ARC Review: The One That Got Away with Murder

 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 One That Got Away with Murder by Trish Lundy

Everyone believes Trevor and Robbie Cresmont killed their girlfriends. Lauren, new to town, with her own murky past, begins hooking up with Robbie before learning about the persistent rumors. Will she ruin her life again, or lose it?

This book has some very compelling, complex characters, and the relationships between them are so important and feel so real and relatable. We’ve all struggled with beliefs and experiences in our lives, even if they are not to the extremes in this book.

The mystery is a great one-I was completely shocked by the ending. Lundy definitely knows how to write twists and turns. I would recommend this book.  

ARC Review: The Mystery of Locked Rooms

 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 Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie 

Sarah, West, and Hannah are best friends who rock at escape rooms. But when Sarah’s house sports a foreclosure notice, the three are extra motivated to beat what may be the greatest escape room of all-an abandoned funhouse rumored to have a treasure at the end for anyone who can beat it.

This was an extremely fun middle grade read. I love escape rooms, so reading how they beat each room was great. The characters are so engaging and so easy to root for. There’s a level of mystery surrounding the funhouse that just adds to the enjoyment of reading this book. I would definitely recommend this book. 

ARC Review: Darling Girls

 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. 

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are as close as sisters, raised together in a seemingly idyllic foster home. But their past was far from perfect, and it still haunts them to this day. When, in the present, a body is found under their old home, secrets threaten to spill out.

Hepworth really cleverly uses point of view here, especially in the mysterious therapist sessions. We get backstory from multiple characters, which really helps build up the world of the book and keeps the suspense going.

The reveals took my breath away, especially the last one, which still haunts me. This is really an expertly plotted and well written book, that will keep readers engrossed and constantly second guessing. I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: The Gathering

 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.

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor

I’ve been a fan of Tudor since The Chalk Man, and this book did not disappoint. In the world of the book, vampires and humans both live on the earth, but the vampires live in Colonies and most humans desire their end. When a human boy is killed, the village calls for a cull, a complete destruction of the Colony near them. It is up to Detective Barbara Atkins to determine what truly happened, and if a cull is warranted. 

This was one eerie book, especially given the Alaskan setting which means a lot of darkness. The mystery is a really good one, with lots of twists and turns, especially the ending. Tudor explores really well who is the more bloodthirsty, the vampires or the humans who want to kill all the vampires. This is a complex, thoughtful, suspenseful and creepy book I would definitely recommend. 

ARC Review: A Game of Lies

 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. 

A Game of Lies by Claire Mackintosh 

Reality show contestants find out they are in fact on a show about exposing their deepest, darkest secrets. Then a contestant disappears. Detective Ffion Morgan is already on the case when a murder occurs and everything is thrown into even more turmoil. 

I really liked this book. I love the concept, a favorite subgenre of mine is reality show mysteries/thrillers. Ffion is such a great leading character, really strong and smart with some relatable flaws. Her possible burgeoning romance with another character, carried through from the first book, is well worth rooting for. The mystery is also a strong one with great twists and turns. I definitely recommend this book-but read the first one first. 

ARC Review: The Angel Of Indian Lake

 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 request itself. 

The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones

The final book in The Indian Lake Trilogy, we are once again with Jade Daniels, final girl and (sometimes reluctant) protector of Proofrock. If you haven’t read the first two books in the trilogy before reading this one, you absolutely must to follow this one. I did not remember enough, and so was frequently confused, but that was a me  problem, not a book problem.

This book is scary. It’s also very gory, which is hard to stomach at times. There was a death that left me furious and deeply sad. This book was a fitting conclusion, continuing Jones’ intertextual conversations on race, gender, ownership of land, and what is passed between generations. I would recommend this book if you read the first two and liked them. 

ARC Review: Dead Girls Walking

 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 the review itself. 

Dead Girls Walking by Sami Ellis

Temple’s father is an infamous serial killer, and he finally confessed to her that he killed her mother. Now Temple is a counselor at an LGBTQ+ WOC camp in her father’s former hunting grounds, determined to find her mother’s body. But those woods contain far more than Temple could ever have seen coming, and soon she and the campers are being hunted. 

This is one very spooky book. While I wasn’t always sure I completely understood the rules of the world Ellis created, I got more than enough to be scared. The plot is very compelling too, and all the main characters are LGBTQ+ WOC. I would recommend this book.