ARC Review: Heart of Glass

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

Seaside, and its amusement park, Wonderland, are places where bad things happen. When a tv show covers a serial killer who supposedly struck in Seaside, secrets from the past are brought into the light.

This was a good book. 

I loved that the characters were so well-developed and distinct. The reality tv star who was originally from Seaside might just be my favorite character. Even the “bad guys” were multilayered.

And the ending! One of the twists actually made me gasp out loud, I was so surprised. I called absolutely no part of the ending, which is always a pleasant surprise as well. 

I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: What Happened That Night

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

In this book, when a group of former friends are brought together by the member who was just released from jail, a murderer strikes. The detective must look to their pasts to solve what has happened in the present. 

I love the trope of a group of friends with a secret (or secrets!). Nicci French does a great job with taking a familiar trope and adding twists. I absolutely did not predict the ending. 

I also really like how the detective was woven into the story. She was an interesting, complex, compelling character in her own right, and more likable than a lot of the other characters (who were supposed to be unlikable). 

I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: The Escape Game

 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.

A contestant on this show was actually murdered on the set, and yet The Escape Game continues to air another season.

For which I was glad.

This fictional show is at the center of an intriguing mystery. You feel like you are actually watching the show. There are clues, red herrings, twists and turns, and scares. The suspect for the murderer-the murder victim’s sister-is back to play the game again. The other people on her team are compelling and get you to root for them right away. The ending is well-played and makes sense looking back. 

I would recommend this book. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel!

ARC Review: Death at a Firefly Tea by Laura Childs

 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. 

In this latest Laura Childs’ book, Theodosia and her wonderful tea shop employees throw a Firefly Tea. But when someone is poisoned at the tea, Theodosia and her friends begin their own investigation. 

I love these books. They are absolutely the epitome of cozy mystery books. Theodosia is a strong female lead, and every member of the town are unique and compelling characters (even the very few who drive me crazy). The town is its own unique character, full of lovely small shops and creative events. 

The mystery is a good one too, with twists and turns, and a lot of plausible suspects. I did predict the killer, but not until I was pretty far in, and even then it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. I would recommend this book. 

Review: Let’s Not Go Overboard Here

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

Reality tv loving, pop culture obsessed, Melanie Hoffman has lost her best friend. When work forces her to take a vacation, she sails to Greece with her friend Vish on a yacht. But when someone disappears, and nobody else seems to care, Melanie takes it upon herself to solve the mystery.

The pop culture aspect of Melanie is so fun. I love the way it was weaved in, and it kept the story lighter. The parts about the best friend were painful to read, and got me teary. The author does a good job of balancing that lightness and darkness. 

The mystery is a good one with a surprising ending. I really enjoy when a book can still surprise me. The romance was fun and well woven in as well. I would recommend this book. 

The Summer Fun Massacre (ARC Review)

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

This is the book version of a slasher film, and it is good.

In the 1980s, there was a horrible massacre at a summer camp. Now that summer camp is reopening, and something horrible appears to have happened there again. A cop, whose girlfriend was the only one left alive at the site of the 80s tragedy, is determined to figure out what exactly is going on. But he may be up against forces he does not understand. 

This is not a book for the faint of heart. I watch horror movies through my fingers or just close my eyes when the gory parts happen. There were times in this book I wished I could do just that. The descriptions are very gory, but fit with the book instead of just being for shock value.

This book was scary too. It really read like a slasher story. The overarching mystery and reveal are very good, and the characters are really compelling due to all they have gone through. I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: Cross and Sampson

 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. 

I love the characters of Alex Cross and John Sampson. I have since the first book they were in together. I will read anything they are in. And this book did not disappoint.

While Cross and Sampson are involved in different plot lines in different states, their connection as best friends remains pivotal. Both plots are strong-one Alex’s missing son, one a serial bomber case-and both have so many excellent twists and turns. 

While both plots are compelling, I think Alex’s had me most invested, because we have watched his son grow up in the books. But John’s was so harrowing and felt so immediate that I couldn’t stop flipping pages. I haven’t really been a fan of two of the most recent Patterson’s I’ve read, but this book felt like Patterson was back. I would recommend this book.