Category: Book reviews

Mask of the Deer Woman by Laurie L. Dove My rating: 5 of 5 stars A beautifully written tale about the Indigenous girls who disappear twice, once in life and once in the news. Clever, elegant and utterly compelling, Mask of the Deer Woman is a brilliant exploration of identity and the struggle of being…

The Final Act by Lisa Gray My rating: 5 of 5 stars A gripping, compelling, pacey tale that explores the MeToo movement and the seedy side of Hollywood, showcasing how young women have historically been exploited in their ambition to become famous. Glamor, greed and gaslighting abound, this one’s a knockout! View all my reviews

The Lie Maker by Linwood Barclay My rating: 5 of 5 stars Jack Givins is a bit down on his luck and totally and completely broke. Then his agent presents him with a unique offer. One he can’t refuse. Write back stories for people in the witness protection program. How could you walk away from…

The Fall by Gilly Macmillan My rating: 5 of 5 stars Nicola and Tom are childhood sweethearts whose lives are completely upended when they win the lottery. They build their dream home and start living their dream life, but then their dream life turns to a nightmare. Nicola returns home from a country show one…

Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka My rating: 5 of 5 stars A gorgeous, chilling, vibrant story with exquisite prose and stunningly-drawn characters. This is is a literary thriller you’ll want to sip at, savouring the beauty, enjoying the journey, rather than racing through to the finish. The story is cleverly written about Ansel…

A Friend in the Dark by Samantha M. Bailey My rating: 5 of 5 stars An intoxicatingly original thriller that positively simmers with a sexy, brooding tension. Elegant and electrifying, this deliciously twisty thriller examines marriage, motherhood, and the dark secrets of the past. A Friend in the Dark cements Samantha Bailey as one of the…

Don’t Forget Me by Rea Frey My rating: 5 of 5 stars Poignant, emotional, and yet marvelously malevolent, Don’t Forget Me is written with Frey’s traditional gorgeous prose while simultaneously being suffused with dread. The final outcome is deeply shocking and terrifying. Certain to keep readers turning the pages! View all my reviews

Still See You Everywhere by Lisa Gardner My rating: 5 of 5 stars A fresh, atmospheric and mesmerizing conclusion to the Frankie Elkin series! Frankie Elkin is one of my favorite protagonists ever, hands down. She is strong, but broken, courageous, but afraid, hard but sensitive and compassionate. She’s instantly relatable, experiencing the whole range…

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth My rating: 5 of 5 stars A compelling domestic suspense with a clever, utterly beguiling plot and expertly crafted, deeply flawed and relatable characters. I was completely hooked from the start. The story is told from the past and present POVs of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, as well as one…

The Last Goodbye by Tim Weaver My rating: 5 of 5 stars A gripping, page-turner of a thriller full of intrigue and action! The plotting is sharp and compelling, the characters are multi-layered and believable, and the storytelling is completely engrossing. It begins with a bang at a new theme park. Tom Preacher and his…

The Maid by Nita Prose My rating: 5 of 5 stars One of the best feel-good books I’ve read in a long time, I absolutely fell in love with Molly Gray! She is warm, delightful and unique, and the entire story was lovely and fun throughout. After the loss of her grandmother, Molly feels adrift…

The Summer of Love and Death by Marcy McCreary My rating: 5 of 5 stars An old case has repercussions on a new copycat killing in this excellent police procedural. With juicy twists, an engaging cast, and an intriguing case that’s impossible to predict, The Summer of Love and Death is everything I want in…