Save Her Twice - Helen Phifer

 Save Her Twice - Helen Phifer

Pub. Date: Feb. 7, 2024

She read

A group of young women who are survivors of attacks have formed a support group.  They are all “final girls”, the women who lived.  Now it seems someone is trying to kill them off.  One of them, Lexie, is already dead. This is personal for Detective Morgan Brookes, herself considered a “final girl”, also having survived attacks by perpetrators of some of those crimes and she feels guilty that she was not able to save Lexie a second time.  All of them are in grave danger.  

This is the eleventh in the Morgan Brookes series; I have read three of them.  This is another engrossing, if somewhat macabre, fast paced read for those who enjoy British police procedurals, mysteries, and thrillers.  It works well as a standalone, but you will have a better understanding and appreciation of the characters background if you read some of the earlier ones as well.

I have added Phifer’s Morgan Brookes series to my list of mystery/thrillers I enjoy that feature capable female detectives with amiable supporting characters.

Thanks to #netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC. 

****

The Rumor Game - Thomas Mullen

 The Rumor Game - Thomas Mullen

She  Read

It is June, 1943 in Boston and isolationists are hell bent on keeping America out of full scale war in Europe.  There are ethnic tensions among the various groups including Irish, Italians, and Jews. Reporter Anne Lemire, who has only of late discovered her Jewish roots, is anxious to land a big story and is trying to unravel the violence instigated against Jews in her hometown. Agent Devon Mulvey, an Irish Catholic rarity in the FBI, is charged with uncovering sabotage in the wartime industries.  When an immigrant factory worker is killed, their paths cross in a dangerous and alluring race to uncover the truth.

I enjoyed this story, despite some of the male characters being extremely annoying with their caddish behavior and demeaning remarks.  Mullen captures well the “feel” of the war years…the ration cards, the uber patriotic films, the sacrifices and making due for “the duration.”.  Here also are the domestic Fascist groups, xenophobia, propaganda, prejudice, and what is today called disinformation.  The book is a well written, creative page turner. 

I am always concerned about accuracy in historical fiction.  Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end regarding his research and some of the real events that inspired his fictional accounts.  

Thanks to #netgalley and @stmartinspress #minotaurbooks for the ARC.

****

After Annie - Anna Quindlen

 After Annie - Anna Quindlen

Pub. Date: Feb. 27, 2024

When Annie, pregnant with her first child, married high school boyfriend turned plumber, she wanted nothing more than the secure comfort of her family and to provide nurturance to the residents in her care as an attendant in a nursing home. Her best friend, Annemarie, wanted more and after graduating from college, developed a successful business. When Annie dies unexpectedly with four young children, her family tumbles into grief and chaos, as does Annemarie.  Their pain is palpable as the reader spends a year with the family and friend, experiencing how they learn to cope with their bereavement.  

Anna Quindlen is a skilled writer.  I have loved everything I have read by her, this being no exception.  The story is both sad and uplifting and I suspect will result in many readers taking an introspective look at loss in their own lives. 

Written with poignancy and compassion, Quindlen displays insight into the thoughts, feelings and actions of people grappling with and living their lives. As in some of her other works, she portrays well the experience and vibe of living in a small town.

There are some heavy topics here: death, child abuse, substance abuse. They are dealt with realistically and sensitively.  

I recommend this book for fans of literary fiction/ women’s fiction and for those who want to make a foray into these genres. 

Many thanks to #netgalley and @randomhouse for the ARC.

*****

The Trouble with You - Ellen Feldman

The Trouble With You - Ellen Feldman

Pub. Date: Feb. 20, 2024

She read

 Although she attended one of the “sister” schools, Fanny was raised in a time when education for a woman was to prepare her for being a wife and mother.  Faced with the financial strain of raising a child on her own, she takes a job as a secretary for a very popular radio serial (never a “soap”!) and is soon faced with a situation in which she must choose between what is safe and what her conscience and her heart tell her to do. Fortunately, she has the influence of her Aunt Rose, a woman before her time, who provides sage advice and encourages her in all her pursuits.

I really liked this book and could not put it down.  It deals with very important historical issues: the role and treatment of women in the 1950s and McCarthyism and blacklisting.   I liked the characters and their evolvement over time. Well written, with touches of suspense, I don’t want to say much more about the story in order to avoid spoilers.  What really struck and frightened me in reading this was what happened in politics in the 1950s with McCarthyism and the fact that we are seeing some of the same behaviors and activities occurring today in our society. 

The timeframe of this book is the late 1940s through 1968, although most of the plot takes place in the 50s. There are some thought provoking topics here for book club discussions.

Thanks to #netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC. 

*****

My Side of the River - Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

 My Side of the River - Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

Pub. Date:Feb. 13, 2024

She read

 

Elizabeth Carillo Gutierrez is a first generation Mexican American. When she was fifteen, her parents, who had Visas, returned to Mexico to renew them.  Denied renewal, the family also had her younger brother, a citizen of the US, brought back to Mexico. Elizabeth was left to live with a family who virtually ignored her, including denying her food, while she strove to do well in school and get accepted into a good college.  Despite all her tribulations, she was accepted at an Ivy League school, but was never far away from the strife, prejudice, pressure and sometimes panic that resulted from the present day immigrant experience in America.

I am not a big fan of memoirs, but this is a wonderful read.  Simultaneously heart breaking and heart warming, it provides good insight into the unfortunate immigrant experience of so many children separated from their parents and siblings.  Readers see the way immigrants are scapegoated when all they want to do is work hard and take care of their families, hoping for a better future for their children,  the separation of innocent, hardworking families, the prejudice, the exploitation, the dehumanization, and the very real effects on two children. Here also are the laws that have erased the acknowledgment of the true history and the culture of so many people,  the politics behind immigration, the blockage of passing any meaningful changes. 

I am especially pleased that the author points out the land grab by the United States and indigenous displacement that occurred in Mexico in the early 1800s. Not to many people know about this, yet they should. She also documents the effects of cultural machismo on a family.

I would recommend this book for book clubs everywhere; there is so much that should be learned about and discussed.

Thanks to #netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC. 

*****

Daughter of Mine - Megan Miranda

 Daughter of Mine  - Megan Miranda

Pub. Date: April 9, 2024

She read

Hazel Sharp, abandoned by her mother when she was a child, escaped  Mirror Lake, her two brothers, and her police detective father to build a career two hours away. When her father dies, she is called back to her childhood home which she finds out, much to the consternation of her brothers, she has solely inherited.  When first one abandoned car is found at the bottom of the lake, and then another, Hazel questions her whole history.  As tensions mount with her brothers, disturbing things occur in the house, including evidence of someone else having been inside at various times.  And then someone else disappears.  Is Hazel in danger?  

This is the fourth Megan Miranda book I have read and I definitely like this one the best.   As the mysteries and tensions mount, readers will find themselves guessing first one suspect and then others, and then maybe returning to their first suspect…no, maybe someone else!  Suspenseful, mysterious, menacing, eerie, atmospheric, I didn’t want to put this book down.  

Thanks to #netgalley and @_simonelement and @marysueruccibooks for the ARC.

****

Lethal Vengeance - Robert Bryndza

 Lethal Vengeance - Robert Bryndza

Pub. Date:  Feb. 8, 2024

She read

Robert Bryndza has become another “go to” author for me.  This is the 8th in his DCI Erika Foster series.

When a naked man is discovered murdered, having been hog tied and humiliated, Erika is first on the scene.  The victim is a top level politician and almost immediately the case is wrested away from Erika and his death ruled natural causes.  Then a popular footballer is found dead in the same circumstances.  As Erika investigates, she discovers an earlier case with the same MO. Clues suggest sex worker involvement and it seems the higher ups are trying to keep Erika quiet and out of the loop. Nothing, though, will keep Erika from her pursuit of the perpetrator.  

I like fifty year old Erika, despite her propensity to being rather brash and often annoying to her superiors.  They put up with her because her solve rate is outstanding. Told from two POVs, Erika’s and the killers, this is yet another riveting, can’t put down mystery/thriller from Bryndza.  The focus here is on the relentless pursuit of the very clever criminal as well as unraveling the why of choice of victims. I really liked the shifting narratives that explained the motivation behind the crimes.  

You always know with Bryndza’s books that there will be a well plotted story that will hook you from the beginning. This book can work as a standalone. By the way, I also like his series featuring private investigator Kate Marshall.

*****

Thanks to #netgalley and #ravenstreetpublishing for the ARC.

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead - Jenny Hollander

 Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead - Jenny Hollander

Pub. Date: Feb. 6, 2024

She read 

Charlotte “Charlie” Colbert was a witness to “Scarlet Christmas”, a horrific tragedy that found some of her fellow graduate students dead.  That night and her lack of memory of it as well as her lie to the police have always haunted her as she rebuilt her life, rising in the world of journalism to editor-in-chief of an important magazine and engaged to the scion of a wealthy family.  Now, as the decennial of that event approaches, another woman who was also present that night wants to make a film about it and “tell what really happened”. Charlie’s life spirals out of control as she desperately tries to recall the events of that night while also attempting everything possible to prevent the film being made.

This book had ups and downs for me. I really liked the first quarter introducing the main character and the plot; I couldn’t wait to get into the story.  But then it devolved a bit for me as Charlie frantically tried to control the situation.  I felt it was a bit all over the place and some important characters not particularly well developed

While there was a mystery at the heart of this book, it also was a study of PTSD and how guilt can weigh one down.  The story is told in two timelines, then and now. There are some twists the reader might not see coming and may or may not like. Despite my reservations about the story, this is a sold debut and I look forward to reading other works by this author. 

Thanks to #netgalley @stmartinspress #minotaurbooks for the ARC.

****

True Crime - Georgina Lees

 True Crime - Georgina Lees

Pub. Date:   Jan. 30, 2024

She   read

Ten years ago, young student/journalist Katy went missing.  The case was never solved and her mother, Grace, has had to live with subsequent pain and anger.  Now, a true crime documentarian wants to delve into the mystery and interview all the suspects from that time, including the boyfriend she split with, the sleazy professor, and the colleague who appeared to be stalking her.  As they go down the rabbit hole of  investigation, will new clues surface and what will be the human cost of the show? 

It’s been a while since I stayed up late into the night and early morning to finish a book, but this one did it for me.  Well written, engrossing, and quite realistic, the story grabbed me and would not let me go.  As the  twisted story unfolded, I kept wondering where it would go.  At first, the solution seemed a bit questionable to me, but the more I thought about it, the greater the plausibility.

The narrative is told from Grace’s POV interspersed with Katy’s accounting of her last day before she went missing, and a summary of what is revealed in the episodes of the documentary. There are some important topics broached here including the true crime phenomena and the exploitation of victims and those surrounding them as stories are documented.  It is, as the book points out, a painful fact that being white, pretty, and from better socioeconomic status helps for one’s story being covered and it doesn’t hurt to be  blond.  The constant vulnerability of women in society is another critical theme explored here. 

I’m glad I found this book…well worth the read for mystery/thriller fans. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #harpercollinsUK #onemorechapter for the ARC.

*****

The Ghost Orchid - Alex Kellerman

 The Ghost Orchid - Alex Kellerman

Pub. Date: Feb. 6, 2024

This is the 39th book in the Alex Delaware series and I have read all of them. Obviously, I enjoy the investigative duo of Detective Milo Sturgis and psychologist Alex Delaware, as well as all the supporting characters and look forward to each new addition. Whenever I crack open a Kellerman book, I can’t seem to put it down.  

Gio and Meagin are found shot to death at the man’s home.  She is married to a prosperous businessman; he is younger and a member of a wealthy Italian family. As the investigation proceeds, the team must dig deep to find out Meagin’s true background as she seems to be someone who has reinvented herself with no apparent history.  Meanwhile, Alex is called upon to evaluate a young man adopted from a Russian orphanage whose parents are divorcing and neither want custody.

Kellerman writes true police procedurals, albeit a little different due to Milo being unconventional and Alex along to provide psychological insight. They tend to have a familiar rhythm, as Alex and Milo chase down leads, generate and discuss different theories, interview persons of interest, enjoy a few good meals. Kellerman’s descriptions are particularly picturesque and entertaining and he always seems to put a fresh spin on cases. I think this is one of the best installments of the series. 

Yes, this can be read as a standalone, but if you are a fan of this series, it is always enjoyable to meet up once again with these characters. 

Thanks to #netgalley and @randomhouse #ballantinebooks for the ARC

*****

Face Her Fear - Lisa Regan

 Face Her Fear - Lisa Regan

Pub. Date: Jan. 30, 2024

She read

Still dealing with the trauma of her colleague Mettner’s  death as well as her grandmother’s murder, Josie and five other participants attend a retreat at a remote, mountainous location in Pennsylvania. Focused on treating PTSD,  it is lead by a New Agey therapist.  Josie has had a falling out with husband Noah, so is also carrying that baggage. When a blizzard traps the attendees in that isolated, hard to reach locale, with diminishing supplies, poor phone reception and then one of the participants is found murdered, Josie attempts to preserve the evidence while figuring out just what is going on, who is hiding some secrets, and trying to protect the others from peril. This is not Josie’s usual environment and she has to improvise. Ever faithful Noah sets out in an effort to rescue Josie but puts his own life in danger. 

This is number nineteen in the Josie Quinn series. It is one of my top must read series. This is yet another exciting, page turning read; I did not want to put it down. Regan always grabs my attention and won’t let go. Although this one did stretch the imagination a bit, the plot was intriguing.  I enjoy Josie. Despite all the travails she has met with in her life, she remains a strong, intelligent, though vulnerable, character. I also like all the repeating characters who surround her both in her personal and professional life. 

A new character is introduced…the replacement for Mettner.  As the book concludes, he seems to be off to a bad start with all of the team members.  I’m looking forward to seeing what transpires with him. 

This can work as a stand alone, but do yourself a favor and read at least some of the prior ones. There is a lot of history to Josie and the other players. Regan does a good job of trying to fill in the background stories, but it would be more satisfying to actually read those past histories. 

If you like well written police procedurals/thrillers, I highly recommend this series. I cannot wait for the next one.

Thanks to #netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC.

*****

Twenty Seven Minutes - Ashley Tate

 Twenty Seven Minutes - Ashley Tate

Publication Date: January 30, 2024

She read

As the decennial of Phoebe’s death in an auto accident approaches and a memorial is planned, the main characters from that fateful night converge to reveal what really happened and why it took her brother, who was driving,  twenty seven minutes to call 911.  Phoebe was seen as the perfect child by her mother and community.  Her brother, not so much.  That fateful night had devastating affects on her family and Becca, who was also in the car.  Far reaching, it also touched others including Wyatt who disappeared that night and his family.  

This almost reads like a YA novel,  but it is far too dark to be anything other than an adult read.  I found the characters to be unlikable and could not engage with the story.  The narrative seemed to go on and on in a mosaic of obsession, guilt, and grief.  I did like the different POVs, but the characters were all such sad people.  Curiosity about the real events of that night ten years ago will keep readers hooked. 

There are others who will really like this book, but it just wasn’t for me.  

Thanks to #netgalley and #poisonedpenpress for the ARC

**

Only If You're Lucky - Stacy Willingham

 Only If You're Lucky - Stacy Willingham

Publication Date:  January 16, 2024

She read.

Margot and Eliza were best friends and planned going off to Rutledge College together.  That is, until Levi moved in next door to Eliza, causing a rift in the girl’s friendship. He was with Eliza when she accidentally fell to her death. Margot went off to Rutledge on her own where she spent a nondescript year until she met Lucy who invited her to room with her and two other girls in a house next to and owned by a fraternity.  There’s something mysteriously alluring and dangerous about Lucy who fast becomes Margot’s new best friend.  And then Levi turns up as a pledge at the fraternity….

I read Willingham’s All the Dangerous Things and liked it.  However, I  had a difficult time engaging with this novel.  The characters were not very likable, although many were quite sad,  and all the obsessing just didn’t draw me in.  As timelines went back and fourth, I thought it was a slow burn with a lot of repetition.  I kept waiting for the twists and as the story spiraled downward in the last part of the book, I finally found the tale more compelling.  The novel was a good commentary on the pain and danger inherent in the desperation to belong and the question asked in a Truth or Dare game, “if you knew you could get away with murder, would you do it?” quite thought provoking.

There are many readers who will really like this book…it just didn’t quite do it for me. However, I am looking forward to reading  Willingham’s next work.

Thanks to #netgalley and @stmartinspress #minotaurbooks for the ARC

***

Dream Town - Lee Goldberg

 Dream Town - Lee Goldberg

Publication Date: January 16, 2024

She read

Eve Ronin is a novice homicide investigator. Much to the consternation of many in the LA County Sheriff Department, she was promoted to her position when a video of her taking down and arresting a movie star for abusing a woman went viral. She is partnered with Duncan “Donuts” Pavone who has recently postponed his retirement. 

Mummified and skeletal remains are found in a preserve adjacent to the somewhat unusual wealthy enclave of Hidden Hills.  Eve and Duncan are called away from the site by the robbery and murder of a reality star in Hidden Hills.  Are these two incidents related?  And just how does the rap star, also a resident of the enclave, fit into the plot? 

On a personal level, Eve has purchased and moved into her own home, a house readers will recognize from an earlier story and she is  building a relationship with archeologist Daniel, also familiar from an earlier installment. 

This is the fifth in the Eve Ronin series; I have read all of them.  Obviously, I like Lee Goldberg’s writing. his books are well written, fast moving, with good character development. I particularly enjoy the humor displayed by some of the characters. While the actions and plots may sometimes stretch the imagination, they are  never too far fetched.  

I would recommend this series to fans of mysteries/thrillers/police procedurals, especially those featuring personable main characters. All of the books do work as stand alones.

Thanks to #netgalley and @amazonpublishing #thomasandmercer for the ARC.

*****

My Friends - Hisham Matar

 My Friends - Hisham Matar

Publication Date: January 9, 2024

Growing up in Benghazi, Kahlid is affected by hearing a short story about a man eaten alive by a cat.  He enrolls in the University of Edinburgh where he remains friends with Mustafa, also from his home town.  When Mustafa convinces him to attend a political protest at the Libyan Embassy in London where violence erupts,  Kahlid’s life is forever changed.  The two young men can no longer return to either their home country nor to Edinburgh.  Thus, Kahlid begins the life of an exile living in London.

He does have the opportunity to meet the author of the short story that had such an impact on him and they become friends.  As the Arab Spring dawns and the political situation in Libya escalates, his two friends eventually choose a different path from him, returning to their homeland to be a part of the revolution. 

Khalid recounts his history while taking a walk about his adopted city, passing places of significance, including where that protest took place.  The novel is based on true events in the tortuous history of Libya (and the protest in London) and the effects of this history on three fictional friends. 

Beautifully written and introspective, the novel expresses the pain of living in exile away from family and the countryside one loved as a child, as well as the constant fear experienced by political exiles.  It was a bit of a slow read for me as Khalid’s musings do tend to meander and I wanted to reflect on every one of his thoughts and experiences. 

****

Thanks to #netgalley and #randomhousepublishing for the arc.

One of the Good Guys - Araminta Hall

 One of the Good Guys - Araminta Hall

Pub Date: January 9, 2024

She read

Following some difficult times dealing with infertility and  IVF disappointments, Cole and Mel are divorcing.  She  continues to live in London running a very lucrative PR business.  Cole escapes to the seaside where he works as a wildlife ranger and meets Leonora, a reclusive artist. When two young women who were walking the coastline to raise awareness of violence against women disappear, all of them are caught up in a downward spiral.   

Oh, but there is so much more to this tale. 

I have mixed feelings about this book.  It took me til the halfway point to begin to engage with the story. The plot unfolds and twists are revealed with different POVs and alternating timelines that include interviews, transcripts, social media posts. There are important topics here: misogyny, violence against women, the power imbalance in relationships, the entitlement of straight white men, what  really constitutes permission, and all the fears women have always had to face and continue to face in society.

I don’t usually quote directly from ARCs because narratives can change, but there are some wonderful lines.  Two that particularly resonated with me: “and since they can’t burn us [women] as witches anymore, they have to legislate against us” and “The Virgin Mary set an impossible and  biologically ridiculous standard that’s been hanging over women ever since.”

The writing style may not be for everyone; it is a bit unusual and the characters and their actions will be off putting to many, but One of the Good Guys gives readers much to think about. 

Thanks to #netgalley and @zandoprojects for the ARC.

***

From a Far and Lovely Country - Alexander McCall Smith

 From a Far and Lovely Country - Alexander McCall Smith

She read.

This is the twenty fourth in the simple but charming No. 1 Ladies Detective series. All the familiar characters are here. 

And, yes, the talking shoes do make a cameo appearance!

Precious Ramotswe has two cases on her plate.  The first is yet another pro bono for an employee of Mma Potokwani.  It seems there is a “Cool Singles Evening Club” where married men are paying fees to be admitted and pass for single.  Mma Ramotswe decides to put her apprentice, Charlie,  in charge of the investigation.  When Mma Makutsi gets involved, an unfortunate situation arises that the agency feels compelled to resolve. Those familiar with Gabarone will chuckle when the owner of the club is revealed.  

While dining in a local restaurant, a visitor from Indiana, USA recognizes Mma Ramotswe and asks her help in finding the distant relatives of the man she called grandfather, who is long deceased.  The search brings Precious to her beloved hometown and along the way readers learn of some of the history of British rule in Africa. 

And there is also the problem of the birthday present dress that has been damaged!

Mma Ramotswe always manages to  come up with clever and successful solutions to problems. Her gentle way and penchant for always finding the positive in a situation is balm for the soul.

Usually I binge this series, reading the book all in a day.  For this installment, I decided to read a chapter at a time, taking a break in between and allowing time to savor Mma Ramotswe’s wisdom, profound in its simplicity.  

This is another feel good addition to the series. It makes a nice afternoon or evening read while curled up with a pot of tea. Fans of McCall Smith’s gentle prose and perceptive musings will welcome this latest endeavor.

Thanks to #netgalley and @aaknopf @pantheonbooks for the ARC

*****

The Heiress - Rachel Hawkins

The Heiress - Rachel Hawkins

Pub. Date: January 9, 2024

She Read

Camden is the adopted son of Ruby McTavish, one of the wealthiest women in North Carolina.  She was also quite well known as the victim of a kidnapping when she was a child and as a widow 4 times over, with husbands dying under mysterious circumstances. Upon her death, Camden inherited the family home and fortune.  For his own reasons, he estranged himself from Ruby years ago, as well as his inheritance and lives a modest existence as a teacher, married to Jules and living in Colorado.

When Camden receives a letter from a family member urging him to return to the family estate, Ashby House, which he owns and to put financial concerns in order, Jules encourages him to make the trip with her.  She has researched the home and, unbeknownst to Camden, dreams of living there adjacent to the Blue Ridge mountains. Upon their reaching Ashby House, it is soon apparent why Camden wanted to sever ties with his toxic family. 

The story unfolds via two POVs, Camden’s and Jules’, as well as news clippings and a series of letters from Ruby to an undisclosed recipient that recount her life story.  Like every family and every good thriller, there are lots of secrets here.  This Southern Gothic novel has it all…you name it, it is here.  Fast paced, I read it in one sitting as I did not want to put it down. 

Thanks to #netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC. 

****

The Doctor's Mistress - Daniel Hurst

 The Doctor's Mistress - Daniel Hurst

She read

Pub. Date; Dec. 6, 2023

This is the third in The Doctor’s Wife trilogy; I have read all three. I’m not sure you can fully appreciate this one without having read the first two. 

In the first book, Fern murdered her cheating husband, Dr. Drew Devlin, and framed his lover, Alice, for the crime.  Having enlisted Alice’s husband to help her, she also killed him, making it look like suicide.  While happily spending Drew’s very large insurance policy money in book 2, Fern met a new man who was not who he said he was and she ended up murdering him, with the book ending in a cliffhanger.  This, book 3, resolves the cliffhanger.

Alice has been cleared of the crimes and is released from jail.  She also has given birth to Drew’s child and has hooked up with the detective who arrested her.  Her greatest desire, however, is to hunt down Fern, seek vengeance, and bring her to justice.  Fern, meanwhile, has given birth to her last lover’s child, changed her identity, and is living hand to mouth in Cornwall.  

Told from alternating POVs, this book, as was the first, is an engrossing, fast read that I couldn’t put down.  You may continue to hate some (or all!) of the characters, but you will enjoy this psychological thriller.  It is an entertaining, escapist read; perfect as a “popcorn thriller.” 

Thanks to #netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC.

****

Moms Who Read Romance Novels - Jennifer Goldin

 Moms Who Read Romance Novels - Jennifer Goldin

She Read

I enjoyed Jennifer Goldin’s previous book, Anonymous Mom Posts, and when I was offered an ARC of her latest, I jumped at the chance to read it.

Ellory Brayson, a popular romance writer with a marriage in tatters, is worried about her career after she has a meltdown on national TV.  She escapes to her hometown of Jupiter Cove, Florida.  Her publicist devises a social media campaign whereby Ellory will enlist the assistance of some local romance novel readers to help her “edit” her next release.  This also means that she will be utilizing the local bookstore owned by her one time best friend with whom she had a falling out years ago.  Each of the women bring their own stories to the table as they sort through their lives. 

This was another very entertaining read from Goldin.  Acknowledgement of all the romance novel tropes is here along with the penchant of many readers for erotica, AKA smut, as well as the importance of social platforms for today’s writers. 

 I enjoyed each woman’s life history as well as the resolution of their current dilemmas.  Also within this book is an examination of the meaning of friendship, loyalty, forgiveness and the recognition that there are many kinds of love besides romantic love.  This was a fun, engrossing, uplifting read that also touched on some serious subjects without weighing down the storyline.

Thanks to @jennifergoldinwrites for the ARC. 

The Irish Lake House - Colleen Coleman

 The Irish Lake House - Colleen Coleman

She read

Daisy Clarke is working as a self employed illustrator in London.  She was raised by a single mother who died when Daisy was a child, which resulted in her being put in a care home.  She is scraping by trying to make ends meet, with a boyfriend, Ash,  who wants them to buy a flat together and a current project for a boss who seems less than pleased with her work.  She knew nothing of her Irish mother’s background, except that she was from the village of Innisfree and cherished a scenic postcard from there.

When handsome attorney James appears on the scene with news that Daisy has inherited a lake house in Innisfree, she travels there to sell the property to satisfy Ash’s dream and also to try to find out something about her mother’s history, including who her father was.  

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I thought it a mystery.  However, although there are questions to be answered, it is a romance/women’s fiction.   It is a sweet, not cloying story, full of charming (and a few not so charming) characters.  The descriptions of the Irish countryside are beautiful and evocative.  There is a bit of whimsy here, as well as poignancy for those things we have missed in life and hope for the future that awaits us.  In addition to a beguiling romance, this book is about making choices in life….weighing gains and losses involved in them, forging new bonds and finding our selves.

Thanks to #netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC.

****

Last Christmas - Maria Frankland

 Last Christmas - Maria Frankland

She read

Three sisters and their husbands have gathered at their parents house to celebrate one last Christmas together as their father has a fatal illness.  Sacha is married to Neil who is dealing with depression and the couple’s infertility problems.  He didn’t want to go; he doesn’t feel accepted by her family and is, in fact, treated abominably by the brothers-in-law.  Of course his own behavior and over drinking doesn’t help.  When his body is found at the bottom of a cliff, the authorities wonder if it was an accident, suicide, or something nefarious.  This is the beginning of the even more unraveling of family unity and secrets. 

Don’t let the title of this novel mislead you….no cozy holiday read this!  There are some tough topics here including terminal cancer, depression and alcoholism. The story doesn’t really revolve around Christmas except that the holiday gives the opportunity for the dysfunctional family to gather together.

Told from three POVs, the story is soapy, cliched, full of despicable people, and I couldn’t put it down.  The author drew me in and wouldn’t let me go until I finished the book.  I read this as an ARC and had one problem with a timeline…perhaps that will be cleared up in the printed edition.

By the way,  this novel made me even more thankful than I already am for being an only child!

****

Death at Paradise Park - Ross Greenwood

 Death at Paradise Park - Ross Greenwood

Pub Date: Nov. 6, 2023

She read

Just as overweight, out of shape, dodgy Alfie Hook is about to enjoy his fish and chips, he is killed.  Shortly thereafter, a body is discovered in a hot tub at Paradise Caravan Park and DS Knight and the Major Investigation Team are on the case.  Soon the body count starts mounting and while there is no shortage of theories about who the killer/killers might be, there are no convincing suspects. Many of the victims and suspects have secrets that are slowly revealed as the team becomes frustrated as to the solution.

This is the second in the DS Knight series.  It is the first I have read and it worked well as a stand alone. There are many characters here, but a list of the police team and their ranks is provided in the beginning of the book.  I liked the investigative team, especially their close personal relationships and their sarcastic humor, my favorite kind!   Despite the body count, graphic violence was at a minimum.  

This is a solid police procedural full of colorful characters and a plot that will keep readers guessing throughout.  I am looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Thanks to #netgalley and #boldwood books for the ARC.

****

The Spy Coast - Tess Gerritsen

 The Spy Coast - Tess Gerritsen

She read

Sixty year old Maggie thought she left her spy days behind when she retired to quiet, small town coastal Purity, Maine, the home of some old friends of hers from her early CIA career. When a woman comes knocking at her door to find out if Maggie knows where Diana Ward, a name from her past escapades, is, she realizes her cover has been blown.  Shortly thereafter, Maggie discovers the woman making the inquiry dead in her driveway, having been tortured.  Maggie knows she is in trouble.  

Told in two timelines, the history behind Diana Ward and a mission gone horribly wrong sixteen years ago is revealed while in the present, Maggie and her friends try to keep her safe.  Local police chief, Jo Thibodeau, is suspicious of Maggie and before she knows it, this retired spy is back on the road trying to put an end to that chapter of her life.  

I am a fan of Gerritsen’s Rizzoli and Isles series and this is the promising first installment of a new series, “The Martini Club” so named because it is the moniker Maggie quickly made up when Thibodeau questions why Maggie and her friends are meeting together so frequently. 

I’m not a huge aficionada of spy novels because they often are a bit over the top.  Gerritsen, though, has a great talent for captivating her readers and this book is no exception.  The story is an entertaining, fast read; suspenseful with charming characters.  There is some lightheartedness and I particularly appreciated the reflections on aging.  

I am looking forward to Book 2.

****

Two Dead Wives - Adele Parks

 Two Dead Wives - Adele Parks

Pub. Date.  Dec. 26, 2023

She read

When Kylie Gillingham is murdered, it is discovered that she is a bigamist.  Married to a landscaper with two sons, she is also married to a wealthy, handsome professional.  Suspicion always falls on the husband, but which one?  It is up to DCI Clements and her partner to solve the crime. Complicating matters is that this takes place during the pandemic with all its lock down regulations.

Meanwhile, Stacie Jones is back home with her devoted father after having lived in Paris. Cancer treatment has left her with amnesia and she is trying to claw back some memories.  

Told from various POVs, I chose this book not knowing that it was actually a sequel. Woman Last Seen by Parks is the first in the duology, apparently with an ambiguous conclusion that this book resolves.  I also thought this was primarily a police procedural.  While the reader does meet Clements, chapters featuring her are limited.  Rather, the focus is more on Stacie and, at times, Fiona, Kylie’s best friend who steps up to fill her shoes with her landscaper husband and children.  Much time is spent on Stacie’s thoughts and consternation about her present condition. 

I thought the plot and some of the action a bit over the top, but perhaps if I had read the first book, some of it might have made more sense and I would have enjoyed it more.  There was a lot of personal reflection on everyone’s part.  Unfortunately, I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likable.  

Thanks to #netgalley and @htpbooks for the ARC.

***

Split - Alida Bremer

 Split - Alida Bremer

She read

Pub Date:  Jan. 1, 2024

1936 Split, Croatia, Yugoslavia is teeming with individuals of various ethnicities and political proclivities.  Having come off the Great War and seemingly heading toward another, there are Croats, Serbs, Italians, Mulims, Jews, refugees, locals who smuggle them, Fascist supporters of Mussolini, Communists, Nazis, a German film crew making Nazi propaganda.  Josip Broz, known as Tito, is preparing from abroad for his eventual ascension as leader of the country.  

During one hot week, a murder is committed and it is up to Superintendent Mario Bulat to sort through all the possible suspects to find the guilty party. As he searches, the reader is introduced to various residents of Split as well as their political leanings.

This translated historical fiction/mystery is not a typical read.  The former Yugoslavia was a mingling of various southern Slavic peoples and that mixture is realistically portrayed. The mystery takes a back seat to all the political machinations going on at that time. There are a lot of historical facts noted and those unfamiliar with them may find themselves Googling for more information.

There are a lot of characters and they are all listed and described in a preface to the chapters.  I thought I might lose track of who was who, but there was enough repetition of main players that I caught on to who was who quickly.  

The writing is beautifully descriptive and detailed, portraying the charm and allure of the city, as well as its people and its cuisine. This book is not for everyone, but I really enjoyed it.  

Thanks to #netgalley and #amazoncrossing @amazonpublishing for the ARC

****

Rabbit Hole - Kate Brody

 Rabbit Hole - Kate Brody

She read

Publication Date:  January 2, 2024

Teddy has always been somewhat obsessed with the disappearance of her older sister, Angie, ten years ago. When her father commits suicide she discovers his obsession with the disappearance led him to active involvement with a Reddit community centered around Angie. When Teddy enters the community and starts communicating with others, it only intensifies her preoccupation leading to increasingly self destructive behavior.

The publisher’s synopsis of this book was somewhat misleading and I was a bit disappointed that it didn’t really deliver what was foreshadowed. That said, it was a character study of grief and depression and the personal and familial dissolution it can cause.

Although this debut novel was slow to develop, it was a fast read. I wouldn’t characterize this as a mystery but perhaps more of narrative fiction or psychological thriller.

Thanks to #netgalley and #sohopress for the ARC.

***

What Waits in the Woods - Terri Parlato

 What Waits in the Woods - Terri Parlato

She read

Esmé Foster left Graybridge, Massachusetts eleven years ago to pursue her dream of becoming a ballerina. That dream was quashed when she developed a hip problem. She returns home on the day her best friend from high school is found murdered in the woods behind her family home.

As she renews her friendship with her old clique, suspicion falls on many of those close to her. It is up to Detective Rita Myers to solve the mystery. Secrets that have been hidden for years are revealed about many of Esmé’s friends, family, and acquaintances.

There is no shortage of possible suspects in this character driven, engrossing thriller. This dark tale of a small town is told from two POVs, Esmé’s and Rita’s. There are twists, turns, red herrings, and a surprise ending.

Although this book is not touted as part of a series, this is the second Parlato novel I have read featuring Rita Myers. She is a good detective who is sometimes “creative” in her pursuit of criminals. I follow a number of mysteries/police procedural series featuring strong,capable female characters and I am pleased to add this one to the list.

Thanks to #netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the ARC

****

Lost Hills - Lee Goldberg

 Lost Hills - Lee Goldberg

She read

Eve Ronin is a novice homicide investigator. Much to the consternation of many in the LA County Sheriff Department, she was promoted to her position when a video of her taking down and arresting a movie star for abusing a woman went viral. She is partnered with Duncan “Donuts” Pavone who is counting the days until his retirement.  While investigating a missing mother and her two children, they find the victims’  blood splattered home to be the scene of a horrific crime, but the bodies are not there. Although her quick thinking, ability to read clues, and dogged determination indicate she is well deserved of her promotion, Eve still has a lot to learn.

This is the first in the Eve Ronin series and has been on my TBR for a long time as I have read all the subsequent ones, having somehow missed this one. I have enjoyed all of the books. They are well written, fast moving, with good character development.  Eve’s heroics at the end of this story had me on the edge of my seat. 

I would recommend this series to fans of mysteries/thrillers/police procedurals, especially those featuring personable main characters. All of the books do work as stand alones. 

****

Manner of Death - Robin Cook

 Manner of Death - Robin Cook

Publication Date: December 5, 2023

Laurie Montgomery is the NYC chief medical examiner; her husband, Jack Stapleton, a pathologist recovering from an attack by a serial killer.  Ryan Sullivan is a pathology resident who, due to his significant personal history, is very unsettled performing autopsies during his rotation in the morgue.  Laurie tries to take him under her wing and when she mentions that there have been some recent suicides that were somewhat questionable as perhaps really having been homicides, he, with her consent, decides to review the cases.  Both Laurie and Jack warn him to only investigate within the department as they are still reeling from the murder of another reluctant resident who decided to look into a suspicious case. When Ryan finds a commonality among the deceased involving a medical practice and early cancer diagnostic testing, more lives including his own are in danger. 

Cook weaves an engrossing, fast paced tale; I did not want to put it down.  Told from multiple points of view, he taps into the very real fear some have of doctors benefitting financially from the tests they order.  I liked reading some of the not overly technical medical explanations involving forensic autopsies and testing for cancer.

I used to enjoy reading Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, but somehow got away from them.  When I saw this ARC being offered, I jumped at it and am glad I did. This is actually the fourteenth novel by Cook featuring Jack and Laurie.  Although it worked as a stand alone, I now want to go back and read the other thirteen!

Thanks to #netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC.

*****

Murder at the University - Faith Martin

 Murder at the University  - Faith Martin

She read

When a body of an attractive young woman is discovered in her room at St. Anselm College in Oxford, Detective Hillary Greene doesn’t know what to expect.  A single needle mark on the body along with some bruising, as well as a closet full of high end clothes, raise Hillary’s suspicions and soon the hunt is on for a killer.  

Meanwhile, Hillary is dealing with a lot of personal issues.  Her deceased husband was found to be a “bent copper” leaving her with legal and financial issues as she finds herself living on her uncle’s longboat. To make it worse, she has to work with her husband’s questionable former partner and the officer who investigated her possible role in the misdeeds is transferred to her division. 

This is Book 2 in a twenty book series.  I thought I had read it as I have finished a number of the Hillary Greene stories. When I looked at it closer, I hadn’t.

Faith Martin writes absorbing British police procedurals and this one is no exception. The story is engrossing and entertaining with good character development. Hillary is a strong, capable leader. I really enjoy the humor expressed in Martin’s writing. 

I recommend this series for anyone seeking lighter British police procedurals with engaging characters. 

****

Absolution - Alice McDermott

 Absolution - Alice McDermott

She read

In 1963 Saigon, before the full fledged American involvement in Vietnam, two wives of husbands working in Saigon meet and develop a friendship of sorts.  Tricia, a young, socially awkward woman from Yonkers is married to an engineer working with the US Navy.  Charlene, mother of three, is socially aware, and hellbent on relieving some of the misery she sees around her with charitable gifts of toys, food, and clothing. Tricia’s life’s sadness is that she desperately wants to have a child but experiences multiple miscarriages.  She strikes up a relationship with Charlene’s daughter, Rainey, whose Barbie doll becomes the inspiration for one of Charlene’s schemes to raise money for her gifts. The story is told in retrospective, from two POVs, that of the elderly Tricia and the middle aged Rainey via correspondence between the two. 

This is a beautifully written, observant story that is both compelling and disturbing.  Here is the life of women in the early 1960s when a wife’s role was to be a “help meet”  for her husband.  I loved how Tricia’s memories point out some of the absurdities of a woman’s life in those days.

Here also are the provocative thoughts and actions of America’s presence and role in Vietnam in that era as well as the plight of the Vietnamese citizens destined to be house workers for the Americans and living in poverty under the threat and fear of attacks.  Who can forget that devastating photo of the young girl burned by napalm? Tricia certainly can’t. 

The characterizations are strong and there is an evocative sense of time and place. As a memoir, this postulates that there is “no such thing as a life without regret”; how do we find release or absolution from the consequences of those regrets?

The more I think about this book, the better I like it. 

Thanks to #netgalley and @fsgbooks for the ARC.

****

Starling - Kirsten Cram

 Starling - Kirsten Cram

She read

Ten year old Alice Quinn and her neglectful single mother have not had an easy life.  When the two of them move to a remote Canadian village called Starling in the 1970s, Alice encounters hostility and abuse by other children as well as the classroom teacher.  Her only salvation is the friendship she develops with Remy, a victim of an abusive single father and brother.  Through their relationship, along with an acquaintance with the exotic Madame Voisine, Alice perseveres, remaining upbeat and open to the wonder of the world around her.

The writing in this book is beautiful; lyrical and atmospheric.  Cram captures well the desolation of Starling in contrast with the glory of nature.  There is magic here…without the supernatural.  The novel is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Alice’s bouyancy and Remy’s loyalty are amazing.  

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.  I loved it.

*****

Her Last Words - Carolyn Arnold

 Her Last Words - Carolyn Arnold

Publication Date:  Nov. 17, 2023

She read

Mystery writer Felicity Kelley is murdered just as she is about to reach the pinnacle of her success; her most recent book is to be made into a film.  Her last phone call which went unanswered was to Detective Amanda Steele. The mystery deepens when it seems her death is a copy cat of the MO of the serial killer in her book.  Feeling guilty about not calling Felicity back, Amanda, along with partner Trent, relentlessly pursue the killer.  Was it a jilter lover, a jealous colleague, a stalker, a serial killer?  And what does it have to do with the murder of an intern in the publishing business fifteen years?  

This is yet another of Arnold’s fast paced, engrossing police procedurals. I read it in one day, long into the night, because I could not put it down.  Arnold knows how to capture and maintain her readers’ interest. I love the repeating characters, especially Amanda who, despite an earlier tragedy in her life, is a strong, capable, independent female and I find the camaraderie between her and Trent quite entertaining. 

This is the ninth in the Prince William County (VA) Detective Amanda Steele series.  Although I have read quite a few of them and have enjoyed seeing the repeating characters and relationships change and grow,  I think this would work well as a standalone.  The author does a nice job of filling in background information, including Amanda’s past history and references to some other cases she has worked.

A word about the author:  Carolyn Arnold has written more than thirty books featuring five series and spanning different genre including strong police procedurals, cozy mysteries, and adventure novels. 

Thanks to #netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC.

*****

This House of Grief - Helen Garner

 This House of Grief - Helen Garner

She read

This is the non fictional account of a father accused of drowning his three sons in 2005.  On Father’s Day, Robert Farquharson, separated from his wife, drove his car over a dam and into the water.  He escaped, but his sons, whom he was returning to their mother, did not.  Farquharson claimed he had a coughing spell that rendered him unconscious.  But he was upset by his estrangement, especially since his wife had taken up with a new man. Well known award winning Australian author, Helen Garner, recounts the incident and her first hand account having attended the trials as well as becoming acquainted with many of the family and friends of the Farquharsons.  

I enjoy true crime novels and this reads well as a story and legal thriller.  It was interesting learning about the Australian justice system.  Garner interjects some of her own feelings into the book and this added to the humanity of the case.  The jury, of course, rendered their opinion, and Australian citizens all had their own views,  but it is up to the reader to decide whether they feel justice was served or not.  I think even those who are not true crime enthusiasts but appreciate good writing and like a solid mystery or legal narrative will enjoy this book. 

Thanks to #netgalley and @aaknopf for the ARC.

****

All the Missing Girls - Megan Miranda

 All the Missing Girls - Megan Miranda

She read

This is another book that has been on my TBR for a while.  It is the first book that Megan Miranda wrote for adults.  I have read two subsequent books by her, but just now got around to reading this one.

Nicolette Farrell  escaped backwater Cooley Ridge ten years ago and is a counselor in Philadelphia, engaged to a wealthy, handsome attorney.  She is called back home by her brother to help prepare her childhood house for sale, as her mother is long deceased and her father now in a facility, afflicted with dementia and in need of the money.  Nicolette left home right after her good friend, Corinne went missing, never to be found.  Now that she is back home, another young woman has gone missing after contacting the local police saying she had information about Corinne’s disappearance.  

Suspicion falls on Nicolette, her brother, her father, and her high school boyfriend, Tyler, whom she can’t seem to stay away from.  The story is told in reverse, from day 15 to day 1 and then jumping back to the present for the resolution. 

There are twists, turns, red herrings throughout.  A slow burn, I didn’t really engage with the book until about the 70% point when it finally drew me in.  It certainly was a mind exercise following a story backwards; I really needed to be attentive! I didn’t find the ending all that satisfying. The book certainly raises the question: How far would you go to protect someone you love?

***

Church of Spilled Blood - Jesse Miles

 Church of Spilled Blood - Jess Miles

She read

Private Investigator Jack Salvo, who also teaches philosophy at a local community college, is hired as a body guard for a group of Russian ballerinas visiting Los Angeles.  One of them is kidnapped in front of him as he is immobilized by a taser.  When she is returned unharmed, he is determined to find the kidnappers.  During his investigation, he grows close to one of the other ballerinas, Yelina.  After he discovers the dead bodies of the kidnappers, he is even more curious. Yelina returns to  Russia where she is, in turn, kidnapped and Jack is hired to travel there to be the intermediary in paying the ransom.  The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, a well known church/museum in St. Petersburg, is the scene of the payoff which goes deadly wrong. 

The writing style in Church of Spilled Blood is noirish and what I like to describe as Dragnetesque…just the facts.  The plot is decent, fast paced, with some twists.  For action fans, there is some of that as well. Jack is an honorable man, but willing to work around the law to solve a case.  

This is actually the second novel featuring Jack Salvo, but it worked well as a stand alone.

Never Ever Getting Back Together - Phoebe MacLeod

 Never Ever Getting Back Together - Phoebe MacLeod

She read

Jess Thomas runs a successful culinary business with her partner and friend, Alice.  She is thrown for a loop when catering a wedding as the best man is Jamie Ferguson, her first big crush who dumped her by text following a one night stand twelve years ago.  She avoids him at the reception, but when her car breaks down on the way home and Jamie stops to help her, she is forced to accept his help.  Although Jess is angry and suspicious of his every move, Jamie tries to prove to her that he has changed and is worthy of her. 

Rom coms are not my go to genre, but once in a while I like to take a break from mysteries, thrillers, and literary fiction and read something lighter.  This was entertaining, with many amusing lines. I loved the dialog between Jess and her sister! There is a lesson here about the problems and unhappiness that miscommunication and jumping to conclusions can cause.  

Thanks to #netgalley and #boldwoodbooks for the ARC.

****

Manner of Death - Robin Cook

 Manner of Death - Robin Cook

Publication Date:  Dec. 5, 2023

She read

Laurie Montgomery is the NYC chief medical examiner; her husband Jack Stapleton a pathologist recovering from an attack by a serial killer.  Ryan Sullivan is a pathology resident who, due to his significant personal history, is very unsettled performing autopsies during his rotation in the morgue.  Laurie tries to take him under her wing and when she mentions that there are been some recent suicides that were somewhat questionable as perhaps really having been homicides, he, with her consent, decides to review the cases.  Both Laurie and Jack warn him to only investigate within the department as they are still reeling from the murder of another reluctant resident who decided to look into a suspicious case. When Ryan finds a commonality among the deceased involving a medical practice and early cancer diagnostic testing, 

more lives including his own are in danger. 

Cook weaves an engrossing, fast paced tale; I did not want to put it down.  Told from multiple points of view, he taps into the very real fear of doctors benefitting financially from the tests they order.  I liked reading some of the not overly technical medical explanations involving forensic autopsies and testing for cancer.

I used to enjoy reading Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, but somehow got away from them.  When I saw this ARC being offered, I jumped at it and am glad I did. This is actually the fourteenth novel by Cook featuring Jack and Laurie.  Although this worked as a stand alone, I now want to go back and read the other thirteen!

Thanks to #netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC.

*****

The Darkest Evening - Ann Cleeves

 The Darkest Evening - Ann Cleeves

She read

This is another book that has been on my TBR list for a long time.  I really like Ann Cleeves’ writing, having read her Two Rivers series.  The Darkest Evening  is number nine of ten in the Vera Stanhope series (there are also some short stories). Some of you may recognize the name Vera Stanhope from the very successful TV series based on these stories starring Blenda Blethlyn and available on a number of streaming platforms.

Vera is a bit overweight and unkempt, very forthright, and no fashion plate. She, however, is a stellar detective. While traveling home during a snowstorm in Northumberland, Vera comes upon a car on the side of the road.  The car door is open and there is a toddler seemingly abandoned and strapped into a carseat.  Taking him to the nearest residence to call for help is a bit uncomfortable for Vera as it is the residence of her snooty, upperclass relatives from whom she has been estranged.  When the body of the child’s mother is discovered on the property, Vera and her team investigate, revealing much family intrigue among both her family and the families of their tenants.  

This worked well as a stand alone and as my first introduction to Vera.  Cleeves is an excellent writer.  All of her books that I have read have been engrossing, well plotted, with good character development.  Her atmospheric, descriptive, detailed language draws the reader into the scenes.  I literally did not put this book down until I was finished. 

Ann Cleeves is  highly recommended for fans of British police procedurals and other mystery lovers.

*****

My Sister's Grave - Robert Dugoni

 My Sister's Grave  - Robert Dugoni

She read

This is the first in the popular Tracy Crosswhite series.  It has been on my TBR for a very long time as I have read all nine others, but missed this one.

In this introduction to Tracy, she is a detective with Seattle police department.  Twenty years ago, when she was a teacher in small town Cedar Grove, her younger sister, Sarah, went missing.  Someone was arrested for her murder and is serving jail time.  Because a body was never found, Sarah has always been unsettled about what really happened and even spent a lot of time doing her own investigation.  When Sarah’s remains are finally discovered, evidence is revealed that is contrary to what was used to convict the alleged killer.  Things just don’t add up and she contacts childhood friend, attorney Dan O’Leary, to request a new trial for the “killer” so that the truth can finally be uncovered.  When the prisoner is unexpectedly set free, it unleashes secrets, danger, and perhaps a lasting relationship for Tracy.  

This is one of my favorite series.  Tracy is strong willed and has a mind of her own, which can often get her into trouble.  Having read all the subsequent books, it was fun to see how Tracy has grown and changed a bit  as the stories have progressed.  What hasn’t changed, though, is that from the beginning, Dugoni writes a story that pulls you in and doesn’t let you go until you finish.

 If you like police procedurals with strong female MCs, and are not familiar with Robert Dugoni’s works, do become acquainted with them.  The books work as stand alones as Dugoni does a good job of filling in background information in each one, but I think it is much more satisfying  to read all of them now that I have. 

*****