Hidden Angels - Carolyn Arnold

 Hidden Angels - Carolyn Arnold

Pub. Date: Feb. 20, 2025

She read 

SO HAPPY TO BE ON THE BOOK TOUR!

When Cameron Cofell takes a local priest hostage, a stray bullet exposes human remains in the wall of a church. Cameron believes the priest is responsible for covering up the abuse he received at the hands of his now deceased parents.The human remains are those of a teenage girl who was abducted more than thirty years ago. Detective Amanda Steele and partner Trent Stenson investigate this heartbreaking case which uncovers long hidden secrets and puts another life in danger. 

This is yet another of Arnold’s fast paced, suspenseful police procedurals.She is one of my go to authors and does not disappoint. She knows how to capture and maintain readers' interest and keep them briskly turning the pages. I enjoy the repeating characters, especially Amanda who, despite an earlier tragedy in her life, is a strong, capable, independent female. Yes, she has her flaws and one of them may be caring too much. 

This is the thirteenth in the Prince William County (VA) Detective Amanda Steele series. Although I have read many of them, I think this would work as a standalone. 

If you are a fan of police procedurals, and well written, flowing stories with good character development, do check out this series.  

Thanks to #NetGalley and @Bookouture for the DRC.

*****

My Friends - Fredrik Backman

My Friends - Fredrik Backman

Pub. Date: May 20, 2025

She and he read

What can I say about a Fredrik Backman novel that hasn’t already been said? I have loved every one of his that I have read. 

I am not going to attempt to give a short synopsis of this book. You can read on online blurb about it in many places.

This beautifully written book is amusing, poignant, heartbreaking, heartwarming. It is about friendship, the joy and pain of friendships and growing up, found family, the nature of art, art as salvation. Backman’s character development is at his best here. There are so many memorable observations and compelling lines….if you are an underliner, you will be kept very busy noting outstanding parts. 

Take your time reading and savoring this story and all it says about life. BTW, healso read this and said it was the best book he had ever  read. 

My DRC was provided by #NetGalley and @AtriaBooks in exchange for an honest review.

******

Class Clown - Dave Barry

 Class Clown - Dave Barry

Pub. Date: May 13, 2025

She Read

This is self proclaimed "wiseass" Dave Barry’s memoir. For those not fortunate to be familiar with some of his work, this Pulitzer Prize winner is most known for his syndicated newspaper humor columns through the years. Growing up in the 50s and 60s, he recounts memories of those times, his family, his early career, his foray into following politics as a journalist, being involved in the film industry, a member of a rock band, and other experiences. And, yes, he was voted “class clown” in high school.

Reading this, I was laughing out loud by page 2. It is entertaining, witty, intelligent, irreverent, poignant as he shares his autobiography sprinkled with snippets from his columns. Boomers will particularly enjoy his reminiscences through the years and his take on the aging process. 

 In these dark days, we all need something light and humorous to raise our spirits. I particularly liked his reassuring message to readers at the end of the book. It is worth reading for that alone….

*****

Thanks to #NetGalley and @SimonBooks for the DRC

Husband Missing - Lisa Regan

 Husband Missing - Lisa Regan

Pub. Date: March 19, 2025

She read

Josie Quinn has a significant early history which, in this case, comes back to haunt her as her beloved husband, Noah has been abducted.Josie returns home from the scene of a murder to find her house in disarray, blood splatter, and Noah missing. All hands are on deck as the frantic search for him is underway. 

This is another page turner from Lisa Regan.Well written, there is suspense, twists, horror, poignancy. There are some brutal truths here about abuse and its generational effects. In this book, readers learn more details about Josie’s background and it delves a bit more into her psyche as she tries to cope with the devastation of Noah’s disappearance, what may become of him, and the fact that she is not supposed to be involved in investigating this case. 

I enjoyed seeing the bond grow closer between Josie and her birth family as their protective instincts are displayed.I do like how throughout the series, Regan’s characters show growth and change with time and experience. I like Josie; she is a strong, capable, intelligent, though vulnerable young woman. A new character, Turner, was introduced a few books back who has been aptly nicknamed Douchebag by her. I was glad to see that he is finally starting to show some sparks of humanity!

Counting the hours since Noah’s abduction is a good technique that added to the suspense of the story. I also picked up on the hint Regan dropped that foreshadowed the cliff hanger ending….see if you do too. I do hope we find out soon the connection between Turner and Trinity, Josie’s sister, as she certainly seems to be a “Turner Whisperer.

This is the twenty second in the series.  Although I think I have read all of them, this would work as a standalone as the author does an excellent job of filling in Josie’s background.However, I think it might be helpful to have some familiarity with the characters by having read some of the previous installments.

If you like well written police procedurals/thrillers, and are not familiar with this series, I highly recommend it. I can’t wait for #23.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @Bookouture for the DRC.

*****

The Human Scale - Lawrence Wright

 The Human Scale - Lawrence Wright

Pub. Date: March 11, 2025

He and she readAfter recovering from injuries received from a bomb and still dealing with memory issues, FBI agent Tony Malik decides to explore his paternal Palestinian roots by attending a family wedding in Gaza. While there, the chief of police is beheaded and Tony becomes a prime suspect. Once cleared, he teams up with an Israeli police inspector to investigate the murder.

Wow! What an excellent book, well written by Pulitzer Prize winning author, Lawrence Wright. More than just a mystery/thriller, Wright delves into the historical roots of both the Arabs and Israelis and their conflict, with the archival and mythical flowing seamlessly back and forth with the contemporary plot. The story follows characters on both sides, exploring their backgrounds and experiences, culminating in the October 6, 2023 attack in Israel.

Engrossing and informative, I learned much of the historical perspective of both the Arabs and the Israelis. Unfortunately, it left me with the feeling that there will never be justice, peace, or the resolution of this conflict. Despite many peace seeking people on both sides, the hatred and the atrocities that have been inflicted do not seem that they can be overcom

This is a very worthwhile read. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @AAKnopf for the DRC.

Note: He also thought it a five * read

*****

Message Deleted - K.L. Slater

 Message Deleted - K.L. Slater

Pub. Date: March 3, 3035

She read

Saffy receives three text messages from her best friend, Leona, indicating she may be in danger, but then the messages are deleted. Fearing for her friend, she rushes to her home to find all is reportedly well, with Leona denying she sent any texts. Shorty thereafter, Leona, her husband and daughter are missing, blood left behind in their home and Saffy is the main suspect. Her life spirals out of control as she tries to investigate on her own.

Written from different POVs, this psychological thriller/crime mystery, is another page turner from author K.L. Slater, albeit a bit of a slow burn; there were times when I said to myself, “get on with it.” The different timelines allow the story to gradually reveal the history and significant events in the lives of the main characters that culminates in the crime and ultimate solution of the mystery. I have to say I did find the behavior of the police quite obnoxious! 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @Bookouture for the DRC.

****

I Will Blossom Anyway - Disha Bose

 I Will Blossom Anyway - Disha Bose

Pub. Date: May 6, 2025

He and she read

Calcutta born Durga leaves her family for a job in Ireland where she meets Joy, her new BFF and Joy's brother, Jacob, with whom she falls in love. Enjoying the freedom of an independent life, she also recognizes her role in her family and how her new life would be viewed by them. Because she fears her family will not accept Jacob, she hesitates telling her family about him. When she doesn’t invite him to her sister’s wedding in India, they break up. The  nostalgia of returning home for the wedding entices her back to that culture, but is it enough to give up her new life in Ireland?

A fast contemporary read with flowing prose, this coming of age novel touches on so many themes. There is the struggle between finding your own way and obligations to your family, living a cross culture life, taking control of your life, and the misunderstandings that can occur when we prejudge our family’s dynamics. I enjoyed learning more about the Indian culture, particularly the traditions surrounding a wedding and Hindu myths…and all the references to food. I liked the woman Durga became. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @RandomHouse for the DRC.

****

Parents Weekend - Alex Finlay

 Parents Weekend - Alex Finlay

Pub. Date: May 6, 2025

She read

It is Parents’ Weekend at an expensive northern California college. Everyone is on edge because a student has been reported missing. Then five other students who knew the first one also go missing. As the reader learns about the parents of the five students, campus police and FBI Agent Sarah Keller, recently redeployed to this area, search frantically for them.

I have read and enjoyed a few of Alex Finlay’s books and this adds to his body of work.The story is told from multiple points of view, including that of the families of the missing students; they all have secrets they are hiding.It is another example of dysfunctional wealthy people behaving badly. While many of the players were dislikable in their own ways, I do like the FBI agent, Sarah Keller, who has appeared in other Finlay novels, and her family.  She is a great character. 

Along with the mystery and suspense, there are contemporary themes of the danger of social media and predatory behaviors. It makes for a fast paced, entertaining read. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @Stmartinspress @minotaur_books for the DRC.

****

Death on Wolf Fell - Nick Oldham

 Death on Wolf Fell - Nick Oldham

Pub. Date: May 6, 2025

She read

Sergeant Jessica Raker has relocated her family from London to rural Lancashire. There is an organized crime ring responsible for drugs and thefts in the area. She is determined to take them down, especially the female head, an enemy of hers from school days. Wolf Fell Hall, a stately home, seems to be the center of their activity and after an incident there, the thrilling chase is on, leaving victims in the wake. 

A fan of British police procedurals, I wanted to try a new to me author. This is the second in a series by Nick Oldham. While I did not read the first one, this worked well as a stand alone.

This is a fast paced thriller with a good story line, action, and well developed characters. All this makes for an entertaining read.  I liked Jessica, an all too human but dedicated individual struggling with some personal issues while trying to make a way for herself in her new position. I look forward to the next installment in this series. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #SevernHouseImprint for the DRC.

****