It is rare that I would start off a book review with a trigger warning, but this book really needs it. Please be aware that 16 dead horses are discoveIt is rare that I would start off a book review with a trigger warning, but this book really needs it. Please be aware that 16 dead horses are discovered immediately at the beginning of this book. The horses were found dismembered and mutilated.
Sixteen Horses is set in the English seaside town of IImarsh. Ilmarsh is a small, dreary town that has been all but forgotten in England. After the discovery of the sixteen horses by a farmer and his daughter, Detective Alec Nichols and Veterinary Forensics expert Cooper Allen are called in to investigate.
Sixteen Horses is very atmospheric and I can picture a person reading it on a dark and rainy day in the Fall. However, the story felt disjointed to me. And the characters are a bit predictable.
This is Greg Buchanan's debut novel and I plan on reading his future writing.
Thanks to Netgalley for the audiobook, the audio is still "tinny" via the netgalley app....more
A House at the Bottom of a Lake is YA Horror that I had such a fun time reading! It's a quick read at just over 200 pages. I recommend curling up in yoA House at the Bottom of a Lake is YA Horror that I had such a fun time reading! It's a quick read at just over 200 pages. I recommend curling up in your favorite reading spot, have a couple of hours to binge, grab your favorite drink, and most importantly don't ask how or why!...more
This is my first time reading a book by M. William Phelps. I will be taking a look at his true crime backlist. His writing really flows.
We Thought4.5⭐
This is my first time reading a book by M. William Phelps. I will be taking a look at his true crime backlist. His writing really flows.
We Thought We Knew You is about the death of Dr. Mary Yoder. Drs. Mary and Bill Yoder are the joint owners of a Chiropractic practice. They both work part-time and their son's girlfriend, Katie Conley, is the business manager. Katie and their son, Adam, have had a tumultuous, on-again off-again relationship. They met when they were 18 and 20 respectively. In 2015, Dr. Mary (her nickname) is working when she suddenly gets ill and goes to the hospital because she needs fluids. Within 24 hours and multiple cardiac arrests, Dr. Mary passes. The doctors and her family are desperate to figure out what happened. After a few weeks of investigating, the medical examiner determines that Dr. Mary was poisoned. I will not say that We Thought We Knew You is an unbiased examination into what happened to Dr. Mary. The author does lay out all the potential suspects, her husband, her son, or Katie, or even a combo of the above. But the author is also very clearly indicating that only one person makes sense.
Spoilers Below:
Kaitlyn (Katie) Conley has been convicted of the crime and Phelps lays out the evidence that points to the facts she clearly premeditated this crime. Katie is clearly a narcissist and the author points out comparisons between Katie Conley and Jodi Arias. Unfortunately, Katie still denies committing the crime and has many supporters that believe her. Because of this, Katie has never said why she killed Dr. Mary. Probably revenge against Adam, but we don't know if she intended to kill her or just make her very ill. Because of Katie's young age and clearly does not have any empathy, I have serious concerns about her ever being released. She has been convicted to 23 years and will only be 47 when released if she serves her entire sentence....more
Badger lives in his Aunt Lula's brownstone, when a skunk suddenly shows up and indicates that Aunt Lula offered to let Skunk move in. Badger was unawaBadger lives in his Aunt Lula's brownstone, when a skunk suddenly shows up and indicates that Aunt Lula offered to let Skunk move in. Badger was unaware of these plans and immediately believes that it is a bad idea. As expected, Badger does not like Skunk.
I believe that the lesson that the author is trying to teach is about prejudice. Badger does not like Skunk because he is a Skunk. Unfortunately, I did not like Skunk because he is rude and bossy. The ending brings Badger and Skunk together as friends and roommates, however I felt like Skunk was a terrible roommate. Just because Badger realized that he was being prejudice, did not mean that he needed to put up with all of Skunks whims.
I always want books that teach children lessons about tolerance, however this one did not work for me....more
Every single time I think I'm tired of WWII historical fiction, I discover another one that I love!
I listened to the audio book narrated by Saskia MaaEvery single time I think I'm tired of WWII historical fiction, I discover another one that I love!
I listened to the audio book narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. She did an absolutely fabulous job narrating this book. Her voice and storytelling really added to my enjoyment.
The Rose Code takes place in Bletchley Park, located north of London, during WWII. Mab, Osla, and Beth are roommates with starkly different backgrounds. They are working together at a deeply secret facility where they spend their time breaking code and intelligence being transmitted from the Russians, Germans, and Italians. Each of these ladies are brilliant in their own ways and The Rose Code highlights their struggles with where they fit in the world, the war, and their futures.
The Rose Code reminded me of a mix between The Crown and Bridgerton....more
I am going to DNF this book at 25%. Prudence is way to arrogant and privileged for me. She seems like junior "Karen". I am not interested enough to seI am going to DNF this book at 25%. Prudence is way to arrogant and privileged for me. She seems like junior "Karen". I am not interested enough to see if she gets put in her place at the end....more
The Future Is Yours told epistolary style using emails, texts, blog posts, transcripts, and news articles. I am a huge fan of this style of writing. IThe Future Is Yours told epistolary style using emails, texts, blog posts, transcripts, and news articles. I am a huge fan of this style of writing. It also includes photos and diagrams that really add to the novel. Depending on how the audiobook is done, I probably wouldn't recommend that route.
For the first half of the book, I was fully invested in Ben Boyce and Adhi Chaudry's story and invention. I really thought this book would rival Dark Matter or Recursion. It started to fall flat when I couldn't really see a need for the technology. The ending didn't work out for me. There were other story lines that I think needed to be fleshed out.
I also found myself wondering about the stereotypes being portrayed. Adhi Chaudry is a stereotypical Middle Eastern nerd who is uncomfortable with woman and is essentially being used by his friend and business partner, Ben Boyce. Ben Boyce is a black man who essentially ends up being a villain of sorts. I am wondering how people of color will feel about these stereotypes....more
I don't think I care about serial killers and their perspectives. It comes across as blaming their actions on their parents or other outsidDNF at 45%.
I don't think I care about serial killers and their perspectives. It comes across as blaming their actions on their parents or other outside influences....more
I really loved The Lost Apothecary. I told a friend of mine that it was a really good palate cleanser after all the dark and heavy books that I have rI really loved The Lost Apothecary. I told a friend of mine that it was a really good palate cleanser after all the dark and heavy books that I have read lately.
Using alternating timelines we meet Nella in the last 1700s. She is a female apothecary who has committed her life and her career to helping women. Her apothecary is cleverly hidden and all of her business is made via word of mouth. Nella's specialty is creating poisons to help women rid themselves of the men in her life. Present day, we meet Caroline who is on vacation in London. She is supposed to on an anniversary trip with her husband, but after she discovers his affair, so goes on the trip alone. While exploring London, Caroline discovers and old apothecary vial that piques her interest.
I loved reading about these women and seeing how their lives inevitably intertwined. I found Nella to be especially intriguing....more
I listened to The Silver Arrow with my boys (ages 14 and 12) and we all thought it was really fun. We have been listening to a lot of contemporary YA I listened to The Silver Arrow with my boys (ages 14 and 12) and we all thought it was really fun. We have been listening to a lot of contemporary YA with more intense topics, so The Silver Arrow was a nice change of pace. I loved the overall concept that we need to take care of our animals and our environment.
I am really picky about narrators in audiobooks, but Simon Vance does a fantastic job narrating this fun fantasy novel.
My 12 year old gave it 4 stars and my 14 year old gave it 3 stars. Personally, I would give it 4 stars....more
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