Tag: Blog Tour

Posted on

What She knew (Rijks)-Book Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

I’m of a mixed mind with this book.

On the other hand, it had all of the hallmarks of an excellent psych thriller. But just where everything should have exploded and had me gasping, instead I was just kind of…meh.

Let me try to explain.

For a majority of the book, I’d say at least 85-90%, the author spun a twisted story of secrets, traps, and a pretty darn good mystery.

Stephanie’s university roommate went missing several years prior. Stephanie is now married with two kids and living (what she thinks is) a happy life. Until something happens and the old tragedy becomes new again, bringing up all kinds of memories.

And then things get really weird.

The author does a great job of moving from section to section of the story seamlessly. There are flashbacks throughout the first half of the book that give the reader the backstory of Stephanie and her roommate, Allison.

It’s an effective way of storytelling, as we get to see the action as it happened then, rather than Stephanie just remembering it all. I do like it when an author shows us instead of telling us.

Ostensibly, old wounds are reopened by a documentary filmmaker who is researching cold cases/unsolved crimes. When forced to remember that time period, Stephanie regresses – with nightmares and suspicions hitting her often.

Then a few things occur that turn the story more sinister. This was still well-done. I suspected every character at one point or another, so the author definitely kept me guessing. I even thought there was a touch of gaslighting going on.

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0992PNS9Z
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0992PNS9Z

Where the book failed to deliver (for me at least) was in the climax. The big reveal should have been shocking and breathless. The author had laid such an amazing groundwork, that I expected it to be like a rollercoaster swooping around to the end of the ride.

But right when Stephanie found out what had really been happening, it all just kind of fizzled. What should have been pulse-pounding was just briefly described, and then the wrap-ups were tossed off with a sort “oh well, this happened.”

It’s such a shame because I couldn’t put the book down throughout most of it. But so much was just skimmed over at the end, the villain didn’t even really get to be enough of a villain. And other characters were dealt with in a very abrupt fashion.

I will say that I guessed one of the “twists” fairly early on, but the author did enough to dance around it that I was never quite sure that I was correct until the big reveal. And I’m not sure how I feel about the revelation of a pivotal character.

There was also a character that appeared in a flashback (albeit at a vital moment) who remained in the background until the end. That part didn’t exactly ring true to me but didn’t entirely bother me either.

Overall, I would still recommend this book, because 90% of it was one of the best psych thrillers that I have read this year. I just wish the ending had more oomph to it.

But I will continue to read this author because I think she is solid, and her writing keeps me engaged.

Author Bio:

Miranda Rijks is a writer of psychological thrillers and suspense novels. She has an eclectic background ranging from law to running a garden centre. She’s been writing all of her life and has a Masters in writing. A couple of years ago she decided to ditch the business plans and press releases and now she’s living the dream, writing suspense novels full time. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband, musician daughter and black Labrador.

Posted on

The Woman in the Water (Heard)-BoT-Mystery Suspense-Available Now

This is the second book I have read in as many days that has a character “returning home” in search of the truth about what happened to her sister. Interesting how reading sometimes goes in genres and themes like that.

Anyway, this book is a mystery thriller that verges on the spooky at times. It is atmospheric, the writing is evocative and very descriptive, and there are multi-layered incidents and relationships that are unraveled.

Due to a tragedy, Felicity has to return to the home that she left as a teenager. Her reasons for leaving are slowly revealed throughout the story via flashbacks. The chapters were clearly labeled, and I was never confused as to whether the action was occurring in the past or the present.

I thought she was a complex character. She obviously has a chip (or several of them) on her shoulder due to past events. She felt that her family betrayed her just as her friends did, so she has chosen to forge through life pretty much on her own.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B093ZVNQFFcover
Apple: http://ow.ly/pCZO50EEcJw
Kobo: http://ow.ly/3m2Y50EEcGd
Google: http://ow.ly/dJfM50EF89J

But how much of that is reality and how much of that is her perception – or her self-fulfilling prophecy – is what really makes this story so interesting. There were times that it was difficult to feel sorry for her because she was sometimes her own worst enemy when it came to doing the right thing.

Admittedly, she doesn’t have the easiest time of it. She feels guilty for not being able to talk to her sister more (due to past events) and when she arrives home, it soon becomes apparent that somebody (or more than one person) doesn’t want her there.

Is it because of the current events, or does it have something to do with the past that she ran away from several years prior?

Yeah….no. Not going to tell you.

But her realization about the people who have remained in or returned to town is believable and natural. The author does a fantastic job of dropping hints here and there keeping both Felicity and the reader guessing – and very off balance.

I thought the imagery of water and what a big part it plays in the plot was particularly effective. Whether it is murky and used to hide secrets or a violent but cleansing storm, a placid lake, or a swamp, it is used to great effect throughout the story.

I highly recommend this taut, atmospheric mystery thriller.

Twitter: @kheardbooks
Facebook: kellyheardbooks

Author Bio: Kelly Heard is a novelist from Afton, Virginia. She published poetry in literary magazines before signing her debut novel, Before You Go, with Bookouture.

Kelly prefers writing to most other pastimes, but you’ll occasionally find her in the garden, hiking, or exploring antique shops.

Posted on

Radar Girls (Ackerman)-Blog Tour-Historical Fiction-Available Now

I picked this book up for a few reasons.

1) I like historical fiction.

2) I like new perspectives in historical fiction – learning about known events from a different point of view.

3) I have a soft spot and many fond memories of Hawaii.

One of my strongest memories of my first visit to Hawaii actually involves the memorial at Pearl Harbor, and it’s a place that I always associate with WWII. This made the book even more interesting to me.

The WARD (Women’s Air Raid Defense) program was vital to the War in the Pacific and the author certainly did her research to fully explain the jobs the women were tasked with. This was one of the strongest areas of the narrative. The historical parts were fascinating.

The author also did a nice job with the descriptions of the different women who joined the WARD program. The islands were rife with distrust (for good reason) and it is not unrealistic to believe that the women didn’t always get along, but understood the importance of being able to rely on each other.

I thought that the author captured “old Hawaii” in a very authentic manner. The words were correct (at least from my memory and the few that I looked up). That’s important because I remember how my friends’ grandparents stressed using Hawaiian as much as possible, so it didn’t get lost among new generations.

Buy Links can be found underneath Author Info

I realize I kind of skipped a beat there, but the Hawaiian language has always been magical to me. The words and phrases I learned still resonate in my head often. The same could be said with the locations.

That’s another area where the author did her homework. I could easily picture the different places where the action took place – even though some of the areas have become much more commercial and developed since the 1940s, the relation to each other remains clear.

Less successful in the book were smaller subplots about a horse that went missing the day Pearl Harbor was bombed and some of Daisy’s other personal issues (like with her dad). While they weren’t awful, I thought they were unnecessarily distracting from the main story at hand.

Especially the horse. Pretty sure there were more important things to worry about at the time. But I do understand the importance of a touchstone, as that’s what its purpose seemed to be.

There were also places where the writing didn’t exactly feel polished. I felt that this author’s Red Sky Over Hawaii was slightly more…advanced? That’s not exactly the correct word. Maybe the story in the previous one flowed better?

That’s not to say that this one was bad in any way. In fact, reading both of them will certainly give the reader an excellent feel for World War II Hawaii. It’s a place that was pivotal in U.S. involvement but is often overlooked beyond the one fateful day.

I’m thankful that there are authors like this who work to keep history alive.

Facebook: @ackermanbooks
Twitter: @AckermanBooks
Instagram: @saraackermanbooks

About the author: USA Today bestselling author Sara Ackerman was born and raised in Hawaii. She studied journalism and earned graduate degrees in psychology and Chinese medicine. She blames Hawaii for her addiction to writing, and sees no end to its untapped stories. When she’s not writing or teaching, you’ll find her in the mountains or in the ocean. She currently lives on the Big Island with her boyfriend and a houseful of bossy animals.

Buy Links:

Posted on

One Left Behind (Kovach)-BoT-Crime Thriller-Available Now

I’ve read several of the books in this series, so I thought I knew what to expect in this one (book #9). I was partially right about some of it, totally wrong in my expectations in other ways.

I like how the author picks right up where the action left off from the previous book but also doesn’t dwell too much on detailing past plot points. There are enough references that somebody new to the series wouldn’t be too lost. Usually.

In this case, however, there are some things from Gina’s past that make reappearances and take more of a central focus. In fact, pretty much most of Gina’s personal life is wrapped up in these points in this book.

In some ways, it felt a little bit long in the tooth, because the event in question has been examined at length in past books. And Gina is still dealing with it.

I think I understand the reasons that the author brought it back into focus in a particular manner because there were similarities with the police case Gina was working on. The things that kept occurring made for blurred lines between professional and personal, and caused Gina to steer her investigation in several directions.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B094JXGTC6cover 
Apple: http://ow.ly/YrWh50EJDqZ 
Kobo: http://ow.ly/QthD50EJDlx  
Google: http://ow.ly/W8Ez50EJDwr 
Audible:
UK: zpr.io/98N6wfDbiJgL
US: zpr.io/2diGSZPZegZF

The case itself was okay. I don’t know if it was because teenagers were the main characters or if the story just didn’t grab me, but I didn’t feel the pop that I have felt from past cases with Gina.

Maybe because teenagers always seem to have so many secrets from adults to begin with, it was difficult to understand and get behind the lies and secrets from this group? I’m not sure. Maybe it would have been better if they were adults.

I did like how the characters were human. For example, PC Kapoor still has scars from the last story but is working through them, and the visual scars are lasting longer than the mental ones (supposedly). There is great continuity to be found in these characters and their work.

All in all, I suppose this is a good entry in the series, but not the best of stories. I’ll still look forward to the next outing by Gina Harte, though, because I want to see where her relationship goes with her daughter, and I have become invested in the characters.  

Facebook: CarlaKovachAuthor/
Twitter: ckovachauthor
Instagram: carla_kovach/

Author Bio: Carla Kovach is a crime and horror author from Worcestershire. Her most popular work, the DI Gina Harte series is published by Bookouture. As well as books, she also writes stage and screenplays

Posted on

Her Sister’s Secret (Lynes)-BoT-Suspense Thriller-Available Now

What a twisted story this was. Part psychological thriller, part family drama, with mystery and a bit of courtroom drama added in, it definitely had me enthralled – especially as it picked up speed toward the middle.

The first thing that jumped out at me about this book was the atmosphere that the author managed to create. Usually, that is done through descriptions of places, seasons, etc.

But in this case, I felt it was more through the characters’ actions and stories that related. Ultimately, what was revealed was a multi-layered web of lies created by several different people.

At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of Isla. In some ways, she stayed a little bit of a mystery throughout, because it really wasn’t her story. She was trying to get to the bottom of what had happened to her sister, Annie.

That thread unravels through flashbacks to Annie’s story as told from Annie’s own perspective. The chapters were clearly marked, so there was never any confusion as to whose perspective I was reading or where in time the action was taking place.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B092ZPLBDQcover 
Apple: http://ow.ly/4S2q50EuQ6g
Kobo: http://ow.ly/kawr50EuQ4r 
Google: http://ow.ly/hSzO50EuQ8m 

As Isla asks questions of the people who knew her sister best, what at first seemed to be a straightforward domestic incident soon appears to be much more complicated. I said that she was a bit of a mystery, but I think she was off-balance, not knowing who to believe and not even trusting herself.

I think this was purposeful to keep the reader just as off-balance. It was well-done and a very effective way to relate the story.

For example, Isla constantly wonders how she and her sister could have drifted so far apart from each other, and she struggles with townspeople knowing more about Annie than she does.

However, in Annie’s flashbacks, the reader learns that it’s not just Isla who became distant (physically) but also Annie who became distant because if she talked to Isla about one thing, she would have to admit to other things. And Annie didn’t want to do that.

I’ve said in several past reviews that I am a firm believer in NOT giving spoilers or relating too much as to spoil the experience for other readers. This is certainly the case in point for this book.

I will say that by the time I got to the end of it, I was amazed at the author’s ability to craft a story of love and betrayal, what people put up with to hold on to what they see as love (even if it’s not) and the lengths that people will go to in efforts to protect those who they love.

It was a well-crafted book that held my interest from beginning to end and I highly recommend it.

Posted on

Other People’s Marriages-BoT-Family Drama-Available Now

“Gripping and emotional family drama” is not always my favorite genre. I often feel that there is enough family drama in real life that I don’t need to read about other people’s problems.
However, every once in a while, a book comes along that strikes a chord and makes me realize that all families have their own issues.
This is that book.
Now, I realize that it’s fiction, but this author has a gift for writing approachable stories with realistic characters who have plausible reactions. That’s a fancy way of saying this book is totally relatable and I imagine just about anyone could find something or someone familiar in its pages.
I liked how the author made Steph, Evie, and Teresa distinct individuals. They were clear cut and well-defined.
However, each of them also had a bit of each of the others in them, which only became apparent as later events transpired.
For example, Evie was the “go along to get along” type – until she wasn’t. We didn’t get the realization in actual time (due to the way the plot transpired), but it was an event that was obviously a long time coming. And when it happened, she became more like how she perceived Steph to be.
At the same time, Steph was the Alpha personality who thought she had everything under control, until she realized that she was actually making excuse after excuse to maintain a status quo that made her unhappy.
Teresa seemed to be the floater, not a strong or weak personality, just stable. But she was put in awkward positions multiple times.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2TMD0dN
Apple: https://apple.co/3szP0LV
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2PmzcO5
Google: https://bit.ly/39raEu2

I thought the author’s perspective on friendships and marriages was extremely interesting and well represented. One can never know what is going on in someone else’s life, and making assumptions serves no purpose.
That being said, the book really centers around secrets. Should a person keep a secret from a best friend? Does the severity of the secret determine whether or not it should be shared? Is it ever too late to tell the truth about something? Is a lifelong friendship and automatic allowance to sharing everything, even if something happened decades before?
The author wisely addresses all of these questions through the interactions of Teresa, Steph, and Evie. At the same time, the reader is challenged to evaluate those questions for themselves.
As to plot details, well…look elsewhere. I was more taken by how the author managed to explore friendships and marriages in an entertaining but provocative manner.
This is indeed an emotional page turner with lots of family drama. You’ll be challenged to do some deep-thinking (if you so choose) but you’ll also be captivated by how obviously simple some of the realizations are (once the characters come to them, that is).
Ultimately, it’s an excellent book that is heartfelt and realistic with relatable characters and a plot that will keep you turning pages.

Author Bio:
Kerry Fisher is a million-copy bestselling author. She writes women’s contemporary fiction, is a USA Today bestseller and her books have been translated into twelve languages. She was born in Peterborough, studied French and Italian at the University of Bath and spent several years living in Spain, Italy and Corsica. After returning to England to work as a journalist, she eventually abandoned real life stories for the secrets of fictional families. She lives in Surrey with her husband, and a naughty Lab/Schnauzer called Poppy, who joins in the huge dances of joy when her young adult children come home.

Posted on

Those I Have Lost (Maas)-BoT-Historical Fiction-Available Now

I feel like I have started reviews like this several times, but it bears repeating.

I love learning new things, especially from historical novels. WWII is a popular time setting, and it is very easy to find any number of books featuring some aspect of that particular war. This book is one of them.

It’s easy to get tunnel vision about WWII as well because we tend to think of mainly of England, America, Germany, and France (for the most part) – and again, there are certainly several books that cover the numerous stories from those countries.

However, the setting in this one is truly unique, as I don’t think I have ever read about WWII from the perspective of people in India/Sri Lanka (Ceylon). That alone makes this book worth your time. There’s more to like and discover, though.

The author has a knack for creating strong heroines who face unusual struggles (see Her Darkest Hour). That is definitely the case for Rosie.

When her mother dies unexpectedly, she is thrust into a position that is totally strange to her. Add in WWII and the impact it has on her new home, and it’s a compelling story.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3hnXnpq
Apple: https://apple.co/32xVlfr
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3v5rqHC
Google: https://bit.ly/3tzY5F1

It did take me a while to get into the book. There was a long setup to establish Rosie’s perspective, including much detail about the how and why she ends up where she does. And it takes a very long time for the author to get back to tying in the prologue.

But once WWII begins, the story really takes off. There is excitement, dread, fear, romance…everything you could want from a historical novel.

I will say that if you’re looking for a happy ending, you won’t exactly find it here. But you will find realistic relationships and resolutions. I do like that about this author. She understands that war does not necessarily make for happy or heartwarming endings – but there is a sense of hope.

What stood out most for me were the descriptions. The author gives vivid details of clothing, places, and customs. For me, that almost made it like two novels combined – life in Ceylon in the 1930s and 40s, but with the war added in.

I love the richness of the details in this author’s stories. Her unique settings and perspectives make her favorite, and I highly recommend this book.

Twitter: @sharon_maas
https://www.sharonmaas.com/

Author Bio:

Sharon Maas was born into a prominent political family in Georgetown, Guyana, in 1951. She was educated in England, Guyana, and, later, Germany. After leaving school, she worked as a trainee reporter with the Guyana Graphic in Georgetown and later wrote feature articles for the Sunday Chronicle as a staff journalist.

Her first novel, Of Marriageable Age, is set in Guyana and India and was published by HarperCollins in 1999. In 2014 she moved to Bookouture, and now has ten novels under her belt. Her books span continents, cultures, and eras. From the sugar plantations of colonial British Guiana in South America, to the French battlefields of World War Two, to the present-day brothels of Mumbai and the rice-fields and villages of South India, Sharon never runs out of stories for the armchair traveller.

Posted on

The Beach House (Jones)-Blog Tour-Thriller-Available Now

This is by far one of the most “thinking-person” thrillers that I have read in a long time.

From the opening paragraphs to the thrilling ending, the author delivers a page-turning, thought-provoking, claustrophobic story. I couldn’t put it down – and pretty much ignored everything else I was supposed to be doing in favor of reading this book.

There’s a lot of good stuff here, but (as always) I don’t want to give details away, so I’m going to try to be as vague but specific as possible. Good luck to me.

One of the things that stood out to me while reading this was that the author did a phenomenal job of conveying the fear that Grace was feeling. At any given moment, I could have jumped at a sudden noise, as I became involved in Grace’s caution about her surroundings.

That feeling built slowly, even as it started from the very first scene – who was responsible for the “gift” that Grace found in her kitchen? Was it tied to her past (that she has worked extra-hard to hide) or was it a fluke? Or something in the middle?

I loved how the author wrote Grace. She was complex by necessity, but it was as if there were two different characters – and Grace referred to her old self as if she was a completely different person.

I suppose in retrospect, there’s a little bit of truth there. People constantly reinvent themselves and often feel like they’ve lived several lifetimes. But Grace is something more. She’s tried to bury the past and create an entirely new persona – almost like a self-imposed witness-protection program. Her character was deep and fascinating.

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3zSVNEv
Amazon US:  https://amzn.to/3gSMU6m
Waterstones: https://bit.ly/3qmFtHA 
Hive.co.uk: https://bit.ly/3zR0crv 
Book Depository: https://bit.ly/3d92bOl

Towards the beginning, Grace refers to how people were always part of the little plays she made up in her mind. That could not be more true for the other characters. I constantly felt like everyone else existed to be a part of Grace’s story. As such, we didn’t get much depth to them – but it wasn’t needed. They played their parts.

I also liked how the past event was trickled out over the course of the book. There were no abrupt changes of time or flashbacks. The re-telling of Grace’s past occurs naturally as Grace thinks about it in the present.

I know that sounds a little convoluted, but it allowed the reader to truly have an insight to Grace’s frame of mind, because every part of the story (past and present) was from her, with her feelings and opinions coloring the memories and events.

It was effective and ultimately what kept me involved. I liked that I had to think like Grace to be able to continue reading. It helped that the author has a gift for painting full pictures with her descriptions of people and places (from Grace’s observations, of course). They were fully evocative and encompassing.

Of course, there are big revelations and some excellent plot points (that I will NOT be giving away). But by the time you get to them, you’ll be as on edge as Grace was – so be warned.

Aside from a few ill-chosen references that had no place in the story, I thought this was extremely well-done, and quite a good thriller. If you get spooked easily, you may want to read this one with the lights on. Grace’s fear will do that to you.

Twitter:@bevjoneswriting
Facebook: bev.jones.9083477
Instagram: bevjoneswriting/

Author Info:

Beverley Jones, also known as B E Jones, is a former journalist and police press officer, now a novelist and general book obsessive. Bev was born in a small village in the South Wales valleys, north of Cardiff. She started her journalism career with Trinity Mirror newspapers, writing stories for The Rhondda Leader and The Western Mail, before becoming a broadcast journalist with BBC Wales Today TV news, based in Cardiff. She has worked on all aspects of crime reporting (as well as community news and features) producing stories and content for newspapers and live TV.

Most recently Bev worked as a press officer for South Wales Police, dealing with the media and participating in criminal investigations, security operations and emergency planning.

Perhaps unsurprisingly she channels these experiences of ‘true crime,’ and her insight into the murkier side of human nature, into her dark, psychological thrillers set in and around South Wales.

Her latest novels, Where She Went, Halfway and Wilderness, are published by Little Brown under the name BE Jones. Wilderness has recently been optioned for a six part TV adaptation by Firebird Pictures. Her seventh novel, The Beach House, is due for release in June 2021 under the name Beverley Jones. Chat with her on Goodreads.co.uk under B E Jones or Beverley Jones and on Twitter and Instagram @bevjoneswriting Bev is represented by The Ampersand Agency.

Posted on

Cross My Heart (Hood)-BoT-Serial Killer Thriller-Available Now

By this point (book 12!), you would think that we would be familiar enough with Detectives Kane and Alton that things would feel familiar and comforting, right?

Wrong!

While there is a lot that you can take for granted (especially if you’ve read any number of the previous 11 books) this author has a talent for upping the game each time, making every new installment seem just as fresh as the previous one.

It’s a tough task, especially in a series with this kind of longevity, but I’m always impressed with the author’s ability to keep things moving and non-repetitive.

I’ve made clear in the past how I sometimes have trouble writing reviews of crime thrillers. I truly think they’re best experienced if people come into them knowing as little as possible. I know that others don’t share my opinion, and they often mention spoilers or other bits that can ruin a twist or surprise.

You won’t get that here.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B09297Z5ZCcover
Apple: http://ow.ly/cJHp50En92F
Kobo: http://ow.ly/3Sei50EmlfN  
Google: http://ow.ly/iAs650En95U 

I will say that if you’ve read the past books in the series, you may feel a sense of déjà vu about this one. There’s good reason for it, but don’t for a second think that you will get a rehash of the earlier book.

The author does a stellar job of making everything old seem new again. Yes, there are familiar faces and events, but it doesn’t feel repetitive. The author uses Jenna’s personal growth as a starting point for how she deals with everything this time around.

This is also one of the more atmospheric stories of the series. I’m not sure if it’s because it is set around Halloween? That’s one of those things that can instantly put me in a spooky frame of mind – or at least be more open to the spookiness of what would otherwise be normal events.

As with past books as well, we get alternating points of view throughout. I really enjoy how the author manages to get into the mind of the villain – it gives insight to the motivations as well adding an extra layer of creepiness.

I can’t say it enough times: these stories never get old, and the author outdoes herself each time. As always, even though it can be read as a standalone, this one, in particular, would be best if you’ve read the previous books.

So, go out and grab them first! 😊

Facebook: dkhoodauthor
Twitter: @DKHood_Author
Instagram: d.k.hood/ 

Author Bio:

D.K Hood is THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, USA TODAY, and Amazon Bestselling Author of The Kane and Alton Series. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Australian Crime Writers Association, and Sisters in Crime Australia.

D.K. lives very quietly with her husband enjoys her beautiful garden filled with birds and water dragons. The dogs and cats in her stories are reminiscent of her wonderful companions. Website: http://www.dkhood.com/

Posted on

Just Married (Modglin)-BoT-Psychological Thriller-Available Now

You know how sometimes a book seems familiar – like, you’ve read it before? But you know it’s not possible because it is a new release? And you have that feeling most of the way through the book until there is a twist that pulls the rug out from underneath you and then you realize that you haven’t read it before and everything you thought you recognized was totally wrong?

Yeah, this is one of those.

Let me preface the rest of this by saying that it might sound at times as if I didn’t like the book, but that’s not the case. Read the whole way through first.

I will stand by my thought that the first part of the book seemed run-of-the-mill in some places. Newly married couple takes a belated honeymoon to a secluded cabin. Spooky things occur. Things get weird.

I thought some of the dialogue in the first two thirds of the book often seemed stilted. There was a lot of repetition, and chapters often ended with an ominous thought that didn’t always seem to be followed through. It got a little bit annoying and there were times that I almost gave up.

But I know from past books that there is always more to this author’s stories. So, I kept at it.

Buy Link: https://geni.us/B0949JZK8Xsocial

Sure enough, things take a total turn just over halfway through. Riddles are answered, more twists occur, and things go quite dark. And just when you think you’ve reached the depths of how twisted the story (and the relationship) is – well, let’s just say you haven’t.

There’s still more.

Right up to the very last page.

This isn’t the type of book that supports an analysis of the characters and whether they were likeable or not. I think it’s enough to say that both Grace and Ryan are damaged and have secrets that they’ve hidden from each other.

And boy, do those come back to bite them.

I suppose if you wanted to get really deep, you could say that it’s an example of like attracting like and there’s a bit of Stockholm Syndrome on both of their parts. But I don’t want to give too much away.

Read this book for the cheap thrills in the first half but stay for the dark twists in the second half. It’s a worthwhile ride.

Facebook: kierstenmodglinauthor
Twitter: kmodglinauthor
Instagram: kierstenmodglinauthor
TIKTOK: @kierstenmodglinauthor

Author BioKiersten Modglin is an Amazon Top 30 bestselling author of award-winning psychological thrillers and a member of International Thriller Writers. Kiersten lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and their two Boston Terriers: Cedric and Georgie. She is best known for her unpredictable suspense and her readers have dubbed her ‘The Queen of Twists.’ A Netflix addict, Shonda Rhimes super-fan, psychology fanatic, and indoor enthusiast, Kiersten enjoys rainy days spent with her nose in a book.

close

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)