ARC Review: The Murder at World’s End

 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 itself. 

Halley’s Comet is approaching, and the Viscount of Tithe Hall has concerns-concerns that center around the apocalypse he is sure is coming. Instead, he is found dead in a sealed room the next morning, everyone else having been sealed in to their rooms as well. 

This is such a great, fun mystery. The characters are all so unique, especially the under-butler Stephen Pike, and his partner-in-crime-solving, the eighty year old tough as nails Miss Decima Stockingham. They are both extremely compelling characters. The world building is excellent as well. 

The mystery being a locked room mystery means it’s already one of my favorite types of mysteries, but than in Ross Montgomery’s more than capable hands, it becomes a really great read. The ending completely shocked me. 

I would absolutely recommend this book. 

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.