The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin is a 2023 Bantam publication.
This book was categorized as a horror/mystery/ Gothic/ Suspense novel. NaturallyThe Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin is a 2023 Bantam publication.
This book was categorized as a horror/mystery/ Gothic/ Suspense novel. Naturally, the ‘Gothic’ part caught my eye. The reviews were a bit mixed, but I thought it might be a good “Halloween” read. (I’m running a bit behind on that holiday- LOL)
As it turns out, the book really isn’t ‘Gothic’ at all, in my opinion, which is something I encounter on a regular basis. There’s a big old mansion- but that’s the only thing that falls into the Gothic category. Because this happens to me every time, I think I might get a Gothic Suspense/Horror novel, I'm hopeful- but skeptical- so this doesn't disappoint me anymore.
Well so much for that...
The premise is a modern one- a social media influencer buys a rundown ‘murder house’ hoping to capitalize on its reputation. The plan is to renovate the house, then sell it for a tidy profit. Unfortunately for the buyers- a married couple with a dark past- things start to go awry immediately. There’s trouble with neighbors, problems in the marriage, but most of all, the house itself is rebelling against the new occupants…
This one was a slow burn for me. I was instantly put off by the language- not one sentence without a colorful metaphor- but before long I found myself becoming more involved in the story and put my reservations to the side- though I still think the story would have been just as effective- if not more so- without the gratuitous language.
But, enough of my sermonizing-
The story does eventually pick up speed and there were times when I was fully invested in it. It has some great twists, and it does have a heavy atmosphere that puts one’s nerves on edge. Unfortunately, it’s a kind of a sloppy- all over the place-that made it a bit too chaotic for my taste, which watered down its full impact.
All that said, this is a quick, nerve wracking read- and would indeed make a great ‘Halloween’ read- or a good book to spend a dark winter night with.
Overall, a bit unbalanced- in pacing and execution- but still effective. I’d probably label this book differently- I thought it was more of a thriller with strong psychological elements- but you can be the judge of that.
3 stars
*I always read the author notes at the end of a book- but if you are one that normally skips over those comments- I would urge you to make an exception in this case. It’s an important statement and I appreciate the author’s courage in sharing her personal struggles while writing this book....more
Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm by Kathryn Springer is a 2024 Harlequin Love Inspired publication.
I only allowed myself a couple of pre-release or new Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm by Kathryn Springer is a 2024 Harlequin Love Inspired publication.
I only allowed myself a couple of pre-release or new release holiday books this year- and this was one of them. What I didn’t realize at the time was that this book was not slated for release until late 2024!! Yikes!
So, here’s what I’m going to do-
I'm going to write a small preview of my review- then post the full review closer to release day:
Overall, this is a light story, but one with some poignancy and depth. It will appeal to younger and more mature contemporary fiction/romance readers, alike!
Broken Genius by Drew Murray is a 2020 Oceanview Publishing publication.
Will Parker’s dreams turned on a dime when a coding error cost a young woman Broken Genius by Drew Murray is a 2020 Oceanview Publishing publication.
Will Parker’s dreams turned on a dime when a coding error cost a young woman her life. Now, a decade later, Will, though massively wealthy, seeks redemption by working as a special agent for the FBI. When he gets an urgent call, he discovers that his long-lost quantum computer has fallen into the wrong hands and is up for bid on the dark web. Not only that, one of the bidders has been murdered and another young woman’s life hangs in the balance. As Will works to solve the murder, his attention is also on recovering his invention before it falls into the wrong hands.
Well, talk about a timely thriller. I rarely read techno-thrillers, but this one sounded intriguing when I put it on my TBR list. Ironically, I decided to read it just as the world is buzzing about AI. Is quantum computing far behind?
This is a fast-paced thriller that plays out at a Comic-Con convention, of all places. It is one part murder mystery, with a team of detectives on board- and one-part high stakes thriller- with the threat of powerful technology falling into the hands of people who would abuse its power.
The dialogue is a bit stiff, and the characters sometimes felt clichéd and unoriginal. It was like they were reading and acting from a television series manuscript at times. The one romantic interlude- if you want to categorize it as such- was completely ridiculous and unnecessary- it was a requisite sex scene- there just to be there- and served no purpose whatsoever.
That said, the story was a much-needed change of pace for me. It was an interesting premise and held my attention from start to finish, with a few twists and turns I never saw coming. It was a nice combination of mystery, action, and suspense.
There is supposed to be a follow-up to this novel- so I’m curious to see what happens next for Will and his quantum technology.
An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo is a 2023 Minotaur Books publication.
As Kate prepares for her wedding, the murder of a young man with a stellar reputAn Evil Heart by Linda Castillo is a 2023 Minotaur Books publication.
As Kate prepares for her wedding, the murder of a young man with a stellar reputation in the community, committed in a most unusual manner, has the chief completely flummoxed. Yet, as she begins looking into the victim’s life, some troubling information comes to light. Did the golden boy have a dark side that got him murdered?
This series is so addicting! This is another dark, well woven story by Castillo. While the novel is moderately graphic on occasion, the real intensity comes by taking the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride. Lots of lurid details that had me wishing I could close my eyes and not have to be reminded of how depraved some people can be.
On a lighter note- but still one that contains quite a few heavy emotions, Kate is about to enter a new phase in her personal life, and this is a good thing. Long time fans will be glad to see these developments and will appreciate the tender moments as family and friends join in the celebration.
Overall, this series continues to deliver nail biting suspense and top notch emotional stories that stick with you long after you turn the final page....more
The Better Homes and Garden New Cookbook is a 2022 IPG Publishing Licensing publication.
Many, many years ago, I was gifted a Better Homes and Gardens The Better Homes and Garden New Cookbook is a 2022 IPG Publishing Licensing publication.
Many, many years ago, I was gifted a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook for Christmas and of all the cookbooks I have on hand-and of all the Pinterest boards, and internet recipe bookmarks I have for recipes and ‘how to’ advice, the ‘Better Homes’ book is the one I use more than any other. So, I was thrilled to see an updated version had been released and did not hesitate to grab it!
I couldn’t have asked for a better update of my favorite cookbook. There are still immeasurable amounts of useful and historic information, beautiful color pictures, and plenty of up-to-date recipes which include plant-based recipes, for example, and provides various cooking methods one can use, like pressure cooking and slow cooking, sheet pans, and more!
I had a blast looking at the ‘then and now’ comparisons- which could also be humorous at times, and had a pop culture feel to it, which was not only a lesson in history, but entertaining as well.
The recipes are truly meant for the home cook and for everyday use- and offers some ideas on how to take the base recipe and be more creative with it- or make substitutions so that it will work with your personal preferences or diet.
There are so many interesting new dishes alongside the more traditional recipes- there are quick dinners, everyday sides, meatless dishes, soups, salads, sandwiches, meat, fish, poultry, you name it- plus a very handy index!
The Better Homes and Gardens cookbook has the single most helpful cookbook I have ever had- this new addition, though, takes that to a new level.
This is the only practical cookbook you will ever need, most likely and, speaking from experience, it would make a nice gift for Christmas, or a newly married couple, a housewarming- or for anyone who loves to cook… And eat!! ...more
Your guide to not to Getting Murdered in a quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson is a 2021 Ten Speed Press publication.
A must for mystery lovers-Your guide to not to Getting Murdered in a quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson is a 2021 Ten Speed Press publication.
A must for mystery lovers- especially the British variety! Yes, I do love a quaint English village- and of course, crime fiction readers, do know better than to be fooled by the deceptiveness of the bucolic scenery. That is what made this satirical graphic novel so funny. There’s a lot of dark humor, along with many fabulous illustrations, which made this a very entertaining book! This is a quick, one-sitting type of book, and was a nice change of pace.
Overall, I loved this graphic novel and highly recommend it to mystery lovers, of course, and maybe more for those who aren’t aware of the dangers of visiting a quaint English village….
Like a Rolling Stone by Jann S. Wenner is a 2022 Little, Brown, and Company publication.
Meh.
One would think I’d have been a fan of Rolling Stone magaLike a Rolling Stone by Jann S. Wenner is a 2022 Little, Brown, and Company publication.
Meh.
One would think I’d have been a fan of Rolling Stone magazine- but truth be told, I only occasionally picked up a copy, and knew next to nothing about the author before reading this memoir.
I found that, as is the danger of any memoir- but only a real risk if you are a huge fan- that I didn’t like the author, and this feeling only increased as I went along.
I did like some of the pop culture and history, but these parts were often rushed through- though I do understand there were decades of material to wade through, so brevity was occasionally required, especially with this type of presentation, but it poured cold water on any impact these vignettes might have had on the reader.
The book lacked that bittersweet feeling of nostalgia one might expect from looking back over all the history Rolling Stone was a part of- the impact it had on generations of music fans- and the social and political commentaries it was equally famous for. The author seemed to have matured in the reverse sometimes and his approach and tone was incredibly detached. If I’m being honest, I thought it was nearly mind-numbingly dull.
Overall, I wish I’d listened to my instincts and given this one a pass....more
Snowed in For Christmas by Sarah Morgan in a 2022 HQN publication.
Lucy, Ross, Alice, Nico, Clemmie, Fergus, Glenda, Douglas and last, but not least, Snowed in For Christmas by Sarah Morgan in a 2022 HQN publication.
Lucy, Ross, Alice, Nico, Clemmie, Fergus, Glenda, Douglas and last, but not least, Nanna Jean have all gathered for Christmas- except that Lucy is an unexpected guest, having found herself trapped there by a vicious winter storm after she pulls an in person ‘cold call’ with Ross Miller, the CEO of ‘Miller Active’, which specializes in activewear, desperately hoping to snag a new and lucrative account.
Lucy has idealized the Miller family- but soon discovers their ‘perfect family’ image isn’t as perfect as it seems. The Millers also have their share of personal resentments, broken dreams, and doubts and fears- just like everyone else…
I love Sarah Morgan- she’s one of my ‘go-to’ contemporary fiction/ romance authors, these days. Knowing this author, I knew the book would have depth and might not necessarily have the light festive atmosphere of other Christmas themed stories.
Don’t get me wrong, the issues are not all that heavy, really, but… the story is heavy on the drama, if that makes sense. This is SM’s style, no matter what the calendar says. In fact, with a calendar change and few tweaks here and there, this book would work just as well as a 'beach read'. So, while there are holiday festivities- the story does have a bit more levity.
I admit I got caught up in the Miller’s lives, and their various concerns and relationship woes- it was pretty good stuff. If I must make a complaint, it would be that the story was too busy. I’m ashamed to admit that for a while there I almost completely forgot all about poor injured Lucy, who was left alone for an inordinate amount of time. In fact, the characters seemed to have realized this at about the same time I did- and thankfully, Lucy was checked on- and was woven back into the story. So- yes, a few too many POVs and characters, perhaps.
I also thought that Clemmie and Alice’s issues might have been wrapped up a little faster, as well as the Ross/Douglas/Glenda thread- because all these characters have a long history with their family and prospective partners, whereas Lucy and Ross only just met, and spent precious little time alone. Their banter was not terribly playful or sharp the few times they did have a convo, and their romance was terribly rushed.
That said, Morgan is a seasoned pro, and she was able to adeptly bring all the threads together with satisfaction and with a nice happily ever after!
All’s well that ends well, right?
Right!
Oh-and just one more thing, Nanna Jean deserves a special mention as she very nearly stole the entire show!! I loved her!...more
Where Are the Children? by Mary Higgins Clark is a 2023 Pocket Books publication. (Originally published in 1975 by Simon & Schuster)
If I have my infoWhere Are the Children? by Mary Higgins Clark is a 2023 Pocket Books publication. (Originally published in 1975 by Simon & Schuster)
If I have my information straight, this was MHC’s first novel of suspense, which was originally published in 1975. Of course, we all know she went on to earn the ‘Queen of Suspense’ moniker and had a very long, successful career.
I can’t tell you with complete honesty, if I ever read this book before, but if I did, it was too long ago for me to remember- so I'm happy to see the book has been reissued so I can read it before Alafair Burke's follow-up- which I am so excited about!!
(Burke co-authored a series with Clark before her death, so she is familiar with Clark’s style of writing, and I hope she will continue to keep her legacy going. It seems fitting that Burke would begin with a story featuring Nancy's adult children.)
But before I get ahead of myself- let's take a look at this classic:
Nancy was in her twenties when her two children were murdered, and she became the prime suspect. She was convicted of the crime, but was let go on a technicality. She started over, got remarried, had more children, and lived a quiet life off the Cape, hoping a key witness would stay hidden and that she would never be recognized or retried for murder.
Unfortunately, the absolute worse happens when Nancy’s children disappear- again!
For a book written back in the mid-seventies, this story featured some taboo topics, for its time, such a pedophilia, which publishers were apparently concerned about. Though there are some signs of age, this story stands the test of time very well. The suspense is indeed intense, and although I am a jaded reader, I was on the edge of my seat a few times.
Overall, I thought for a first-time suspense writer this book was well executed and fast-paced. I can see why Clark became so popular! This is a quick read and a real page turner, too. I can’t wait to see how Burke continues this story with Nancy’s adult children!
On Gin Lane by Brooke Lee Foster is a 2022 Gallery Books publication.
Everleigh’s fiancé, Roland, surprises her with a hotel he built for her in the HOn Gin Lane by Brooke Lee Foster is a 2022 Gallery Books publication.
Everleigh’s fiancé, Roland, surprises her with a hotel he built for her in the Hampton’s. Though she didn’t ask for this, Everleigh, embraces the role, but then a fire breaks out, putting Roland in a financial bind, and both of them under suspicion, as detectives believe arson might be to blame.
Under the strain, Everleigh’s relationship with Roland, begins to fray, and she begins to second guess her decision to marry him. Meanwhile, Everleigh’s love of photography gives her an opportunity to work doing something that she loves. Yet her family, and Roland, are determined to force her to quit…
As she digs her heels in, Everleigh is becoming more and more certain she’s made a mistake with Roland, but can’t seem to find a way out of her engagement…
Although Everleigh is naïve, and comes from a wealthy family, she spends her summer in the Hamptons growing up and becoming wise. She still must fight with herself about social standings and appearances, duty, and how her decisions will affect her family, but she comes into her own, in her own good time.
There is a mystery, an investigation, and loads of questions about that fire, but for a long time the mystery runs in the background as Everleigh struggles with her failing romance, her desire to break free from the strictures of her life, as she falls under the spell of both her new photography mentor, Starling Meade, and Curtis, a doctor she keeps bumping into.
Once the revelations start pouring out, though, the surprises are stunning, and not nearly as predictable as I expected them to be...
This was a book I had intended to read over the summer-but I crammed too many ‘Beach’ reads onto my summer list, and, sadly, ran out time before I had a chance to read all of them. Usually, I packed all seasonal books away until the next year- but the premise for this one sounded so good, I had to have just one last summer fling before I pack away the summer books for good this year.
I loved the setting, the location, and the quiet way the novel unfolded, the character growth and the pioneers who paved the way for women to have more options in life and step out from behind the shadows of their fathers and husbands to gain more independence and control over their own destinies.
Starling might have been the trailblazer in this story, but though it seemed unlikely, Everleigh also became a trailblazer in her own right, as well.
Overall, I have to say I enjoyed my last beach flirtation, and think this was a lovely swan song for the summer of 2022…
Waco by Jeff Guinn is a 2023 Simon & Schuster publication.
There have been other books published on this subject, and I have been tempted to read one Waco by Jeff Guinn is a 2023 Simon & Schuster publication.
There have been other books published on this subject, and I have been tempted to read one or the other of them over the years, but could never decide how trustworthy they might be- so I passed over them. But when I saw Jeff Guinn had been brave enough to tackle this highly volatile topic, I knew I’d be in good hands.
After twenty years, and many attempts to manage my own emotions about the ‘legacy of rage’, (which I am in full agreement with the author about that), I had forgotten how chaotic the situation was back then. I had forgotten just what it was the Branch Davidians believed and how Koresh touted himself as Christ. The portrait of him painted here is disgusting, vile and beyond chilling.
The first- hand accounts -from all angles- surviving Branch Davidians, ATF agents, FBI, and deep research into David Koresh’s life and his psychological makeup, the powerful influence he had over his followers, and the mounting tension that culminated in the fiery climax of a seven week siege is riveting, but extremely disturbing on many levels.
Guinn’s deep dive is well organized and as always, he sticks to facts, not opinions. My only quibble is that the segments on how Waco is linked to current day cult behavior and certain hardcore cultures, didn’t get the same in-depth attention as the other portions of the book did. It was a connection I wish more people could see and understand.
Overall, I think this must have been a challenging book for Guinn, as even today, there is a murkiness surrounding all that really happened in April 1993, and there will never be any pat answers to those remaining questions.
But, Guinn’s experience in the study of cult leaders is evident as he gives us a much clearer image of Koresh, the mindset of the government agencies involved, and lays out all the various blunders that helped to create a long lasting distrust and paranoia, giving rise to influential conspiracy theorists, and helping to escalate a dangerous culture that has imbedded itself into our country in truly terrifying ways, and shows no signs of slowing down.
Where are the Children Now? by Mary Higglns Clark and Alafair Burke is a 2023 Simon & Schuster publication.
Alafair Burke has written a sequel to MaryWhere are the Children Now? by Mary Higglns Clark and Alafair Burke is a 2023 Simon & Schuster publication.
Alafair Burke has written a sequel to Mary Higgins Clark’s suspense classic ‘Where are the Children? "
In this follow-up, Melissa, who was one of the characters in Clark’s original novel, is now married and a stepmother to an adorable little girl named Riley.
Unfortunately, Riley disappears while in Melissa’s care. Now detectives are leaving no stone unturned, including delving into Melissa’s own kidnapping experience as a child- even suggesting Melissa could in some way be responsible....
Burke definitely captured the atmosphere of Clark’s original novel while putting her own stamp on the story. This book is taut, emotional, and a fast-paced page-turner- impossible to put down. It works just fine as a stand-alone novel, even if you haven’t read Clark’s suspense classic or forgotten the details over the years. It is rated PG and is suitable for all audiences.
Overall, Burke is off to a fine start carrying on MHC's legacy. Looking forward to hearing from her again soon!!
A Killing of Innocents by Deborah Crombie is a 2022 William Morrow publication.
In this nineteenth installment of the 'Kincaid and James' series, a brA Killing of Innocents by Deborah Crombie is a 2022 William Morrow publication.
In this nineteenth installment of the 'Kincaid and James' series, a bright, young medical professional is stabbed to death. But why? The plot thickens when another person in the medical profession is murdered, possibly linking the two cases together. But, what is the connection?
This is one of my favorite British police procedural dramas. As such, it has been far too long since we touched base with Duncan and Gemma- two full years! With all that has happened since then, and the quality of mystery/thrillers, having slid to an all time low, I was so excited to finally get my hands on the latest installment in this stellar series.
Crombie sticks to the tried and true, offering a peek into the private lives of the recurring characters while giving readers a puzzling and compelling mystery to solve. I always like seeing the mystery come together as the detectives do the grunt work required to solve the crimes. This means interviews, research, undercover work, and good old-fashioned legwork. This is exactly what we’ve come to expect with this series and in many ways, it is a relief to pick up a series that delivers, is reliable, and maybe even comforting, despite the dark nature of crime fiction and the occasional heaviness of balancing one’s personal life with a stressful, demanding occupation.
I love that Gemma and Duncan’s children sew, cook, and dance- and even write letters- with a pen and paper- and I like that the detectives do not rely too much on technology- getting out into the field and rolling up their sleeves.
While I do appreciate all these things, and even find them refreshing, if I’m being honest, there were also a few times I thought actions or elements in this book were a little too old-school.
This caused me to have a flicker of concern, worrying that reliability could easily become predictability- and as much as it pains me to say this, there was a faint whiff of staleness in this installment. Gemma is in a rut- and her only significant role in the investigation had a rusty quality to it. Her boredom jumps off the page so I was happy to see her realize some changes are in order, giving me hope that the next chapter will have a little more of that old spark.
That said, despite seeing a few signs of wear- the series hasn’t faltered just yet- and this is still a very solid effort by Crombie. I always love touching base with these characters, and the book delivered in every way I needed it to. The mystery was interesting, as was the story that developed on the side. As always, I am looking forward to the next chapter in the series- which I hope will come sooner this time- rather than later.
Endless Summer by Elin Hilderbrand is a 2022 Little, Brown and Company publication.
I have accumulated a few of Elin's books, here and there, but didnEndless Summer by Elin Hilderbrand is a 2022 Little, Brown and Company publication.
I have accumulated a few of Elin's books, here and there, but didn’t know exactly where to start- so when I saw this book was a collection of short stories, I snapped it up, thinking it would give me a sampling of the author’s work and maybe point me in the direction I might want to go with her full length novels.
In a way, that is exactly what this collection did for me. I now have a list of books I’ll want to read, and will have this collection to compliment them.
On the other hand, I think this book was really meant for those who are already familiar with the books these stories are linked to, and because of that, I feared I would find out something I might not want to know in advance- and I also felt a little lost, because I wasn't already familiar with these characters, or their backstories. - and, yes, the blurb does mention that this collection has sequels and added chapters, etc. but, I didn't fully grasp the concept..
So, I decided to put this one aside for now and come back to it after I have read a few of the stories this collection adds to.
I will leave as star rating for it at a later date. All that said, I am looking forward to diving into Elin's work more than ever now!...more
Notes on Your Sudden Departure by Alison Espach is a 2022 Henry Holt & Co. Publication.
Sally adores her older sister, Kathy, a teenager who is in theNotes on Your Sudden Departure by Alison Espach is a 2022 Henry Holt & Co. Publication.
Sally adores her older sister, Kathy, a teenager who is in the throws of her first romance, with a boy named Billy. But when a horrible tragedy strikes, Sally is left to cope with the aftermath as she grows into young adulthood, refusing to approach grief in the same way as her other family members- who want to place blame, when really there isn't any.
Sally takes the reader on her personal journey through an unimaginable trauma and the effect it had on her life and the surprising irony of grief, life, and love...
Okay, first, this is going to be more of a ‘professional- critical thinking cap’ review and less of a personal one. This book was marked by some people on social media and book sites as a romance or mystery thriller- and so this was not at all what I was expecting.
So, instead of marinading in my frustration at getting a book I was ill prepared for, I’m going to step back and analyze it a different way.
So that no one else makes the same mistake I did, this book is not a romance, nor is it a mystery or a thriller. It could fit in a YA/Coming of Age category, but be warned that it is not a happy book- not once- not ever- it is unrelenting in its dreariness, and if you are in a bad place, feeling depressed, or if gray, overcast days affect your mood, this might not be the book you are looking for at this time.
Okay, that said…
The story is a well-written, and quite effective in describing how a tragic event can utterly upend a person’s life, turn them into someone else entirely, and how that also has a domino effect all its own.
I know I said I wouldn't make this personal- but I knew of someone who had a similar experience and carried so much guilt because of the misplaced blame they placed on themselves, and the blame laid at their feet by others who were struggling with their own grief.
So, in a distant way I could relate to the situation written about here and understand the various emotions described in the book, and how over the years, these feelings linger, ebb and flow with intensity- or morph into other things over time- with forgiveness and acceptance setting in- in the best case scenario.
This story also includes a love story of sorts- not a romance- at least not in the typical or traditional sense, but I'm comfortable calling it a love story. To say it’s complicated is an understatement, but it works spectacularly in the most bittersweet way imaginable.
While I grumbled through much of this story, whining at it's depressing and heavy nature, by the time I turned the final page, I did have a better perspective, and felt a bit of my own gloom begin to lift.
If I had known going in what to expect, I would have been better prepared emotionally and probably would not have struggled so hard with this one.
I wish the circumstances had been different in this instance because this really is a thought-provoking, and powerful drama.
For that reason, I’m giving the book four well-deserved stars!
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