This was a mind boggler. A mystery twofer told in dual timelines. One child who has gone missing in 1961; another 1975. Both are from the prestigious VThis was a mind boggler. A mystery twofer told in dual timelines. One child who has gone missing in 1961; another 1975. Both are from the prestigious Van Laar family and owners of the camp. The setting is in the wooded area of the Adirondacks. But don’t be fooled by the beauty of the landscape. Something ugly is happening in these woods.
This story is stacked with multiple characters, multiple scenarios and multiple suspects.
What lengths would you go to in order to protect your child? The mother of a missing child goes feral. The father of the accused, just as protective. AWhat lengths would you go to in order to protect your child? The mother of a missing child goes feral. The father of the accused, just as protective. A compelling read with some good twists. It took some time to adjust to the many POV’s which I did need to flip back occasionally to find out whose voice a chapter was. This was def not a thriller but more a mystery. An irritant or two at the ending but nothing to break a sweat over. Some editing issues a detractor. Cover IMO lame. Overall an ok read and palate cleanser.
I’ve seen an array of reviews for this one: Yay, nay, meh.
A town is turned upside down when Patch, a 13 year old boy, saves a girl from being kidnappeI’ve seen an array of reviews for this one: Yay, nay, meh.
A town is turned upside down when Patch, a 13 year old boy, saves a girl from being kidnapped, and instead he is taken. Some lives move forward; others remain rooted. A tragic event that cuts deeps and fractures relationships. A tragedy that becomes all consuming as a means of survival. For decades.
Whittaker takes us through a labyrinth of loss, grief, fear, powerlessness, hope and of lasting friendships and love that see us through our darkest days in the most vivid and vibrant colours.
My take: an overwhelming YAY and a bow to this talented author. 5⭐️...more
A spunky 13 year old girl named Duchess. Cleaning up the mess her mother continually leaves behind. Taking care of her little brother when her mother A spunky 13 year old girl named Duchess. Cleaning up the mess her mother continually leaves behind. Taking care of her little brother when her mother is working, drunk or overdosing. She claims to be an outlaw - willing to stand up to anyone who looks at her sideways.But now she’s gone too far. And someone is bent on revenge.
This is a story shrouded in mystery, thrilling in fear, a broken child with broken people surrounding her. But there is also a good man who wants to ensure she is protected.
Flawed characters with history, regrets and hope. Whitaker charmed me with this story, these characters and the humour threaded in.
Sometimes we have to begin at the end to appreciate the journey forward. 5⭐️...more
Perhaps a more apt title for this would be, "Listen for the Sarcasm."
This was a delightfully clever story. Everyone thinks Lucy killed her best friendPerhaps a more apt title for this would be, "Listen for the Sarcasm."
This was a delightfully clever story. Everyone thinks Lucy killed her best friend, Savvy. Yet, there was never enough evidence to convict and Lucy has no recollection of that night. She fled that small town in Texas to end the speculation. Five years later, she returns for her Grandma’s bday and just as coincidental -a podcaster is there recreating that alleged night for his show: Wanting to discover the truth about that night; Wanting to solve the crime: Who did what where and when?
I wasn’t sure of the format- previously podcasts within a story didn’t work for me. This one surprisingly did. As for the character, Lucy, she’s sarcastic, witty and interesting. Very likeable. Especially when she talks back to her inner voice. Which is quite vivid about murdering people. Maybe she did do it; Maybe she didn’t. Guess you’ll have to read it to find out. A fun 4.5⭐️...more
The Briar Club opens with a death. Or two. A whodunnit.
The Briar Club is a home, in the 1950’s, whose rooms are rented out to women. They meet every TThe Briar Club opens with a death. Or two. A whodunnit.
The Briar Club is a home, in the 1950’s, whose rooms are rented out to women. They meet every Thursday for a meal in an attic room. Both young and old. All struggling with emotional battles of their past. But Grace, the latest tenant, brings these women together: To celebrate food and life; To recognize we all need community to survive rather than being isolated and alone; to lift each other up, at their lowest point.
She does tackle some tough themes: domestic violence, poverty, homosexuality, discrimination, and abandonment. Too much for one story IMO.
What I could have done without: the multiple POV’s with the house being one; the recipes; the baking contest.
It’s 1789, Maine. A body has been found frozen in the river. The river that is the heart of this town. A midwife, Martha Ballard, has been summoned toIt’s 1789, Maine. A body has been found frozen in the river. The river that is the heart of this town. A midwife, Martha Ballard, has been summoned to determine the cause of death. This causes a series of impactful events.
An educated woman, Martha keeps a diary. She documents all that happens over the course of this bizarre winter. Both births and deaths. A colonel who has been accused of rape along with the deceased man. The rape of a minister’s wife. In her quest for truth, she risks her own life and that of her family.
Lawhorn masterly takes us on a journey back in time when women were considered less than men. Not being able to testify in court unless a husband or father was present; Women often charged for fornication pre marriage while men had no consequences. Enraging as that was, Martha was an advocate for justice for these women and her personal journal was a hot piece of evidence.
This is a story of complexity- a layering of mystery and intrigue. The writing, character and research, extraordinaire.
I’ve heard of letting sleeping dogs lie, but awakening sleeping giants, that disruption will unleash nightmares.
Dennis, a 9 year old boy, passed from I’ve heard of letting sleeping dogs lie, but awakening sleeping giants, that disruption will unleash nightmares.
Dennis, a 9 year old boy, passed from parent to foster to institution. The darkness that accompanies abandonment and loneliness compounding into hardness. Death follows but leaves in its trail a mystery.
Fast forward twenty years. Amanda has discovered Dennis was her brother. She yearns to learn about him, as she too, was adopted. On her quest to discover more, the truth unravels about the institution and its methods for reforming these children- specifically the Holding Method. An ugly history where sleeping giants are awoken.
This wasn’t flawless- there were some character inconsistencies but no denying Denfeld does dark disturbingly well. In reading the acknowledgments, she survived her own darkness. 4⭐️ My fave still remains The Enchanted...more
A mystery. A crime. A community of questionable suspects. Welcome to a land down under.
In 1959, a man comes upon a dead woman and her children that shA mystery. A crime. A community of questionable suspects. Welcome to a land down under.
In 1959, a man comes upon a dead woman and her children that shakes a small town in southern Australia. In 2018, Jess gets a call to come home to Australia as her Grandmother is ailing.
A series of mysteries enveloping 3 generations. A House with its many secrets whispering to be told.
The stunning landscape of the vast lands, red earth, the peculiar animals, the array of fauna and flora. Themes of mother-daughter relationships, postpartum depression, infertility.
I wasn’t sure about the structure of this. 2 timelines worked well but then a novel within made me a bit ambivalent. I did adjust- reluctantly. I can’t say I loved this about it BUT I did love this story.
All with an Aussie vibe and at last, I’ve been Mortinized. 4.5⭐️...more
If none of this is true, why am I reading this? Why am I wasting my time, Jewel? You think you can just pull the wool over my eyes?
But….what if the pIf none of this is true, why am I reading this? Why am I wasting my time, Jewel? You think you can just pull the wool over my eyes?
But….what if the proclamations of falsehoods are actually true? Sometimes nothing is ever as it seems.
A high octane page turning mystery. A whacked out female who latches on to her birthday twin stranger she meets at a pub. It did have me guessing as to who this twisted sister was.
One irritation was the structure….it was a story revealed through a podcast then on Netflix. Too layered. Jewel, this isn’t your finest gem. It was a little drawn out for me but it did make me curious. 3.75⭐️...more
Falk is baaaccckkk. A woman, known to Falk’s group of friends, disappeared a year ago, only a shoe to be found. Now on the anniversary, Falk happens tFalk is baaaccckkk. A woman, known to Falk’s group of friends, disappeared a year ago, only a shoe to be found. Now on the anniversary, Falk happens to be back in Melbourne for a christening and takes an interest in the case. The 3rd in the series, Harper draws Falk, as we know him, as a character of many flaws and scars. That’s what makes him so likeable and relatable. The beauty setting: Melbourne, Australia. An enjoyable mystery with a couple of twists that has me giving it 2 thumbs up and 4.25⭐️...more
True story: So, I have this friend who partook in a RPS event at a bar with 100+ participants, and proudly, Yep, she won! This is not that kind of storTrue story: So, I have this friend who partook in a RPS event at a bar with 100+ participants, and proudly, Yep, she won! This is not that kind of story.
A couple married for 10 years are kind of tired of each other. But, hey, what better way to celebrate than by going to some chapel - won at some office function - off the beaten track 8 hours away in the middle of a blizzard, to maybe reconnect? Or permanently disconnect? RPS, is a screenplay written by the husband, Adam. His first love that went ignored. They play the game also as a choice of whether to stay together or part. There are many secrets here and twists. Letters written on every anniversary but never shared. Word of the year and of the day. I feel like a ghoulish witch rubbing her hands together. Oh la la! I can’t divulge anything else but this was a page turner with many blind spots!
Some clever lines of which there were many! “Two wrongs sometimes make an ugly.” “Changing love into hate is a much easier trick than turning water into wine.”
Potential next title: One Potato, two potato 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️...more
Don’t tell me what’s for my own good, Teddy. Teddy Ruxpin you are not. The teacher of the year has pulled the wool over most students and parents. A feDon’t tell me what’s for my own good, Teddy. Teddy Ruxpin you are not. The teacher of the year has pulled the wool over most students and parents. A few he secretly harbours failure for and underhandedly causes those failures. Well, I will never see or drink a cup of coffee at work the same way. I will keep my pods close to me. Milk is tainted as well. Who celebrates with a glass of milk? That just indicates psychotic. A murder of a parent; a murder of a teacher; throw in a few more more murders. A few feel they did it… these people are on crack. But it’s a delightfully tasteful voyeurism read. But there are some twists that make this absurdly fun. 4⭐️...more
Mexico has never been a destination of choice for me. Too much corruption, crime, cartel. It actually scares the shit out of me.
If anything, this storMexico has never been a destination of choice for me. Too much corruption, crime, cartel. It actually scares the shit out of me.
If anything, this story just validated my fears. A family found dead in Mexico on vacation. The surviving sons, one in jail for murder, the other at NYC. Mexican officials said it was an accident but on closer inspection by the FBI, it looks like foul play. The story takes on some interesting twists. From social media aspects, to small town cultures, to politics. A fast paced read which was more of a mystery than thriller for me but took me to the finale without me being the wiser. However, it fell short for me as I just didn’t connect with the characters. No emotional investment. Maybe it’s just the genre? I think the real mystery is why is Alex Finlay a pseudonym?
Memorable? Likely not but I would def take this to a beach - however not to a Mexican one. 3.5⭐️...more
Yesssssss. Thrill meter has swung over to the green. A thriller that finally thrilled. My first Kubica and I’m delighted I was not disappointed. ThrilYesssssss. Thrill meter has swung over to the green. A thriller that finally thrilled. My first Kubica and I’m delighted I was not disappointed. Thrillers and mysteries haven’t satisfied me this year but this one did it in spades. A woman and her daughter go missing. The daughter appears 11 years later after being held in a basement. The deceit and drama in this neighbourhood will make your head whirl. A fast page turner with all the elements to make it a necessary. Twisty - yes. Didn’t see it coming- yes.
There was a flaw which did momentarily give me pause but I was able to move past it and get on with the story.
I loved Circling the Sun by McLain. This is a totally different genre- a mystery. Anna has just gone through a tragedy - but we aren’t told until the eI loved Circling the Sun by McLain. This is a totally different genre- a mystery. Anna has just gone through a tragedy - but we aren’t told until the end. She makes her way back to the town she grew up in, Mendocino, the only family home she considered as such after having been in and out of foster homes. She’s now a cop. And there is a missing teen very similar to her younger self. Unpaid and on leave, she decides to assist with the local sheriff who she grew up with.
It was a disturbing read - abductions always are- and it never rang hollow. I just felt there were too many characters and I would have to pause to recall who was who. I didn’t connect with the character as we never got to know her story until the end.
The connection with nature really was the essence of this story. And a dog. Well, that just sealed the deal. A good read with some good twists overall. 3.8 -4⭐️...more
Meow. This was one deliciously delightful cat fight between 2 women. A hungry career climber willing to screw her way to the top; and a wife who is hiMeow. This was one deliciously delightful cat fight between 2 women. A hungry career climber willing to screw her way to the top; and a wife who is high in the social circles with a husband who is powerful. Hmmm... wonder who will take the other one down?!?
This was more of a guilty pleasure. No depth to the characters but what a page turner. This was such fun.4⭐️ ...more
Thriller? I think not. This was a quirky mystery that had me chuckling more than wondering. Felix Pink. He is an exiteer. Someone who assists those witThriller? I think not. This was a quirky mystery that had me chuckling more than wondering. Felix Pink. He is an exiteer. Someone who assists those with terminal illnesses to die. But a mistake is made. And Felix, being an honest engine kinda guy, tries to right a wrong at the same time as trying to solve the whodunn what and why. Some nice twists and turns. A charming mystery 4⭐️...more
When a marriage is built on lies and deceit, it’s destined to.....? This was a palate cleanser for me. It was fast paced - a little too familiar - andWhen a marriage is built on lies and deceit, it’s destined to.....? This was a palate cleanser for me. It was fast paced - a little too familiar - and as you read it, you’ll realize why. Got me a little confused but that was the author spinning her story of intrigue. It was just an ok one for me. Nothing earth shattering but I think we’ve had enough of that in the last year. 3.5⭐️ And I’m not sure why, but I always round down :)...more
This certainly had some twists and curves I didn’t see coming. An abduction that happens 14 years ago to then 23 year old, Lena. Then another woman is This certainly had some twists and curves I didn’t see coming. An abduction that happens 14 years ago to then 23 year old, Lena. Then another woman is found after missing for 4 months who calls herself Lena and looks a bit like her, but is not her. 2 children born in captivity. An escape. A father who faithfully believes he will find his daughter in the 14 years she’s been gone. It made me think of my own 22 year old daughter who is leaving again to further her education this coming fall. A reminder I need to invest in some brass knuckles for her so she can protect herself from any nuts out there. An entertaining English debut. 4 solid ⭐️...more
Canadian Jen
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mystery
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