ARC Review: The Ghost Goes to the Dogs

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

The Ghost Goes to the Dogs by Cleo Coyle

When a dog will not stop barking outside Penny’s bookstore, she follows it to find its owner, a beloved community member has been shot. Though clinging to life, the woman is unable to say who shot her. With the help of her store’s resident ghost, Penny is determined to solve the mystery, all while juggling her town’s Pet Week.

This is a fun and unique series with the addition of the ghost, who always takes Penny back in time (through her dreams) to a case he solved in the past as a private eye. I loved all the dogs in the story too, being a dog owner myself. There were some genuinely funny moments, as well as some genuinely touching ones, and the ending had a lot of suspense. While not my favorite entry in the series, I still enjoyed it.  

ARC Review: Dressed to Drill

 I received a copy 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. 

Dressed to Drill by Kate Carlisle

Shannon Hammer and her crew are working on renovating an old church, turning it into an art museum. But when a dead body is found on the first day, Shannon finds herself right in the middle of a mystery again.

I loved this book, it was so much fun. There’s a glamorous movie premiere, a mysterious old church hiding secrets, a strong female protagonist, a charming romance, and a compelling cast of side characters. This has me wanting to read every book in this series. I definitely recommend this cozy mystery. 

ARC Review: The Ferryman

 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. 

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

The rest of the world is falling apart, but Prospera is a safe and seemingly wondrous place. When the monitors implanted in your arm monitoring your mental and physical health drop below a certain percent, you simply “retire” and are born anew, into a new body, with none of the memories of your previous life.

Proctor’s job is to help people through the retirement process, though sometimes he has to use force when someone doesn’t want to go. But Proctor’s monitor is dropping quickly, and his life isn’t seeming as routine as it once did. Prospera isn’t seeming the same either.

This is very far from the type of book I typically read, but I’m glad I did. I’m still not sure I completely understood everything I read, but let’s put it this way-I had no clue I was reading a 560 page book because I was so invested in the characters and what was happening that the read didn’t feel long. Cronin has a great writing style. If you’re looking to read something different than what I typically review here, check out this book. 

April ARCs!

 

I received ARCs of these books from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the books or my reviews themselves.

Dirty Laundry by Disha Bose 

When Ciara, a mother and social influencer, is discovered murdered, everyone’s secrets are fair game. Bose focuses on Ciara, but also on Mishti and Lauren, two other mothers in the neighborhood. Mishti, who Ciara claims as her best friend, is from India and living in an unhappy arranged marriage, while Lauren is looked down upon as a mother and ostracized because of Ciara’s opinion of her. All three have crucial things to hide.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters all felt very real, even Ciara when we got glimpses behind her perfect facade. The mystery of who killed Ciara was really suspenseful as well-there were so many possible suspects. The ending was a real shocker and has stayed with me. I would recommend this book.

Come See the Fair by Gavriel Savit 

Set during the World’s Fair in Chicago, readers meet Eva, a young orphan who has been participating in false seances to earn her keep. But when she makes a friend and finds herself at the Fair, she soon discovers magic is real and that a mysterious magician has an interest in her abilities. Even magic has a price, however, which Eva unfortunately discovers, and it may be too late to fix what has been broken. 

This book was okay. Eva was a strong female character, which I appreciated, and the descriptions of the magic house and the World’s Fair were very cool. But I really didn’t like one of the major plot points, which brought the book down for me. This just doesn’t feel like one of those books meant for younger readers that also translates well for adults.

A Tidy Ending by Joanna Cannon

Linda’s life seems quiet and mundane, the same old same old every day. But then she starts receiving catalogs for the previous owner of their house, and imagining a glamorous world where she befriends the woman. Also, her husband never seems to be home whenever another young girl goes missing.

This book really surprised me. I honestly didn’t know where it was going, and was really shocked with where it ended up. I would recommend this book.

The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda 

I love Megan Miranda’s books, and this one was no exception. 

There were nine survivors of the horrific van crashes. Then eight. Then seven. As their numbers dwindle, the remaining survivors continue to meet once a year on the anniversary of the crash, but this year seems especially fraught. Something is going on, and if they don’t figure out what, more survivors may find themselves dead.

This was such a good book. Miranda always uses flashbacks brilliantly and she does so again here. The book is absolutely taut with tension and suspense, and I could not put it down. I definitely recommend this book. 

The Cherished by Patricia Ward

Nothing about this situation feels right to Jo. She has somehow been left her grandmother’s house, but more than that, she has been left a letter that scares her with its implications. 

This book has an overarching sense of dread that is really powerful. It’s definitely not a light read, but it’s a well-written suspenseful one, and one I recommend. 

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust by Mindy Quigley

This is a cozy mystery series centered around a deep dish pizza restaurant, and its owner, Delilah O’Leary. In this entry, a smoothie at a neighboring restaurant is poisoned, and said restaurant just happens to be owned by the new girlfriend of Delilah’s ex-fiancé. 

Here’s the thing with this series-it’s good. I just don’t love it the way I love some other cozy mystery series. Quigley delivers a fine read, but it’s not must read for me. 

ARC Reviews: The New One, and The Soulmate

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

The New One by Evie Green

When their daughter, Scarlett, falls into a coma after being hit by a car, her parents agree to have a copy of her made. Rewarded for this with a new, very comfortable life where they have their ideal version of their daughter, Tamsyn and Ed are happier than they were before.

But then Scarlett wakes up. 

I wouldn’t normally choose a book this science fiction, but I really enjoyed this one. There were so many twists and turns, two of which especially shocked me. I definitely recommend this book.

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

Gabe and Pippa didn’t realize their home faced a preferred spot for those looking to jump to their deaths. Gabe embraces this, talking people off the cliff. But one night he is unsuccessful, and it turns out he knew the victim.

Hepworth always writes a solid psychological suspense read, and this is no exception. The multiple perspectives work really well, and the twists are really surprising. I definitely recommend this book.