Out of the blue Liv receives a cryptic note in the mail from her best friend in high school who she hasn't had contact with since after their graduatiOut of the blue Liv receives a cryptic note in the mail from her best friend in high school who she hasn't had contact with since after their graduation ten years ago with the words "I Need Help". Immediately, Liv leaves Boston and goes back to their New England town to find Sam and help her with whatever problem she is so fearful of that she felt Liv was the only person she could turn to. As soon as Liv arrives back home she discovers that Sam has been listed as a missing person yet most people especially her two roommates seem unconcerned.
Liv vows to herself that she will do everything possible to find Sam and find out who she was afraid of and why would she run away especially without telling her own mother or (secret) boyfriend what was going on. The two roommates happen to be the girls who Sam couldn't stand in high school and warned Liv to stay away from them back then. They called themselves the " Sisterhood" and never interacted with any other classmates or boys during that time. They were quite beautiful and still are but cold and distant yet alluring as well. The young women have done very well for themselves yet Liv knows that they are harboring secrets about Sam and are trying to weave Liv into their little clique while Liv thinks she will go along with their plans since this is the only way to find out what really happened to Sam.
They invite Liv to stay with them until Sam returns while Liv feels an impending darkness and gloom in the home's shadows and she hears unsettling noises and voices in the night while unintentionally she gets carried away under the hypnotic spell of the women and only realizes she went too far pretending she believed in their way of life until it finally was too late and now Liv's life and lives of everyone she loves is in mortal danger and now there isn't anyone she knows who could help her out of this unbelievable situation where she has completely lost herself.
This was a fun, subdued and dark gothic/mystery/horror story revolving around a missing woman and witchcraft hiding in the background and finally coming out full force in the last third of the book. The beginning of the story was so enthralling and drew me in but then started moving somewhat slowly while the book kept going back and forth from the present to the past which I enjoyed but it lost some of the suspense for myself. When the story started delving into the supernatural it became a lot of spooky fun and I couldn't wait to find out how Liv would handle the events which took place. I enjoyed all the characters and some of their back stories although I thought Liv was too naive and impulsive in many of her actions and I wished she had shown more restraint and thoughtfulness in carrying out her plans to find Sam. All in all it was a good book with an eerie aura throughout the story which I loved and would definitely recommend this book to all readers who enjoy dark blended witchcraft blended with the growing pains of young women into adulthood!
I want to thank the publisher "Random House Publishing - Ballantine" for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 1/2 DARK AND BEWITCHING ...more
Young Ben, who was born and basically raised himself in the sweltering, heated swampland deep in Louisiana, who never had a fair chance of experiencinYoung Ben, who was born and basically raised himself in the sweltering, heated swampland deep in Louisiana, who never had a fair chance of experiencing what it was like to be just a boy at thirteen years of age but going on eighty. Ben begs, borrows and steals everyday just to provide for his little brother and himself until the day he is charged with a serious crime and has two choices, a child reformatory sentence for years or a court approved wilderness reform program over the summer whose statistics are highly successful and Ben's abusive custodian, Aunt Nikki gladly signs the papers, happy to send Ben away while she still will continue to receive the small government pension for the two brothers which is the only income she lives on, so this is a wonderful solution for this despicable, so-called guardian.
If any adult had ever taken an interest in Ben, they would find he has an exceptional, gifted intelligence and an unusual, quick instinct of reading into human behaviors without knowing or understanding how different and special he actually is and could have a real future if anyone had ever given a damn about his well being. All these gifts and more will become relevant and important to the few boys he will befriend at camp who also have some great life survival skills which will play into each boy's quest to find out what's really going on in this unusual camp where all the counselors seem overly happy and helpful but the boys all sense something sinister and possibly evil going on behind the scenes but eventually they will discover the most unbelievable and terrifying secrets that their young minds could ever have imagined playing out and and how could they escape when they're deep in the Montana mountains, hours away by car to the nearest town or telephone. What will happen to all the boys at camp but especially to Ben, Trent, Rodrigo and Billy?
WoW! I must say I loved, enjoyed and was truly captivated by this well-written coming of age horror novel. This book was a slow-burn yet the atmospheric settings and scenery along with the beautifully written descriptions and dialogue were executed wonderfully (imo). The authors Matt and Harrison Query did a fantastic job of incorporating the essence of innocence, violence and horror together in a way where I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. I'm now looking forward to reading the Query brothers other book "Old Country" which many readers seemed to have enjoyed as well. The reason I didn't give five stars for this fantastic book was there were a few unanswered questions I had by the end of the novel but otherwise I'm so pleased that I had to pleasure to read this really, special horror story!
I want to thank the publisher "Atria Books" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 CREEPY AND HORROR FILLED ...more
Chloe and Sloane Morgan's mother was the second, brutally murdered victim of the "Bayside Strangler" fifteen years ago while they were only children aChloe and Sloane Morgan's mother was the second, brutally murdered victim of the "Bayside Strangler" fifteen years ago while they were only children and since that time they have invested their young lives to finding the serial killer who has haunted their dreams nightly. Suddenly the young women have gone missing and the police don't seem very concerned so the now retired detective who handled their mother's case back then and befriended the children who were completely broken by losing their mother to such a devastating loss, has tracked down Dr. Kendra Michaels (who has a certain expertise in helping police and FBI agents in the past) with the hope that she will help her to find the missing women. When Kendra hears the story she decides to help retired detective Paula Chase never realizing that this case will become so complicated with more senseless murders and also discovering that anyone who looks into this case will become a potential victim themselves. What has happened to Chloe and Sloane? Can they possibly still be alive and why did the FBI give up the hunt for this deviant serial killer years ago?
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced thriller which was riddled with excitement, suspense and some romance as well. I have read several 'Iris Johansen' books in the past and loved them all but this was my first book from Iris and her son Roy and I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to read this very entertaining story. This novel had a little bit of everything in it from a serial killer, a black ops agent, the FBI, the SDPD and the most wonderful dog with one blue and one brown eyed dog named Harley who I don't think I will ever forget! I loved most of the book because it was so well-written and executed although sometimes I would get a little annoyed with the snarky banter between Kendra and her romantic interest although it could be very amusing at times. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark murder thrillers with quite a bit of violence but some light humor as well which helped balance out the ugliness of the crimes. I thought this was a terrific novel and I will look forward to reading more books in the Kendra Michaels series!
I want to thank the publisher "Grand Central Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 EXCITING AND THRILLING ...more
Twelve year old Maddie and Lana found one another through their love of horror stories and movies and became best friends with Lana the more dominant Twelve year old Maddie and Lana found one another through their love of horror stories and movies and became best friends with Lana the more dominant one who Maddie never wanted to disappoint. Lana decides the games they play have been getting too childish and so they sneak on the internet (Lana's father's computer) and find the freaky website of HIM. Maddie doesn't really believe but goes along with Lana since she's become obsessed and swears she's seen HIM in the shadows and he comes to her at times and talks to her. This talk scares Maddie at times but she's afraid to tell her parents so she just goes along with it until the day she's sure she has seen HIM and this is when both of the girl's future will change forever.
Ten years later Maddie is released on probation with no experience with life in the real world. Her mother has remarried and moved to a home not far from their old neighborhood so Maddie soon find out that the community is still an unforgiving and harsh judgmental place to come back to. Maddie's life is not in much of a better place to start over than the institution where she spent her entire childhood and teen years hoping to be happy and normal in the outside world. Maddie secretly finds an internet site devoted to HIM with followers who look up to Maddie and Lana so she thinks maybe she can find a way to help these followers from going down this horrid road and maybe saving them. Maybe this is her purpose in life! As Maddie's life in the community continues to knock her down she knows she must stop this group from carrying out a truly devastating act but if anyone finds out she has been on this site she could go back to her past prison permanently. What can she do? What will she do? Does Maddie really believe HIM is not real or has she been fooling everyone around her?
This was an intriguing and well-written story by 'Kat Davis' based on the infamous legend of "Slenderman" but taking this fictional story so much further when Maddie was released from her state institution (which had not happened in the real life story). I felt so bad for Maddie and her struggles. Her parents let her down in the past and present. Her dad not even wanting to be a part of her life and never visiting her when she was institutionalized. Where were these parents, Lana's included when these girls were mere children going down a dark path that led to destroying three families forever. Maddie can't catch a break as long as she stays in this unforgiving town except legally she has no other choice. Love and support is missing in every way possible and even though what she and Lana had done when they were children my heart still aches for Maddie not so much for Lana. Lana has been a puzzling enigma that probably can't be fixed. She may have been a child psychopath whose mental state can never be healed. I'm so glad I was able to read this frightening and heartbreaking book and I highly recommend it to anyone especially those readers who were interested or followed the "Slenderman" case that is still news worthy today.
I want to thank the publisher "Thomas & Mercer" for the opportunity to read this terrific novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 DEVASTATING AND HEARTBREAKING ...more
Meredith McCall is a busy New York psychiatrist with a thriving practice but she is currently on leave due to a horrific tragedy which claimed severalMeredith McCall is a busy New York psychiatrist with a thriving practice but she is currently on leave due to a horrific tragedy which claimed several lives and has left her dealing with unbearable grief, guilt, loneliness and anger and is in no condition to help her patients when she can't even help herself. Meredith has been self-medicating way too much with alcohol and has withdrawn from all her friends and she is just feeling so lost with no light at the end of the tunnel. She wanders the sidewalks of New York aimlessly for endless hours, day after day hoping to find some relief or answers to her tortured emotions.
Then one day Meredith spots the husband of one of the victims and begins to follow him because he seems happy and that can't be possib!e since he lost so much more than she did and she needs to to find out why! She should know better than that and she knows she's acting irrationally yet she can't stop herself and quickly it begins to turn into an obsession although Meredith doesn't believe she's stalking the man because she just wants to help him and herself if she can find out how he seems to be a highly functioning man while she can barely get out of bed in the morning.
As time passes and Meredith sees a therapist for herself and finally gets back to work, she seems to be doing much better although she is still following HIM while she knows it's wrong and plans to stop but it just may be too late because Meredith has just added a new client to her patient roster and imagine her shock and anxiety when she sees who just walked into her office as the last patient of the day. You know who it is! Coincidence or something a little more sinister? Will Meredith take the bull by the horns and do the right thing or will she get more caught up in the games she has unwittingly been playing although maybe not by herself!
What an entertaining, fast and clever novel! This story was like watching a train wreck when you know you should stop looking but finding yourself drawn to the scene telling yourself all the reasons you need to keep watching. Meredith is a mess. She may have been a good psychiatrist before but she became very unstable and was making poor and some downright stupid decisions for a doctor with her qualifications. Twist after twist, Meredith gets caught in a gigantic spider's web where she could even lose her practice and her license or risk possibly going to jail.
That is how deep she has dug a hole for herself and now she can't find her way back out and she is in trouble, big trouble! The bottom line is, Meredith is really a good person but she's not very smart in almost every decision she makes and I'm glad this is a fiction/thriller because I would hate to think of all the people in therapy having a psychiatrist like her! Creepy!
Sometimes the book was too repetitive at times although it didn't take away from my enjoyment factor just that it could have been a little shorter. When I got to the ending, I couldn't believe what I was reading and had to reread the page over and over again! I loved that unexpected and climatic finale. It pushed up my rating from a 3 1/2 star to a 4 star read!
Try to go in blind while reading this book and don't overanalyze the story, just sit back and enjoy it as you would a really good movie!
I want to thank the publisher "Atria Books" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 CREEPY AND SURREAL ...more
It is a party of teenagers and Amy Brewer is not having a very good time since she feels picked on by a few of the most popular girls so she decides tIt is a party of teenagers and Amy Brewer is not having a very good time since she feels picked on by a few of the most popular girls so she decides to go home after she's near tears and no-one even tries to stop her. Was it a blessing or a curse that the next day she finds out she was the only one to survive a mass murder!
Many years later, Amy is now an FBI agent and always hoping to discover what happened on that fatal night where most of the town believed she had something to do with the murders and made her feel like the town pariah. Amy receives an email invitation to a reunion of sorts where all the invitees have some connection to the teenagers who were violently killed on that horrific night. Amy doesn't really want to go on this getaway yet she feels compelled to attend this reunion because maybe she can finally put the pieces back together and solve all the murders that destroyed her life as well on that unforgettable night.
This was a very good and enjoyable mystery/thriller by Stacie Grey. Many twists and red herrings throughout the story and Amy was also a solid character with a lot of baggage. Most of the characters were fun and entertaining although I was hoping this would be a much darker book but this was due to my own personal taste since there wasn't anything wrong with the storyline or writing. I think many people would enjoy this book and I definitely recommend it to all mystery lovers, especially if they enjoy their mysteries being a little lighter but not a cozy mystery either.
I want to thank the publisher "Poison Pen Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and and thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 1/2 MADDENING REUNION ...more
In the year of 1938 on a small island off the coast of Wales resides a young woman of eighteen named Manod,who struggles between her feelings of leaviIn the year of 1938 on a small island off the coast of Wales resides a young woman of eighteen named Manod,who struggles between her feelings of leaving her family and isolated existence on the island to finding a better life for herself and to see what the world is really like and not just from just from things she has read.about the outside world.
Never any excitement on the island until the day a whale washes up on their beach Day in day out many of the islanders visit the whale especially the children who talk to him or play games around it. Soon after more excitement comes about when two fancy people come to the island to study the inhabitants and their way of life. Since all the residents speak mainly Welsh, the couple hires Manod to be an interpreter for them as they visit the people in their homes and work. Manod is attracted to the couple's worldliness and mannerisms as well as they style of dress. Soon Manod is seduced by the couple's glamor and stories of their travels as they encourage her that she is capable of enhancing her own life if she would leave her island. As time goes on Manod begins to see and understand that the couple may have had ulterior motives that could harm the naive, hardworking community in many ways that none of them could have foreseen except for the foreigners who only had their own interests at heart.
This was a lovely although bleak story told through Manod's eyes. Strictly a fishing island, the men and women work from sunrise to sunset from the men out in their fishing boats to the children collecting mollusks and clams while the women clean all the aquatic life to prepare to be sold to the mainland. The author Elizabeth O'Connor does a wonderful job in her atmospheric writing of the sights, sounds, smells and in showing the isolated and droll life that the islanders face and accept every day of their lives. The population decreases every year due to many of the teenagers who leave for the mainland after they graduate school from their small little classroom. I enjoyed the character of Manod very much but I wish she was a little less robotic with her thoughts and actions.
The parts I did not like were the paragraphs were not separated and I would find times and days confusing since some thoughts seemed incomplete and then I would be in a different place or time of day and that was annoying to me since it took away quite a bit of the fluidity of the storytelling which was very interesting and I just felt disconnected at times. I also enjoyed all the characters especially Manod's spitfire of a little sister. A little folklore and superstitions were blended in well and all in all this was a very engaging, dark, gloomy and emotional book that many people will enjoy.
I want to thank the publisher "Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor" and Net galley for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 1/2 BLEAK AND MOROSE ...more
A woman has called 911 and when they arrive the paramedics find a young woman covered with blood, bruises and shaking uncontrollably and then she starA woman has called 911 and when they arrive the paramedics find a young woman covered with blood, bruises and shaking uncontrollably and then she starts telling her version of what happened When the police and medics come out of the house, their calm and sympathetic faces. are quickly changing to fear!
She should have listened to her instincts and never trusted the charming student whom everyone loved and wanted to live in her shoes. "I had everything I could have dreamed, a two year full paid tuition program for my last two years of graduate school, a boyfriend and a nice apartment. Within a 24hr. period I lost everything and I will now be homeless, my boyfriend dumped me and I will probably have to drop out of school."
"Just when I thought my life is in ruins, along comes an offer that I should resist but I know I won't say no. The dark, dangerous secrets and lies that I unknowingly walked into because I couldn't resist that offer where now I'm sitting on the.doorstep of a scene of horror that I never asked for or did I!"
This book was an entertaining, fun and a very twisted mystery/thriller. The story was full of many surprises and a couple of shocks as well, plus the novel was very well-written and a real page turner where I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The story seems a little slow while enjoyable at first but when story picks up it becomes a non-stop twist and turn ride that I didn't want to come to an end. I'm looking forward to reading many more of Angela Henry's books in the future!
I want to thank the publisher "Storm Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 MURDEROUS AND DECEITFUL ...more
Garrett Grove is the small type of town similar to where you might have grown up or had wished you had known while growing up where everyone knows eveGarrett Grove is the small type of town similar to where you might have grown up or had wished you had known while growing up where everyone knows every face and feeling unsafe is never an issue because families leave their homes and cars unlocked on a daily basis (if you can imagine that). The year is 1979 and only a week before Halloween so ten year old Troy Fischer is allowed to have his first real, big, kid Halloween party that he and his friend Rob are turning Troy's garage into a really scary, haunted house if they're able to pull off all the gimmicks and hijinx they have planned with the help of Troy's teenage cousins operating the gears and special effects behind the scenes, and since Troy was able to invite most of his ten-year old classmates it's guaranteed to make a couple of kids cry if not wetting their pants (at least that's his plan). There's also one special, little girl Troy hopes to impress so he really hopes he can pull off this crazy, spooky haunted house party without too many mistakes because he and Rob have been waiting a whole year planning this night of nights!
Meanwhile, on the other side of town an evil, supernatural force has been locked deep away into the cave systems for centuries, it has been biding it's time waiting for release so it can come into the light once again and feed it's hunger and it is so so Very Hungry! What will happen in this small town if this evil escapes in time for Halloween and all the children who have heard frightening stories passed down as folklore about an ancient entity which once haunted this specific area long, long ago but this would be impossible because legends and folklore are just traditional, fictional stories meant to scare the new generations of children coming up, so there's no reason for anyone to feel threatened or feel fear especially terror, rignt? WRONG! Something is coming to Garrett Grove and not just for the children either!
This was a wonderfully, nostalgic horror story centered around young kids but this was an adult story, it was definitely not a book intended for children to read. I enjoyed the storyline, the writing style and the 1979 small town America nostalgia which I couldn't get enough of being humorously entertained and spooked. The author 'Daemon Manx' did a fantastic job of capturing the essence of innocence with the children and creating such great, atmospheric scenes of small town living along with some really gripping and terrifying episodes of frightening horror which all blended seamlessly throughout the book. There was only one problem that I had with the book and it was a big one for me. It ended on a CLIFFHANGER! I cannot stand cliffhangers unless I know ahead of time, so even when I read many reviews I never got the impression that I would literally be left hanging...more
Noemi Broussard's life is finally looking up after a lifetime of bad choices and disappointments until the night her boyfriend Roddy is hit by a car aNoemi Broussard's life is finally looking up after a lifetime of bad choices and disappointments until the night her boyfriend Roddy is hit by a car and she is informed it was a suicide. Noemi cannot accept that it was a suicide because Roddy was very happy with their life and had a wonderful career plus many friends, so what happened? As she struggles to get answers she finds her uncle Louie has kept many spooky secrets from their childhood that were based on native lore but could any of these strange tales be connected to Roddy's death and if so, what else is playing out on the reservation that the elders have knowledge of and will Noemi somehow be able to find some peace with the truth or will it bring about more sadness and devastation to her as well as to the people on this reservation!
I thoroughly enjoyed this eerie and creepy novel. The storytelling was excellent and also executed very well as it was taking place in two separate timelines yet the stories were seamlessly connected and just so entertaining. I loved some of the history of two teenage boys on the reservation and their curiosity and belief in vampires and other childhood stories which took place. Some very scary and tragic events occurred when Louie was a teen and Noemi was a toddler that were never rightfully explained during that time but it was enough for Louie to leave the reservation when he came of age and now he has come back to settle some old scores and to help his niece if possible plus attend their tribes yearly celebration as a proud warrior who had never forgotten his roots!
I want to thank the publisher "Berkeley Publishing Group" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone and I can't wait to read more books from the author, Nick Medina!
I have given this book a rating of 4 1/2 CREEPY AND VERY SPOOKY...more
It's early in November as Detective Barbara Atkins arrives in the small rural town of Deadhart, Alaska when she sees lighC.J. Tudor Has Done It Again!
It's early in November as Detective Barbara Atkins arrives in the small rural town of Deadhart, Alaska when she sees lighted Christmas decorations everywhere quite unusual to see them up so early in the season but she will soon learn why although she's sure she knows the reason already and also knows her work ahead will not be easy. Deadhart is one of those towns where they they are experiencing thirty days of darkness except for a few hours of hazy daylight and Barbara wishes she didn't have to come to this dark, dismal and freezing town.
A teenager has been viciously murdered and drained of blood so she has been sent to investigate the killing since her specialty is in vampyr crimes. The town is in an uproar and Barbara must determine if a cull will be issued as the town wants and expects but Barbara will never make that decision unless she can't find the vampyr suspect responsible although the townspeople just want the whole Colony of vampyrs gone, exterminated, they don't want legal justice only vengeance.
A brutal snow storm complicates her job when more bodies are found and the angry townspeople are holding secrets from the past and the Colony hates the town as well so they have no interest in helping the detective and if she doesn't make a decision quickly there will be more lives at stake including her own.
Loved, loved, loved this horror/thriller! I can't get enough of C.J. Tudor's books and I hate when they come to an end because I have to impatiently wait while she writes her next horror novel. This was a new and fresh take on vampires and I thought everything about the story was spot-on while feeling the frigid cold and the anger and hatred was just oozing out of many characters. The atmosphere was eerie and downright creepy plus racism was brought forward of a different kind since vampyrs weren't quite human yet they weren't portrayed as the old vampire lore which was so intriguing.
The story wasn't a slow-burn but it wasn't action packed either until the last quarter of the book which was edge of your seat material. The character of Jensen Tucker became a favorite of mine and I hope another book or two can someday be written about this mysterious man who I think many readers may fall in love with as I did! There were many puzzles to solve within the story and every one was covered by the end of the book but it made me hope there will be more stories of vampyrs and Barbara in the future.
I highly recommend this book and as usual I can't wait to read this author's next book!
Many thanks to the publisher "Random House Publishing - Ballantine" for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 5 DANGEROUS AND GRITTY ...more
Jean happens to be the only midwife in a secluded village somewhere on the coast of nineteenth century Nova ScA Lovely Retelling Of "The Selkie Wife".
Jean happens to be the only midwife in a secluded village somewhere on the coast of nineteenth century Nova Scotia when during a tempest of a storm she hears mournful cries in the night. Barely able to see in the torrential downpour she finds a young woman whom she has never seen before in great distress and about to give birth. Jean helps her into her little house and tries to help her lie down as the woman continues to struggle with fear and pain. Jean suddenly realizes the woman speaks an unusual language that she can't understand but she must quickly prepare both of them for the birth.
The baby is born with a couple of oddities but otherwise a beautiful, healthy boy. Jean finds her neighbor, Tobias searching for his wife, Murin and assures him the baby and his wife are fine but when Tobias approaches Murin, Jean sees fear in her eyes and her body stiffen and uncomfortable when he picks up the newborn. Murin stays with Jean for a week to heal while Jean tries to understand what is wrong in their household since Tobias appears to adore his wife and just wants her home but Murin doesn't want to go back home, yet she has no choice in the matter. Jean tells her she will visit often to check on them. As the days and weeks go by Jean finds that Murin is trapped in her home against her will but she won't or can't tell Jean why but when Tobias forbids Jean to come around anymore she knows she must develop a plan to get Murin and the baby away from Tobias and send her back home to her family on another island. Murin's life will be in jeopardy if Tobias finds out Jean has been sneaking around behind his back visiting Murin and if and when he does discover Murin is planning on leaving him it will drive him into madness. What will happen when Jean finally discovers all the secrets behind Murin's unusual language and the strange tales of her family and how she became Tobias's wife!
This was a wonderful story of friendship, secrets and love and loyalty. I have never tired of hearing about Selkie tales and this was a lovely gem of a book. There were a few other main characters that were very important and helped make the story solid and believable. The novel couldn't have been more atmospheric and touching with the vivid descriptions of the land, community and the hard way of life that people were living during that time yet Jean was such a refreshing light in such a harsh world and her loneliness was evident but she was such a stalwart, young woman and a memorable heroine by the end of the book.
I truly enjoyed this novel and I highly recommend it to any reader looking for a different and satisfying read!
I want to thank the publisher "Random House Publishing - Ballantine" and Netgalley for granting my special book wish and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 SENSITIVE AND BELIEVABLE ...more
On a small, Scottish isolated island called Eynhallow resides a small community of only twenty hardworking people (including children) taking place atOn a small, Scottish isolated island called Eynhallow resides a small community of only twenty hardworking people (including children) taking place at the end of the 18th century. Agnes Tulloch is one of those residents who accepts her lot in life and loves her three children more than anything but most of the time she feels cheated with life itself. The wind is brutal day in day out and the storms come out of nowhere leaving their too small cottage which is in ill repair damp, leaky and cold most days and the tedious, hard work is a never ending cycle.
One day a mysterious stranger arrives on the isle and stirs up gossip about why anyone would want to come live on Eynhallow especially in the old vacant cottage rumored to be haunted for many, many years. Superstitions and folklore are abundant during those times so the residents are somewhat fearful as well as curious about why an aristocrat would want to move to their lonely isle. Meanwhile, Mr. Tulloch hires poor Agnes out as a housekeeper and in those days the wives must always abide by their husbands wishes.
The dark, brooding stranger is rude, arrogant and unfriendly as well but he is interesting and accepts Agnes in a way that she has always been denied and they quickly become friendly and enjoy one another's company although Agnes wonders why the man named Victor Frankenstein is so unhappy and why he won't reveal to her the type of work that he performs in the room he keeps locked day and night. Someone has been threatening and harming Victor and he won't tell Agnes who or why this person is after him until the day she comes across this dangerous and terrifying person and is fearful for own her life as well as Victor's and she will then make a decision that will change everything she had ever known or believed for the worse when she suddenly finds herself trapped in a living nightmare that she can never wake up from or find an escape back to her old life.
This was the most amazing, horror book that I will remember for a very long time! The beautiful, atmospheric writing and storytelling were so mesmerizing that I didn't want the story to end. The book begins slow and steady giving lovely and thoughtful detailed descriptions of the island and the colorful lives of the characters. Some may say this was a retelling but I considered this book an original and brilliant piece of work. The last thirty percent of the story had my pulse racing and I was holding my breath but I never expected to feel an ache in my heart by the time I was finished reading. This book was very dark, dismal, raw, unexpected, entertaining and realistically told with it's atmospheric and historical edge that will appeal to almost every single, horror reader.
I must add this was not a long book yet it captured all the substance and quality content of a novel that was three hundred pages or more but without all the silly filler words and phrases that can be so unnecessary and annoying in many books. You won't find any excessive drama although one may wish the story could have lasted longer because Agnes's story will stay with you for a long time as well as some of the other characters. Eerily sinister and the horror will creep up on you slowly and steadily and when it finally hits it may be shock to your psyche as it was to me.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and wish I could give it more than 5 stars and I am most definitely looking forward to reading more of Tim McGregor's other books since I have been so enchanted by this author's writing! I hope that my hearfelt words will encourage other readers to pick this book up and begin a wondrous and horrific journey to the desolate island of EYNHALLOW which is actually still in existence.
I want to thank the publisher "RDS Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this tale of madness and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 5 COMPLETELY CAPTIVATING AND MESMERIZING ...more
The story begins in the year 1999 within a small Texas town where four generations of southern woman ranging from the age of fifteen to eighy-two run The story begins in the year 1999 within a small Texas town where four generations of southern woman ranging from the age of fifteen to eighy-two run the one and only funeral parlor where it may seem strange to some folks but for the Evans women it is their day to day livelihood. Deputy Roger Morgan usually delivers the bodies to their morgue without problems but today he has to talk to the women about this particular body that he thinks was torn apart by wild animals and wants to prepare the women for the horrific state of the corpse while in the meantime in the room next door Mina Jean is getting her final touches for her viewing when she suddenly sits up out of her open casket!
They have to get the deputy out of the building immediately because they have work to do that they haven't had to perform in a long time and the three women are the only ones privy to the information that they are also monster hunters when dead bodies sometimes wake up.
Luna has no idea about this other work but today she will get a fast and rough lesson to the devastating secrets that her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother have kept from her all these years! What happened to all the men in the Evans family anyway and what will happen to Luna when she finally learns what happened to her father!
What a wonderful, engaging and fun book this was to read! This novel had a little bit of everything thrown in and it played out so well. Definitely atmospheric with the southern town influence and also taking place in 1999 was very realistic and entertaining while trying to imagine that this could possibly happen. Such great fun!
The author Lindy Ryan was a fantastic storyteller and the writing was simply captivating! I felt as if I was watching a terrific horror movie with dark humor and I enjoyed this book so much!
I highly recommend "Bless Your Heart" to all horror readers and some others as well if they can handle quite a bit of the graphic gore in many of the unusual situations many of these characters will encounter. I just have to say again how wonderful and unique this book truly was. I will be looking forward to reading more books from this talented writer!
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press" and Net galley for the opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 1/2 LIVING DEAD ...more
A young girl who was shopping at the mall suddenly drops dead without any apparent superficial causes until her body is examined and that's when the yA young girl who was shopping at the mall suddenly drops dead without any apparent superficial causes until her body is examined and that's when the young detective Jack and her team are called in since the medical findings of Leia Thompson's body are determined that severe past abuse may have been committed but they cannot find an actual cause of death. Jack and team lean towards the mother whose behavior and reactions are very strange to her daughter's death and it seems the poor girl rarely left her home except for doctor appointments and she had no friends or even a tablet or cell phone. How does a young person socially survive today with only books to read without any outside influences or someone to share their secrets.
The case takes a sudden turn when another body is found dead under similar circumstances. The team works tirelessly trying to put the puzzle pieces together and connect the two cases and a few other people could be possible suspects with some crazy turns that were unexpected but clues continue to fizzle out and leave Jack frustrated and angry. Jack's boss puts pressure on her to just get the case wrapped up and closed without actually solving these murders.
This book was an interesting and entertaining detective mystery with quite a few red herrings and twists that were quite enjoyable. The story itself was a fast read but more dramatic than thrilling. The parts I had problems with were Jack's romantic life and thoughts were present way too much throughout the story and for trying to solve these murder cases she had an awful lot of free time. Weekends off to make romantic plans and shorter work days than I'm used to from reading other detective books instead of working around the clock, it just took away from the realism of the police case and became more an unexpected romantic drama for myself.
So I would still recommend this book to readers who might enjoy a softer detective story with many personal experiences in the storyline. My preference is much darker novels and I know many readers prefer a lighter touch. The storyline was very good and also brought in many failures with the medical community dropping the ball over and over which led to a young person's lifelong suffering from medical professionals that turned a blind eye to this poor victim well-being which eventually led to her death yet none of these cause were what actually killed her.
I want to thank the publisher "Storm Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 ENTERTAINING AND SUSPICIOUS ...more
A reality show based in the Welsh mountains stranding seven contestants who believe they've signed up for wilderness survival competition will find ouA reality show based in the Welsh mountains stranding seven contestants who believe they've signed up for wilderness survival competition will find out they've been deceived and their worst nightmares are only just beginning.
When one of the contestants has gone missing, DC Ffion Morgan is assigned the case where it seems a little strange but when a body is later found brutally murdered the case becomes very complicated since a couple of suspects have personal relationships with Ffion so this assignment is a little too close to home.
Secrets and lies abound where they steer the case off course and Ffion makes some critical errors which may jeopardize her career as well as her life!
This was a fun and entertaining Welsh police procedure mystery that had humor as well as murder. The book was not quite a cozy mystery but it was not a dark, gritty story by any means which I was hoping to read. The storyline was very good and enjoyable after I realized it was a lighter style with some unrequited romance thrown in. Ffion was quite the character and her uncontrollable dog was a wonderful addition that I couldn't get enough of reading about. Around the three quarter mark the book took on more serious tones so I was completely invested by then and had an appreciation and love for all the major characters which I hadn't expected.
I definitely recommend this novel to readers if they're looking for a good locked room style mystery with light hearted overtones!
I want to thank the publisher "Sourcebooks Landmark" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 1/2 LYING AND SECRETIVE ...more
Don't Miss This Breathtaking And Captivating Novel!
Joe Pickett is a middle aged game warden who loves his job and all the wild animals under his ferocDon't Miss This Breathtaking And Captivating Novel!
Joe Pickett is a middle aged game warden who loves his job and all the wild animals under his ferocious and protective care until things go wrong and that's exactly what happens in C.J. Box's newest novel. An unusual, savage grizzly attack takes place and it happens to be his daughter's boyfriend and the young man dies immediately but he also happens to be the only son of one of Joe's best friends who is crazy with grief. A wildlife team is called in to track the bear before any other attacks occur, unfortunately they are not quick enough to stop another brutal death by this frenzied grizzly.
In the meantime an inmate named Dallas Cates is released with revenge on his mind since Joe and a few members of his family were responsible to putting Dallas away years ago and he has a tattooed list of several people who he wants to meet up with face to face where they will be sorry that they ever laid eyes on him.
Never in all Joe's experience has he ever come across an animal that seemed to have hatred and intent on their mind. This bear continues on it's rampage and evades capture at every turn while so many people are in danger since hunting is open season and hunters are camped out all over the state and they are just open targets for this crazed beast.
This book was just so wonderful with the modern, western settings and all the detailed, flushed out characters who seemed like real people. I'd love to see this novel made into a movie. There wasn't a dull minute throughout the story. So much excitement, action, drama, intrigue and heart. I couldn't get enough of this book and I definitely look forward to reading more from this author including previous books. I can't believe this is my first novel by C. J. Box but it certainly won't be my last. The quality of the writing and storytelling were just top notch while the atmospheric settings were breathtaking and realistic.
There are a few different storylines which coincide together that made the book so exciting and fun although this is a very serious book and there are elements of human and animal horror which unexpectedly take place place and if readers enjoy dark and very different thrillers then this book will be perfect for them. I can't say enough good things about this novel since it caught me off guard and I fell in love with so many of the characters and despised yet was so intrigued by the bad guys! Believe me, the bad guys are some of the most evil villains that I've come across and I just loved reading about them but I'm so glad they were not real people and this was a fictional story!
Highly Recommended!
I want to thank the publisher "Penguin Group Putnam" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this fascinating thriller and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 1/2 EXCITING AND STELLAR ...more
A young couple in love go away for the weekend but only one returns. This sounds similar to that notorious story in 2021 that continues to be brought A young couple in love go away for the weekend but only one returns. This sounds similar to that notorious story in 2021 that continues to be brought up in crime shows and podcasts even in 2024 but this book is about Nina and Simon and the obsessive actions of both their families to find answers about Nina being missing and Simon's parents willing to anything and everything protect their son's reputation and his life. Yes, this book does sound reminiscent of that case but believe me it is definitely not that infamous case! This fictional story is so much more nightmarish if even possible!
I absolutely loved this crazy and emotional thriller! This book has a little bit of everything and then some about thoughts and feelings of both sets of parents and the hell that they were going through every minute of the day and making the reader think about what would they do or feel if either of these young adults were your own child and to what extent one would go to get answers and justice for the missing child vs. how far would you go to protect the child who is the prime and only suspect in his missing, beloved girlfriend's case.
I enjoyed everything about this emotional thriller and I will look forward to reading more books by Dervla McTiernan. The author did a wonderful job on making the characters very interesting and believable as far as the story played out which becomes a wicked thriller and not just another sad, soapy and predictable story.
Sometimes the parents were so unlikeable and other times their actions and thoughts just wrenched my heart and wouldn't let go because of the deep heartfelt and unconditional love that each parent had for their child. I must not forget another hero to the story was the dogged detective who was determined to find Nina at all costs and the great job he did at leaving "No Stone Unturned". The detective was so likeable and interesting that I wouldn't be surprised if the author wrote a new series featuring this man and his police force. The last thirty percent of the book is so exciting, unpredictable, crazy, mesmerizing and to top it all off! The Ending is a Wow, Wow!
Highly, Highly Recommend!
I want to thank the publisher " William Morrow " and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 1/2 STUNNING AND EMOTIONAL ...more
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