Oliver the Osprey - Ron Zera

 Oliver the Osprey  - Ron Zera

She read

Oliver the Osprey who frequents the ponds in Deer Valley reaches out to two human boys, Declan and Becket and introduces them to his family, wife Mylea and children Stella and Emmeline.  Oliver and the boys enjoy fishing together. The ospreys help the children learn about nature and in turn they help Oliver provide for his family. They all learn that you can be friends with anyone, no matter who or what they are. 

I  wanted to rate this book higher.  I really did.  It has cute, colorful illustrations and has an important moral.  I love ospreys and have spent a lot of time at Deer Valley.  Perhaps I am being picky, but I couldn’t rate it higher for one reason.  The author refers to ospreys as members of the eagle family and even uses the terms interchangeably.  That isn’t really accurate.  While I guess you could say the two are distant relatives they are not of the same family. And the drawings, although cartoonish, resemble eagles more than ospreys.  While fantasy is fine in a book for children or adults, I just can’t support providing incorrect information.  Interestingly, we have heard a number of people refer to a nesting osprey near Deer Valley as an “eagle”.  Perhaps that is a local misconception?

If you are OK with that discrepancy, then this is a charming family read about friendships “between different worlds”.

Thanks to #Netgalley and #ASPublishing #Buzzbooks for the DRC.

***

Catalina - Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

Catalina - Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

Pub. Date: July 23, 2024

She read 

Catalina is an undocumented immigrant who came to America from Ecuador as a child to live with her grandparents after her parents were killed in an accident.  Her grandparents are also undocumented.  Accepted at Harvard, this fictional memoir recounts her experiences there.  Pre DACA, a major obstacle for this Ivy League educated young woman is that she will not be able to secure a job upon graduation. 

This short book (224 pages) exposes the insecurities, fears, and emotional toll experienced by undocumented individuals and families.  It is written mostly as stream of consciousness with quite a bit of fantasizing which for me took away from the importance of the topics explored.  This style will not be for everyone; others may find it a vibrant, contemporary read.  I did enjoy the references to Latin American history and culture.   

Thanks to #netgalley and #randomhouse for the DRC.

***

 

Murder at the Lake - Carolyn Arnold

 Murder at the Lake - Carolyn Arnold

She read 

The book opens with the rape and murder of a high school senior, Emily Kane.  Although three of his friends, including Troy Matthews, testified that they did not think him capable of the crime, a fourth is arrested, found guilty, and imprisioned.

Skip ahead 24 years and the killer has been set free.  It is the day of the wedding between Detective Madison Knight and fellow police officer Troy Matthews.  Before the I dos can be said, the ceremony is crashed by a neighboring department’s detectives and Troy is arrested for the murder of Dylan Graham, one of the friends who testified for the defense in the long ago trial.  There is concrete evidence of Troy’s guilt, as well as a journal entry by Dylan stating that Troy was Emily’s true killer.  Out on bail, a second murder occurs, again with evidence pointing at Troy.  As Madison races to clear her fiancee’s name, she uncovers a sinister plot and places her own life in danger. 

Although I am a fan of Carolyn Arnold’s writing, Madison Knight is not my favorite of her characters.  She is abrasive, impetuous, tenacious.  But she is good at her job and has a strong sense of responsibility and justice.  Fortunately, her partner, Terry, tempers that impetuousness when necessary.  One would have hoped that Troy, as a police officer, even though threatened, would have played the situation a little smarter but who knows how we might respond if we were unjustly accused?  

 That said, the book is cleverly plotted and another addictive read by Arnold.  She always pulls in her reader’s attention.  Her police procedurals are engrossing and entertaining.

This can be read as a stand alone.  However, there is a lot of history behind the repeating characters and as this is the thirteenth in the series, readers might want to go back and read some of the earlier installments. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HibbertStilesPublishing for the DRC.

****

The Lost Victim - Robert Bryndza

 The Lost Victim - Robert Bryndza

Publication Date: July 11, 2024

She read

This is the fifth in the Kate Marshall series.  I have read three of them. 

Teenager Janey Macklin disappeared in 1988.  A man was convicted of killing her but later that conviction was reversed.  Now, an imprisoned serial killer claims that fellow serial killer Peter Conway, known as the Nine Elms Cannibal, is responsible.  A podcast company hires private investigator Kate Marshall and her partner Tristan Harper to seek the truth.  In need of increased cash flow, they take the case even though Conway is Kate’s former husband, the father of her child, and the man she put behind bars. As they work to unravel the mystery, long held secrets are revealed.

Bryndza writes a well plotted, fast paced story with good character development that draws you in from the beginning.  I couldn’t put this book down.  He creates a good sense of place, I could easily picture the seedier neighborhoods of the 1980s, the hustle and bustle of present day London, and feel the chill of the frigid weather and heat deprived apartment used by Kate and Tristan.  Kate is a bright, capable, strong, but vulnerable female character despite her earlier difficulties in life.  Tristan, her once research assistant, has grown into being a valuable partner.  I enjoy these characters.

Although part of a series, this does work as a standalone.  Fans of solid investigative procedurals and mysteries will enjoy this addition to the series, among one of my favorites, along with Bryndza’s Erika Foster series. 

Thanks to #netgalley and @robertbryndza #ravenstreetpublishing for the DRC.

*****

The Wildfire Girl - Carolyn Arnold

 The Wildfire Girl - Carolyn Arnold

Pub. Date: June 20, 2024

She read

In this, the eleventh of the Detective Amanda Steele series set in Prince William County (VA), Amanda and long time partner Trent are called to the scene of a grisly murder….a man has been burned to death.  Trent recognizes the victim’s wedding ring as belonging to his estranged aunt’s abusive husband.  As more and more clues point to his aunt as the possible perpetrator, can Trent separate love for her from his duty as a police officer?  And will the spark between Amanda and Trent put further strain on her relationship with her domestic partner, Logan?

This book is advertised as “addictive” and it truly is.  Well plotted and fast paced, it kept me guessing throughout.  I really like the character of Amanda, who, despite an earlier tragedy in her life, is a strong, capable, independent female and I enjoy the camaraderie between her and Trent. 

Although part of a series, this does work as a standalone.  Arnold does a good job of filling in background information on the main characters and their histories.  Fans of solid police procedurals and mysteries will enjoy this addition to the series, one of my favorites.

Just a personal note as an aside…the book is dedicated to Max the Beagle, “a sweet fur baby who will always be loved and remembered.” As someone who had Samantha the Beagle, I can really appreciate those sentiments.  

Thanks #netgalley and @bookouture for the DRC.

*****

The Perfect Sister - Stephanie DeCarolis

 The Perfect Sister - Stephanie DeCarolis

Pub. Date:  July 16, 2024

She read

Sisters Alex and Maddie never had an easy life, but at least they had each other.  After a rift following their single mother’s death, Maddie supposedly returned to her life as a medical student in New York City.  When Alex doesn’t hear from her sister,  she goes in search of her in the Hamptons where Maddie had a summer job only to find that she is missing.  Prior to her disappearance, Maddie was living in the pool house of a wealthy, but dysfunctional family, the Blackwells.  As Alex tries to unravel the mystery, secrets about Maddie and the Blackwells are revealed and danger lurks everywhere.

I had a mixed reaction to this book.  Told from different timelines and multiple, POVs, there were red herrings and twists that many might not see coming. But, I think I am tired of reading about wealthy people behaving badly. I tried to read it quickly because I couldn’t wait to get away from these twisted people.  I thought the story went on a bit too long, but the last part of the book as things started to come together redeemed it for me.  

Those who like thrillers with unseemly characters who will keep you guessing will enjoy this read.  

Thanks to #netgalley and @randomhouse #ballantinebooks for the DRC.

***

One Big Happy Family - Jamie Day

 One Big Happy Family - Jamie Day

Pub. Date: July 16, 2024

She read

Charley has been a live in maid at The Precipice on the coast of Maine ever since her single mother died and her grandmother began developing dementia.  The lecherous owner of the inn has passed away and now his three daughters, the dysfunctional Bishop sisters are coming for the reading of the will.  With all of them hiding secrets, including Charley, and a hurricane fast approaching, the situation for Charley is made worse when a young woman hiding from an abusive boyfriend shows up penniless seeking refuge.  What could possibly go wrong in this suspenseful thriller from the author of The Block Party?

There are twists and turns here in this toxic family drama, some of them predictable.  The story unfolds in four parts, with different timelines and points of view, providing backstories for the various characters.  All of the sisters and even the family attorney who turns up are pretty despicable. Atmospheric, eerie and with twisted characters, this was a fast read.

Thanks to #netgalley and @stmartinspress for the DRC

****

Murder on the Train - Faith Martin

 Murder on the Train - Faith Martin

Pub. Date:  May   29, 2024

She read

This is the 21st in the Hillary Greene mystery series.  I have read about half of them.  This book would work as a standalone.

Former DI Hillary Greene, now retired, has been hired by Thames Valley police as a consultant for cold cases.  She lives on a narrowboat and drives a car she has tagged, “Puff the Tragic Wagon”, which gives you some insight into her character!

Hillary has also written a mystery  book which is about to be published.  To help promote it, she takes a holiday trip to a quaint town in Wales that is known for its bookstores.  While staying at a charming inn, she embarks with six fellow guests on a nostalgic and picturesque steam train trip.  When one of the group is murdered while sitting on the train, Hillary becomes involved in the investigation.  

This is an Agatha Christiesque locked room mystery which the author acknowledges through Hillary’s narrative.   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 individual and I really enjoy the humor expressed in Martin’s writing. 

I recommend this series for fans of British police procedurals with an engaging protagonist.  

Thanks to #netgalley and @joffebooks for the DRC. 

****

Shades of Mercy - Bruce Borgos

 Shades of Mercy - Bruce Borgos

Pub. Date:  July 16, 2024

She read

This is the second in the Porter Beck series; I have read both of them although this would work as a standalone.

 After serving in Army intelligence, Beck has returned to his hometown in the high desert as sheriff, a position once held by his elderly father who is in beginning stages of dementia.  Porter has retinitis pigmentosa which makes him virtually blind at night.  Lincoln County, Nevada is usually a quiet place.  But  Porter no sooner returns from discovering a childhood friend dead by illegal fentanyl when another friend’s ranch is targeted by a hacked drone and his prize bull is blown up.  The hacker is a teenager residing in a detention center who happens to be friends with the rancher’s daughter and it turns out she is not just any hacker, she has a nefarious background.  And just what might the attack have to do with the rash of illegal drugs flooding the area?

Porter is joined by a cast of characters including his adopted sister, a munitions expert, members of his small department, a failed police dog named Columbo serving as his sidekick, and some help from outside the department including a character the author named after his golden retriever! There is a cast of villains here…a Mexican cartel, shady government “men in black”, Chinese operatives.  

Overall the plot is very good although there are many coincidences and some questionable plausibility.  Still, it is a thrilling read with lots of action, violence and (trigger warning) animal mutiliation. Personally, I liked the main character a lot better in this book than in the first installment. 

Thanks to #Netgalley and @stmartinspress #minotaurbooks for the DRC.

****