ARC Review: The Storm

 I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

Lo Bailey was known as the murderous mistress, a nineteen year old who killed her wealthy boyfriend from a legacy family during a hurricane. But did she really do it? Now she’s suddenly back in the small town she grew up in, author in tow, staying in the Rosalie Inn. 

Geneva is the owner of the Rosalie Inn, which has survived many generations of her family and many hurricanes. As she gets tangled in Lo’s story, Geneva learns Lo may be hiding more than anyone ever knew. 

There’s a lot going on in this book, but Hawkins manages to make it all work. These are really complex characters, each with their own emotional backstory, that all weave together in a way that both surprises and makes sense. The storms feel like characters themselves, monstrous and ever looming. The ending packs a punch. I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: The Locked Ward

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Amanda has just found out she has a twin sister-and that her twin sister Georgia may be a murderer.

Georgia, accused of murdering her adoptive parents’ biological daughter, is now locked away in a psychiatric ward (hence the title). When Amanda comes to visit her, Georgia insists that she is innocent. Amanda must balance her twin’s wealthy family and the uncertainty she feels regarding Georgia’s innocence in an attempt to discover the truth. 

I always like Pekkanen’s books, and this was an enjoyable read. Mix in wealth, power, a previously unknown twin, uncertainty about innocence, and compelling characters, plus Pekkanen’s writing style, and it’s going to be a good book. It’s not my favorite of Pekkanen’s, but I would recommend it. 

ARC Review: The Wasp Trap

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

The death of their professor/former boss brings a group of friends back together for a dinner party. But they realize that they have really been brought back together by someone living, someone who has it out for them due to the program they were working on-a dating site that was also useful for identifying psychopaths. The group must reveal their deepest, darkest secrets to everyone present, or else they will have to vote on which one of them dies next.

The tension in this book, as one can imagine from the premise, is almost unbearable. I love the secrets being revealed from the past trope, and this book certainly delivers. The flashbacks flesh out the characters and secrets, and the ending packs a twisted punch. I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: Smile for the Camera

 I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Ella was the Final Girl in a slasher movie that has become beloved by fans. But something happened on set, something that caused Ella to quit acting and retreat from the spotlight. Now Ella has returned for a documentary about the movie, back on the set with her castmates. But people are suddenly dying in real life like they died in the movie, and no one knows what is truly going on. 

This was a good read with a lot of suspense and scares. I’ve watched a lot of slasher movies, and this book felt like one, with the same dramatic deaths and horror-filled moments. I absolutely did not see the multiple twists near the end coming, and the twists were highly satisfying and creepy. I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: The Killer Question

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review.

I love Janice Hallett books, and have from the very first one. I buy them, re read them, and always enjoy them. I have my favorite (The Appeal), and my least favorite (The Twyford Code), but no matter which book of hers I am reading, they are always enjoyable. 

This book comes a very close second to being my favorite Hallett book. 

The Killer Question has a brilliant setup. What happens when, at a pub, one team suddenly appears at Quiz Night, and starts getting perfect scores every time? How could this possibly lead to murder and mayhem?

But it does, shown through text messages, emails, trivia, and the like. There are so many great twists and turns, and because of the format of the book, readers feel like they are discovering the twists right along with the characters. I would absolutely recommend this book. 

ARC Review: The Carpool Detectives

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

This is an absolutely fascinating true crime book. A group of moms came together during the pandemic, linked together by a common cause-a cold case over a decade old. They weee determined to solve the case, unknowingly putting themselves in danger along the way, but never giving up.

This true story is a very unique one. I had never heard of the cold case, but it was a particularly twisty one with lots of surprises. These moms are amazing, continuing to live their lives full of responsibilities while still putting their absolute all into finding justice for two people gone too soon. I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: A Particularly Nasty Case

 I received a copy of this book from Novel Suspects and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

Eitan Rose, a doctor struggling with his own mental health plus a troubled past, is convinced the medical director did not die of natural causes. He launches his own investigation, which only seems to land him in more trouble. At least he’s got his new relationship with Cole, a porter at the hospital, to keep his spirits up as he continues his search for the truth. 

I wanted to love this book, but for some reason, I just didn’t. I didn’t dislike it, I liked it fine, but I had trouble getting into it. I was actually reluctant to write this review because I really can’t put my finger on what kept me from really enjoying this story. Even though I called the twist, I did really enjoy the way it played out. I would give this book three stars.