crime – Page 2 – One Chapter

The Wager: a Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann

5 stars Nonfiction

You have to listen to this audio! Did a fabulous job reading this book as I felt a part of the action. After finishing the book, I really wondered how anyone survived the whole ordeal. The odds were bad to start and when you add in all other misfortunes and the behavior of the individuals aboard the vessels, the survivors were a tough group.

I really liked how I felt a part of the action and how realistic this book felt. It was interesting viewing the action behind the eyes of the different captains. The allies amongst the crew and how they felt about their captain, the way they felt about their mission and its success and how they manage themselves made this book one that I couldn’t stop listening to. They were fighting a battle to stay alive, to fight a war, to find treasure, to find their way home, and to serve their country. Such a great book. 5+ stars!!

Notes while listening to the Playaway:

Listening to this on a Playaway, narrated by Dion Graham. Seriously, Dion brings this book to life!! The energy and excitement in his voice was phenomenal. It was as if Dion was retelling the story from his own personal experience about The Wager and that he was not, actually reading a book to me. Phew, what a voyage!!

Listen to Me (Rizzoli & Isles, #13) by Tess Gerritsen

4.5 stars

Once again, I jumped into the middle of a series but I knew about this one. I knew this book was part of a series when I picked it up so I was prepared to perhaps be confused but I really wasn’t. I had read a few of Tess Gerritsen’s books before and I had enjoyed them, so I was anxious to see how a series of hers would be. I really enjoyed the characters, especially Angela and I liked the little twists that were inside the book which kept the book moving along.

Angela was Jane’s mother and she was my favorite character. I normally don’t care for busy-bodies in books but Angela was hilarious as she kept track of the neighbors around her. She seemed to know what was going on in the neighborhood or so, she thought. She had her own opinion and as she shared it, in the book, she had me chuckling. Her daughter Jane, is a homicide detective and Angela keeps the phone ringing to her daughter, if she spots anything out-of-the-ordinary hoping that her daughter will check it out. Angela doesn’t want the glory if they apprehend a criminal or stop a crime, Angela just wants a safe and secure environment. Jane, on the other hand, is tired of her mother countless phone calls over everything and anything and her mother’s calls begin to fall on deaf ears. Does her mother give up, nope! Her mother calls the police and yes, they’ve dealt with Angela before so they know the routine with her calls.

There’s been a report of a murder and when Jane and her partner investigate it, they realize this case is more than just a burglary/murder. This investigation is just the beginning of an adventure that turns into something much bigger than they imagined.

I enjoyed this book more than I anticipated. There were plenty of little twists here and there that changed the direction of the book and made me rethink that something else was up when I had thought that I had things figured out. I was glad that I was able to read this book as a stand-alone novel, too. I would like to go back and read the beginning of this series; it was that good. 4.5 stars I received a copy of this book from Random House Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion of this book, thank you for sending me this book. #RizzoliIslesListentoMe #NetGalley.

Overboard (V.I.Warshawski #21) by Sara Paretsky

4.5 stars Mystery

I did it again! I jumped into the middle of a series without knowing anything about the characters, the conditions or any previous incidences (which seemed to have played a big role in this book). I was intrigued by the mystery of this case and with a rating above 4, I thought the book had to be good so I dove it. Besides not knowing about some of the previous relationships or should I say, the clashes and quarrels that existed prior to this case, it was a good stand-alone book.

Out walking with her dog along Lake Michigan, Vic’s dog notices something amongst the rocks. Vic’s dog is fixated on whatever he has found, leaving Vic no other choice but to see what has gotten his attention. It’s late and it’s getting darker by the minute so she reluctantly climbs down amongst the rocks to investigate. What? How in the heck did this girl get here? Is she alive? Questions float through Vic’s mind as she pulls her dog away so she can get a better look at the girl and look her over. Alive but barely that, Vic calls the proper authorities to assist the girl as she stays with her and tries to provide comfort.

Assessing the situation, Vic tries to piece together what she can from the evidence that is presented in front of her. Vic plays a vital role in this girl’s life now, even though she doesn’t know it. Vic was first on the scene. She was the eyes and ears of the scene before it was disturbed by the local authorities. Did she see or hear anything that could be important? What lead this girl to be hidden amongst the rocks on the hillside of Lake Michigan?

With a great beginning, I was intrigued as to why this young child was hidden in the rocks? I thought perhaps it was a boating accident but the clues started to go the wrong direction and the authorities just weren’t being honest. There was some shady behavior happening, a cover-up of some sort perhaps and why was a young girl is involved, this was beyond me. Vic was a go-getter and I liked her attitude. Perhaps I should go back and read this series from the beginning. Thank you, William Morrow, and NetGalley for supplying me with arc of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. 4.5 stars

We Were Killers Once by Becky Masterman

3.5 stars Mystery

This was the fourth book in the series but I jumped right in, starting with this book. I didn’t feel lost as I started to follow the investigation into whether there was a third person involved in the Clutter murders. They had captured and executed two of the killers in that case BUT what if they had missed another criminal at the scene? What if this criminal had killed someone else? What if one of the executed felons had written down some details about the murders and the authorities had yet to discover such information? They really needed to make sure that everything was put to rest before they close out this file.

In Kansas, the Clutter Family had just been murdered and as they discuss the case over smokes and alcohol, they realize the similarities between this case and another case. Had they discovered a missing link sitting around the kitchen table? What implications will arise with this new information?

This wasn’t the thrilling or intense read that I anticipated but it read more like a story with multiple points of view. They had a hunch and they needed evidence to back up what they were thinking. It wouldn’t be easy but they had a job to do. I found myself losing interest in the middle of the book but I kept reading. I liked how the author set the book up in the beginning and how they aroused my interest in the case. I found that in the middle of the book, they were either taking too long to uncover the details they were looking for or it felt as if they were rehashing the same information over and over again. An engaging conclusion though, brought everything together which is what I needed to close out the book. 3.5 stars I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for sending me this book.

When a Killer Calls by John E. Douglas

4.5 stars Nonfiction Crime

It was a circus performance. Standing trial, the case was held in court but his performance before those in attendance, was more like a show. He was a performer, putting on quite a show for all those in attendance. He’s proud, he’s bold, he’s talking in circles. He’s been careful, precise, and patient so what’s with this performance? Are we seeing just another side of Bell that he tried to keep hidden.

https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/48-49-larry-gene-bell-part-1-2

This book was a very comprehensive look into this case. From the police, the family, and other individuals close to the case, I got a detail look at this case. Beginning from day one, they discover that Shari’s disappearance might be tied to a similar case (Debra May) and Bell might be another serial killer. This book left no stone unturned as Bell might be tied to other disappearance as they start to link similar ties together and we see Bell lose his composure. I liked how the book gave a lot of details as I felt I was a part of the team, doing the research with them. Each evening, as the family waited to hear from Shari or her abductor, my frustration grew. This family is being strung along, how could they be so patient and composed? How were the authorities ever going to catch this guy when he’s being so careful? When the FBI started to link other cases to him, why? What led him on this journey? I thought this was a long book to read when I picked it up but I did find it interesting and engaging and it was a 4.5-star read for me. I want to thank NetGalley, Scene of the Crime, and Dey Street Books for my copy of this book that I received in exchange for my own honest opinion. This review in my own opinion. #WhenaKillerCalls #NetGalley

The Boy From the Woods by Harlan Coben

This was better than I anticipated. I listened to this book on a Playaway and I liked the character of Wilde. He was the boy who they had found in the woods and although he was a bit different than anyone else, I thought he used that to his advantage. I thought this book might be more about him but it had to do with him and a case that he was working on. Wilde knew people judged him on his past but he knew things that others didn’t. Wilde didn’t try to shine in front of others yet he also didn’t let others walk on him- he held himself up and he did what he thought needed to be done. He got the job done like a professional.

Wilde is asked to help search for a young girl who has disappeared. I thought it was interesting why they asked for Wilde’s help but with some professional background he knows the protocol and he definitely knows the area. Wilde’s actions and demeanor reminded me of crafty spy.

When I first started to listen to this audio, I got a bit confused and had to replay the first couple chapters but then, I got on Wilde’s team. His voice on the audio was exactly what I thought he would sound like too. I saw that this was a series so I now have to listen to the sequel to see what happens. 4.25 stars

The Maid by Nita Prose

Holy Mogoly! I loved this book!! I thought this book was super good! I loved how Molly threw herself into her work. I loved how devoted she was to everything she did and how committed she was even though others didn’t feel the same way she did. I know that many individuals have already spoken about this book so I will tell you that I listened to this book and I couldn’t stop. I felt for Molly as she made her way through her day doing the same thing, picking up after people, but loving the satisfaction she got for doing a great job at it.

Molly loved getting praised or someone noticing her (although not everyone does) and she enjoyed her friendships, although it was a shame, she didn’t have many. To Molly, even just a quick hello or a few minutes of conversation was something and she was very observant.

When she finds Mr. Black in his room dead, I imagined what Molly must have done but her mannerism felt off to me as she replayed the events for the authorities. Was it shock or something else? One of her favorite guests and now, he’s gone. How the hotel employees and other guests come into play becomes a dance as they file in and out of Molly’s life. Molly, ole Molly…what happened inside Mr. Black’s room?

The Other Family by Wendy Corsi Staub

There was a lot to figure out in this book. Does a vacant house troubled with the history of an unsolved triple homicide sound appealing to you? I would think that most individuals would have done some type of research before buying such a home. Let me introduce Nora, Keith and their family. This husband and wife packed up their California home, along with the 2 teenage daughters, their dog and they found such a house in Brooklyn. Trying to grasp why this family would make such a move was just the beginning of my inquiries as the mysteries grew the minute this family took possession of their new home.

Told from a variety of viewpoints, I found this family a bit different. Nora doesn’t waste much time after the move to sneak off and privately use her phone to call Teddy. Who this Teddy is, I had no idea, but their conversation sure was close and personal. Who is Teddy? Their daughter Stacey enjoys true crime and once the whole family becomes aware of the home’s history, Stacey becomes obsessed with it. She was definitely into figuring things out including who the individual was, that she’s saw watching their house. Individuals get introduced and strange things start to occur that I needed to straightened out. How did this all pertain to the storyline? I liked how some of the characters were able to make some discoveries on their own and how they acted sensible and clever instead of being crazy and stumbling around. There were a few parts in the book that were slow but I did enjoy trying to figure out the various mysteries in the book. I also thought that the ending of the book was rushed and cut-off, it just didn’t fit, compared to how the rest of the book was written. The ending was a big disappointment. 4.0 stars

I received a copy of this book from Scene of the Crime Early Read, Harper Collins, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

Written like true crime but truly fiction, I fell for this book quite a few times while I was reading it and I could’ve sworn that what I was reading had actually occurred. With the addition of the photographs, it was hard not to lean towards true crime as the authorities tried to find their serial killer and the body count kept creeping up.

I enjoyed the concept behind how the author put the book together. I liked how the author put the book together so it read like a true crime novel. I know that I checked the genre on this book at least a couple times just like I checked Daisy Jones and the Six when I read that book. These stories play tricks with us, they want us to believe them but then, where is the memory of such events in our heads?

I was looking forward to some impressive reading when I picked up this book after looking at the title and the synopsis, as it sounded scary and intense. After reading this book though, I felt disappointed. I enjoyed the book but I guess with all the glowing reviews, the title and the synopsis, I was expecting something grander. I guess I was expecting it to be a I-can’t-stop-thinking-about-this-book, with me sitting on the edge-of-my-seat and the words just flying across the page. There were also moments where I felt the author gave me information just to give me information, where I grew bored. I wanted to be scared and I wanted to devour this book. There were moments of mystery, intense and bizarre activity but nothing that frightened or alarmed me.

I wanted to know who was killing these young girls. I needed to know what sick individual would then, take the time to pose their victim’s mutilated dead bodies for others to find. Why? What was the purpose? With a fantastic cover and a unique style of writing, this book is by an author who has some amazing talent. 4 stars

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

I loved, loved this book!! What a great story. It was the way that these two fathers bounded and how they came to terms with who they really were. It was the way they decided that they’d had enough and that they want to settle the score, no matter the cost. The way that these fathers came to realize that they’d made mistakes and that there was no do-overs and that they could now only, move forward in life. These fathers became a team yet they were working alone, working for each of their sons and for themselves.

Each of these fathers had some history in the system, history that left an impression on them. They didn’t want a return visit so they tried not to leave a trail as they do their investigation. Their sons had met in college although they grew up not far from one another. They died together, both murdered and the case is now, inactive.

The fathers have some issues that they must come to terms with before they can move forward, big issues that will impact themselves and the feelings that they have towards their children. It was the marriage between their sons, this gay marriage, the unity between a white man, Derek to Isiah, a black man that left the two fathers seeking answers and justice.

Wow, these two fathers were pulling out everything they had to find the answers. I liked how they took charge although, it scared me a few times how gusty they were. I was worried that one of them would be killed but then, it felt like someone/something would save them and they would live for another day. I enjoyed how the two of them talked to one another, it felt realistic and sometimes, the heat between them was smoking. I really enjoyed this book and there was some book hangover with this one. 5 stars!!!