The Grownup by Gillian Flynn

I was so excited when I heard this was being released as its own standalone novella, and it did not disappoint! Part ghost story, part character study, part signature Gillian Flynn mess with your mind, The Grownup is a quick, gripping read that will creep you out and leave you thinking about it for days.

The narrator is a young woman posing as a psychic, who sees easy money when a mother walks in begging for her help. But soon the woman discovers that everything her new client is saying about her haunted house may just be true...

The Grownup is Flynn finding her voice, so its not as absolutely amazing as her other books are. But it is still really, really good. I highly recommend it.

Home for the Homicide by Jennie Bentley

This cozy mystery features Derek and Avery, a husband-and-wife home renovation team with a tendency for stumbling on dead bodies. In Home for the Homicide, Avery finds something shocking in the attic of a home they're renovating, that stirs up a missing persons case from decades ago.

Avery and Derek are fun protagonists, and a very sweet couple. They do come across as almost too perfect, a trend I've noticed in some genre mysteries, with Derek a former doctor who is now an expert home renovator, and Avery being able to learn how to make Tiffany-style glass lamps in an hour. But their charm outweighs any of their unrealistic tendencies, and the mystery is an interesting one with a great twist in the last few chapters I didn't see coming.

I would definitely like to read more of this series, I found this book a lot of fun!

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo

This is not a light holiday read. The Snowman is a serial killer who strikes on the first snow of the year, and uses macabre snowmen as his calling cards. Harry Hole, an alcoholic policeman who can't commit to recovery, sees himself as being personally challenged by the crazed killer, and sets out to stop him once and for all.

Flashbacks are used really effectively here, to heighten tension, and to make the twists even more shocking. You'll want to go back and read certain parts as new revelations are brought to light. I honestly did not see any of the twists coming, and found them shocking while still making sense within the way the story has been set up.

I was a little reluctant to pick this book up because of how dark I thought it would be, and it was very dark, but it was also an excellent read. I would definitely read more of Nesbo's novels.

P.S. Happy Holidays everyone!

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop! (US)

I'm so excited to be participating in my first giveaway hop! I will be giving away a copy of....

I read this on my vacation this past spring, and thought it was amazing, and now would like to share it with one of my readers!

Rules are as follows:

Must reside within the US (sadly, I am unable to ship international, I am really hoping I will be able to someday in the future)

 Ends December 31st, 2015 at midnight CST

Open only to those who can legally enter

If you are a minor, you must have your parents' or legal guardian's permission to enter.

The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter, and announced here as well as e-mailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

You must check back to see if you have won.

Please leave questions as a comment on this entry. 

Have fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Also, don't forget to check out my other giveaway, where the winner will get a mystery box of books, including at minimum two ARCS!
My first giveaway :)

And don't forget to check out all the other great blogs hosting giveaways on this hop!

Linky list!

Bryant & May & The Burning Man by Christopher Fowler

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. This did not effect my opinions of the book, or the review itself.

Major financial scandal is the cause of massive riots spreading throughout the city of London. In the midst of this, people are being murdered in ways that combine both fire and ancient forms of punishment from London's history.

Arthur Bryant, John May, and the rest of the Peculiar Crimes Unit must work to figure out who exactly is behind what could be a terrifying far-reaching conspiracy, and stop the murderer before he brings London down in flames.

This was my first experience with the Peculiar Crimes Unit series, and it did what any good entry in a series should. It made me want to read the rest of the books in the series, and soon. The characters were well-drawn and very engaging, and the mystery had a lot of suspense, with a powerful twist ending I honestly did not see coming.

I also really enjoyed the bits of London history slipped in, particularly the section on Jack the Ripper (being a true crime buff myself). The author has a wonderfully wry sense of humor that had me laughing out loud at certain lines.

I would definitely recommend this book. I don't think you need to have the rest of the series to enjoy it, but it will make you want to read the rest of the series.

Five Friday: Five Recommended Books That Start with the Letter "D"

1) Dare Me by Megan E. Abbott

Abbot writes amazing fictional studies of girls and their intense friendships, while also spinning a mystery as well. This book is centered around a high school cheer squad, and what happens when a new coach arrives and a suicide occurs.

2) Dead Famous by Ben Elton

A reality show goes awry when a contestant in a Big Brother-type TV show is murdered on live TV. The killer must be inside the house, but how did they do it, and who are they?

3) Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little

Jamie Jenkins was famous like Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton are famous. But then she was arrested for the murder of her mother. Now out of prison on a technicality, Jamie is determined to remember what truly happened that night, and find the killer herself.

4) Death and the Lit Chick by G.M. Malliet

This is a really fun, clever send-up of the mystery book publishing industry.

5) Death in the City of Light: The Serial-Killer of Nazi-Occupied Paris by David King

A true crime tale steeped in history, this book examines Dr. Marcel Petiot, "the People's Doctor" who was suspected of a string in brutal murders that may have been done under the Gestapo's watchful eye.

What are some books you loved that start with "D"?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Read in 2015

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish !

I went with books I read for the first time in 2015.

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Don't forget to enter my first giveaway, for the chance to win a mystery box of books! There will be at least 1 ARC in there :)

Book Giveaway!