On the evening of November 26th, 1982, a family (husband, wife, 2 daughters, 1 son) was murdered in a horrific fashion in their HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
On the evening of November 26th, 1982, a family (husband, wife, 2 daughters, 1 son) was murdered in a horrific fashion in their mansion. That’s why the property has since been known as Execution Estate.
This is a companion novella to author Pamela Crane’s recently released mystery/thriller, A Slow Ruin. In that full-length novel, we mostly read of two timelines featuring the inhabitants of Execution Estate…1910 and 2021. While there is mention of the horrific murders that took place in 1982, now is the first time we’re hearing the bloody details.
Derl Newman was the estate manager at the time the Eyler family lived and died there in 1982. In fact, he’s the one who discovered their gruesome, lifeless bodies in the library.
Now, 40 years later, Derl returns to the house to give an interview for an “Unsolved Mysteries” type of show. Only, he says he knows who committed the previously unsolved crime.
Was it the Eylers’s chef? The gardener? The mail man? The housekeeper? Was it the butler in the library with a candlestick?
This is an extremely entertaining whodunnit where Derl reflects on his years working for the family. It also delves into each of the suspects, and wastes no room with filler. I was highly entertained by this novella. I couldn’t stop flipping through its 132 pages. It is also darkly funny…and I may or may not have been ashamed of giggling during macabre events.
This could be read as a standalone, but you may as well read both. Crane is such a good writer who knows how to deliver an enticing story that makes you want more. She explains why she expanded upon the story in her author’s note at the beginning, and it is deeply humorous and entertaining.
4.5 stars.
Thank you to the author herself, Pamela Crane, for gifting me with this widget. Expected Publication Date: 2/22/22.
On the evening of November 26th, 1982, a family (husband, wife, 2 daughters, 1 son) was murdered in a horrific fashion in their mansion. That’s why the property has since been known as Execution Estate.
This is a companion novella to author Pamela Crane’s recently released mystery/thriller, A Slow Ruin. In that full-length novel, we mostly read of two timelines featuring the inhabitants of Execution Estate…1910 and 2021. While there is mention of the horrific murders that took place in 1982, now is the first time we’re hearing the bloody details.
Derl Newman was the estate manager at the time the Eyler family lived and died there in 1982. In fact, he’s the one who discovered their gruesome, lifeless bodies in the library.
Now, 40 years later, Derl returns to the house to give an interview for an “Unsolved Mysteries” type of show. Only, he says he knows who committed the previously unsolved crime.
Was it the Eylers’s chef? The gardener? The mail man? The housekeeper? Was it the butler in the library with a candlestick?
This is an extremely entertaining whodunnit where Derl reflects on his years working for the family. It also delves into each of the suspects, and wastes no room with filler. I was highly entertained by this novella. I couldn’t stop flipping through its 132 pages. It is also darkly funny…and I may or may not have been ashamed of giggling during macabre events.
This could be read as a standalone, but you may as well read both. Crane is such a good writer who knows how to deliver an enticing story that makes you want more. She explains why she expanded upon the story in her author’s note at the beginning, and it is deeply humorous and entertaining.
4.5 stars.
Thank you to the author herself, Pamela Crane, for gifting me with this widget. Expected Publication Date: 2/22/22.
I really enjoy this author’s books, including this one. However, it was hard for me to keep focus in the middle section. The ending didn’t blow me awaI really enjoy this author’s books, including this one. However, it was hard for me to keep focus in the middle section. The ending didn’t blow me away either. Still, there were unexpected surprises, and the writing was fantastic. I look forward to the author’s next book. 3.5 stars. ...more
Loved this new series from this excellent author! The characters are fantastic, just like the characters in his other series. The story is funny and hLoved this new series from this excellent author! The characters are fantastic, just like the characters in his other series. The story is funny and heartwarming, and with an amazing acknowledgment section that made me smile. I can’t wait for more! ...more
Loved this one! It’s the perfect beach/pool read. A bit of mystery kept me intrigued even if I guessed some of it. A few parts were far-fetched, but ILoved this one! It’s the perfect beach/pool read. A bit of mystery kept me intrigued even if I guessed some of it. A few parts were far-fetched, but I honestly couldn’t put it down! Looking forward to reading more from this author. 4.5 stars rounded up. ...more
I liked this one, but didn’t love it. A lot of the twists were obvious, and the one I didn’t expect had a lousy motive attached to it. The writing is I liked this one, but didn’t love it. A lot of the twists were obvious, and the one I didn’t expect had a lousy motive attached to it. The writing is excellent, and I found the chapters in the past to be super compelling. I would still recommend this overall. 3.5 stars. ...more
I think it’s time to acknowledge that this author doesn’t really write thrillers. Still, I found this to be a fantastic and unputdownable drama with sI think it’s time to acknowledge that this author doesn’t really write thrillers. Still, I found this to be a fantastic and unputdownable drama with some suspense and plenty of secrets to keep things moving along. Perfect from beginning to end, in my opinion....more
Eh! I didn’t love this one. Didn’t hate it either. I kind of struggled to pick it up again and again. Although there are moments of dark humor and snaEh! I didn’t love this one. Didn’t hate it either. I kind of struggled to pick it up again and again. Although there are moments of dark humor and snark, nothing really happens until 60%. Even then, there’s nothing super exciting. The ending is lacking too. I do see potential though, and would definitely be open to reading another book by the author. This is a mixed bag…a solid 2.5 stars.
Thank you to Berkley for a widget of the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
I absolutely LOVED this one! It’s hilarious, charming, snarky, and touching. I laughed and I cried. I had all the feels! This was such an unexpected dI absolutely LOVED this one! It’s hilarious, charming, snarky, and touching. I laughed and I cried. I had all the feels! This was such an unexpected delight, and I really hope other readers pick this one if you need a palate cleanser from thrillers. I highly recommend this one, and can’t wait to read more from the author!
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for a widget of the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Book 4 in the Finlay Donovan series is just as fun and creative as the rest. I love how some of it…ok, MOST of it, is so outlandish, but written in a Book 4 in the Finlay Donovan series is just as fun and creative as the rest. I love how some of it…ok, MOST of it, is so outlandish, but written in a way where we’re invested in the characters and their well-being. I can’t wait for more adventures of Finlay and Vero. ...more
It took me much longer than anticipated to read this one, but once I did, it was so easy to get wrapped up in the different POVs. The book also benefiIt took me much longer than anticipated to read this one, but once I did, it was so easy to get wrapped up in the different POVs. The book also benefits from some juicy surprises that I wasn’t expecting. I highly recommend this one.
A fun, locked room thriller that manages to add an original element via a reality TV show where anyone can watch what’s going on at any time. The reveA fun, locked room thriller that manages to add an original element via a reality TV show where anyone can watch what’s going on at any time. The revelations aren’t shocking, but this book is nonetheless very entertaining.
I have loved both of Freya Sampson’s previous books, and this one is no exception. While the synopsis didn’t quite excite me, I’m happy to report thatI have loved both of Freya Sampson’s previous books, and this one is no exception. While the synopsis didn’t quite excite me, I’m happy to report that this is another sweet, funny, and emotional read. I laughed, I cried, and I loved. I can’t wait for her next book!
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Another locked room mystery, which is a familiar trope by now. However, this one is darkly funny and super entertaining. I loved author Jamie Day’s deAnother locked room mystery, which is a familiar trope by now. However, this one is darkly funny and super entertaining. I loved author Jamie Day’s debut novel and enjoyed this one too. I can’t wait to read more from her....more
Gripping, suspenseful, and atmospheric…though not as creepy as previous books by the phenomenal Simone St. James. I love the 90’s timeframe (always apGripping, suspenseful, and atmospheric…though not as creepy as previous books by the phenomenal Simone St. James. I love the 90’s timeframe (always appreciate sleuthing that doesn’t involve cell phones and internet). I’m already looking forward to the author’s next book.
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for a widget of the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
I am a huge fan of J.T. Ellison. Always have been...always will be. While this was a compelling read, I also found it to be quite melodramatic with "sI am a huge fan of J.T. Ellison. Always have been...always will be. While this was a compelling read, I also found it to be quite melodramatic with "soap opera" dialogue. Not the best, but there was a nice little twist at the end, and I was eager to know how it would come to conclusion.
The author's note is excellent and extremely touching, discussing her own journey with infertility (one of the main topics of the novel). I think that aspect might be eye opening for many people.
I definitely expected more from this one when I saw that the estate of Shirley Jackson approved this. It's highly atmospheric, so it has that going foI definitely expected more from this one when I saw that the estate of Shirley Jackson approved this. It's highly atmospheric, so it has that going for it. Other than that, I found it to be a bit silly at times. There was only one character who didn't annoy me. The ending felt highly rushed. Overall, a bit of a mixed bag. It looks like other readers enjoyed it a bit more. 2.5 stars rounded up....more
This is by far my favorite rom-com of the year, and definitely on the top 10 of books I've read this year so far. It's hilarious and heartwarming, witThis is by far my favorite rom-com of the year, and definitely on the top 10 of books I've read this year so far. It's hilarious and heartwarming, with the perfect amount of spice. This is the 2nd book I've read by Lynn Painter, and I am already eagerly awaiting her next release. I highly recommend this one if you genuinely want to have a good time reading a book! 5 stars all the way!...more
This was a heartbreaking and dark read by one of my favorite authors. It was equally hard to put down and hard to read. I really enjoyed it. There's eThis was a heartbreaking and dark read by one of my favorite authors. It was equally hard to put down and hard to read. I really enjoyed it. There's even a decent surprise ending to boot, even if I did find the ending to be a bit corny overall. I would recommend this one....more
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