Review: Nothing to Lose

Nothing to Lose by J.A. Jance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title!

Retired homicide detective J. P. Beaumont is still reeling from the murder of his partner, Sue Danielson. Suffering from frequent nightmares, Beaumont revisits his memory of the night Sue’s ex-husband killed her and took his own life. Beaumont still blames himself for not responding more quickly to a call for help from Sue's son Jared. Fortunately, Beaumont was able to help Jared and Sue’s other son, Chris, escape before they came to any harm. Now, 20 years later, Jared arrives unannounced at Beaumont’s house with another request for help. Chris is missing and Jared wants Beaumont to find him. Beaumont doesn’t hesitate to take the case and makes the arduous journey to snowy Homer, Alaska. In his attempt to find Chris, Beaumont stumbles onto another case that just might give him the answers he needs. Jance’s latest Beaumont novel is thoroughly addictive. The plot moves steadily forward, and Beaumont's encounters with many of Homer’s colorful residents add humor and a touch of lightheartedness to the otherwise heavy subject matter. A treat for Beaumont fans, but those new to the series will have no trouble following along. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

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Review: Two Nights in Lisbon

Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Thank you to Library Journal for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.

Ariel Pryce wakes up in a Lisbon hotel room and her husband is gone; no note, no explanation. She exoects John to appear any minute. When he doesn’t show up for breakfast, Ariel panics. She approaches hotel security for help, then the Lisbon police, and finally the American embassy. The police are asking too many questions, and Ariel doesn’t have the answers. Then the ransom call arrives, and a desperate Ariel takes matters into her own hands. Pavone’s newest international thriller (after The Paris Diversion) is as long as it is tedious. Ariel is long-suffering, and her history is laid out in excruciating detail, including her previous marital woes and many heartbreaking sexual assaults. Despite the quick back-and-forth between past and present, and the deluge of characters, the story turns out to have an interesting and unexpected conclusion.VERDICT Fans of Chris Bohjalian’s Cassie Bowden and Camilla Läckberg’s Faye Adelheim may be sympathetic to Ariel’s plight and able to overlook the high page count.
Reviewed by Carmen Clark, Elkhart Public Library, IN , Apr 01, 2022

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Review: The Sacred Bridge

The Sacred Bridge by Anne Hillerman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.

Hillerman’s newest addition to the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series follows Sergeant Jim Chee on a spiritual journey to the sacred Rainbow Bridge near Lake Powell, Arizona. While hiking, he stumbles upon an abandoned campsite and a dead body floating in the water. Further investigation leads Chee on a journey into Navajo Nation, putting his life on the line once again. Meanwhile, Officer Bernadette Manuelito, driving home to Shiprock, New Mexico. is approached by a scared hitchhiker. Before she has the chance to help, the man is run down by an SUV. Shaken, Bernadette volunteers to go undercover to find out more. Her discovery and the subsequent events put her family in danger, causing Bernadette to question her abilities as a police officer. The detailed look at Navajo culture and the history of Lake Powell will drive appeal here. The prose, however, feels a bit wooden at times, but the plot is engaging and will intrigue readers with interest in Native culture. Recommended for fans of the series, which was begun in 1970 by Hillerman’s father, Tony.

— Carmen Clark

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Review: Silver Tears

Silver Tears by Camilla Läckberg
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Thank you to Library Journal for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.

Läckberg's second novel featuring Faye Adelheim, who had framed her husband for murder in The Golden Cage, finds Faye safely hidden away from the world. She feels comfortable leaving her daughter and traveling back to Sweden to enjoy her newfound freedom and wealth. Lavish meals, alcohol-filled evenings, and threesomes with strangers distract Faye enough to miss the hostile takeover of her cosmetics company, Revenge. Gathering her women allies, Faye moves to regain control of her business and keep the secrets of her family safe. Old and new enemies converge on Faye; in order to succeed, she summons the same craftiness that first put her on top. Incorporating issues of feminism, misogyny, emotional and physical abuse, Läckberg's latest reveals new elements of Faye's past to enlighten readers and fill in gaps as the story progresses. The plot, although interesting, is slow and gets bogged down with unnecessary detail. There are graphic sexual encounters and rape scenes, so readers should proceed with caution. VERDICT Läckberg leaves her thriller's conclusion open-ended, signaling the possibility of a third installment. Libraries that own The Golden Cage will want this sequel.

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Review: Mrs. Rochester's Ghost

Mrs. Rochester's Ghost by Lindsay Marcott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Library Journal for the ARC and the chance to review this title!

TV writer Jane’s life is in ruin. Losing her mother to cancer and her boyfriend to another woman was hard enough; now her show has been canceled, and she can’t afford her New York apartment anymore. Luckily, an old friend offers Jane a deal that sounds too good to be true—a beautiful waterfront cottage rent-free, in exchange for tutoring the daughter of infamous entrepreneur Evan Rochester. Jane is undeniably drawn to her new employer, but the puzzling circumstances behind his wife’s death have her scrutinizing everything. This imaginative take on Charlotte Brontë’s Gothic novel has several satisfying nods to the source material, but veers away just enough to create a refreshing new experience. Marcott’s Jane is a formidable protagonist. She’s bright, inquisitive, and at times annoyingly suspicious. Evan is the typical brooding Rochester, and of course, the mystery behind the former Mrs. Rochester holds true to the original. The alternating points of view and brisk plot will hold readers’ interest. Fans of Jane Eyre who enjoyed Rachel Hawkins’ The Wife Upstairs will appreciate this equally enjoyable retelling from Marcott (The Producer’s Daughter).

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Review: City of Dark Corners

City of Dark Corners by Jon Talton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title!

Living in Arizona during the Depression, WWI veteran and former police detective turned private investigator Gene Hammons finds himself on the wrong end of a heinous murder case. A young woman is found dismembered next to railroad tracks with Gene’s business card in her purse. The police department rules it a suspicious death, but Gene is certain it’s much more than that. As he searches for the victim’s identity, Gene begins to unravel her secrets, leading to confrontations with some of Phoenix’s most prominent movers and shakers, both power brokers and criminals. Talton, author of the long-running David Mapstone series (The Bomb Shelter, 2018), set in contemporary Phoenix, shows his range with his first venture into historical mystery. (At the outset, Talton provides a considerate explanation of and warning about his decision to use language from the era.) Gene is an amiable and savvy protagonist, and Talton shines in weaving together the mystery elements of the plots with historical events from the Prohibition period. Fast-paced, gritty, and exciting, this one will have fans of both Depression-era and southwestern-set crime fiction begging for more!

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Review: The Unkindness of Ravens

The Unkindness of Ravens by M.E. Hilliard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Booklist for the ARC and the chance to review this great title!

Meet Greer Hogan—New York City executive turned small-town reference librarian, mystery-novel enthusiast, and grieving widow. When Greer stumbles over a dead body at Raven Hill, a Gothic-style mansion renovated into the town’s public library, she is devastated, both because the victim is a former schoolmate and friend, and also because the corpse isn’t the first one Greer has discovered. Her husband, also murdered, owns that distinction. Naturally, Greer’s proximity to a pair of dead bodies, both of whose murders are unsolved, makes her a person of interest to the police. Using her skills in reference work and taking advantage of help from a sympathetic police detective, Greer begins her own investigation, following clues left by her murdered friend and proving herself to be a gifted amateur sleuth. What Greer doesn’t count on is the killer tracking her efforts and coming after her. Hilliard’s crime-fiction debut is a smash and includes exciting hints at a sequel. Thrilling, fast-paced, quick-witted, and full of nostalgic references to Greer’s beloved literary detectives, The Unkindness of Ravens will please fans of Christie’s Poirot and Marple, Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache, and, especially, Sherlock Holmes. Highly recommended for all library collections.

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The Burning Girls

The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title!

Fans of Gillian Flynn, Tana French, and Jess Lourey will leap at the chance to read Tudor’s new psychological thriller. Reverend Jack Brooks and her teenage daughter, Flo, move from their big-city life in Nottingham to the remote hamlet of Chapel Croft, hoping for a new beginning and some down time. The more Jack and Flo get to know their new neighbors, however, the more they realize a peaceful life is far from their reality. Chapel Croft’s mysterious history involving the sixteenth-century burning of Protestant martyrs is just a drop in the bucket of chaos that awaits. Burning apparitions, the disappearance of two teenage girls, and the cryptic arrival of the former vicar’s exorcism kit force Jack right into the middle of Chapel Croft’s horrific present. Tudor is undeniably talented at producing a slow burn, weaving each piece of the story together to form a creepy yet satisfying conclusion. Jack is a relatable protagonist, stepping away from the stereotypical personality of a vicar by projecting a raw, yet still empathetic, exterior. Gruesome and haunting, The Burning Girls is worth every page turn. Readers will surely be eager for more.

Killer Content

 

Killer Content by Olivia Blacke

Thanks to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title!

Louisiana native Odessa Dean has agreed to cat-sit for her aunt in Brooklyn. With a swanky apartment at her disposal and a new job working at Untapped Books & Café, her outlook is bright. But when a fellow waitress’ death is caught on a viral flash-mob video, Odessa’s time in Brooklyn suddenly takes a more challenging turn. As an avid true-crime-podcast listener, Odessa takes it upon herself to investigate her friend’s death. The police are calling it an accident, but she is convinced otherwise, much to the chagrin of the detective on the case. Blacke’s debut novel is straightforward and entertaining. Her descriptions of the Brooklyn landscape and way of life are vivid, providing the reader with an intimate viewpoint of Odessa’s experiences. The story line drags a bit, and the mystery itself is solved a little too easily, but ultimately readers will be satisfied with the inevitable conclusion. Fans of Louise Penny’s idyllic Three Pines, Cleo Coyle’s Coffeehouse series, or Agatha Christie’s underestimated heroine, Miss Marple, might enjoy this one.

Let Her Lie

 

Let Her Lie by Bryan Reardon

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title!

Theo Snyder was famous once. His documentary, The Basement, became a massive hit and brought all the fame he’d ever dreamed of having. Just as quickly, a scandal brought Theo to the bottom. Looking for a way to find his voice again, he decides to tell the story of the infamous Halo Killer, Jasper Ross-Johnson, a serial murderer facing life in prison. At first, Theo expects Jasper to cooperate, but the further Theo delves into the Halo Killer’s past, more questions arise than answers. Why did Jasper fail to murder his last victim? Who was the woman seen on the beach the night he was captured? Reardon’s mastery at weaving together the strands of a complex psychological thriller is palpable on every page. Theo’s manic foray into Jasper’s life and mind is described in disturbing detail, but this is not the typical murder mystery. Instead of focusing on the gruesome outcomes, Reardon brings forth Jasper’s methods and mind-set, answering the question of why someone would commit such heinous acts. Fans of Gillian Flynn will jump at this one.

Review: A River Called Time

A River Called Time by Courttia Newland
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Thank you to Library Journal for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.

Set in a dystopian London parallel, A River Called Time uncovers the truth about the Ark, a structure built to provide a haven for the aristocracy but is revealed to be so much more disturbing. Markriss Denny has worked hard to win a spot inside the Ark. His enthusiasm wanes immediately when his assigned job revolves around political uprising and government deception. Markriss’ only path ahead is to embrace a newly discovered secret; the ability to leave his body and experience parallel universes beyond physical limitations.

Newland’s premise and his alternative world where Africa was not part of European colonization are both intriguing, however the plot is slow going and never quite reaches the potential teased from the beginning. Newland’s writing is stylish but tends to be overly descriptive, making the explanation of Markriss’ travels to parallel universes confusing and hard to follow. Markriss is a difficult protagonist to connect with, only adding to the disjointed feel of the book. Clearly a missed opportunity on the author’s part. Library collections should pass on this one.


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The Wife Upstairs

Thanks to Library Journal for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title!

https://www.libraryjournal.com/?revie...

*Starred Review* In children’s author Hawkins’s first adult novel, Jane is a wanderer. Newly arrived in Birmingham, AL, she walks dogs for the rich and sometimes famous residents of Thornfield Estates. Jane both envies and despises the women she works for. To them, she is invisible. Luckily for Jane, that means they won’t notice her habit of pocketing their jewelry or bother to wonder if Jane is her real name. When Jane meets Eddie, she sees the opportunity of a lifetime. Handsome, rich, and widowed, Eddie Rochester is Jane’s ticket into a normal life. However, the further Jane molds herself to fit into Eddie’s world of wealth and glamour, the more she is tormented by the memory of Bea Rochester. As Jane digs further, the circumstances of Bea’s death start to slowly morph into a complete picture, but not before Jane gets caught in the middle of a battle already raging.

VERDICT With an even darker twist, this novel delivers a one-of-a-kind take on a well-known gothic tale. In addition to the suspenseful story line, the distorted love triangle and the impassivity of the Thornfield residents will have readers feeling simultaneously discombobulated and fulfilled. Recommended for all library mystery collections.

 

The Woman Outside My Door by Rachel Ryan

Release Date: January 5, 2021

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title

https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Woman-outside-My-Door/pid=9741521

Georgina tells herself that the fact that her seven-year-old son, Cody, has an imaginary friend is no big deal. Having just lost his grandmother, Georgina’s mother, it’s understandable that he would search for comfort in different ways. It’s only when Cody’s imaginary friend, New Granny, starts leaving signs behind—candy wrappers, mysterious phone calls—does Georgina suspect that there could be something more sinister going on. Trying desperately to convince her husband, Georgina searches for tangible proof beyond her maternal instinct. What if New Granny isn’t imaginary at all? Or worse, what if Georgina is losing her mind (she has had mental problems before)? Heralded by Georgina’s delve into Cody’s imaginary world, first-time-author Ryan draws the reader into not only Georgina’s terrifying journey to save her son, but also her marriage and her sanity. Georgina is a fierce, loyal narrator, and the reader won’t be able to resist rooting for her success. Seasoned mystery lovers will recognize similarities to B. A. Paris’ The Breakdown (2017), Mary Kubica’s The Other Mrs. (2020), and A. J. Finn’s The Woman in the Window (2018).