Category: Book reviews

The Woman Who Lied by Claire Douglas My rating: 5 of 5 stars A wildly original tale about Emilia Ward, bestselling mystery author, who suddenly finds that someone is replicating events in her brand new book. Except the book has only been read by a handful of people. Claire Douglas always writes compelling and likeable…

The Half Burnt House by Alex North Complex, gritty and eerie, fans of The Shadows will love the newest book by Alex North. While I did find it much more of a slow burn than The Whisper Man, it has that same suspenseful, creepy feel that is perfect for spooky season. It’s dark and complex,…

Dead Wind by Tessa Wegert My rating: 5 of 5 stars The third in the series, Dead Wind is intoxicatingly original, tense, and elegant. And with a kick-ass, formidable investigator in Shana Merchant, the book is impossible to put down. When Shana discovers she knows the latest victim, it drives her even more. How personal…

Deeper Than the Dead by Debra Webb My rating: 5 of 5 stars Expertly plotted and whip-smart, Deeper Than The Dead is an exceedingly clever crime thriller filled with secrets, betrayals, and complex characters. Webb manages to hit that sweet spot between family drama and police procedural. This one is sure to be a hit…

The Guest by B.A. Paris An expertly woven domestic drama that follows Iris and Gabriel, who, upon returning from a much-needed vacation, arrive home to find their friend, Laure, in their house. Laure has left her husband after learning of a devastating affair and a secret child, and she opts to stay with Iris and…

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware My rating: 5 of 5 stars How have I missed Ruth Ware for so long? The Turn of the Key is gothic, creepy, sinister, and absolutely unputdownable. Rowan Caine comes across an ad for a live-in nannying post, with a huge salary. It’s a dream come true.…

Where the Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling My rating: 5 of 5 stars A gritty, well-written police procedural that had me gripped from the very first page. Our protagonist is Ben Packard, acting sheriff, a relatable, intriguing man who must balance his public-facing job with his private life as a gay man. When someone is…

The Retreat by Sarah Pearse The follow-up to The Sanatorium (which I highly recommend!), The Retreat is an Agatha-esque delight. While there is a slight element of the formulaic about it – a unique destination with a dark past – it’s cleverly done and quite entertaining. With plenty of murders, an island with a dark…

The Lost Man by Jane Harper My rating: 5 of 5 stars The more I read of Jane Harper, the more I love her writing. Set against the bleak and dangerous Australian outback, The Lost Man is a beautiful story of loneliness, grief and redemption. The scene opens on a gruesome death. Cam, the good…

It Takes Monsters by Mandy McHugh My rating: 5 of 5 stars A clever and pacey thriller, McHugh delivers a tantalizing story about a dysfunctional marriage, and what happens when one decides to take matters into their own hands. Claws out, no-holds barred, this one is urgent, sinister, and sharp as a knife. View all…

Before She Finds Me by Heather Chavez My rating: 5 of 5 stars An electric, atmospheric ride with complex, intriguing female leads, Before She Finds Me is action-packed and intricately plotted. The plot is original and impossible to predict, about a husband/wife assassin team and a contract killing that goes wrong. A wild and sinister…

The Dry by Jane Harper My rating: 5 of 5 stars An atmospheric whodunit that is perfectly balanced between police procedural and murder mystery, the question of whether Luke murdered his family kept me glued to the pages, but the real strength of the story comes in the depth and beauty of each character. Aaron…