When her friend, Detective Lauren Marconi, is arrested for the murder of Owen Hayes, a man suspected of killing Lauren's son, Elijah, Dr. Gretchen WhiWhen her friend, Detective Lauren Marconi, is arrested for the murder of Owen Hayes, a man suspected of killing Lauren's son, Elijah, Dr. Gretchen White sets out to find the truth. Despite the compelling evidence against her friend, Gretchen remains convinced of Lauren's innocence. Teaming up with Detective Lachlan Gibbs from Boston PD Internal Affairs and her research assistant, Fred, Dr. White delves into the treacherous world of serial killers, their accomplices, and proteges. This third book in the Dr. White series is the most compelling yet, with a fast-paced plot and unexpected twists. The revelations in the 'then and now' chapters create a rollercoaster of moral dilemmas as Gretchen strives for a resolution that satisfies everyone. The ending of the book does justice to the series....more
Dr. Grethen White is a diagnosed sociopath who fights to control her self-destructive impulses every day. Raised by a wealthy yet dysfunctional familyDr. Grethen White is a diagnosed sociopath who fights to control her self-destructive impulses every day. Raised by a wealthy yet dysfunctional family and accused of (but never held accountable for) killing her aunt, Rowen White, when she was only eight, she’s worked hard to earn an advanced degree in psychology and criminology. She is now a respected consultant for the Boston PD. In this second book in the series, Grethen is challenged to investigate the crime she was accused of thirty years ago. With the help of Det. Lauren Marconi, her friend/colleague, and despite Det. Patrick Shaughnessy, a cop who watches her day and night, waiting for her to kill again, Grethen is determined to exonerate herself and prove her innocence. What she discovers is beyond anything she could have imagined. This captivating thriller is a twisty and mesmerizing story of lies, deceit, murder, and betrayal. I would suggest reading the first book in the series, ‘A Familiar Sight,’ to understand Dr. Grethen White’s background. I think this book (and the first) has a unique take on flawed heroes that is fascinating....more
In this suspenseful thriller, Private Detective Kate Marshall and her associate, Tristan, travel to London to investigate the cold case of a missing gIn this suspenseful thriller, Private Detective Kate Marshall and her associate, Tristan, travel to London to investigate the cold case of a missing girl named Janey Macklin, who went missing in 1988. During the investigation, two creepy serial killers quickly become suspects, Thomas Black and Kate's incarcerated ex-boss, Peter Conway. The plot becomes particularly gruesome as Kate confronts Peter in hopes of obtaining information that might lead to the discovery of Janey's body. This fifth story in the Kate Marshall series made my skin crawl in a scary-good way as Kate and Tristan journey through old housing estates, rundown bars, and abandoned warehouses, encountering many suspicious characters all intent on hiding the past. ...more
Detective Kylie Milliard is finding it challenging to navigate the small-town male bureaucracy at the police department in Hagen, North Dakota. She isDetective Kylie Milliard is finding it challenging to navigate the small-town male bureaucracy at the police department in Hagen, North Dakota. She is attempting to secure a job in the larger town of Fargo when teenagers begin turning up dead. Kylie and her partner, Carl, lead the investigations while the killings and their feelings for each other escalate. Kylie’s take-charge style ruffles feathers as she tries to extract information from high school seniors whose behavior becomes increasingly bizarre. This fast-moving thriller is suspenseful and action-packed, with plot twists that never stop....more
Meg Brogan is a bestselling writer of true-crime books. She’s happily engaged to be married to Jonah, a forensic psychiatrist who’s also rich and handMeg Brogan is a bestselling writer of true-crime books. She’s happily engaged to be married to Jonah, a forensic psychiatrist who’s also rich and handsome. She also has nightmares of her sister Sherry’s murder. Challenged by her fiancé to write her sister’s story to get closure and move on, Meg decides to go home to Shelter Bay, a small seaside town on the coast of Oregon, to face the life she fled twenty years ago. She gets a cold welcome from her childhood town, where Sherry’s murder left more than one nasty hidden secret. Her childhood boyfriend, Blake Sutton, seems the only one glad to see her. As Meg starts her investigation, she becomes a target, never knowing who to trust. Ms. White certainly knows how to set the mood with her descriptive writing. This book is a suspenseful who-done-it that will leave you guessing until the end. ...more
My grandmother, Pearl Butler, was born in 1889 and lived in Tennessee until she was twenty-one. She was raised a strict Southern Baptist and used to tMy grandmother, Pearl Butler, was born in 1889 and lived in Tennessee until she was twenty-one. She was raised a strict Southern Baptist and used to tell my siblings and me about the revival tent meetings she attended growing up in the South. Elmer Gantry, who was nicknamed 'Hell-cat' by his classmates at Terwillinger College in Kansas because of his loud, resonant voice, frequent cussing, and fondness for women and alcohol, was one of these preachers. If you know anything about the Baptist church, you know they don't allow drinking, cussing, dancing, or even going to the theater. I wanted to read this book to learn more about the revival preachers and why my father refused to go to church because they scared him when he was a child and my grandmother dragged him along. He remembers screaming, yelling, people falling to the ground, and other scary behaviors that he never wanted to experience again. I found it interesting to learn the pasters' POV and why they thought preaching this way was a good idea. It was interesting to find out that the Baptist church split into Northern and Southern Baptists when the Civil War broke out, taking a political stand on slavery. I found Sinclair Lewis to be a great storyteller. His take on the religious practices of the revival preachers was informative, intuitive, and well-laced with satirical wit....more
This book is a nightmare in so many ways. When Julia Keegan (Jules), a beautiful, self-made woman, meets Will Slater, the famous star of a survival reThis book is a nightmare in so many ways. When Julia Keegan (Jules), a beautiful, self-made woman, meets Will Slater, the famous star of a survival reality show, he seems perfect—honestly, the man of her dreams. So, when they decide to marry, Jules is determined to find the most romantic, original, and exciting venue. Right on cue, Aoife and her husband, Freddy, who has just opened an exclusive wedding site on Cormorant, a small, deserted island off West Galway, Ireland, book it and start planning the event of the year. Their first mistake, of course, is the guest list. Never mix antagonistic family members with rowdy, boozing college buddies. Throw in Olive, a suicidal younger sister with a past, Charlie, the bride’s best friend and old crush, and the ‘plus one,’ Hannah, Charlie’s wife, with her own secrets. Then, when a horrendous storm hits the island, the weather turns dark, and so do the guests, as lie after lie is revealed. The plot twists keep the story moving as the author keeps you guessing who will snap until the very end. ...more
This fast-paced thriller is full of delightfully quirky characters you can count on to do the unexpected. Neal Carey, a bright, streetwise kid, lives This fast-paced thriller is full of delightfully quirky characters you can count on to do the unexpected. Neal Carey, a bright, streetwise kid, lives with his junkie mother, doing the best he can to put food on the table and stay out of the way of mom’s pimp. Then, he meets Joe Graham, who quickly becomes his mentor in everything he needs to know to take care of himself. Showing exceptional potential, Neal is quickly adopted by a mysterious organization called Friends of the Family, who solve problems for a chosen clientele by any means possible. After years of training, Neal goes to London on his first critical mission, where all hell breaks loose. Full of violence, crazy plot twists, and witty dialog, this is a book you won’t want to put down until the last page. ...more
Like the author, I also lost my house and antique store in the Northridge earthquake in 1994. It was only a 6.4. The big one they’re predicting for LALike the author, I also lost my house and antique store in the Northridge earthquake in 1994. It was only a 6.4. The big one they’re predicting for LA is supposed to be much more significant. That’s why this book, although entertaining, was also terrifying. I still live in Southern California, although I am no longer in The Valley, and we experience small quakes just about once a week. Some people will claim they get used to them, but trust me, no one ever does. I knew Buck was Marty’s alter-ego right away, but the way Mr. Goldberg structured the story, Buck blended very well with the twists and turns of the plot. If you want to scare yourself to death with “what ifs,” read this book! The events might seem outlandish to some, but everything he described sounded plausible to me....more
Nick Ryan is an innovative, tough NYPD cop with a military background. He comes from a family of police officers. Nick is also a man with ironclad morNick Ryan is an innovative, tough NYPD cop with a military background. He comes from a family of police officers. Nick is also a man with ironclad morals but is willing to manipulate circumstances to serve the greater good. In other words, he's an equalizer with a heart and a likable protagonist.
The plot is complicated, with attention-grabbing characters and nonstop action. Many cloak-and-dagger subplots evolve when Nick is recruited to join a secret, elite law enforcement group run by a mysterious man nicknamed Joe.
"Sleepless City" is my first book by this author, but I will pursue this series and check out the rest of his work. It's pretty good.
Liane Moriarty has created lovely, complicated, and heartwarming characters in this family drama about Joy and Stan Delaney, parents who run a tennis Liane Moriarty has created lovely, complicated, and heartwarming characters in this family drama about Joy and Stan Delaney, parents who run a tennis school behind their home in Sydney, Australia while raising their four talented children. In retirement, Joy and Stan find themselves with too much time on their hands while waiting for one of their independent offspring to provide some grandchildren. When a young girl, a victim of abuse, turns up on their doorstep, Joy is quick to step in as a motherly figure. From this act of kindness, Joy and Stan quickly become victims as their lives are upended, and their past lies are revealed. The tennis theme is used well in this family drama to illustrate the parents' difficult task of setting standards, playing fair while raising a family, and keeping their marriage alive while dealing with life's unpredictable choices. "Apples Never Fall" is a suspenseful murder mystery with an ending that brings it all together....more
Everyone is obsessed with Elsie, who seems to be the most abstract character in the book—and maybe that’s the point. There is no substance to Elsie, sEveryone is obsessed with Elsie, who seems to be the most abstract character in the book—and maybe that’s the point. There is no substance to Elsie, so why all the fuss? The other characters, Ralph Linderman, Jack Sutherland, and his wife, Natalia, are the leading players (although there are others) and are each fixated on Elsie. The beginning of the book draws you in with the possibility of a maniac (Linderman) stalking an innocent girl (Elsie). However, most of the book is spent in endless descriptions of the bohemian lifestyles of New Yorkers and gay love triangles. In the end, Elsie’s carefree lifestyle catches up to her. The story is predictable and disappointing. ...more
Yeonmi was born in Hyesan, North Korea, in 1993. She grew up in a country where people were brainwashed to love their Leader and had no idea how diffeYeonmi was born in Hyesan, North Korea, in 1993. She grew up in a country where people were brainwashed to love their Leader and had no idea how different the world was outside. Her father was an enterprising man who traded goods in the black market to provide for his family, but when he was arrested and sent to a labor camp, life became even more challenging. Yeonmi, her mother, and her sister, Eunmi, decided to defect across the Yalu River into China to escape their desperate situation. However, they found themselves plunged into the world of human trafficking. Yeonmi's firsthand account of her and her mother's journey is honest and sobering, shedding light on the heartbreaking reality of trafficking that exists all over the world....more
The plot of Forty Thieves is a lesson in chaos, with all the players trying to kill everyone else. I guess that old saying, "There's no honor among thThe plot of Forty Thieves is a lesson in chaos, with all the players trying to kill everyone else. I guess that old saying, "There's no honor among thieves," is true. Sid and Ronnie Able are ex-LAPD and are now working as private investigators. When they accept a new job to investigate the year-old murder of a scientist named James Ballantine, they suddenly find themselves the target of assassins. As the Ables try to stay one step ahead of being eliminated, the killers hunting them—Ed and Nicole Hoyt—find themselves targeted by more crooks. I like Thomas Perry's straightforward, no-nonsense style of writing. I found it suspenseful and entertaining....more
Victim Six is a riveting page-turner (although quite graphic) that I couldn't put down. When several women disappear and bodies start turning up, DeteVictim Six is a riveting page-turner (although quite graphic) that I couldn't put down. When several women disappear and bodies start turning up, Detective Kendall Stark and Josh Anderson realize there's a serial killer at work in the small county of Kitsap, Oregon. Soon, a reporter, Serenity Hutchins, is drawn into the game when the killer calls her with details of the crimes. Instead of using the tips to aid the police, she indifferently uses the information to pursue her career, but there's a price to pay. In this book, the author creates such an evil pair of monsters that I will look over my shoulder from now on. And the end! OMG! I didn't see that coming. This book is not for the faint-hearted....more
I loved this book! The Burying Place has everything. A missing baby, a psychotic killer, and several romantic entanglements. The suspenseful, eerie deI loved this book! The Burying Place has everything. A missing baby, a psychotic killer, and several romantic entanglements. The suspenseful, eerie descriptions of the lonely rural countryside, the suffocating fog, and the abandoned school! Oh my God! Brian, were you doing research inside a creepy building, or did you make all that up? The dripping water, broken glass, rotting wood, and the smells. It all gave me the creeps. Besides the tremendous descriptive writing, the plot was a mind-blower. I can usually figure out where the author is going at some point, but this one was very twisty and very surprising. My one complaint was Jonathan Stride's macho attitude. Yes, he was having PTSD panic attacks. I've experienced them myself, so I know how debilitating they are, but when you are going through something like that, you run to someone for help. You can't handle that stuff on your own. With that said, I still love this character and this series.
After a school shooting, Detective Milo Sturgis calls in his friend and LAPD consulting psychologist, Dr. Alex Delaware, to provide counseling for theAfter a school shooting, Detective Milo Sturgis calls in his friend and LAPD consulting psychologist, Dr. Alex Delaware, to provide counseling for the traumatized kids. The unlikely shooter, a young girl, is killed, but her death leaves more questions than answers for the police. Things morph quickly into political rivalry, racist pro-nazi groups, and strange cloak-and-dagger operatives. The first part of the book goes slow while Alex does his thing at the school and starts a new relationship with the principal, Dr. Linda Overstreet, but once the action begins, there are lots of it, along with a couple of plot twists that I didn’t see coming. There are so many issues in this book that I found it hard to keep up and still hang onto the storyline. To bring it all together, Mr. Kellerman does a lot of explaining at the end. It worked—barely. ...more
I love the Kathryn Dance character. She's cool and bright, likes stylish footwear, and is an expert at kinesics—a form of reading body language and faI love the Kathryn Dance character. She's cool and bright, likes stylish footwear, and is an expert at kinesics—a form of reading body language and facial expressions—which comes in handy when interviewing criminals. This book follows several cases Agent Dance works on with her fellow CBI agents. At the forefront is a psycho working in the Monterey Bay area, orchestrating deadly stampedes in crowded venues, then selling pics and videos of the death and mayhem. Who knew that was a thing, but it is. I know stampedes at concerts have happened in real life, but the ones described in this book are exceptionally terrifying. The other cases involve a drug cartel working on the west coast of California and some local hate crimes. The action in the book's first half is slow, but the author throws a few surprising twists towards the end. Some plot lines involving her kids were implausible, but I immensely enjoyed this book....more
Temporarily working as a presuppression firefighter on Cumberland Island, GA, for three weeks, Anna was ready to soak up the sun, breathe the fresh ocTemporarily working as a presuppression firefighter on Cumberland Island, GA, for three weeks, Anna was ready to soak up the sun, breathe the fresh ocean air, and witness the hatching of the endangered baby loggerhead turtles while raking in some much-needed overtime pay. But, after a fatal plane crash on the island, she finds herself investigating a possible murder as an NPS law enforcement officer. Surrounding her is another cast of quirky, semi-strange co-workers who seem to flock to the National Park Ranger positions. The plot in this fifth book in the series—laced with magnificent descriptions of the local wildlife and landscape—is captivating and suspenseful as Anna gets beat up, attacked by ticks and chiggers, then nearly killed while trying to bring down a killer. Good to the last page. ...more
Yay! Another Erika Foster book. I have followed the entire series and waited for this eighth book. I was glad to find Erika was no longer alone but wiYay! Another Erika Foster book. I have followed the entire series and waited for this eighth book. I was glad to find Erika was no longer alone but with her new boyfriend, Igor. Also, I am pleased she hasn't lost her straightforward bluntness and stubborn determination to solve crimes. Lethal Vengeance has a complicated plot and lots of twists. Is someone killing the elite, or is it a violent sex act gone wrong? The only clue left behind is some Polaroid pictures signed by Annabelle. It was a little frustrating how the "so-called privileged" blocked the police at every turn to avoid scandal, but they couldn't keep Erika and her team—Moss, Peterson, McGorry, and Isaak—from digging to the truth. I found myself rooting for the criminal in this one. Annabelle made a worthy adversary for Erika. I also liked how the author ended the story in an open-ended manner. The Erika Foster books are always gritty and gripping. All in all, there was lots to love in this one. ...more
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