Penny, her 18-month old daughter, is Maggie's world and she'd do everything to keep
How far would you go to protect your child?
Penny, her 18-month old daughter, is Maggie's world and she'd do everything to keep her safe. But aren't all mothers like that? This is the heart of Keep Her Safe. Someone who calls himself Babysitter is targeting mothers making them do something in exchange for their child's safety. So when Maggie woke up one night facing Holly, another mother, she did exactly what mothers do - keep her baby safe. And maybe keep another babies safe too. ♦My Thoughts♦ For me, the plot is refreshing. I haven't read a thriller before that resembles this book's plot. Having a mother or mothers as protagonists and their babies the ones at stake was really brilliant. Just by thinking of it already brings thrill to me, and I know to you too. Because we know how mothers are when it comes to their babies. They become desperate and superhumans when their babies are hurt or in danger. And babies are vulnerable and fragile. I expected to care for the characters (Maggie and Holly) more than I did but it's okay. They just did fine.
Just as the short synopsis said, this one is an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Thus 4 stars for me because the story was true to its genre. The thrills are really there and suspense started right away and continued-from chapter 1 until the end. Though I don't quite agree with the synopsis when it said that this will keep me guessing until the last page. I was curious who really Babysitter is, but there was no point guessing. Throughout the stories, hints and clues were given but they seem pointless. They were all connected and mattered, yes, but they seemed to me just random facts dropped here and there just so at the end they support the big reveal. Really, who would ever guess that Babysitter is him and more importantly, NO ONE WILL EVER GUESS HIS MOTIVES? There was no "Aha!!!" moment. It seems random.
Despite my complain, I still give this one a high rating because like I said, this is a thriller and I was thrilled while reading it. That's what matters and I REALLY recommend this to all of you thriller fans. :) :) :)
Thanks to the author and Bookouture for granting me an ecopy thru Netgalley.
Thank you for reading,
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Merged review:
How far would you go to protect your child?
Penny, her 18-month old daughter, is Maggie's world and she'd do everything to keep her safe. But aren't all mothers like that? This is the heart of Keep Her Safe. Someone who calls himself Babysitter is targeting mothers making them do something in exchange for their child's safety. So when Maggie woke up one night facing Holly, another mother, she did exactly what mothers do - keep her baby safe. And maybe keep another babies safe too. ♦My Thoughts♦ For me, the plot is refreshing. I haven't read a thriller before that resembles this book's plot. Having a mother or mothers as protagonists and their babies the ones at stake was really brilliant. Just by thinking of it already brings thrill to me, and I know to you too. Because we know how mothers are when it comes to their babies. They become desperate and superhumans when their babies are hurt or in danger. And babies are vulnerable and fragile. I expected to care for the characters (Maggie and Holly) more than I did but it's okay. They just did fine.
Just as the short synopsis said, this one is an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Thus 4 stars for me because the story was true to its genre. The thrills are really there and suspense started right away and continued-from chapter 1 until the end. Though I don't quite agree with the synopsis when it said that this will keep me guessing until the last page. I was curious who really Babysitter is, but there was no point guessing. Throughout the stories, hints and clues were given but they seem pointless. They were all connected and mattered, yes, but they seemed to me just random facts dropped here and there just so at the end they support the big reveal. Really, who would ever guess that Babysitter is him and more importantly, NO ONE WILL EVER GUESS HIS MOTIVES? There was no "Aha!!!" moment. It seems random.
Despite my complain, I still give this one a high rating because like I said, this is a thriller and I was thrilled while reading it. That's what matters and I REALLY recommend this to all of you thriller fans. :) :) :)
Thanks to the author and Bookouture for granting me an ecopy thru Netgalley.
I wasn't expecting it to have so much to offer. I thought it was just another mystery with magical and supernaA Master of Djinn was a delightful read.
I wasn't expecting it to have so much to offer. I thought it was just another mystery with magical and supernatural elements, but it's more than that. The mystery is strong, and the whodunit aspect made me glued to the pages. On top of that, I love Fatma, and all the other characters in the story. They're very well-written. Reimagining history is no easy task for authors but P. Djeli Clark did it masterfully, and after reading this, I searched for his other works. I will certainly read them someday. ...more
What I loved with Harrow Lake, the other book by Kat Ellis that I read last year, was the setting. And I couldn’t help but mention it because it’s theWhat I loved with Harrow Lake, the other book by Kat Ellis that I read last year, was the setting. And I couldn’t help but mention it because it’s the same with Wicked Little Deeds, only this time, the town is called Burden Falls. Burden Falls is one eerie town, surrounded by mystery and dripping with countless superstitions and it sets the story for me perfectly. I felt the atmosphere of the town and was hooked right from the start.
I liked that the book started with lots of mystery right away. That really sets my mood of reading of this book. I was so invested and kept guessing about lots of things till the last quarter of the book. I don’t really get scared reading a horror book but I know when a book is scary. And Wicked Little Deeds is one scary book. I also liked the bit of supernatural in this book. Well, I won’t spoil if there is really a supernatural element but I love the mystery surrounding it.
I found the main protagonist, Ava, a very well-written character. She’s strong and capable despite everything. But don’t be fooled she’s also vulnerable especially after becoming a suspect in a murder. I love solving murders with my favorite characters and I enjoyed reading Ava trying to connect the dots and solve the mystery. Ava is just so brave. I was rooting for her right from the start. She’d been through a lot and still going through a lot but she kept going. I love her. I also love Dominic. Seriously, the main characters are very well-written.
Even though the book started with a bang and mystery, I thought the pace was a bit slow but it picked up really soon. Then the pace became just enough for a story in this genre. I also think it’s brilliant that the chapters are short. It didn’t just make me keep reading but it made the tension alive. This is a page-turner. the author knows exactly what to reveal in the right moment in the story so there was no dull moment or info-dumping part. I also think the story wrapped very neatly.
If you’re a fan of YA, mystery, horror and thriller, this book is perfect for you. A big bonus is the setting, so atmospheric and eerie, it’s perfect escape....more
I haven’t had the chance yet to read this author’s second and third book but I enjoyed her first novel, One of Us is Lying. That one really s3.5 stars
I haven’t had the chance yet to read this author’s second and third book but I enjoyed her first novel, One of Us is Lying. That one really surprised me because it is in my least favorite genre, Young Adult Contemporary, and yet I enjoyed it. So when I was invited to be part of this tour, of course, I jumped at the chance. And just like One of Us is Lying, I enjoyed The Cousins too.
The Cousins features the Story family and the plot is centered in cousins, Jonah, Milly and Aubrey who received an invitation from their estranged grandmother to stay and work in the family’s property in an island. The cousins are not happy with the idea of meeting their grandmother but their parents basically forced them to go since their parents are still confused and wanting a reconciliation with their mother who disinherited them 24 years ago. But the cousins soon found out that so many secrets are surrounding their family and they are eager to discover everything.
It took me a while to get into the story mainly because I found the first few chapters filled with regular young adult scenes and exchanges that they don’t interest me much. I even found the characters a bit cliche when they were first introduced. But the mystery surrounding their grandmother really hooked me. I really wanted to find out so I kept going. And soon, I found myself more sucked in to the story and the intrigue.
The characters turned more interesting as well as the story goes. I found myself liking Aubrey, Milly, and Jonah. Though I think my favorite would be Aubrey. She’s really kind-hearted and even Jonah found her to be someone who would be a terrible liar. She has that pure aura, which is a bit in contrast to Milly. Milly is the typical socialite teenager but I love her. The author made her appear to be sensible and not vain. She’s a girl who enjoys good things, that’s all. Jonah…Well, I don’t want to talk about him for reasons you will soon find out in the story.
The entire plot is interesting. I wouldn’t call it common but I also wouldn’t call it refreshing and unique. It’s just intriguing and would kept your interest till the end. Though for me, the last quarter of the book is the best part. The pace leading to the resolution certainly kept up. The twists are okay. The very first twist was so easy to guess. I wasn’t surprised at what Milly found out in the first quarter of the story. The same goes for the big reveal. I wasn’t surprised, mainly because that kind of “secret” have been used at least three times throughout the book. Though I think, it’s not that the author run out of an idea on how to conceal things, maybe the forst two are just hints about the big reveal.
Despite the big reveal not being too surprising, I still find this book very engaging. I liked the way the author wove all the elements of her story. The plot is certainly multi-layered. I also like the sub-plots especially the ones about the main characters. I would’ve liked their backgrounds explored more. There are more side characters in the entire story and most of them are related to the big secret and the past storyline and I think the author did a great job with them because most of them are well-developed. There’s a bit of romance and if you’ve been following me for a while now, then you’ll know I’m a sucker for romance in my reads no matter the main genre is....more
One of my favorite tropes in mystery stories is one that involves puzzles or games. Such kind of plot keeps my interest throughout the story and I lovOne of my favorite tropes in mystery stories is one that involves puzzles or games. Such kind of plot keeps my interest throughout the story and I love using my brain. And as far as the ‘game’ is concerned in this book, it was very well-executed. The ‘game’ which takes up the story was really enjoyable to read and I loved how the clues and riddles were presented and used. The ‘game’ itself made me want to have Tobias Hawthorne a living character in the book. Still, of course, the book is better with him dead and living most of his wealth to a seemingly random girl and making her play and solve a game he’s so fond of.
I found Avery a very likable character. When she was first introduced I thought the story would be full of drama especially that this is kind of a cinderella story and she’s been through sad things and now living with her sister and her sister’s manipulative on-and-off boyfriend. But I soon saw her strength and intelligence. I loved reading her thoughts and seeing her act, especially when she’s already in the Hawthorne estate and playing the ‘game’ I was cheering for her the whole time and I really wished she got what she deserves. Though nearing the end I don’t think I liked the way Avery’s character turned out to be just kind of a pawn. I just think she deserves more purpose. Hopefully, I get more of her in the sequel though considering the ending, I’m not sure what will happen.
The side characters are not terrible but I wouldn’t call them unforgettable. In fact, most of them turned out to be just stereotypes of characters we already met in other books. I wished there’s more depth in their characters and I would’ve connected to them more but for sure, their existence makes the story more interesting. There is also a hint of a love triangle between Avery, Jameson, and Grayson. I love romance in all my reads but in this book, I kind of don’t want it. If there will ever be a romance, I hope in the sequel, I see more connection between Avery and whoever she likes. More chemistry because I certainly didn’t see any romantic chemistry in this book.
Despite my little issues here and there, The Inheritance Games is a very enjoyable read. It’s also fast-paced. It’s very entertaining, filled with secrets, intrigues and of course, riddles. And Avery, as I said, is a very likable character. I’m excited to see how the story will play out in the next book.
I highly recommend this book to all mystery lovers, especially if you enjoy plots with puzzles, games and riddles elements. This book is worth reading....more
I think this is one of the best debuts I’ve read this year. The Hollow Gods surprisingly has everything I want in contemporary fantasy. The story centI think this is one of the best debuts I’ve read this year. The Hollow Gods surprisingly has everything I want in contemporary fantasy. The story centers in a local folklore about the Dreamwalker who lures young women into the woods and possess them. And after they’re found, they almost always end up dead anyway. The mystery and suspense surrounding the folklore is what initially kept my interest. The town of Black Hollow is so mysterious, including its people, and definitely so atmospheric. I can imagine it as one of those movies where the main characters visit a town that’s filled with secrets, just like one of the MCs, Mason, did.
Speaking of MCs, I love the characters. First, there’s Miya who’s struggling in life, but especially financially. Her reality is gloomy and maybe that’s why she’s a bit drawn to the mystery of the woods in Black Hollow. There’s also the mystery of the wolf she once saw and can’t totally forget. By the way, the belief of the people about wolves in this story is fascinating, along with the “Dreamwalker” I really find the concept very interesting. Kai, another main character, is a wolf and what I like about him is he has certain behaviours that are still wolf-ish even if he’s in his human form. But that’s not the only reason why Kai is my favorite among all the characters. I like everything about him. Sure, when he was first introduced I was worried because his actions are definitely not for a protagonist but he grew on me. He has the foulest mouth and the softest heart. Also, I like the hint of romance in this book. Yes, it’s just a hint for now, more like a beginning of a romance, which I think I’ll see more in book 2. For now, I love the banters between Kai and Miya. I even find some of their interaction sexy.
Mason is a very well-written character too. I like his backstory and loved how he let his curiosity drive his actions in Black Hollow. This, in particular, is a brilliant move for the author. The author used Mason’s character to introduce things so there is no issue of info-dumping or too much telling in this book. Everything I need to learn about Black Hollow and the folklore, I learned through Mason. But still, he has a character of his own and very likable too. There are other characters I also found interesting, like Ama and her Raven friend. But to share more about her might spoil a lot.
My only issue with the book is the beginning. It’s a bit slow but after a few chapters, things get more interesting and I couldn’t stop reading. I also think the book wrapped up neatly, at least for this book. I’m excited to read the sequel. And by the way, the prose is terrific and the author is really good at writing dialogues.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to ALL lovers of Contemporary Fantasy, magic realism, paranormal and atmospheric stories, and of course, if you love fun characters, this book is for you....more
I read and reviewed Watching Glass Shatter few days ago and in my review, I gushed about how amazing the author’s writing is and how I enjoye4.5 stars
I read and reviewed Watching Glass Shatter few days ago and in my review, I gushed about how amazing the author’s writing is and how I enjoyed the book despite it having a trope that I’m not a fan of. That said, I was excited to read the sequel. I’m happy to say that I was right to be excited because Hiding Cracked Glass is even better than book 1.
First of all, let me just point out how witty the titles are. Titling is one of the things the author is really good at. His other series has the wittiest titles as well.
So the book…Hiding Cracked Glass takes place eight months after Ben Glass died and the events of book 1. Olivia is back from Italy and is ready to be the best matriarch to the Glass family but new conflicts arose when a mysterious letter arrives and the recipient’s name is accidentally erased. I loved the tension that arose once it’s known that someone wants to harm the family. In book 1, lots of secrets of the family were revealed but it turns out, the Glass family are still hiding something from one another.
I think the plot is brilliant and really clever. It’s layered and it’s like the drama is unending. And the way things unfold, slowly unfold, as I read is a very enjoyable ride. I think one of the reasons I enjoyed it even more is because I loved the characters so much. I’m still very invested in each one of them because I just read book 1. I’m still very familiar with their personalities which I loved, including their flaws. The author really created such realistic characters. They feel so human to me and that is why it is so easy to get invested in their stories and care for them. It is also very apparent that they all went through some development. In book 1, I said I have no favorite but in this one I think Olivia really stood out. She’s one incredible, unforgettable character.
Once again, I liked how and where the story went. The mystery kept me invested till the end. I liked that we get to know more about the side characters in book 1. The resolution is very realistic as well. The thing about this series is I always have an idea on how it will end but just like in book 1, I was wrong. LOL. And then after reading I realized that it makes sense that the story went that way.
Finally, the writing style changed a bit too. Compared to book 1, Hiding Cracked Glass has more parts that are almost lyrical. It’s obvious right from the very start. This kind of writing is not common in this genre so I love it. ...more
This is my first Josie Jaffrey read and before reading, my expectation was high because I’ve heard positive things about Jaffrey’s writing before. I mThis is my first Josie Jaffrey read and before reading, my expectation was high because I’ve heard positive things about Jaffrey’s writing before. I must say I am not disappointed. May Day is first in a new series called Seekers and introduces Oxford’s youngest seeker, Jack Valentine. I heard that this is not the first book that Jaffrey has written where Jack is introduced nor is this the first book about Silver, the vampires. But even without reading the other books, I didn’t get any problem understanding the world the author has created. I was invested in the world right away.
I love Jack. She was so sassy and has a mind of her own. She doesn’t take no for an answer and is very strong-willed. She’s so passionate about everything. Then there’s Killian. I love Killian so much. I love that Jack and Killian have this complicated history that they have to sort out. I just love it when one character is holding a grudge to the other but ended up working with them. So much fun. Plus the side characters are likeable as well.
As for the main plot…I used to love vampire stories though not anymore because it seems like the plots are just the same for every movie and book I’ve seen but I found May Day very refreshing. It has a lot of things going on. Sure, it started a bit slow but the pace picked up as soon as the murder happened. The crime itself is not that unique but still I love the murder mystery aspect. Crime mystery is one of my favorite genres anyway. I love the detective/solving part and the tension brings by the fact that they should solve the murder soon for the sake of the Silver.
Finally, the writing style is amazing. As I already mentioned, I was invested in the world right away and then there’s Jack as the narrator. She’s amazing and I enjoyed reading the story in her POV....more
In my previous review, I said I love small-town romances. Now, let me say that I also enjoy small town thrillers/horror stories. For me, sett3.5 stars
In my previous review, I said I love small-town romances. Now, let me say that I also enjoy small town thrillers/horror stories. For me, setting a horror/thriller in a small town makes it more atmospheric. And for that, Harrow Lake didn’t disappoint.
A beginning that hooks the reader…
The story started with a transcript and it sets the mood right away. The blurb already suggested that Harrow Lake would be eerie and thrilling but the transcript is what really sets the atmosphere. It what hooked me right into the story. And the atmosphere didn’t change till the end. In fact, the story only gets more and more intense as it progresses.
A story that keeps surprising…
Harrow Lake, the small town, is the perfect setting for the story. It has all the right elements — the history, the myths and legends, the mysterious townies and lack of modernization. What surprised me though is the author’s amazing writing style. Kat Ellis carefully picks locations in Harrow Lake that’s perfect for each scene. She also uses the same descriptions and even terms. With her style, Harrow Lake just became one of the scariest settings I’ve ever read.
But of course, the setting isn’t everything. The plot itself is very intriguing. Right from the start, there are are so many questions I want answered. And as the story progresses, the doubts increases and I found myself more eager to keep reading even if it gets really scary and I started reading at midnight.
It is a good thing that the book is told entirely from Lola’s perspective, except for the transcripts. It makes most of the elements in the story vague. There are so many things that I was intrigued by right from the start, like Lola’s real relationship with her father. I was so intrigued by that since chapter one. But as with most protagonists/narrators in this kind of genre, Lola isn’t reliable all the time, which makes the reveals truly surprising. Speaking of Lola…
A main character that grows on you…
Lola is not someone you’ll root for from the start, but she sure grows on me. I found her character really intriguing. I know there’s so much more to her than what she’s showing or telling, and it’s easier to see that as the story progresses. But wow, I definitely wasn’t expecting that reveal in her character. I like it when a character surprises me.
As for the side characters, my favorite was Cora. I like her guts and she stayed true to her character till the very end. I couldn’t say the same for Carter, Cora’s brother and served as Lola’s kind of love interest. He’s okay but his personality is somehow lacking. Lola’s grandma is creepy for me and that’s all I can say about her. Other two characters that I would’ve wanted more from were Grant and Ranger Crane, both were Lola’s mom’s friends in Harrow Lake. They’re two characters who the readers might or might not suspect about something and I won’t say more to avoid spoiling anything.
As for Nolan, Lola’s father. He’s an interesting character. He’s not always in the scenes but in Lola’s head, her father is always there. In every scenes, Nolan is always in Lola’s mind telling her what she should do and don’t. His influence to her makes Lola for what she is. It’s freaky the way Lola clings to her father that way and the reveal at the end will make it clear.
An eventful ending BUT…
I do love the ending, or more accurately I loved the events that lead up to it. But I wanted more from the ending, like about Lola. Sure, I know what she’d become after Harrow Lake. But I didn’t know what happened after she got out of that climactic event. I wanted to know what she did next after she realized everything....more
Engaged in Danger is the fourth installment in Jamie Quinn's Mystery Series and proves that the series just keepThis is such an engaging story/series.
Engaged in Danger is the fourth installment in Jamie Quinn's Mystery Series and proves that the series just keep getting better and better. Here, Jamie is keeping herself busy while her boyfriend is half the world away saving an endangered specie. She found herself helping her neighbor whose sister and brother-in-law died in a plane crash. She was also hired by Nan, who wants to divorce her shady husband but no lawyer accepts her because of her husband's connection. Knowing our feisty heroine, Jamie, she took the case. Because of that, her life's in danger all throughout the book.
As I said, the series keeps getting better and better because the cases that Jamie takes became more complex in each book. And added with the side plots featuring her best friend, Grace and my favorite side character, Duke, this book is such an amazing read. It's also very well-written. I like the way the author weaves the story, giving me every detail of the plot and the setting without being too descriptive. In a way, her story-telling never pulled me away from the story itself, thus I am focused on experiencing the thrill and mystery of what I'm reading rather than trying to learn who's who and what's what. I also like that the author is able to give the background of the previous books in the series little by little but not confusing me. I'm pretty sure, anyone can read this without reading the previous ones. But of course, it's so much better if you read the others before this.
In Engaged in Danger, Jamie is feistier, braver and smarter. You can see how much she's grown as a lawyer and as a person by the way she handles her cases and the things in her personal life. In here, she isn't just having a long-distance relationship, she also had her first fight with her best friend, Grace. And her relationship with Duke is amazing as ever.
If I have a minor issue, it would be the resolution. For me, it's a bit rushed. I wish it lasted more than a chapter so the thrill is longer. But overall, I love this book and I'm really excited for the next book because I'm sure it's going to be even better, Engaged in Danger and the other three books before are proofs. ...more
When I read the firs book of Jamie Quinn Mystery, I wasn’t expecting much. The author is new to me and I rarely read cozy mysteries. But now I’m in thWhen I read the firs book of Jamie Quinn Mystery, I wasn’t expecting much. The author is new to me and I rarely read cozy mysteries. But now I’m in the fifth book, Jeopardy in July and I can say, I really fall in love with the series.
I really like how the author weaves her stories. It’s like in the first half of the book, the author is setting a stage, introducing all the props that are all important once the main play starts. In Jeopardy in July, the author introduces lots of elements – the old people dying in La Vida Boca, the thing with the forged paintings, Jamie meeting new people. All of those make the reader keep guessing how they’re all connected. Because, as a fan of this series, I already expect them to be connected, but I need to know how they’re connected.
I just love it when stories keep me interested till the end. Jeopardy in July did the job well. It is engaging and entertaining. And once the connection between all the elements becomes clearer, I was nodding. Because I love how they’re connected. I mean, how on earth a forged painting is connected to a series of deaths in an assisted living facility? The reveals are amazing, and the journey before the reveals is smooth. I didn’t have any issues navigating through the plot, even though the said plot has lots of elements. Like I said, I love how this author weaves her stories.
As for the characters…I really like Jamie. I’m pretty sure I already said this in my past reviews, but she’s the kind of person I want to be friends with. She’s smart, funny and strong. But don’t think she’s perfect, she’s flawed just as you and I and that just makes me like her character more. I also love her wits, and she’s truly kind-hearted. Her relationship with all the people in her life is just so nice to read.
But really, my favorite thing about the characters, not just Jamie, is the way they make me feel as if I’m part of the story. Or more like I’m part of the community they’re part of. How good is that?
My only issue, (actually my issue in the whole series) is that I can’t help but feel like every story ends a little too fast. It’s like one minute, I’m still solving this mystery with Jamie and then after 3 chapters, it’s the ending already. This is really not a big issue and more like a me-thing. I just want more thrill and tension in the climax.
But aside from that, I really enjoyed this series. I hope the author write more about Jamie Quinn....more
I’m a fan of this genre. I grew up reading this genre. I think I couldn’t help it because the first ever book, full novel, I’ve ever read is written bI’m a fan of this genre. I grew up reading this genre. I think I couldn’t help it because the first ever book, full novel, I’ve ever read is written by John Grisham but then in the past few years, my love for mysteries, crime and suspense wane. Why am I telling you this? Well, because I want you to know that this year, I’m trying to fall in love with this genre again and that I AM SO GLAD, I am part of this blog tour.
The Friday Edition is one of those classic whodunnit mysteries that makes you helpless. Helpless because once you start it, you have no choice but to keep going, because you want to know everything. You want to dig all the secrets of the plot, you want to unmask every character introduced — one reason is because you know one of them is a killer. When you accomplish all of these, only then will you have closure.
In this book, however, I was more inclined into the second reason — the characters. I usually guess who the killer is, or at least who are responsible for the crime, in mysteries and it’s what happened in The Friday Edition. All the reveals and twists weren’t surprising to me. What made me invested in the story is the main character.
Samantha Church is an alcoholic reporter. Right from the very beginning, I didn’t like her and for that reason, I kept reading until the end. That doesn’t make sense, I know but obviously, Samantha has a past and I wanted to know that. She’s so not in her mind, she’s not a good mother, and I don’t trust her at all. Even when she takes it upon herself to solve the mystery of her sister’s death which was ruled as suicide, I couldn’t trust her action. I feel like, she’ll ruin everything rather than help or solve anything, but she proved me wrong. And despite my dislike of her, I do understand where she’s coming from. Her past is twisted, so twisted, that you can understand why she became the person she is now. And I do want to to know what she will be by the end of the story and YES, second book must be better.
That said, it’s a bit shame that I was more curious about the main character’s personal life rather than the crime and mystery themselves. In some way, that’s great but let’s not forget the main genre of the book. This is before anything else about a crime, a mystery, suspense, the personal life of the main character should just be secondary. It doesn’t help that there few inconsistencies in the plot too.
Still, I’m glad I got invested in the persona of Samantha and for me, that’s enough to pick up this book. I’m contented on how the author handled the depth of being an alcoholic person, how can alcohol really ruin your life, and the psychology behind it. I must say a good job for the author on handling this subject.
Finally, even though I gave this book a lower rating than I expected, I still think it’s amazing that I got invested in reading it by disliking a character. That’s something, isn’t it? But yeah, Sam somehow grow on me....more
Jamie Quinn, our protagonist is an attorney specializing in family law and in the beginning of the series, she’s currently getting over the death of hJamie Quinn, our protagonist is an attorney specializing in family law and in the beginning of the series, she’s currently getting over the death of her mother. But she’s about to be entangled into cases she’s not even an expert of. But as a reluctant lawyer, Jamie shows such conviction and skill rooting from the concern and care she has for the people around her.
Have I mentioned that Jamie got a boyfriend. No? Okay, she did and I won’t tell you which book she met him. But in Peril in the Park, Jamie’s boyfriend, Kip, takes center stage. Being the Head of the Broward County Parks shouldn’t be threatening but Kip has been the target of threats since taking over his position. Jamie, again, must solve a mystery in order to save her boyfriend.
The series just becomes political and I’m here for it. The case, for me, is more complex than the ones in the previous books, and the life at stake is too close to Jamie. I think the series is getting more and more personal making each story more and more engaging. As a reader, I love getting invested emotionally to the characters I’m reading and so I love seeing Jamie react more emotionally than before. With Kip being in danger, Jamie is more determined than ever and her investigative skill seems improved as well. There’s this thing about her father too. Like I said, things in the series are getting more personal in each book and I get to know Jamie more....more
Jamie Quinn, our protagonist is an attorney specializing in family law and in the beginning of the series, she’s currently getting over the death of hJamie Quinn, our protagonist is an attorney specializing in family law and in the beginning of the series, she’s currently getting over the death of her mother. But she’s about to be entangled into cases she’s not even an expert of. But as a reluctant lawyer, Jamie shows such conviction and skill rooting from the concern and care she has for the people around her.
With her practice, Jamie is not new to cases getting messy and complicated, especially if the case is between husbands and wives, but it gets next-level messy when the husband of her client turned up dead. Jamie’s client is easily considered suspect. She has all the motives with the fierce custody battle and new boyfriend. Again, Jamie finds herself in search of facts.
This one surprised me because I liked how the husband died. It’s a little but important detail. I won’t say it to avoid a spoiler. I just found the idea a bit new. But I have a bit issue on how things were easily resolved. It’s like things were handed to Jamie a little too easily. When Jamie needs something, it’s there. When she has questions, answers are given. I do love the side plot. Jamie is looking for her father and the racial issue was touched a bit and I’m pretty sure, there will be more about this in the next book. That said, I’m so excited about what book 3 has in store for Jamie....more
Jamie Quinn, our protagonist is an attorney specializing in family law and in the beginning of the series, she’s currently getting over the death of hJamie Quinn, our protagonist is an attorney specializing in family law and in the beginning of the series, she’s currently getting over the death of her mother. But she’s about to be entangled into cases she’s not even an expert of. But as a reluctant lawyer, Jamie shows such conviction and skill rooting from the concern and care she has for the people around her.
Jamie is pulled into a murder case when her cousin Adam is accused of killing an ex-rockstar, an ex-rockstar who has more enemies than friends making the search for the killer harder. It’s even harder because Adam confessed to the murder.
A fast read. Though it’s the beginning of a series, I didn’t find an issue of over-exposition. I found myself easily engaged into the protagonist’s narration. Showing a reluctant lawyer with a heart shouldn’t be easy but here, it’s really well done. It’s easy to feel for Jamie as she worries and struggles on how to help her cousin who she obviously loves. I like her. The case itself is interesting as the victim is a former rockstar, and the suspect/accused, Adam, has Asperger’s. That representation was well done too. And then there’s the didgeridoo which, really, I had no idea what. It’s an Australian wind instrument. As for the characters, Jamie is great but if I have to choose a favorite, it would be the P.I. Jamie hired, Duke Broussard. Duke is an interesting character, has an over-whelming self-confidence and really hilarious. Through I was really expecting him to do some “dirty” works because it was stated that Jamie needed a P.I. who’s willing to do dirty investigation. For me, what he did were just classic investigative works. Not really dirty....more
Jamie Quinn, our protagonist is an attorney specializing in family law and in the beginning of the series, she’s currently getting over the death of hJamie Quinn, our protagonist is an attorney specializing in family law and in the beginning of the series, she’s currently getting over the death of her mother. But she’s about to be entangled into cases she’s not even an expert of. But as a reluctant lawyer, Jamie shows such conviction and skill rooting from the concern and care she has for the people around her.
BOOK 1 – Death by Didgeridoo Jamie is pulled into a murder case when her cousin Adam is accused of killing an ex-rockstar, an ex-rockstar who has more enemies than friends making the search for the killer harder. It’s even harder because Adam confessed to the murder.
A fast read. Though it’s the beginning of a series, I didn’t find an issue of over-exposition. I found myself easily engaged into the protagonist’s narration. Showing a reluctant lawyer with a heart shouldn’t be easy but here, it’s really well done. It’s easy to feel for Jamie as she worries and struggles on how to help her cousin who she obviously loves. I like her. The case itself is interesting as the victim is a former rockstar, and the suspect/accused, Adam, has Asperger’s. That representation was well done too. And then there’s the didgeridoo which, really, I had no idea what. It’s an Australian wind instrument. As for the characters, Jamie is great but if I have to choose a favorite, it would be the P.I. Jamie hired, Duke Broussard. Duke is an interesting character, has an over-whelming self-confidence and really hilarious. Through I was really expecting him to do some “dirty” works because it was stated that Jamie needed a P.I. who’s willing to do dirty investigation. For me, what he did were just classic investigative works. Not really dirty.
BOOK 2 – The Case of the Killer Divorce With her practice, Jamie is not new to cases getting messy and complicated, especially if the case is between husbands and wives, but it gets next-level messy when the husband of her client turned up dead. Jamie’s client is easily considered suspect. She has all the motives with the fierce custody battle and new boyfriend. Again, Jamie finds herself in search of facts.
This one surprised me because I liked how the husband died. It’s a little but important detail. I won’t say it to avoid a spoiler. I just found the idea a bit new. But I have a bit issue on how things were easily resolved. It’s like things were handed to Jamie a little too easily. When Jamie needs something, it’s there. When she has questions, answers are given. I do love the side plot. Jamie is looking for her father and the racial issue was touched a bit and I’m pretty sure, there will be more about this in the next book. That said, I’m so excited about what book 3 has in store for Jamie.
BOOK 3 – Peril in the Park Have I mentioned that Jamie got a boyfriend. No? Okay, she did and I won’t tell you which book she met him. But in Peril in the Park, Jamie’s boyfriend, Kip, takes center stage. Being the Head of the Broward County Parks shouldn’t be threatening but Kip has been the target of threats since taking over his position. Jamie, again, must solve a mystery in order to save her boyfriend.
The series just becomes political and I’m here for it. The case, for me, is more complex than the ones in the previous books, and the life at stake is too close to Jamie. I think the series is getting more and more personal making each story more and more engaging. As a reader, I love getting invested emotionally to the characters I’m reading and so I love seeing Jamie react more emotionally than before. With Kip being in danger, Jamie is more determined than ever and her investigative skill seems improved as well. There’s this thing about her father too. Like I said, things in the series are getting more personal in each book and I get to know Jamie more.
OVERALL REVIEW
I love The Concept of a lawyer dealing with cases not related to her practice and instead, her motivation to solve the cases is merely to help the people around her. Jamie is a lawyer with a heart. The author also did a good job at making each book better than the last, the stakes are high and Jamie is more invested. But still, I love that despite how serious the cases are, the stories manage to avoid getting dark. If you love cozy mysteries, this series is perfect. Although I must say, I felt like some elements in the story weren’t completely developed in each book. I felt this in book 1 but then I read book 2 and realized that the development happens as a series and not individually.
Also in each book, like I said, I get to know Jamie more and more making the reading like a process of getting to know someone, someone I’ll be bestfriends with someday. Jamie seems like a person who’s fun to hang out with. I based that on the writing. The narration strikes me as very friendly. I think this is the first time I’ve described a narration friendly, but when you read the series, you’ll understand. I like the way Jamie tells the story, her voice is friendly and her humour, though mild, makes the narration light and the reading easy.
Obviously, I love Jamie as a protagonist. She’s relatable and always trying to right the wrongs around her, especially if the wrong involves someone she cares about. But Jamie is not the only likable character in the series. I already mentioned Duke but I still want to talk about him, because so far, he’s my favorite character. I was so happy when he was introduced. He’s really funny even though, I know in real life, if he’s not my friend, I would dislike him. He’s too full of himself. ...more
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