Raoul Daubreuil insists his fiancée give up her activities as a talented and successful medium when they marry. However, he agrees to attend what is tRaoul Daubreuil insists his fiancée give up her activities as a talented and successful medium when they marry. However, he agrees to attend what is to be her last séance—with Madame Exe. But even Raoul can't foresee the tragedy ahead.
Short story about a medium who reluctantly does one last séance, with tragic results. I found the story captivating with some creepy supernatural elements, and an abrupt, strange ending. But I still enjoyed it. Another good one to read around Halloween....more
Very short story about a stranger who stops at an isolated house after having car trouble and eventually prevents a murder. I found this story to be sVery short story about a stranger who stops at an isolated house after having car trouble and eventually prevents a murder. I found this story to be somewhat confusing, which lessened my enjoyment of it....more
A married couple (Nicola and Ryan) take a trip to visit Nicola’s friend (Kim, and her husband Lewis) at their luxury holiday home in the Scottish HighA married couple (Nicola and Ryan) take a trip to visit Nicola’s friend (Kim, and her husband Lewis) at their luxury holiday home in the Scottish Highlands. Nicola and Kim have been best friends for years and they frequently have family get-togethers. Nicola wishes that her husband Ryan could get on better with Kim’s husband Lewis. Lewis is very wealthy and likes to show off and brag at times, which makes Ryan a bit envious. But, this time, things become stressed… with secrets unfolding and tempers flaring, will this be their last holiday together?
The story was fast-paced, easy to read, and captivating. I liked the setting (the isolated luxury holiday house in the Highlands). And I was curious to find out how everything would turn out. But by the end, I didn’t particularly like the secret reveal/twist at the end, which then made me not have much sympathy for the main character's problem for most of the book. I did enjoy the story, but not as much as the other books I’ve read by Daniel Hurst....more
Peter Balsam (a psychology teacher) goes to Neilsville when an old friend (Monsignor Peter Vernon) asks him to come and teach psychology at St. FranciPeter Balsam (a psychology teacher) goes to Neilsville when an old friend (Monsignor Peter Vernon) asks him to come and teach psychology at St. Francis Xavier's school. When he arrives, he feels an aura of evil within the town. He eventually takes the position as teacher and finds his old friend to be quite a changed man. From an easy-going guy to a cold, stern, fanatic when it comes to religion. He wonders what happened to his old schoolfriend. Then, strange things are happening in town. Deaths, suicides… And who is this St. Peter Martyr in which the Monsignor holds in such high regard? Is it time for Peter to leave Neilsville?
I really enjoyed this book, I just wish it ended differently. The storyline was interesting. The cast of characters had a mixture of likable and unlikable people. Monsignor Vernon was forbidding, with erratic behavior. His group, The Society of St. Peter Martr, was pretty strange and creepy with a bunch of old priests doing unthinkable things. Some teenagers at school were quite annoying, especially a clique of girls who kept picking on an unattractive, shy girl. I didn’t like Jim Mulvey (one of the girls’ boyfriends) either, who seemed like a jerk. Peter Balsam was a likable lead character.
Andi Edwards comes home one day to discover her husband Spencer has a shocking secret in their basement. Will she trust the man she loves? I enjoyed tAndi Edwards comes home one day to discover her husband Spencer has a shocking secret in their basement. Will she trust the man she loves? I enjoyed this fast-paced suspense story, even if it was a bit unpleasant at times. Spencer was a total creep. And I didn’t care for Andi, sticking by her man, no matter what. There weren’t many likable characters in this book, except Andi’s friend, Jo. But I still found it an interesting, and captivating read....more
This is the second story in Season Two of the “Nameless” series. Nameless has no memory and gets his assignments from the mysterious Ace of Diamonds. This is the second story in Season Two of the “Nameless” series. Nameless has no memory and gets his assignments from the mysterious Ace of Diamonds. In this short story, Nameless’s mission involves a respected doctor who is secretly a murderer of patients that don’t fit his expectations of beauty. In the end, he gets what he deserves. Another enjoyable read in the Nameless series....more
Heroine Rebecca Salmon’s twin brother (Danny) disappears (he’s an agent for the DEA and has gone back undercover). Danny is in possession of somethingHeroine Rebecca Salmon’s twin brother (Danny) disappears (he’s an agent for the DEA and has gone back undercover). Danny is in possession of something the cartel is after (a flash drive) and he hid it at Adventure World (a theme park). He gave Rebecca and her young son Austin instructions to go on a scavenger hunt in Adventure World to find the flash drive, where he hid it, and tells them to trust no one. While in the park Rebecca runs into an old friend, FBI Agent-hero Jake Foster (who has had a crush on her since they were in school.) Unknown to Rebecca, Danny has asked Jake to keep an eye on Rebecca and Austin. Along the way Austin is kidnapped and she and Jake are chased by dangerous criminals throughout the park while they try to solve the puzzles in the scavenger hunt.
This was a very fast-paced and exciting read. I really enjoyed the book’s location inside the theme park. I liked Jake, I always enjoy a smitten hero. And Rebecca was a clever and caring heroine. Austin was a cute and smart kid. A fun, action filled read....more
Pretty nineteen-year-old Anne Ferguson, who comes from a very caring orphanage, leaves to make her way in the world. Anne travels to her new job in PaPretty nineteen-year-old Anne Ferguson, who comes from a very caring orphanage, leaves to make her way in the world. Anne travels to her new job in Palm Beach, Florida, and falls in love along the way. There are some surprises, but I don’t want to give too much away. I really liked the 1940’s time period, and the mystery in the story. The cast of characters were people I cared about. I especially liked the people at the orphanage, in particular, Aunt Betty, Aunt Gertie, and Anne’s best friend Grace. The cab driver Henry at Palm Beach was quite sweet, too.
Daisy McKenzie is a journalist who works for a London magazine. She isn’t doing very well because of her chronic insomnia. Her boss gives her an assigDaisy McKenzie is a journalist who works for a London magazine. She isn’t doing very well because of her chronic insomnia. Her boss gives her an assignment to go to The Serenity Spa (which is also a sleep clinic). The spa offered an invitation for a week’s stay, expenses paid, in return for a review of the spa. Daisy arrives at the spa and meets the owner, Amity Augustiago, who comes up with a program she is sure will cure Daisy of her insomnia. Daisy is worried about using hypnosis because of a secret in her past. But Amity insists it will help. Or does Amity have a sinister agenda of her own?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I found it hard to put down. I liked the setting of the spa and the secrets that were revealed as the book progressed. The characters were interesting and I was curious to see how everything was going to turn out. An intriguing read by Miranda Rijks....more
This is the first story in Season Two of the “Nameless” series. Nameless has no memory and gets his assignments from the mysterious Ace of Diamonds. IThis is the first story in Season Two of the “Nameless” series. Nameless has no memory and gets his assignments from the mysterious Ace of Diamonds. In this story, Nameless’s assignment is to go after an arms dealer who has set up an underground bunker and supplies guns to gangs and terrorists. With an evil villain, an eerie, bleak setting, and a likable teen (Jimmy) who is helping Nameless out, this is another fine read in the “Nameless” series....more
MaryAnne Carpenter gets a phone call informing her that her good friend Audrey Wilkenson and her husband Ted are dead. MaryAnne has been named the guaMaryAnne Carpenter gets a phone call informing her that her good friend Audrey Wilkenson and her husband Ted are dead. MaryAnne has been named the guardian of their only son, Joey. So MaryAnne travels to the Wilkenson’s ranch home in Sugarloaf, Idaho, with her two young children (Logan and Alison) and her husband, Alan. MaryAnne is having trouble with Joey, who goes out a lot at night in the forest. Then, some campers are brutally murdered. Sometimes MaryAnne feels like they are being watched. Should she stay at the ranch or go back home? This story was interesting and captivating at times, but I just didn’t enjoy this book as much as other books I’ve read by this author. I found Joey to be an unlikable and annoying character and I didn’t really like his backstory with the mountain man, etc. A so-so read....more
Short read about a guy (Marcus) whose father told him when he was six that his mother was killed by an Ankle Snatcher (which only grabs ankles/people Short read about a guy (Marcus) whose father told him when he was six that his mother was killed by an Ankle Snatcher (which only grabs ankles/people from underneath the bed when the lights are out). His father is accused of the mother’s murder and goes to prison. Marcus believes his dad killed her. Some years later Marcus falls for a girl and brings her home. After a night of passion, the girl gets up from the bed in the dark and the Ankle Snatcher gets her. Now Marcus believes the story his father told him. I didn’t find this story scary at all, and I found the main character to be a bit weak and wimpy. I enjoyed the other books in the Amazon Creature Feature series much more....more
Private investigator Heather Nelson goes back home to Iowa to attend her class reunion after her good friend Lindsay dies in a bike accident. While HePrivate investigator Heather Nelson goes back home to Iowa to attend her class reunion after her good friend Lindsay dies in a bike accident. While Heather is at the reunion the group of friends she is sitting with for dinner receive a floral arrangement including a threatening note. Thinking it was probably a prank, they mostly forget about it until, after the reunion, they start to receive further menacing notes. Who could be sending them? They decide to ask Heather for her help as an investigator to get to the bottom of this. As time goes by, they start to wonder who they can trust, and if Lindsay’s accident was murder…
I really liked this book, it was a very absorbing read. I enjoyed the secrets that are slowly revealed as the story progressed, and the setting at the beginning, at the reunion. The characters were interesting, and I liked the surprises towards the end of the story. My only quibble was the use of today’s advanced smartphones in the year 1998 during a flashback. Other than that, another fine read by N. L. Hinkens....more
Mila Swift and her husband Ethan are traveling to reach the resort in Germany where her sister (Jess) is getting married. But before they reach the reMila Swift and her husband Ethan are traveling to reach the resort in Germany where her sister (Jess) is getting married. But before they reach the resort their rental car breaks down in a deserted, very snowy area. They discover a nearby village named Witwerberg, take shelter in an empty cabin, and go to sleep for the night. Mila awakens to find Ethan has disappeared without a trace. Then she feels like she is being watched. And with barely any food she has to struggle to stay alive, with the feeling that there is a presence out there, watching her.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a very captivating, atmospheric read. I really felt Mila’s isolation and paranoia. The story kept having flashbacks into the past, mostly about Mila’s relationship with her sister Jess. I enjoyed the twists and turns as the story progressed. A fine read by Sarah Goodwin. I look forward to reading more by this author....more
Very entertaining short story about a neighborhood hosting its annual progressive dinner party (cocktails at one house, first course at another, desseVery entertaining short story about a neighborhood hosting its annual progressive dinner party (cocktails at one house, first course at another, dessert at another, etc.) and what happens to a certain person before the party is through. I liked the way I got the thoughts of each person throughout the party, at each house. And the surprises along the way. This is the first story I’ve read by Minka Kent and I look forward to reading more from this author....more
Enjoyable time-travel romance about a tour guide (Megan Turner) who is in love with the past, and an inventor and businessman from 1902 (Charles WhitlEnjoyable time-travel romance about a tour guide (Megan Turner) who is in love with the past, and an inventor and businessman from 1902 (Charles Whitley) who accidentally comes to the future. Sweet read with likable characters....more
Miss Marple shares a story to a group of friends about how, years ago, she suspected a man was going to kill his wife. Later on, the wife is found deaMiss Marple shares a story to a group of friends about how, years ago, she suspected a man was going to kill his wife. Later on, the wife is found dead, but the husband appears to be innocent of the crime, even to Miss Marple. Or is he? Another clever mystery by Agatha Christie. Not much Christmas in this, though....more
Three years ago, while Paris Reid and Will Brydon served on a jury, they became lovers. After some misunderstandings, they broke up. Three years laterThree years ago, while Paris Reid and Will Brydon served on a jury, they became lovers. After some misunderstandings, they broke up. Three years later, during the Christmas holiday, the criminal they and their fellow jurors helped to convict is out and is looking for revenge on the people who put him in jail. So, the police gather the people who served on the jury, along with the judge and the barristers, and put them all in a castle-hotel for Christmas to keep an eye on them and keep them safe while they hunt the escaped murderer down. Paris isn’t looking forward to seeing Will again, but they find they are still attracted to each other.
This was a very entertaining and captivating read. I enjoyed the bits of suspense that were included. I liked Paris, but sometimes Will was a bit much. He should have listened to what Paris had to say instead of taking the word of a stranger. And he was a bit harsh on working women, too. But other than that, there was enough other things going on in the story to keep me interested. Another enjoyable read by Sally Wentworth....more
Tom has been in love with his best friend, Melanie, since they were kids. But she has only had eyes for popular Jake for years. But, this Christmas, wTom has been in love with his best friend, Melanie, since they were kids. But she has only had eyes for popular Jake for years. But, this Christmas, will Tom finally get what he wishes for?
This was a very short and sweet holiday romance. Tom was a great guy. It was nice to see Melanie finally notice what has been in front of her all along. A cute, festive read.
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