The nitty-gritty: Light on scares but big on character growth and emotion, Haunt Sweet Home offers up interesting characters but is a disappointing ghost story. Haunt Sweet Home is described as a “spooky ghost story,” but unfortunately, that description doesn’t fit the story at all. There isn’t a single scary moment in the book, which […]
The nitty-gritty: Southern charm and graphic violence collide in this funny and heartwarming story. “Put me in pink lipstick or blue hair if you want when I go,” the old woman was saying, “but bury me with my brassiere on and I’ll haunt you.” Bless Your Heart was a fun horror story with unforgettable characters, […]
The nitty-gritty: Murder, ghosts and a controlling husband are just some of the ingredients in this thrilling, historically accurate treat of a story. There’s been quite a bit of buzz surrounding The Devil and Mrs. Davenport, which led me to buy a copy as soon as it was released. And I’m so glad I took […]
The nitty-gritty: Police procedural meets vampires in this exciting horror thriller, another winner from C.J. Tudor. C.J. Tudor never disappoints, and her latest is a great combination of murder mystery, thriller and thoughtful examination of racial prejudice, all set in a remote town in Alaska during one of the darkest times of winter. In Tudor’s […]
The nitty-gritty: Ghosts, family trauma and close-knit relationships make Louisa Morgan’s latest a delightfully nuanced and layered story. Louisa Morgan always writes the most comforting stories, even though her characters face dangers and challenges, and The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is another shining example of this. At its core, the story is about two women, […]
The nitty-gritty: A magical mystery, two rival families and a touch of romance make In the Shadow Garden a satisfying read. In the Shadow Garden was such a nice surprise, a combination of romance, magic and mystery that was a low-key read, just when I needed it. This is my first time reading a book […]
Sparked started out very strong, and I really enjoyed the first half of the story. But unfortunately, around the halfway mark, things started to go downhill for me, and it ended up being a typical YA paranormal that reminded me of so many other stories I’ve read. Which is sad, because I’ve had great luck […]
The nitty-gritty: A stylish and atmospheric tale, part ghost story, part psychological thriller, that sneaks up on you slowly. The creepy mirror was full-size and seemed unnaturally enormous hanging on the wall that way and reflecting only darkness. Framed in antique scrollwork, the glass within was pitch-black, and there was no image beyond the impression […]
The nitty-gritty: A twisty plot full of zombies, ghosts, murders, magic and mayhem, darkly atmospheric with Charish’s special brand of snarky humor. The way Cameron’s pupils focused on me, part of him still had to be in there. There was no way he was a four-line, permit-friendly zombie—the temporary kind you were still allowed to […]
The nitty-gritty: An unexpectedly entertaining and emotional story, whose prison drama and tough characters outshine the paranormal story-line. The Girl with All the Gifts was a top ten read for me a couple of years ago, and so it was with great anticipation that I started M.R. Carey’s follow-up, Fellside. And while it didn’t completely blow […]