The nitty-gritty: Murder mystery meets eco thriller in Something of A Calling, an off-kilter story with big ideas but an ultimately unsatisfying conclusion. Something of a Calling was an odd little story and not what I was expecting at all, but I enjoyed it overall, although I did have a few issues. This is a […]
The nitty-gritty: A vampire decides to vacation in Italy but runs into a heap of trouble in Be Still My Unbeating Heart, an uneven story with some great ideas. Be Still My Unbeating Heart is another case of “the cover is better than the book,” unfortunately. I so wanted to love this more, but it […]
The nitty-gritty: Welcome to Fell, New York, a town with many unsolved mysteries and plenty of ghosts. The Sun Down Motel has a room waiting for you, if you’re brave enough to enter… I’m so glad I finally made time to read The Sun Down Motel, after diving into Simone St. James’s A Box Full […]
The nitty-gritty: Mystery meets mind-bending supernatural terror in Dead First, a unique tale of revenge, redemption and murder. “Sometimes, people leave part of themselves in a horrible place, creating an eternal scar.” Dead First surprised me in just about every possible way. This is a gritty, violent and emotional story that mostly leans into mystery/detective […]
The nitty-gritty: Mystery, romance and quirky characters make this a must read for readers who love their stories chock full of humor and hijinks. Once in a while I step outside my usual genres and try something different, and the end of the year/holiday season seemed like the perfect time for that. Definitely Maybe Not […]
The nitty-gritty: The characters steal the show in this fun, fast-paced YA supernatural mystery, a great blend of humor, romance and creepy intrigue. Susan Dennard is one author I will break my “no YA” rule for, and I’m very happy I had the chance to read The Executioners Three, which appears to be a standalone […]
The nitty-gritty: Family secrets, unreliable narrators and a tell-all memoir make up the bones of this twisty, deliciously entertaining tale. I’m happy to say that The Dead Husband Cookbook hit many of the same highs for me as Danielle Valentine’s Delicate Condition, a book I absolutely loved. In her latest, the author has taken two […]
The nitty-gritty: A twisty take on the haunted house trope, We Live Here Now oozes creepy atmosphere and suspense. “There are no ghosts at Larkin Lodge.” Sarah Pinborough’s latest is a haunted house thriller with a twist, and I had a bunch of fun with it. While some of the haunted house elements are ones […]
The nitty-gritty: A most unusual haunted house story, The Staircase in the Woods is an unhinged, psychological mystery that explores personal terrors and complicated friendships. “We’re all just empty houses waiting for this monster to move in and take us over.” Chuck Wendig’s latest is a creepy, unsettling haunted house/possession story with multifaceted characters and […]
The nitty-gritty: The detective story meets the gritty streets of Los Angeles in this thrilling, fast-paced and laugh-out-loud story. I had a lot of fun with the last Nick Kolakowski book I read (Absolute Unit), so I wasn’t surprised that Where the Bones Lie was a blast to read as well. PI/crime/detective novels aren’t my […]