When it comes to thrillers, Shari Lapena is hard to beat!
Diana Brewer is a beautiful, seventeen year-old girl who is in her last year of high school. When it comes to thrillers, Shari Lapena is hard to beat!
Diana Brewer is a beautiful, seventeen year-old girl who is in her last year of high school. Smart, and caring, she is well-liked by the entire community. The unthinkable happens... one morning, a local farmer, Ressler, finds her naked body in one of his fields - being scavenged by vultures!
The Vermont town reels with shock. Who could have done this? Well, it turns out there are several suspects. Cameron, the 'jock' boyfriend who was getting too clingy and controlling. The creepy guy who used to hover near Diana's checkout when she worked part-time at Home Depot. The lecherous gym teacher who liked to 'watch' young girls in the school changing room...
The reader hears from several characters throughout the book. Diana's best friends Riley and Evan who are distraught and grieving. Her mother whose life is now forever damaged by her profound loss and is now completely alone in the world. Ellen, the fiance of the gym teacher, who is the daughter of the farmer who found Diana's body. Diana herself, as she tries to come to terms with her own demise...
Just when you think you have it figured out, Lapena throws you a curve ball. This is a story about a small town with shifting allegiances, becoming more and more paranoid as the murder investigation continues. Like the central characters, you wonder if someone who you have come to care for could, in fact, have murdered the lovely Diana.
With several viable suspects, I was enthralled - any one of them would be a believable murderer. However, you'll have to read this excellent thriller if you want to know who did it. With an outstanding plot twist near the end, this is another favourite thriller by Shari Lapena that I will not hesitate to recommend to fans of the genre....more
Having thoroughly enjoyed her last book, “Local Gone Missing“, I was eager to catch up with D.I. Elise King once again. If anything, I enjoyed this onHaving thoroughly enjoyed her last book, “Local Gone Missing“, I was eager to catch up with D.I. Elise King once again. If anything, I enjoyed this one even more.
With themes of online dating, victim blaming, adultery, rape and crimes against women, the overall feel is sometimes bleak. Though, when you are reading a Fiona Barton book, the characters themselves keep you glued to the pages, no matter the subject, however dire. Skilfully drawn, with an astute knowledge of human nature, the author creates an empathy for her characters, even the criminals.
All of the women in this book seemed to be very lonely in one way or another. Kiki and Elise might be friends in another life, but for now Kiki is Elise’s nemesis, interfering in Elise’s criminal investigation.
The story is told via the viewpoints of D.I. Elise King, journalist Kiki Dunn, and grieving mother Annie Curtis. Steadily paced, and written with short chapters, it was easy to keep reading long after you meant to…
The setting of a small seaside town in Sussex brings home the fact that sexual predators can be anywhere, and that the modern problems of larger urban areas are widespread. The town is fearful.
I loved the character of D.I. Elise King and hope that perhaps she’ll return in many subsequent novels. Her next-door neighbour, Ronnie added some levity to the narrative, a busy-body whom you can’t help but like. In fact, all of the characters in this novel were relatable, normal people, with all the foibles that human-nature can sometimes dish out.
The author cleverly links all of the threads of the plot so as to form a cohesive thriller with substance and depth.
As with any good thriller, there was a plot twist which did manage to surprise me. The denouement was thoroughly satisfying, and, truth be told, it also managed to be poignant and chilling at the same time. An immersive crime thriller.
A new luxury resort, created by Franscesa is the ‘IT’ place to be this weekend. It is a ‘new age’ hotel/spa where health, fitness, and serenity are prA new luxury resort, created by Franscesa is the ‘IT’ place to be this weekend. It is a ‘new age’ hotel/spa where health, fitness, and serenity are promoted. An Instagrammer’s wet dream.
Francesca – a beautiful, narcissistic sociopath. She has inherited the Manor and renovated it with the help of her architect husband. She radiates health and serenity, but it is a clever facade…
Owen – a famed architect and the husband of Francesca. He is keeping a secret from his wife…
Bella – a guest at the opening of the Manor. Bella is attending alone and is staying at one of the newly built woodland hutches. She has a baby daughter named Grace who she has left with her mother. Bella has been at the Manor before… it is the place where her life drastically changed fifteen years ago. An event that ruined her life.
Eddie – is a local teenager who works at the Manor as a dishwasher and general dogsbody.
The story is told via dual time frames. The present and fifteen years in the past.
15 years ago – a hot summer and some bored teenagers form an unlikely grouping. Frankie, the rich girl from the Manor meets a poor girl from the local caravan park. She favors her with her friendship which is a mask for manipulation and belittlement.
Present day – the Manor is the hot spot, the place to be. Just as Francesca dreamed it would be. She has put a lot of effort into the opening weekend and has hired only the best employees to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch.
Then and now – there is something foreboding about the woodland surrounding the manor. Strange creatures have been spotted on occasion. Creatures that present like crows in humanoid form. Local folklore deems them ‘The Birds’. Devon is known for its superstitions and this fits in with the reputation.
The themes running throughout this thriller mostly center around ‘the haves’ and ‘the have-nots’. Social hierarchy and the clout and powers that is inherent in wealth. The arrogance, entitlement, and superiority which can leave those without feeling inadequate and powerless. Another topic covered is the overwhelming wish to ‘fit it’ that is part of being an adolescent.
Various narrators, a vivid setting, eerie folklore, several plot twists/reveals, and a murder mystery combine to form an entertaining read. However, “The Midnight Feast” is by no means my favourite from this author. Her last book, “The Paris Apartment” was more to my taste....more
I've read a lot of police procedural novels in my time and I have to say that this one had one of the most intriguing crimes.
Fifty years ago, a sixteeI've read a lot of police procedural novels in my time and I have to say that this one had one of the most intriguing crimes.
Fifty years ago, a sixteen year old girl named Ruth Lyle was murdered in a Chapel in Infracombe, on the North Devon Coast. Now, a sixty-six year old woman named Ruth Lyle has been murdered in the same building (which has now been converted to an Air B&B). Not only that, but she was murdered with the same weapon, possessed the first Ruth's original birth certificate, and their dental records matched!
It is this intriguing and perplexing crime that DI Jan Talantire is tasked with solving.
I immediately liked Jan Talantire. In her late thirties, she has recently been separated from her husband, and is finding her personal life quite lonely. She is an avid runner and a devoted, diligent, and tenacious police officer. Her CID team, who work out of Barnstaple, were also quite personable and interesting and I look forward to hearing more about them in future books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the team's banter and appreciated their camaraderie during a stressful and baffling investigation. In particular, I liked Primrose Chen, the newest member of the team who is an expert at examining digital evidence.
The obvious ties to the first murder which took place fifty years previously sees Talantire and her team re-examining the cold case. With no DNA testing back then, and sketchy documentation, they are facing a difficult challenge.
All in all, "The Two Deaths of Ruth Lyle" was an engrossing series debut. Nick Louth is a 'new-to-me' author, but now I am interested in reading his previous series featuring DCI Craig Gillard. Also, the second novel in the DI Jan Talantire series is due out later this year and is titled "The Last Ride".
Highly recommended to all fans of the police procedural sub-genre.
My first reaction? Brilliant! I loved it, and can't wait to read the next book in the series!
I was skeptical at first, as this book sounded as though My first reaction? Brilliant! I loved it, and can't wait to read the next book in the series!
I was skeptical at first, as this book sounded as though it had science fiction vibes. I got over my skepticism sharpish. The characters were so well drawn and the police investigation so compelling, that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!
Detective Chief Superintendent Kat Frank is a forty-five year old widow and the mother of a teenage son. She lost her husband to cancer just a year ago and her grief is still raw. It is her first time back to work after her husband's death and she wants a 'safe' job to reassure her son Cam that he won't lose another parent. Her boss puts her on a pilot project - to head the first ever human-machine police team in the UK. She is to work with an AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detecting Entity) on some missing person cold cases. Her team will include four people if you include the AIDE)
AIDE Lock - is a wristband around Kat's wrist. However, 'he' can be made to look human via hologram. When he is, he is a tall, slim black man. Think Idris Alba with slight touches of Spock.
Detective Inspector Rayan Hassan - is a smart dresser with a law degree and a high conviction rate. He challenges Kat's authority at times and they lock horns on occasion.
Detective Sergeant Debbie Browne - is a twenty-four year old who has been with the Warwickshire Police for six years. Debbie has little self-esteem and is constantly apologizing. She is single, and has just found out she is pregnant.
Professor Okonedo - a diminutive Asian woman with a chip on her shoulder and a huge grievance against the police. She blames them for her brother's unjust incarceration. Though not official a member of the police, she is AIDE Lock's 'handler'.
Several missing persons cases have been relegated to the 'cold case' files. With Lock's assistance, the team chooses two cases to work on.
Both young men seemed to have vanished from their lives 'in the blink of an eye'.
When the team finds evidence to link the two cases, they realize that this might turn into an active murder or abduction case. Lock's contribution is invaluable. When things turn personal for Kat, she realizes that her 'team' is not yet the cohesive unit she might have wished for...
With themes of medical ethics, abduction, genomics, artificial intelligence, and personal bereavement, this novel was a mesmerizing read. Machine vs. human. How far away from this premise are we really? Not far I think. Machines can make decisions based on facts and algorithms, while humans can make decisions on 'gut instinct'. Sometimes those decisions have to be made 'in the blink of an eye', especially when lives are at stake.
The author has taken some elements of her own life and incorporated them into the book - lending the narrative a ring of authenticity.
I really came to care for all of the characters and I'm eager to learn more about them in the next book.
The ending was satisfying and proved to be an excellent segue into the next book "Leave No Trace". Highly recommended to all fans of well written police procedural fiction....more
They say that when someone loses someone they love, they seek closure. When that person's body is never found, closure is hard to attain.
"...the amounThey say that when someone loses someone they love, they seek closure. When that person's body is never found, closure is hard to attain.
"...the amount of time you spend with a person means nothing. Because no matter how many questions you ask, you'll only ever see the parts of them that they allow you to see. The rest stays buried."
June married Josh ten years ago. After knowing him for only six short months, he drowned while they were on their honeymoon. Josh's body was never recovered... Several times now June has thought she has seen Josh. Her best friend and her new fiance tell her she is seeing things - a product of her grief over her loss.
When searching for venues for her upcoming honeymoon to the new man in her life, Kyle, she comes across a website for a Napa winery. There is a photo of the owner of the vineyard on the website. It is Josh!
She secretly travels to Napa to see for herself. Once there she discovers family secrets and learns information about Josh and his family that she never knew.
In addition to June's narrative we hear from Bev. Bev is Josh's mother and her narrative takes place twenty-five years previously. Their narratives alternate to divulge secrets upon which the two women live their lives.
For wine lovers everywhere, there is a lot of information on wine-making and the appreciation of a fine vintage.
There are two unexplained deaths in this novel, Josh and Michelle, and only one of them is ever explained. To my mind, the oversight of not explaining who killed Michelle was a glaring one. Yes, there was a hint, but that could have been misleading and was not conclusive.
With themes of betrayal, parenting, manipulation, adultery, and suspicion, this novel will appeal to many readers. Especially when they hear that there is a huge plot twist near the end of the book. There are many things I liked about this novel, yet the plot seemed a bit contrived for my full enjoyment. The ending twist seemed implausible given the information revealed up to that point.
"Till Death Do Us Part" was touted as a thriller, but for me it was more of a slow-burn domestic drama with a mysterious backstory....more
If you are looking for a light romance read with a stunning setting – look no further.
Lettie, in her mid-twenties, has recently been made redundant frIf you are looking for a light romance read with a stunning setting – look no further.
Lettie, in her mid-twenties, has recently been made redundant from her job in London’s fashion industry. When she is summoned home to the Island of Jersey, she discovers that her father has been having health problems and is determined to get rid of the farm that he worked on for decades. Lettie, aghast at this news, says that she wants to take over the farm. Her father and her uncle are hesitant because Lettie has no real experience despite growing up on Hollyhock Farm. In addition to the acres of organic produce, the farm has cows, chickens, goats, and alpacas. Quite an undertaking!AI rendering of how I imagined Hollyhock Farm would appear
Oh, and speaking of livestock… there is a young and handsome vet in town. Lettie remembers him as a teen crush, yet he doesn’t seem to remember her at all…
The reader follows Lettie as she strives to prove herself to her father that she can, in fact, hold her own on the farm and keep it ticking over successfully. Meanwhile, she is quite distracted by Brodie, the vet.
As is usual with romance fiction, Lettie and Brodie’s relationship is fraught with many misunderstandings, miscommunication and adversity. Factor in other people who want to date them… oh, and also a stray dog called ‘Thistle’.
“Welcome to Hollyhock Farm” is an enjoyable, escapist read that is sure to be appreciated by fans of romance fiction. It is the first in a prospective series, so more visits to Jersey…...more
The third book in this police procedural series proved just as engaging as the first two. This is a police procedural crime series that is a pleasure The third book in this police procedural series proved just as engaging as the first two. This is a police procedural crime series that is a pleasure to follow.
Once again DS Ashley Knight finds herself heading a crime investigation that proves a real challenge. Hamish MacDonald, a young man, after a night out drinking, wakes up to find himself buried alive in a crude grave. Desperation and adrenaline help him escape. After other men go missing, and with the help of her 'fast track' young constable, Hector Fade, she must discover who is targeting these men who all seem to have some connection to the Vialli Italian crime family. When Hamish is forcefully taken from the hospital, Ashley's case just turned ugly. The patriarch of the Vialli family impedes the investigation once he realizes that his sons and nephews might be involved. Also, this powerful man seems to have someone from the police providing him with classified information. Who is the mole? And how and why are they doing this?
Three books into the series finds Ashley and Hector's friendship maturing. Their banter and jibing adding greatly to my enjoyment of the novel. Now Hector is almost finished his secondment to the team and Ashley wonders what decisions he will make about his future career.
The rest of Ashley's MIT team included DC Barry Hooper (several years younger than Ashley - whom she is sleeping with), DC Emma Stones (mother of three), and the pregnant DS Bhavini Kotecha. Ashley answers to Chief Inspector Vince Kettle. Even the peripheral characters in the book were interesting to get to know, however slightly.
DS Ashley Knight was an intelligent, lonely, and quite damaged protagonist. She has had a lot of 'life lessons' that have caused her to be empathetic to others. She is in her forties and single. In this novel she is looking to advance to Detective Inspector and her assessment is imminent - causing her more stress.
The setting was skillfully described. Norfolk, with all of its autumnal splendor.
The homicide investigation takes up about four months after the last book. In my opinion it would be advantageous to read this series in order to fully realize the development of the characters backstories.
Be warned, there are some distressing topics covered in this book. Gangland murders, torture, and people trafficking to name but three. Furthermore, readers will be delighted that there are some plot twists that keep you guessing. In addition to the present day police investigation, there are some chapters set one month previously that are devoted to the harrowing experiences of illegal immigrants. These chapters made me wonder how they could be linked to the present day criminal investigation.
With a well crafted plot, strong characterization, and a satisfying conclusion, this book should appeal to many fans of the genre. All in all, "Death in Bacton Wood" was a very tense and immersive police procedural and I hope that there are further books in this series. Fingers crossed!
It has been quite some time since I've read a novel with a medical setting. Strange, because I enjoy medical dramas on television. This one was a stelIt has been quite some time since I've read a novel with a medical setting. Strange, because I enjoy medical dramas on television. This one was a stellar medical drama AND a psychological study into the impact of secrecy and moral dilemmas on three intelligent women.
"Everyone in this world does bad things or stupid things that sometimes have catastrophic consequences. These are the human factors. We are only human."
Three women protagonists who meet while in medical school form a strong bond and are still best friends twenty-five years later. We hear from all three back in 1999 and also in the present day.
In 1999, while at a university party, there was an overdose death. The circumstances around this death are murky - even to those directly involved - for they were stoned or drunk themselves. This event has long-lasting repercussions to the three med students.
2024 and now the women are parents themselves. When a traumatic event occurs at a party where two of their children are present, it would seem like history is repeating itself...
Olivia is a cardiothoracic surgeon, one of the best. She works long hours in a South London hospital. She is happily married and the mother of two teenage children.
Laura is an emergency physician who works as an air ambulance doctor. She is probably the smartest of the three women and works harder in a profession that she lives for. She is a single mother to a teenage son, a caretaker for her mother who suffers from multiple sclerosis, and she has an unhealthy habit of seeking sex with strangers as a coping mechanism.
Anjali is a GP working in a clinic. She sees all sorts in her work and she is good at it, though one feels her heart is not really in it. She lives with a woman named Donna who works as a nurse on the cancer wards. Anjali and Donna are seeking to adopt a child.
"Sometimes, she thought, the truth was unhelpful. Every now and then, the most ethical thing to do was to lie."
Written by a medical professional, the plot reeks of authenticity, as do the characters.
Secrets and lies. Secrets that fester. Guilt that ravages the soul. Betrayal that devastates lives. Ethical dilemmas - medical ones and moral ones. All these factors come into play in this intense and compelling novel.
Another enjoyable and compelling read from Laura Pearson!
Shelley Woodhouse is a memorable character. Though we first meet her when she awakens in inteAnother enjoyable and compelling read from Laura Pearson!
Shelley Woodhouse is a memorable character. Though we first meet her when she awakens in intensive care, we learn of her childhood and adolescence via her gradually recurring memories. She is strong, a fighter, and the reader champions her recovery, both physically and emotionally.
We empathize with her. Alone, with few memories, in hospital, Shelley just has two visitors. Her friend Dee (who looks somehow different) and a hospital volunteer named Matt. Dee smells the same, so Shelly is comforted by her presence. Matt brings tea, soup, Kit-Kats, and a listening ear.
This was a novel about a victim of domestic abuse. A victim who turned her life around, so it is a hopeful, yet at times poignant, read. The writing and characters ensured I was glued to the pages. The story is told via a dual timeline. NOW while Shelley is in hospital, and THEN relating her previous life.
The only wee quibbles I had with the story was something near the end (which I can't tell you about, so as not to spoil the story for you.) This 'something' seemed highly unlikely to have been missed by the hospital staff, and I found that it made the ending of the book hard to believe. Though, I did try my hardest to suspend belief on that score and rejoice with Shelley's recovery and future life.
I really enjoyed Shelley's heartwarming story which spoke to the cyclic nature of abuse. I have no qualms about recommending it to my fellow readers. Women's fiction and 'UpLit', with a love story thrown in for good measure....more
"Florrie learned, long ago, that society forgets an old person was ever young."
Florrie was a remarkable old lady. She has seen much in her eighty-seve"Florrie learned, long ago, that society forgets an old person was ever young."
Florrie was a remarkable old lady. She has seen much in her eighty-seven years. She has loved many, travelled afar, and experienced many losses. Also... Florrie holds a secret which she has kept from everyone for over seven decades.
Now, after a tragic accident, she has lost her left leg and is confined to a wheelchair. She leaves her beloved home and moves to Babbington Hall, a care home and assisted living facility in the Oxfordshire countryside. She takes everything life doles out to her with equanimity and positivity.
Renata Green, the manager of Babbington Hall, has expressed a wish to confide in Florrie which gives added optimism to the old lady. Finally, a friend who 'sees' her as a viable and able person. The following day, when they were meant to meet up, Renata falls from her third storey window.... Florrie witnessed the fall from her unit in the old apple store. The police deem the fall a suicide attempt. Florrie, after the brief talk she had with Renata, disagrees.
Distraught about Renata, Florrie seeks solace in the garden - where she encounters Stanhope Jones, a fellow resident. Stanhope hasn't lived at Babbington Hall for very long, but he proves to be an intelligent, kindly, like-minded, man. He too thinks that there is more to Renata's fall than they are led to believe...
The two elderly amateur sleuths put their considerable brains together to solve the mystery.
"We don't leave the children we were. We simply grow around them like a tree will, in the end, grow around a bicycle that's been left against them..."
Yes, this is indeed a mystery novel - but it is also a poignant and empathetic portrayal of aging - as we examine Florrie's life via her reminiscences. It is these very reflections on her own life that aids Florrie in solving the mystery surrounding Renata's fall. Her life was richly portrayed and had many highs and lows - as life always does.
The story shows how many people are patronizing of the elderly - deeming them 'lesser than'. It speaks to love and friendship in all their myriad permutations. How one love does not diminish another. How secrets can wound. Sometimes they wound the secret holder most of all.
A mystery story that is more 'Uplit' than mysterious, it nevertheless kept me engrossed. I admired Florrie and Stanhope and immensely enjoyed my time spent in their company....more
Carrying on with the delightful Malvern Farm mystery series, this third installment was as enjoyable as the first two!
Our protagonist, Jude Gray, is aCarrying on with the delightful Malvern Farm mystery series, this third installment was as enjoyable as the first two!
Our protagonist, Jude Gray, is a young, childless widow who now runs her large sheep farm with the help of Noah, her shepherd, and her loyal dog, Pip – with memories of her late husband never far from her mind. When she met her husband Adam, he introduced her to his life-long friends and they accepted her into their warm fold. Now, it has been four years since Adam’s death and she shares her home with her half-sister Lucy, and Lucy’s four year old son, Sebbie.
Jude cares for hundreds of sheep, her Bantam hens, her pet lamb ‘Pancake’, and Gertie, a golden Cheviot goat. In the last book two puppies were added to the menagerie, much to Sebbie’s delight. Now Jude is is the process of training the puppy Alfie to become a good sheepdog.
This time around Jude’s menagerie of animals is again expanded with more sheep and nine Indian Runner ducks. Jude is a loyal, empathetic and caring protagonist, whose personal motto is ‘be kind’. She has a strong work ethic and loves her farm, and the animals that inhabit it. She has a deep connection to the Malvern Hills area and walks the hills as a way to unwind and decompress.
Like most farms, Jude’s sheep farm is struggling financially. In the last book she created a glamping site and now, in this book, she is finally taking in paying guests. The women who rent out the site are having a ‘hen’ weekend and comprises a bridal party. Many tensions are evident and things don’t run as smoothly as Jude would like. When one of the women goes missing, Jude, with her good friend Binnie, try their level best to find her. But that is not the only disruption to Jude’s routine.
Jude’s neighbour, Mike Trout, is trying his hardest to dissuade the guests from staying. He attempts some nefarious tactics in his aim to thwart Jude’s glamping enterprise.
Jude’s livelihood is disrupted and threatened by the events surrounding the ‘hens’ drama. Nasty people, keeping nasty secrets, doing nasty deeds… even murder.
West Mercia policewoman Binita Khatri (Binnie), makes another appearance in this, the third novel. She has become a personal friend of Jude, and keeps her apprised of the police investigations. She has recently been promoted to Detective Inspector.
This novel portrayed a working sheep farm, in all its messy, arduous glory. Jude was a strong and admirable character that I am eager to follow in subsequent novels.
The writing was compelling and made for an easy, enjoyable reading experience. The plot this time was a tangled web of manipulation, coercion, avarice, and misplaced loyalties. The denouement was very satisfactory. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in this engaging mystery series. A series which has become a personal favourite after only three books....more
Wow! This latest offering by Iain Kelly really packs a punch!
Two protagonists, both pitiable, damaged, and yet strong.
The setting is the small suburbaWow! This latest offering by Iain Kelly really packs a punch!
Two protagonists, both pitiable, damaged, and yet strong.
The setting is the small suburban town of Liberton, just three miles from the centre of Edinburgh.
Dr. Thomas Stevenson is a veteran of WWI and he is deeply traumatized by the events and the suffering that he witnessed during his time as an army surgeon. Home now, he endures his days, has nightmares, and drinks to excess.
Louise is a young woman who shares Dr. Stevenson's house. They are friends only, and not in a relationship - yet they are both frowned upon for their living arrangements. It is the year 1920. A time when social mores were vastly different than they are today. Thomas and Louise have an amenable arrangement, yet they do not share their deeply troubled pasts with each other. Both of them are secretive about their former lives...
When three babies go missing from local poorhouses, Louise is put under suspicion. Fearful that her unsavory past will come to light, she flees. Thomas, intuiting that Louise must be innocent and would never harm a child, seeks to find her - and the person who is doing these terrible abductions.
Meanwhile, the reader is made privy to different snippets in the life of a young red-headed woman named Jessie. A woman who spent years living in the poorhouses of the city.
The author has accurately portrayed the patriarchal society as it was in 1920 and the years leading up to it. A time when society as a whole was run by men who had the power in all aspects of life. A time when there were no systems in place to provide for the very poor, the homeless, the destitute. The book had a steady pace that increased near its suspense-filled denouement. The descriptive passages brought the setting and mood of the novel vividly to life.
I'm certain that readers who enjoy well-researched historical crime fiction will enjoy this title immensely.
"The Five Year Lie" puts a modern twist on the 'lost letter' trope. A message that comes too late, a message that could have changed the course of som"The Five Year Lie" puts a modern twist on the 'lost letter' trope. A message that comes too late, a message that could have changed the course of someone's life...
I've never read this author before, probably because she writes mostly romance fiction, which is not my genre of choice. This time however, she has strayed from her usual pattern and written what I would term a cross between a domestic thriller and a techno thriller. And it was excellent!
Ariel Cafferty was born into a wealthy family from Portland, Maine. Her father and her uncle run a tech company who build doorbell cameras and other surveillance equipment. Her father has always viewed Ariel as a disappointment because he wants her to be more interested in his company, but she is an artisan who is passionate about her work. She is a glassblower.
When she meets Drew, a co-worker at her father's firm, she falls in love - hard. Then, mere months later he disappears and she then discovers she is pregnant. After much heartbreak, she then learns he has died.... Now, five years later, she receives a text from him to meet her at one of their favourite spots in the park. Unnerved, Ariel goes there even though she knows it is impossible for him to be alive. Heartbroken all over again, she learns that thousands of people got text messages that were somehow trapped on a server. They were all sent five years previously on the same day.
Now knowing that the love of her live and the father of her beloved son tried to contact her before he disappeared, she once again tries to discover what exactly happened to him... This time, she is aided by Zain, one of the nerdy IT specialists at her father's firm.
The police and other people in power are using technology to infringe upon the rites of privacy of the individual. Of course, given that this is all too possible/probable today, it made the novel all the more authentic and believable. Big Brother is always watching...
Technology is wonderful, but when in unscrupulous hands, it can prove terrifying.
With themes of police corruption, cyberstalking, cybercrime, and murder, this thriller will appeal to many readers - especially as it has a love story at its core. Highly recommended!...more
It is astounding when you like a book so much that even though the year is new, you already know it will be at the top of your 2024 'best' list. "FranIt is astounding when you like a book so much that even though the year is new, you already know it will be at the top of your 2024 'best' list. "Frank & Red" is just such a book.
It reminded me a bit of another favourite novel, "A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman. The similar, curmudgeonly widowed men I guess. Also, it reminded me of a favourite television show, "After Life", featuring Ricky Gervais. So much so that I pictured Frank's late wife Marcie, as looking like Kerry Godliman. But I digress...
Frank is in his late sixties. Since his wife Marcie passed away he is not coping with life. His only son has become estranged from him after a fateful decision to not tell him just how serious his mother's illness was... Now he has become a virtual recluse with more than a touch of agoraphobia. He seldom leaves his house and enlists kindly neighbours to do his shopping etc.
Red is six years old and lives with his Mum who works as a nurse in a care home. His parents have recently divorced and Red is having a difficult time adjusting to life without his Dad. He and his Mum have just moved into the house next door to Frank. He hates his new house, his new school (where he is being bullied), his new life... He misses his best friend from his old school.
The only good thing in his life is his budding friendship with the grumpy old man who lives next door.
This friendship evolves painfully (on Frank's part) and persistently (on Red's part). Along the way we share in their lives. We experience their joys and their sorrows.
If Frank and Red had a recipe, it would be thus: Take a grumpy and very lonely old man. Add a confused, endearing, intelligent, and very lonely six year old boy. Stir well. Be patient while the mixture melds... The result will be a story that you'll cherish, as I did. A heartwarming 'Uplit' story that made me laugh aloud and shed some tears.
This charming novel was set in a rural village in West Cork, on the Mizen Peninsula, in southern Ireland.
Grace has run away from her handsome, wealthyThis charming novel was set in a rural village in West Cork, on the Mizen Peninsula, in southern Ireland.
Grace has run away from her handsome, wealthy, controlling, and manipulative husband. She fled with her seven year old daughter upon learning that her husband enrolled Olivia in a boarding school. Years earlier, her grandmother seemed to intuit that Grace's marriage wouldn't last and she gave her a big old iron key with a blue ribbon tied around it. Now, Grace takes the key and returns to her family's homeland in Ireland.
She arrives to find that her grandmother's cottage is nothing but a ruin. Disheartened, she meets some friendly locals who give her a place to stay while the cottage is being made habitable once again. Meanwhile, she gains employment with a rich local man transcribing his memoirs. The elderly man becomes a real friend to Grace when she most needs one.
Through the recollections of her elderly employer, we learn about the past of the area through his eyes. The struggle, the hardships, and the strong spirit of the people.
Grace comes to have feelings for the builder who is renovating her cottage. Her little daughter is thriving in her new environment. Things seem to be going well... until her past catches up with her.
The setting added greatly to my reading enjoyment. As with most romance fiction, the plot was fairly predictable, but I thoroughly enjoyed the read nonetheless.
This is a novel about family, both found and biological. It is about belonging, acceptance, starting over, living with your choices, and the kindness of strangers....more
In a word....FABULOUS! This novel will definitely appear on my best of 2024 list!
How can a novel that begins with the protagonist in such a depressed In a word....FABULOUS! This novel will definitely appear on my best of 2024 list!
How can a novel that begins with the protagonist in such a depressed state that she intends to commit suicide - turn out to be.... uplifting? Well I don't know how the author managed it, but she did.
This novel walks a fine line between literary fiction, women's fiction, and love story. The plot was riddled with wise insights about life, about relationships, about change, and about being true to yourself.
The Rhode Island setting, in an elegant hotel which is situated so that it has ocean views, marked a stark contrast to the bleakness, and despondency of the main character, Phoebe. A university literature professor from Missouri, she is very intelligent and knowledgeable, especially about all things from the 19th century. However, she has lost her passion for teaching and her personal life has hit an all time low. Her loneliness is palpable. Her husband left her for her best friend, she is childless even after myriad rounds of IVF, and, the straw that broke the camel's back... her cat Harry has just died. She goes to the hotel for one last decadent night before killing herself.
Then... she meets the bride. Lila is somewhat of a 'bride-zilla'. She has spent a million dollars on this week-long wedding at this posh hotel. She wants everything to go just as she has planned. However, she didn't plan on Phoebe.
In a roundabout way, her decision to end her life causes Phoebe to come to the realization that she is free. Free to say what she thinks, do what she wants, when she wants to do it. This freedom is intoxicating and begins, slowly, to heal her depression. Her burgeoning friendship with the dreadful Lila also makes her see life through a different lens. Phoebe realizes that to be truly brave, you have to break free from the habits, the 'ruts', that you let rule your existence.
"Phoebe is starting to understand that on some nights, Lila is probably the loneliest girl in the world, just like Phoebe. And maybe they're all lonely. Maybe this is just what it means to be a person."
Written with skill, great insight into human nature, and also some moments of quiet hilarity, this novel is a 'must read'.
Folks want to think it's strangers you gotta watch out for, but a place like this, we eat our own."
Set in a rather bleak, poor, Missouri factory town, Folks want to think it's strangers you gotta watch out for, but a place like this, we eat our own."
Set in a rather bleak, poor, Missouri factory town, this novel could be considered Midwestern noir. Expertly written, it evokes feelings of claustrophobia and despondence, while at the same time you are desperately rooting for the protagonists.
Amelia and her sister Kylee are underprivileged teens, the neglected daughters of a single mother who works as a stripper in the local seedy strip joint. Their elder cousin Grace watched out for them as children. Grace was the one determined to get out of this insular, dead-end town, and she had the smarts to do it! However, it was while she was babysitting the two girls when she disappeared from their home leaving only a bloody handprint in the kitchen...
"We haunted ourselves with her memory, and there was no easy cure for such things."
Now, Grace's mother holds a vigil each year praying for Grace to return. Meanwhile, Amelia and Kylee are determined to find out what happened to their beloved cousin.
Amelia has graduated from high school and is working as a waitress in a Waffle restaurant off the interstate highway, where she has to fend off her 'handsy' boss. Kylee, who is besotted with horses, is in her last year of high school, and is threatening to leave school behind...
In a previous timeline, the reader also hears the narrative of Grace, before she disappeared.
Written with insight and empathy, this novel has some scenes that might prove distressing to some readers. The subject matter is quite dark, so be warned.
The ending was not what I expected, but it was apt and disturbing. This was an emotional story exploring whether a person's background can seal their fate.
Having read Laura McHugh's debut novel back in 2014 and loving it, I'm ashamed to say that I've not read anything of hers until this book. The good news is that I have three of her backlist novels now residing on my TBR list.
Beth's marriage has just dissolved and she's forced into starting over. She feels betrayed and is bitter about her situation. Her cheating husband seeBeth's marriage has just dissolved and she's forced into starting over. She feels betrayed and is bitter about her situation. Her cheating husband seems to have fared much better from their divorce. He lives with his girlfriend in Beth's old house... Now, for financial reasons, Beth has purchased a fixer-upper in a village a half hour's drive away. Her two children, Jacob and Olivia are confused and unhappy that they now have to share a bedroom and travel between the two homes.
Beth is attempting to renovate her little house to make it more comfortable for her and her children. While doing so, she discovers a cache of old 'agony aunt' letters addressed to "Dear Evelyn". After reading some of them, she decides she will carry on the 'Dear Evelyn' letters, only online, and with a modern slant. She hopes this activity will help her curb her loneliness and fill the long evenings alone.
Her decision brings about new friendships, a new pet, and sees her finding her own way to happiness.
This novel is a delightful combination of women's fiction and Uplit. With themes of parenting, step-families, sexuality and fresh starts, it should appeal to many who like 'starting over' novels that have happy endings.
3.5 stars rounded up for Amazon and NetGalley ; rounded down for Goodreads where the stars have different values...more
Stella Hudson is a 'special interest' attorney. It is her job to represent the best interests of the child or teenager in court cases. Though she usuaStella Hudson is a 'special interest' attorney. It is her job to represent the best interests of the child or teenager in court cases. Though she usually favours teenage clients, this time she has made an exception because of the request of her friend and mentor, a judge named Charles. Having experienced a traumatic event in her own young life, this new case closely parallels Stella's own personal experiences. She deeply empathizes with Rose's vulnerability. It is up to Stella to recommend custody arrangements that will best serve Rose's needs and wishes.
On a personal note, Stella is 38 years old and recently separated from her lawyer husband, Marco. She remains close to him and his warm Italian family. They parted ways because he wanted children and Stella couldn't provide them, nor did she wish to... She has few people in her life other than Charles, a retired judge, and Lucille, an elderly neighbour.
Rose Barclay is only nine years old. She witnessed the tragic fall and subsequent death of her nanny, Tina. Now she is suffering from traumatic mutism. Rose's parents are in the midst of divorce proceedings, so soon she will be moving away from the opulent home she shares with them and her paternal grandmother. She is a unique child who dresses quite formally and has the demeanour of an adult. She is an 'old soul'.
Rose's mother has a severe phobia about glass since the incident where the nanny fell to her death out of a third floor window. Now, she has replaced all the glass in their home with either plexiglass or plastic. Meanwhile, the extremely intelligent, musical prodigy, Rose doesn't talk, but she does collect sharp objects - which she secrets away in her room.
When events in Stella's life begin to mirror those of the nanny Tina's before her death, the line between paranoia and threat blurs, and Stella faces imminent danger.
At about the one quarter mark I believed I had everything figured out. However... the author cleverly made me then question my ideas. None of the Barclays seemed trustworthy. The mother, the father, the grandmother... not even Rose herself.
"I believe evil is a natural force, like a hungry virus, perpetually swirling through the air and seeking places to infiltrate. Most of us bar the door against it. Others welcome it in."
Set in an opulent Washington, D.C. suburb, this novel was vividly described. The characters leapt from the page and the tension escalated toward the denouement. Essentially a murder mystery (who killed nanny Tina), it could also be described as a slow-paced psychological thriller. Recommended!
Fictionophile
>
Books:
2024-netgalley-challenge
(52)
Loading...
