Harbor.  When that husband is killed, she returns there, but why? Is it just to find out what happened to Tommy or to re kindle something with her former lover, police sergeant Nikolai Kole? As Kole and Hazel investigate, the true underbelly of Black Harbor is exposed. 

Morrissey paints a grittily atmospheric picture of Black Harbor, a town that most people long to leave. Well written and plotted, with strong character development, this was an engrossing read. There are rays of light in this dark tale.I did find Hannah’s motivations sometimes difficult to understand. 

This is the fourth in the Black Harbor series.  I read the third one that featured other characters, so this was my first introduction to Hazel and Kole who were protagonists in the first installment. This can be easily read as a standalone as the author recounts their history in the narrative.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @StMartinsPress @Minotaur_books for the DRC.

****

The Man Who Swore He'd Never Go Home Again - David Handler

 The Man Who Swore He'd Never Go Home Again - David Handler

Pub. Date: March 18, 2025

She read

David Handler is author of the Stewart Hoag (Hoagy) mysteries featuring Lulu, the basset hound. Although this is the 16th in the series, it can be read as a standalone as it goes back in time to the 1980s and is the origin story of Lulu.

Hoagy has written a best seller and is enjoying his success when he meets well known actress, Merilee. Together, they acquire Lulu, a basset hound puppy and a vintage Jaguar. Hoagy’s father had owned a mill in Connecticut that was responsible for pollution and long term health concerns for the population. When he left for college, Hoagy swore he would never return home. That changes when his high school girlfriend calls to tell him her mother, beloved librarian of his hometown, has died. In fact, she was murdered. Hoagy, Merilee, and Lulu head off to the funeral where they witness the devastation left by the mill and its closing. As Hoagy reunites with old acquaintances, his life is suddenly in danger. 

I thought the dialog in the beginning a bit cheesy and perhaps this book wasn’t for me. But the storyline and characters drew me in and I found it to be a quick, entertaining read. Lulu, and her penchant for smelly fish based cat food and anchovies is a delight. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @PenzlerPub for the DRC.

****