Tag Archives: Mystery

Her Final Breath by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Her Final Breath by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
Faint sunlight dapples the two figures lying on the ground. The mother cradles her daughter close to her side, a stuffed toy elephant next to them. Leaves from the tall trees fall onto their faces, but neither moves to brush them off.

When a dog walker in a local Virginia park finds the bodies of a mother and daughter, Detective Amanda Steele is first on the scene. Her own daughter has a toy just like the girl’s elephant and seeing the child like this is her worst nightmare come true. Heartbroken, she vows to get justice.

They quickly get an ID—Jill Archer and six-year-old Charlotte were reported missing last week, but interviewing Jill’s husband, Roy, Amanda’s gut tells her he is hiding something. When the autopsy reveals a terrible pattern of bruises, she’s certain that a domestic argument escalated out of control, and tiny Charlotte got caught in the crossfire. But just as Amanda is about to arrest Roy, another grave is found, containing another mother and daughter.

Desperate for a lead, she goes to every place the women could have been targeted, and learns from a concerned ER nurse about Leanne Reilly and her young daughter, Gracie, who haven’t been heard from in a week. Amanda hopes that Leanne has simply left her deadbeat husband, but she’s gripped by the fear that they are the killer’s latest victims. Now every second counts for Amanda to find the family and stop a little girl’s nightmare before it ends in tragedy…

 

 

Review:

Her Final Breath by Carolyn Arnold is the 7th book in her wonderful Detective Amanda Steele series.  I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition.  Her Final Breath was fantastic, with me unable to put the book down. 

Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department.  The story begins when a dog walker discovers in a local park the bodies of a mother and daughter, buried in a shallow grave; bringing Amanda and Trent (partner) to the gruesome scene. The mother and daughter are identified by a missing persons case, Jill Archer and her daughter, Charlotte. Seems the husband, who is a police officer, reported them missing. When they interview the husband, both of them become suspicious of him; especially after the autopsy show multiple bruises, that were new as well as old.  Just as Amanda and Trent plan arrest the husband, another grave was discovered with a mother and daughter. As they investigate, it seems there is a serial killer, with the them being women from abusive homes, and another grave is found. Who is murdering women and their daughters?

Both Amanda and Trent are able to find a poor video of a possible murderer, but cannot identify him.  They begin to visit the areas, and interview people who knew the last two victims, and find out that another woman and her daughter are missing. Amanda realizes that time is of essence as they race to the climax to find Leanne and Gracie before they are killed.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a mind-blowing thriller.  I always liked how Amanda and Trent made great partners, though in this one, his anger on the abusive treatment of women, was a bit out of control.  I also began to like Graves, Amanda’s boss, as she was a bit strict, but cooperative. The last third of the book was intense and exciting, and to say too much more would be spoilers.

Her Final Breath was another fantastic crime thriller that held our breath throughout.  Amanda is a great heroine, and a fantastic detective. Her Final Breath was so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author; as I am loving this series. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

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STRAIGHT FOR THE KILL(Benoit and Dayne Mystery) by Winter Austin

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STRAIGHT FOR THE KILL (Benoit and Dayne Mystery 3) by Winter Austin -a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 26, 2023

Déjà vu brings a chill in the case that will make or break more than just her career.

Sheriff Elizabeth Benoit’s worst nightmare returns when her deputies discover a young woman killed in the same circumstances as a death from 25 years earlier. That previous victim was Elizabeth’s best friend and Deputy Kyle Lundquist’s older sister. Elizabeth has spent a quarter of a century trying to nail the crooked ex-sheriff she knows is involved up to his elbows in this unresolved crime. She has a thick file of clues, but it’s going to take irrefutable proof to put both cases to bed.

Deputy Detective Lila Dayne draws on all her investigative skills, but still she can’t pin down their main suspect. Then prominent members of the community begin to disappear—clearly, there’s a bigger vendetta at play. Despite the legal consequences of being too close to the case, Elizabeth can’t keep away now.

When Elizabeth’s sister goes missing, it’s a no-holds-barred race against time in the showdown that’s been brewing in Eckardt County for decades.

•••••

REVIEW: STRAIGHT FOR THE KILL is the third instalment in Winter Austin’s contemporary, adult BENOIT AND DAYNE murder, suspense thriller series focusing on small-town Sheriff Elizabeth “Ellie’ Benoit, and former Chicago police officer turned deputy Lila Dayne. STRAIGHT FOR THE KILL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from third person perspectives (Lila and Elizabeth) STRAIGHT FOR THE KILL focuses on the twenty-five year old, Eckardt County unsolved murder of Deputy Kyle Lundquist’s sister and Sheriff Elizabeth Benoit’s best friend Brendette Lundquist. With the approach of Halloween and the anniversary of the death, Deputy Detective Lila Dayne, Kyle’s co-worker and girlfriend, makes it her mission to uncover the truth. While Sheriff Elizabeth Benoit is in recovery from a recent appendectomy, Lila, without permission, opens up the cold case files but a ghost from the past pulls Lila into a current and familiar murder scene eerily reminiscent of what happened years before. Three girls: one dead, one missing, and another fearing for her life refuse to tell what happened or why until Sheriff Benoit is pulled into the investigation with more murder suspects, secrets and lies than the Sheriff’s office is capable of handling. As the body count grows, a strange cult-like aura emerges but are the clues pointing to a cult, or something more sinister involving one of their own. Battling in her recovery, Sheriff Ellie Benoit, along with her boyfriend Deputy Rafe Fontaine struggle with the direction of the investigation, a direction with many familiar faces that hits too close to home.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we have met the previous story lines including: Elizabeth’s sister Marnie; Deputy Kyle Lundquist; Deputy Rafe Fontaine; Deputy Ben Fitzgerald, Deputy Brent Meyer, Deputy Corey Young; ME Dr. Olivia Remington-Thorpe and her husband Dr. Dominic Thorpe, dispatcher Georgia Schmidt, and former Eckardt County Sheriff Kelley Sheehan; Elizabeth’s childhood friend Seraphina Russell and her mother Caroline; the local riff-raff, victims, and survivors. The requisite evil has many faces.

STRAIGHT FOR THE KILL is another detailed, complex and fascinating journey into murder and vengeance, secrets and lies, power and control, mystery and obsession. The premise is dramatic,intriguing, and intense; the characters are numerous, determined, and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Killer in Me
Hush, My Darling

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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A lifelong Mid-West gal, Winter rediscovered her love of her beloved Iowa with its hot summers and snowy winters. She grew up listening to the captivating stories told by relatives around the table or a campfire. Since becoming a published author, she learned a mindset of a glass half-empty personality makes for a perfect suspense/thriller author. Taking her ability to verbally spin a vivid and detailed story, Winter translated that into writing deadly romantic thrillers. Combining her love of all things rural, agricultural, and military, she’s turned her small town life upside down.

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Encore in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

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Encore in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

 

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Description:
Eve Dallas is investigating the murder of a much-loved actor at a glittering party. The spotlight has never been brighter. Or deadlier…

It was a glittering event full of A-listers, hosted by Eliza Lane and Brant Fitzhugh, the most glittering of all celebrity couples. Everyone had expected the party to be in the newspapers the next day but not because one of the hosts was murdered! As the crowd had gathered to watch Eliza sing, Fitzhugh had raised a final toast to his glamorous wife and fallen to the floor. Death by cyanide poisoning. It’s time for Lt. Eve Dallas to make her entrance.

From all accounts, Fitzhugh wasn’t the kind of star who made enemies. Eliza, on the other hand, had many rivals, and a few of them could class as enemies. Since the champagne cocktail that killed Brant was originally intended for Eliza, could it be that she was the real target?

With so many people at the party, Eve has her work cut out determining who could commit murder in the middle of a crowd. As one who’s not fond of the spotlight, she dreads the media circus surrounding a case like this. All she wants is to figure out who’s truly innocent, and who’s only acting that way…

 

 

Review:

Encore in Death by J.D. Robb is the 56th book in her fantastic Eve Dallas/In Death series. I have said this many times that I loved this series, as I have read every single book, as well as all the novellas of this series. I also love Eve and Roarke, who I still consider the best literary couple. Encore in Death was a wonderful addition to this series.  I will never have enough of this series, and marvel how Robb continues to give us fascinating stories at 56 books later;

Encore in Death starts off with a celebrity gala hosted by Eliza Lane and Brant Fitzhugh, two of the most famous celebrities, as well as a married couple.  The crowd gathered to watch Eliza and young co-star sing, and when she was done, her husband raised his glass to toast his wife; immediately falling down dead. The death diagnosed as cyanide poisoning, brings Lt. Eve Dallas to the scene, with her wonderful team, including Peabody and McNab; with the media in a frenzy over the poisoning of a famous loved actor. 

Eve begins a merry chase to discover who is the murderer, with so many suspects.  This is a perfect whodunit, especially being led to believe the original target was Eliza, not Brant.  Both Eve and Peabody investigate those who had grudges against Eliza, including someone from the past.  To say too much more would be spoilers, and this is too great of a story to ruin it for you.  There are a number of surprises and twists, which totally throws us for a loop. 

What follows is an intense, exciting, non-stop action filled race to find out who the real killer was; with edge of your seat suspense. I love spending time with Eve, Peabody and Roarke together, as well as getting to see many of the wonderful recurring secondary characters, including Nadine, Mcnab, Mira, Feeney, Reo, Baxter, Trueheart and her fantastic team. 

J.D. Robb once again gives us another masterpiece to this wonderful series, which I hope keeps on rolling for many years to come. Encore in Death is another masterpiece to this amazing series, which is always so very well written by J.D. Robb.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Playing Dead by Peggy Rothschild – a Review

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Playing Dead by Peggy Rothschild – a Review

 

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Description:
Molly Madison has barely had a moment to catch her breath after moving to the sleepy beach town she now calls home. But as a former PI, she can’t help but notice the odd chemistry between members of Playtime Academy on the first day she and her loyal Saint Bernadoodle, Noodle, and golden retriever, Harlow, visit. When a trainer’s body is found on-site, Molly knows it’s her duty to put her ex-police skills to use. She can’t say no to temporarily taking in the deceased woman’s dog, either—not with those puppy dog eyes.

Relationships at the training facility are not as clean as the prize-winning agility runs, making it difficult for Molly to get a leash on potential suspects. And her personal life is just as messy—her boyfriend is hiding something, her agoraphobic neighbor needs help, and her number of four-legged friends keep growing as she agrees to dogsit a wriggly local French bulldog.

When Molly’s friend is arrested for the murder, she’s not sure who to believe anymore. Is the case as simple as the local cops make it seem, or is something more devious afoot?

 

 

Review:

Playing Dead by Peggy Rothschild is the 2nd book in her Molly Madison series. Molly Madison, our heroine, is a former ex-cop and private investigator, who moved recently to the small beach side town, Pier Point, California.  Molly has two dogs that she trains, Harlow and Noodle, and in a short time, she adds a couple more to help train for some neighbors.  She brings her dogs to a training facility, Playtime Academy for agility and scent training, also meeting new people with dogs.  Molly meets many different people, but overhears complaints from others about a nasty member.  In a short time, during scent training, Noodle will find the body of a murdered woman, who was Celeste, the person everyone hated. 

Trying to stay out of the investigation, Molly agrees to take care of Celeste’s dog, and ends up becoming permanent, since the husband wants nothing to do with the dog, Buster.  When Felicity is accused of murder, Molly begins to use her investigative knowledge and find the real killer. Along the way, she finds clues that possibly incriminate a number of people, with the police not too happy with Molly giving them information.  With all that going on, Molly’s life is crazy, investigating the murder, discovering her boyfriend being married, and also taking on the job to take care of another dog, Sky during the day.

What follows is an exciting, fun cozy mystery with many possible suspects, and a surprise game changing ending.  I did like some of the secondary characters, but I loved the wonderful dogs (Harlow, Noodle, Buster, Sky and Thor). It was wonderful to watch how Molly was so good with the dogs and the fun they had.  The last third of the book was exciting and tense, as Molly discovers the truth.   Playing Dead was a fun cozy mystery, that was very well written by Peggy Rothschild. If you like lighthearted, cozy, mystery, suspense stories, you need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Don’t Open the Door by Allison Brennan – a Review

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Don’t Open the Door by Allison Brennan – a Review

 

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Description:
A child is shot while playing video games at home. His mother will stop at nothing to find out who did it—and why.

After their ten-year-old son, Chase, was senselessly murdered, Regan’s life unraveled. Her corporate lawyer husband, Grant, blamed the death on Regan’s work as a US marshal. Unable to reconcile their grief, they divorced, and Regan quit her job and moved away.

Now she’s back after a voice mail from her former boss Tommy said he had important news to share about Chase’s killing. Regan is stunned to learn Tommy is dead too. When she reaches out to Grant, his panicked reaction raises her suspicions. Then a lawyer with ties to her ex also turns up murdered, and the police make Grant their top suspect.

Unsure of his guilt or innocence, Regan risks everything to find Grant before the police do so she can finally get the answers to all that has haunted her since losing Chase. But the truth is not even close to what she imagines—and now she fears she has no one to trust.

 

 

Review:

Don’t Open the Door by Allison Brennan is the 2nd book in her Regan Merritt series.  Allison Brennan has become one of my must-read suspense thriller authors, as she never fails to give us exciting, tense and non-stop action throughout the entire book. 

We met Regan Merritt, in the first book (The Sorority Murders), and in Don’t Open the Door, we learn more about Regan, and how her life totally changed, due to the murder of her young son almost a year ago.  Regan quit her job as a US Marshall, she and her husband, Grant divorced, and she moved back home near her father.  Regan remained close friends with her US Marshall ex-partner, Tommy, who privately continued to investigate her son’s murder. 

Regan gets a voice message from Tommy, claiming that he knew who really killed her son, which he plans to prove was an accidental hit on her son, but the true target was her ex-husband, Grant. Before she could get in touch with him, Regan learns that Tommy was murdered at his home. Regan comes back for Tommy’s funeral, and stays at his house, determined to find his killer, especially with all the evidence that Tommy found was now missing. 

Regan learns that Tommy met with Grant a few times, and wants to know why.  Grant has been trying to avoid Regan, but when he learns that he was the true target, he panics; and when Grant’s girlfriend is murdered, he runs away.  Slowly, Regan begins to discover new clues, with some pieces starting fall into place, leading to a conspiracy and her becoming closer to the truth.  Regan realizes that Grant’s life is in danger and she hurries to find him; she also knows that those behind the conspiracy will be going after her too.

Don’t Open the Door was an excellent, action filled, suspense thriller with so many twists and turns throughout. From start to finish, this is an extremely complicated story, with a number of people involved in the murders.  I cannot say too much more, as it would ruin it for you.  Don’t Open the Door was a great and exciting read, which was very well written by Allison Brennan.  If you like suspense thrillers, you need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Murder in Times Square (Deirdre Mystery 1) by William Baer-review

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Murder in Times Square ( A Deirdre Mystery 1) by William Baer-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 3, 2023

When a young woman in a red designer dress falls twenty-five stories from the roof of Times Square One, the well-known New York fashion model known as Deirdre resolves to unravel the mystery. Capable and determined, Deirdre is relentless in her drive to unravel the mystery and find justice for the victim, while protecting those she loves from looming threats.

Baer, who has worked in the New York City’s fashion district, showcases not only his depth of knowledge of the fashion industry, but also of New York City and its landmarks and history. He weaves an intricate, fast-paced, and spellbinding narrative that takes us through New York City, Atlantic City, the Jersey Shore, and the Caribbean. In Murder in Times Square, Baer once again proves he is a master of suspense and intrigue.

•••••

REVIEW: MURDER IN TIMES SQUARE is the first instalment in William Baer’s contemporary, adult A DEIRDRE MYSTERY murder, mystery, thriller series focusing on nineteen year old Deirdre Flanagan.

Told from first person perspective using present day and memories from the past MURDER IN TIMES SQUARE follows in the wake of the murder of a senator’s son, and the death of his ‘date’ from atop a high rise building in NYC. Deirdre Flanagan, known only as Dierdre in the world of supermodel fashion, is the nineteen year old daughter of former super middleweight boxing champion Sean Flanagan, and the niece of NYPD captain Pat Flanagan. At eleven years of age, having spent most of her time alongside her uncle as he investigates the crime riddled city of New York, Deirdre was licensed as a NY investigator, and eventually registered as a legal gun owner. Fast forward to present day Deirdre is caught in a vicious cycle of endless murders and gun fights all seemingly connected to the murder of the senator’s son but clues and evidence begin to reveal a path that leads back to our story line heroine, a path mired in betrayal and vengeance, madness and murder.

Deirdre Flanagan is a nineteen year old super model, at the top of her profession, and everyone and everybody is in love with our story line heroine. From Detective Rick Dempsey, to body guard Carlos Menendez, there are no limits to the number of men and women who want to be a part of the world that belongs to Deirdre Flanagan but Deirdre has always been led to believe she is different, and it is this belief that has controlled a large part of our heroine’s life. An atypical life, with an unconventional upbringing, Deirdre is much older and wiser than most people twice her age.

We are introduced to Deirdre’s father former super middleweight boxing champion Sean Flanagan, and his brother/her uncle NYPD captain Pat Flanagan; ‘bodyguard’ Carlos Menendez, and Detective Rick Dempsey. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and questionable secondary and supporting characters many of whom will be caught in a web of murder and vengeance.

MURDER IN TIMES SQUARE is awash in the name dropping of the famous and infamous; fashion brands and models; sports icons and NY landmarks, as well as the history surrounding many of the important monuments and benchmarks that may or may not have affected the history of one of the busiest and most populace cities in the world.

MURDER IN TIMES SQUARE is a detailed, complex and intricate story of betrayal, obsession, vengeance and murder. The premise is intriguing and thorough but I question the reality of a young child endorsed to own a gun and authorized to investigate some of the most heinous crimes but this is fiction, and meant to entertain. The characters are colorful, energetic, and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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William Baer, a recent Guggenheim fellow, is the award-winning author of twenty-two books, and his various plays have been produced at over thirty American theaters.  He grew up in the Bronx and Wayne, New Jersey, where his family was actively involved in “little theater.”  A graduate of Rutgers (B.A.) and New York University (M.A.), he completed his dissertation in creative writing at the University of South Carolina under the direction of James Dickey.  After attending the Johns Hopkins’ Writing Seminars (M.A.), he served as a Fulbright at the University of Coimbra in Portugal.  He then attended the University of Southern California’s Graduate School of Cinema (M.A.), where he received the Jack Nicholson Screenwriting Award.  The recipient of a Creative Writing Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, he currently lives in North Jersey.

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The Wolf is Mine by Paige Tyler – a Review

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The Wolf is Mine by Paige Tyler – a Review

 

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Description:
Werewolf Connor Malone and his SWAT team are in San Antonio looking for their teammate. But Connor can’t stop worrying about his cat who went missing the morning he left Dallas. His furry friend has been by his side since he found her a year ago, and the fact that she’s disappeared is weighing on him. Things get much worse when he and his team realize they’re up against a powerful creature they might not be able to defeat…

Back in Dallas, Connor’s feline friend turns out to be the powerful woman who introduces herself as Kat Davenport…a witch who needs the SWAT team’s help to defeat the wicked warlock who cursed her. And when she and Connor are thrown together again, there will be no denying the connection they already share, and the white-hot chemistry that sizzles between them.

 

 

Review:

The Wolf is Mine by Paige Tyler is the 13th book in her fantastic SWAT series.  Connor Malone is part of the SWAT team, and with two of their members missing, he and a few members of the SWAT team investigate; only for them to enter a magical sign that also traps them.   

In the previous books, we knew about Kat, the cat, who spend lots of time with Connor, and he was worried when Kat was missing.  But it turns out that the cat has changed to a human, and really is a witch; who was under a binding spell, when the warlock killed everyone in her coven. Kat was given two weeks to become human, then the curse made her a cat again.   Kat Davenport returns to the pack compound to seek help, and those at the compound are shocked to see the human Kat.  She learns that Connor is among those also now missing, but she recognizes the magical sign that has them trapped.  Kat convinces the remaining team to allow her to go with them, and find a way to break the spell, and rescue them.

The SWAT team with help from Kat (now a witch) manages to rescue their packmates.  Connor is shocked to find out that the beautiful woman, who embraces him during the rescue, is the cat who stayed with him.  Kat, had loved Connor, in her cat form, as well as now as a human; at first Connor was having a hard time trying to deal with this new development. 

A few teenagers have gone missing, just vanishing out of their houses and nobody seems to know where they’ve gone. The team realizes that their newest enemy is a powerful warlock, who was the one who put the spell on Kat.   She needs to utilize her powers to help the team defeat this nemesis, who could destroy them all.  When Kat realizes the enemy is the warlock that put the spell on her, she needs to decide if she should stay and help fight or run away so that she can save Connor and the SWAT team.

What follows is a suspenseful, exciting, action filled story, with lots of Intrigue and mystery that kept me unable to put the book down.  I loved Kat and Connor together, as they made a great couple; especially when he realizes that she is the ‘One’ (his soulmate). I also loved all the members of the pack, who were great secondary characters, that had a wonderful bond.  The Wolf is Mine was a fantastic addition to this wonderful series, as well as very well written by Paige Tyler. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes – a Review

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The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes – a Review

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Description:
A captivating psychological suspense debut about a young woman still haunted by her childhood best friend’s death who learns of an eerily similar incident and must find her way back to a cabin in the New England woods, armed with only hazy memories, to finally uncover the truth that has eluded her.

Maya was a high school senior when her best friend, Aubrey, mysteriously dropped dead in front of the enigmatic man named Frank whom they’d been hanging around with all summer. Seven years later, Maya is just managing to move on; she lives in Boston with a loving boyfriend and is kicking the secret Klonopin habit that’s allowed her to cope with what happened all those years ago.

But her past comes to haunt her when she discovers a recent YouTube video in which a young woman suddenly keels over in a diner while sitting across from none other than Frank. Plunged back into the trauma that has defined her life, Maya heads to her small Berkshires hometown to figure out the truth.

With guidance from a half-written book by the father in Guatemala she never knew, Maya’s quest for answers forces her to relive that fateful summer—the influence Frank once had on her, and the jealousy that nearly destroyed her friendship with Aubrey—finally leading her to Frank’s cabin in the woods.

The House in the Pines is an utterly unique and surprising thriller about the subtlety of memory and manipulation, confronting the past and returning home, and the powerful and lasting bonds of family and friendship.

 

 

 

Review:

The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes is a stand-alone psychological thriller.  Maya, the main character of this story, is haunted by the mysterious death of her high school best friend 7 years ago.  Her memories are very hazy, with her unable to remember the past, as well as trying to get herself off of her addiction to Klonopin. 

While in high school, Maya started dating Frank, who seemed a bit of a loner, and her best friend, Aubrey worried about Maya and her relationship with Frank.  Maya began to act strange, not able to remember some things, and when Aubrey mysteriously drops dead, while sitting across from Frank; Maya suspects that somehow Frank had something to do with her death.  Unable to prove anything, Maya leaves town to go to college.

7 years later Maya sees a You Tube video, showing a woman who suddenly keels over dead in a diner, with the man sitting across from her, being Frank.  Plunged into her nightmare, Maya decides to return to her hometown to find out the truth from all those years ago.   She is determined to find a way to get past her trauma, and learn how Frank is manipulating people.  Maya’s Guatemalan father wrote an unfinished book, that when she reads, she begins to suspect the unique connections to whatever Frank is able to do. As the story races to its climax, we do discover what is happening, but with that said, I do not want to give spoilers. You will need to read this book to find out.

Overall, I did have mixed feelings about this book.  It was a unique story, suspenseful and interesting.  I just thought there was too much going on between the past and present, leaving me a bit confused at times.   Early on, I did like Aubrey and Maya’s friendship, and Maya’s mom was very good.  Frank was a bad character, especially the more we learn.  

The House in the Pines was well written by Ana Reyes, as for the most part, it kept your attention throughout; with suspense, memories of the past, addiction, and confronting the truths.  If you like psychological thrillers, I suggest you read The House in the Pines.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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