I've been reading lots of thrilling books lately, so it felt a bit odd to shift gears into a slower-paced one. This one should have been right up my aI've been reading lots of thrilling books lately, so it felt a bit odd to shift gears into a slower-paced one. This one should have been right up my alley, but timing wasn't on my side.
The story delves into themes of murder, grief, and revenge as John Chenneville treks through the lawless post-Civil War frontier. His journey should have resonated with me, but I struggled to connect with his emotions; it felt more like duty than genuine grief. Despite encountering intriguing characters in the unforgiving landscape, I sought a deeper emotional bond with them.
My thriller cravings kept me searching for an exciting ending, but I lost interest and skimmed. It's more about my mood than the book itself, and I suspect I missed out on something great.
This was a Traveling Friends buddy read with Debra.
I received a copy from the publisher through Edelweiss....more
There are some authors I have come to know for their signature writing style or tropes they are known for, and I rely on them for that. Ruth Ware, knoThere are some authors I have come to know for their signature writing style or tropes they are known for, and I rely on them for that. Ruth Ware, known for being the "Agatha Christie of our time," is one of those authors, with her unputdownable, fast, tightly woven thrillers that keep me on my toes. She strays from that Agatha Christie feel and creates an adrenaline-driven action but predictable story that missed the mark for me with Zero Days. While I love being surprised by authors trying something different, Zero Days didn't surprise me in a good way.
Zero Days started out strong with one of my favorite tropes, race against time, as Jake races to clear her name and find her husband's murderer before the law catches up with her. I was on the edge of my seat with the story's fast pace until we were told of Jake's every move, and that slowed down the story so much that I started to lose interest. When something did happen, it felt predictable rather than layered, unlike Ruth Ware's usual tightly layered twists and turns I love.
Even though this was not the best for me, I still love Ruth Ware and think Zero Days is worth the read if you like an adrenaline-driven chase over the suspense of who did it and why.
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley...more
Bruce Borgos, series debut, The Bitter Past, is a strong, plotted, intelligent, complicated story that explores little-known history. I inMy Two cents
Bruce Borgos, series debut, The Bitter Past, is a strong, plotted, intelligent, complicated story that explores little-known history. I instantly enjoyed Sheriff Beck's witty narrative, even though he comes across as sexist when he has fun sizing up Agent Santa Locke, who is called in to help him with the mystery around a gruesome discovery, "Zero body fat, a BMI built for a BMW. Right off a New York runway if she was so inclined." ~Beck. Normally that would be a turn-off for me. Still, Bruce Borgos won me over with his cast of fascinating, amusing, damaged characters and their witty, humorous dialogue that offsets the tension.
There is plenty of action with a race against time element. The barren, haunted Nevada desert is an unforgiving backdrop that drives the tension forward. However, the characters will have me reading the second book in the series.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
This was a Traveling Friends read with Debra who had a different reaction to the book then I did. Check out her review to see....more
Robyn Harding, the reigning Queen of enthralling, compelling unlikeable characters, has once again shown her skills in crafting a unique story while eRobyn Harding, the reigning Queen of enthralling, compelling unlikeable characters, has once again shown her skills in crafting a unique story while exploring unlikely friendships and relationships. She has dramatically created surprisingly relatable characters while exploring female loneliness and vulnerability. I was pleasantly surprised when I found both Lee and Hazel likable characters who quickly captured my interest. I was fully immersed in their exciting tale of survival, deceit, betrayal, and their whirlwind of double-crossing and scheming, leaving me on the edge of my seat with each unexpected turn. I couldn't read fast enough to keep up with the intricate web of events and rooted for them right up to the exciting payoff in the end....more
Once again, the reigning Canadian queen of page-turning domestic thrillers, Shari Lapena, has showcased her exceptional storytelling in Everyone Here Once again, the reigning Canadian queen of page-turning domestic thrillers, Shari Lapena, has showcased her exceptional storytelling in Everyone Here is Lying. Her trademark red herring technique skillfully kept me guessing with who was lying about what. She is also called the Queen of one-sit read, which is what I did. I found myself utterly engrossed from the start and didn’t put it down till I finished.
The disappearance of nine-year-old Avery becomes a maze of suspects and lies that keep me on my toes with each turn of the pages. There is more to this little girl that drives the suspense forward, making it that one-day read for me. While some aspects were a little hard to buy into, the conclusion delivered a satisfying, gratifying payoff.
I read this with Debra and Mary Beth and we all love it!!
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley....more
There are a few authors whose distinctive writing styles have left an impression on me, and among them is Samantha Downing. Once again, the reigning qThere are a few authors whose distinctive writing styles have left an impression on me, and among them is Samantha Downing. Once again, the reigning queen of twisted relationships has created characters with hidden depths to their cunning intentions that enthrall me from start to finish.
Ivy and Wes's relationship captivated me with their cunning wit that had me laughing out loud and their skillful manipulation that had me on my toes trying to figure out what they would do next. Their dynamic is like a tornado that you can’t run from, pulling those around them into their messy whirlwind of deceit. Samthana delves into the complexity of Ivy and Wes's relationship, opening up questions about what constitutes toxicity within a relationship. She has all those exciting elements of obsession, manipulation, vengefulness, and deception in love at play. She creates plenty of suspense about what might constitute as toxic in their relationship as she drops those clues that come together in that unexpected way she is known for, delivering a satisfying payoff that had me thinking about it well after I finished.
A traveling friend read that gave us plenty to talk about.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley....more
Brenda ~The Book Witch at Witch Words
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