Suspense – One Chapter

The Intruder by Freida McFadden

4 stars Thriller

Casey just wanted a place to relax. An isolated cabin in the woods was ideal, but Casey wasn’t able to relax much when a storm was headed her way. The cabin needed repairs to survive the storm which would be upon her soon, but her landlord wasn’t much help in getting them done for her. A nearby neighbor offers up some hospitality so she’ll survive the storm, but Casey hesitates when hearing his offer and believes that she can manage on her own. Lee seemed nice but she’s just not sure. As the storm starts to blow in, Casey notices a light in the shed outback. Yup, Casey has to investigate that light and it’s there that she discovers the emaciated girl.

As I read, I’m visually seeing Casey discovering this girl in her shed while the scenes outside her shed are deteriorating. The storm is building in strength as Casey takes in the girl before her, covered in blood. Some decisions must be made, and they must be made quickly!

We flip back in time and we meet Ella. Ella lives with her mom and Ella’s situation was heartbreaking when I was first introduced to her. Ella’s mom is a hoarder so it may seem like she has everything but in reality, she has nothing. Ella’s mom Desiree is so cruel to Ella. Desiree’s comments and treatment of Ella left me angry and frustrated, why does she need to be so hard? Ella is also the target for some school bullies, who take aim at her for everything. When Ella saves one of her school tormentors, a deep relationship builds between the two of them. Ella finally has some positiveness and a bright side in her day but unfortunately, it doesn’t last. As the bricks came crumbling down, I had to wonder what Ella would do next.

A slower than normal start for this McFadden book. It had the dark gloomy feeling about it but in those beginning chapters, there wasn’t the typical energy that I normally feel with her books. Keep up with the names in this story, as I felt it was challenging at times to keep everyone straight, as the names kept moving about or changing right before my eyes. I even brought out my paper/pen to keep everyone separate. I did enjoy the story but it wasn’t one of my favorites of hers. 4 stars

Petrifying Playtime: Scary Amusement Parks and Playgrounds by Joyce Markovics

5 stars

When a place of fun and entertainment turns into something sinister, what happens to it? From Hawaii to Nebraska, from Massachusetts to Louisiana, this nonfiction book covers the United States. Each 2-page spread features a destination. Where once this destination was a fun way to spend some time, it has now turned into something dark and dreary.

It’s not all about ghost hauntings. There are some places that have been abandoned, rediscovered, or for some, they just shut the doors and never opened them back up. Some of these stories were very interesting and I would like to follow-up on them later. This book gave me the basic facts on specific destinations. I liked how the book provided how each of the destination sites came to be, what happened to cause it to fall from its days of glory and what the condition of the site ended up being. There wasn’t a lot of detail but just enough to provide the information and intrigue the reader or to make the reader aware that such a place exists. The pictures provided were historical and most of them were real photographs. I think the author choice of words in the title is misleading for some as not all the stories as “scary” per say. Sinister, creepy or disturbing would be a more accurate description, I think.

Krug Park in Omaha, Nebraska, the Big Dipper roller coaster brought in the crowds in the 1930’s. For 17 years, this park thrived and was loved by all. Then, unfortunately, things tumbled. An accident occurred on the Big Dipper, which marked the beginning of the end of Krug Park. What’s left of this park? Check out the book.

I really liked this book. It’s a children’s nonfiction book covering about 18 different destinations but it’s a great one in my opinion. This is one book in the series, which I grabbed the rest of the series the library had while I was there. The Index in the back of the book was very good and there is also a list of 4 other Read More books at the back which the author listed. There is a Learn More Online site which includes a QR code which I scanned. This scan led me to more resources which listed more destinations which I could read about. There was a www. Site for those who can’t or don’t want to scan the code and/or you can even scan the cover of the book to see other websites. Check out this book!! 5 stars

Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong

4.5 stars Mystery

I jumped into this series which worked out for me. I’ve read some of Kelley Armstrong’s books before and when this popped up on NetGalley, I knew it would be good, but I was curious if jumping into a series was a wise choice. Kelley provided enough background information so I wasn’t lost but I think to understand the chemistry between the characters, it would be wise to start at the beginning of this series.

The bleakness of the weather situation drew me in. Located in the Yukon Wilderness in Canada, this area is rugged, a true frontier, where nature rules. As the locals gathered, it seemed like a typical night. She doesn’t remember how she ended up on the edge of town. Right now, she’s glad that she’s alive. She hadn’t had that much to drink, which was good otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to put up much of a fight. But what happened? Who was behind this? And why?

The sheriff and area detective are called in. Eric and Casey begin investigating the assault when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Temperatures plummet and a blizzard hits the area. Looking at the area where the assault occurred, the team discover a frozen female body. The body is disturbing in nature which alerts the women. Who would be out in these conditions? What are they dealing with?

This is a very small community which they felt was a close-knit group but now, they are second guessing this community they are living in. The residents start to feel unsure of their neighbors and start to question each other. If that wasn’t enough to fill your mind with, Casey is pregnant and very close to her due date. Casey wants to do her job, to continue to be a detective who is committed to justice but she’s also about to be a mother, can she do both successfully? With mysteries and interesting characters, I enjoyed this fast-paced book. It’s a small town where everyone has their own story, their own secrets and who can you trust. 4.5 stars

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

13 Months Haunted by Jimmy Juliano

4.5 stars Suspense

This one was creepy in a mysterious way. I don’t get creeped out too easily, but this one got a bit under my skin considering the way the entity(s) moved. Perhaps it’s because of the world that we now live in, the uncertainty of times that we now live in, and my own comprehension of the world of technology, but this was a great read for me.

Piper ends up becoming a library clerk, not the job that she wanted after college, but it pays the bills. She’s finally living out on her own, in the small town of Northwoods and like everyone says, small town living has its disadvantages. She is hosting a student Halloween writing contest at the library and the entries have started to trickle in. Receiving one from Avery, Piper is immediately drawn to it. Why? Could it be because Avery’s mother accompanies Avery to school each day and stays inside each of the classrooms with her throughout the day. Could it be that Avery is a new student and the only surviving members of her family include her mother and Avery, the rest of her family has died. Their death? That’s the gossip that is running throughout the community. Could it be that the title of Avery’s entry, The Thing in the Closet and after reading it, Piper isn’t sure if the story is nonfiction or fiction. I liked how Piper was intrigued with Avery’s writing and wanted to know more about her. Trying to decipher whether her story was reality or fantasy, Piper wants to see what all the gossip is about and who Avery is. That’s when the pieces of the puzzle start to come together.

Could this really be technology driven? Seriously? Avery claims she doesn’t remember but it was her. When Avery starts to “feel” something yet no one else “feels” anything, is she acting or is this real? No one can see anything including Avery so where is this coming from? Avery’s head? I had to think about the future, could this happen? I mean we never thought about Covid hitting and sweeping through the country. Could this really happen and if so, how can we gain control of the situation? The Who, what and where were flowing through my head as Piper tries to understand the situation and its connection to Avery. Was it deliberate? What’s the purpose and why Avery? The ending, I really enjoyed. 4.5 stars

Three-Inch Teeth by CJ Box

3.5 Stars Mystery

Ha! Three-inch teeth….that was just part of the problem. I have to give it to him, he was smart, almost too smart. He had a gift, and he used it to his advantage. Clever guy, oh yes he was. This was one of those books where things were falling together and I didn’t realize it until the gloves were off and bodies were falling.

He got out of prison, and he wants revenge. He’s not doing it alone which added some excitement to this book. The bodies start piling up, but something is just not adding up, the authorities are baffled. Who can connect the dots and figure this one out?

I liked Dallas’ idea as it was creative and innovative. Realistic? I’m not so sure but perhaps someday we’ll get there. As they were unraveling the mystery, I felt that it was done quickly, and swiftly. Listening to this book, I did feel that there were a lot of individuals to keep track of, and it was hard sometimes to keep everyone separate. 3.5 stars

One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day

4 stars Fiction Suspense

Yeah, happy. Let’s get that definition of happy. Charley, is the happiest character is this story, and she wasn’t even related to the Bishop’s. Charley did her job, played her part, but inside she was walking on eggshells. She was the maid of the Precipice, and she needed that job as much as the Precipice needed her.

Charley was financing the rising cost of her grandmother’s nursing home care with her earnings and the money she “picked” from guest’s pockets. While working, Charley is confronted by Bree. Bree’s heartbreaking story of abuse has Charley hiding Bree is one of the hotel’s room as a hurricane is pounding outside. This is a huge gamble for everyone involved. Her job, her grandmother, and Bree are all on the line. I liked Charley the most as she had the most at stake and she seemed liked the one who was looking in on things. There were times that I questioned her position as she did know quite a bit about the hotel and she tried to act innocent as they each pointed fingers at one another.

In walks the sisters. The competition begins as they each want a piece of what is left of their father’s life. I had to laugh as they each started to give advice as if someone would actually jump at their mere suggestion. All three of them were different, each of them adding something unique to this story. When the murder takes place, weird messages began to arrive. Who was writing these messages? It had to be one of them but which one. A storm is raging outside, the players are stuck inside and the tension is building. 4 stars.

Top 10 Spooky Mysteries: You Wouldn’t Want to Know About! by Fiona MacDonald

3 stars Children’s Nonfiction

I do like a good mystery, and spooky, yes that would make it extra special. This children’s nonfiction caught my attention at the library. This is a slim book consisting of only 32 pages. Those pages include 3 pages of introductions, two pages for the index and table of contents, and two pages for the glossary. In between all of that you have 10 pages of what the author believes are the Top 10 Worse Spooky Mysteries You Wouldn’t Want To Know About!

A mystery is a problem that hasn’t been solved yet inside this book each of the mysteries the author explains, they contain a “probable explanation printed upside down” on the pages of that mystery. As a reader, you’re supposed to try to solve the mystery before reading the upside “probable explanation.”

So let the countdown begin! Each of the two-page spread mysteries feature some vital statistics on the mystery: the name, place, date, the mystery, why you don’t want to know about it, and it’s “probable explanation.” The rest of the two pages are filled with information and illustrations. There are numerous paragraphs with separate titles describing the mysteries accompanying illustrations which are cartoon in nature. The illustrations take up about a third of the space on these pages.

From aliens to Curse of Tutankhamum to Mary Celeste to Dyatlov Pass incident, these mysteries cover ones that everyone should be familiar with and some that are not. I was surprised at the ones that made the list, and I welcomed reading something that I was not that familiar with.

After reading a short paragraph on the spooky mystery, I would read the vital statistics as that is how the book flowed for each of the mysteries. The supporting information followed as I read, and I was not a fan of how that additional information was presented on the pages. I tried different ways to read this information, but this information just felt disjointed, like some of the FYI Facts that someone had just plastered on the pages. I thought they did a great job with the various sizes and font types that were used on the pages, as they set the different sections of the information off from one another. I have mixed feelings about the illustrations that were used. They did a great job in creating the cartoon art for each of the mysteries but I’m not sure if humorous cartoon art was appropriate for this book. Again, this is just my own thoughts and preference. I give this book 3 stars as I was expecting to love this book but I didn’t.

Escape From Chernobyl by Andy Marino

4 stars YA/ Middle School

It was cover love that brought this book to me. I didn’t know that this was book one of a series and after reading this one, I don’t think I will continue with the series as the ending was disappointing to me. For me, there was no ending. As I listened to this book, I was hooked, I felt a deep connection to the characters and their fate and then, the book ended. I had been cheated. There had to be more! Was there book #2 to finish this story? No, it was over, and I felt cheated.

It’s April 26, 1986, the place Pripyat, Ukraine. This city was built for the individuals who would work at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. I liked the variety of characters as it gave a great view of what was happening around this event as it was unfolding,

It was Yuri who I fell for in this book. He was the one who had less at stake but gave the most. While those with higher titles, rattled off commands or walked among the clouds, Yuri was on the ground with his eyes open, watching and risking everything. Alina, Yuri’s relative, was just like him, but at times, her emotions got the best of her. Who could blame her, considering what was transpiring right in front of her. Yuri knows Chernobyl like the back of his hand. Yuri is a janitor at Chernobyl. They treat him better than a janitor but that’s still what they consider him to be. Yuri hopes that one day, yes one day, they’ll realize the potential that Yuri has and move him up into a more suitable title. While at work on April 26, Yuri notices something isn’t right. His eyes have been on the ground since day one but today, today is different. Today, there is no going back.

What was happening inside Chernobyl? Sofiya dad is an engineer at the power plant and getting his perspective as the day’s events spiraled downhill added an intensity to the drama unfolding. Despite everything, Sofiya tries to help the residents of Pripyat. Sofiya had a different emotional burning within her than Alina but together they show the confusion and turmoil that the residents faced as this event changed their world.

This book covers April 26, 1986. One day. I felt cheated as I wanted and needed to know what happened after this day. I felt a deep connection to the characters and as I closed the book, I was sad and disappointed that there wasn’t something to help bring me closure.

The Tenant by Freida McFadden

5 stars Thriller

Ha! That was definitely a great read for me! Talk about some twists and turns. I’ve enjoyed Freida’s books in the past but the way that she’s able to spring her twists and turns in her stories are grabbing me in awe. I knew something had to be coming my way as I was reading but I was not ready for the deer-in-the-headlight stop I got. Unscrambling everything that I knew at that point was a process, a process that thanks to Freida was just the beginning of this rollercoaster of a book.

Blake was living the dream. He had a nice job, a girl on his shoulder, and he was trying to get his cards all aligned for the life that he wanted to lead. He could see his future unfolding in front of him, a prosperous future, one that could lead to many possibilities. It happened suddenly. Doors started slamming and Blake’s prosperous land of opportunity was now being taken away from him. Why? Blake didn’t know but he was trying desperately to hold onto every last bit of what was left. It was a downhill spiral and Blake is tumbling hard. To help financially, Blake and his fiancé decide to open their home to a tenant, someone who could help take part of the burden off temporarily. Whitney seemed to be the perfect fit for their household, sweet young Whitney.

I could feel the tension and stress as they all adjusted to this new living arrangement. Blake thought he had problems before, but now with Whitney in the mix, they’ve just complicated things. Whitney arrives with her own stories and history, and boy, does she shake things up! Don’t start thinking that you can put this book aside or concentrate on your own issues once Whitney joins the household. The escapades and finger-pointing intensify, and I could think of nothing less than the characters inside this book and the who and why associated with that.

I liked how I started to question my own thought process and how I began to wonder where the holes in this story lived. Were the characters’ actions and words matching up? Had I overlooked something? Was I rooting for someone I shouldn’t be? This was a fun, twisted book which I really enjoyed. Wowza – a 5 star read for me, for sure.

The Crash by Freida McFadden

5 stars Thriller

The scene: you’ve had enough and you’re ready to start over, you jump in your car planning to visit your sibling until you can figure out what to “do next.” Sounds like a good plan until you’re on the road and then, it hits you. It’s winter and you’re in a rural country; Maine to be exact. Your car, not the most reliable and rugged vehicle to be driving in these conditions. But it’s too late now, she’s committed and there’s no going back.

Yes, “The Crash.” Tegan suffers a crash while out on the rural roads while driving to her brother’s house in Maine. Tegan was not aware that she was driving into a winter storm. That’s not the worst of it, she’s also 8 months pregnant and now, she’s hurt. I love how Tegan is on high alert when someone finally approaches her as she is pinned inside her car, this girl knows her thrillers and knows from a distance that this shadowy figure could be hiding some secrets. Helping Tegan from the car, Tegan discovers this shadowy figure is a large man who is very friendly and offers to bring her home until the storm passes. With a wife at home, the couple seem very friendly and try to make Tegan comfortable but Tegan senses something else.

Tegan begins to question the friendliness and hospitality of the couple while the couple begin their own assessment of Tegan. Is the couple keeping secrets, did Tegan notice something while staying in their basement? Tegan seems to be giving all the correct answers, but the couple senses that Tegan is keeping something from them. What is she hiding from them? As each character gives voice to the predicament playing out, the situation changes, making me wonder what exactly the outcome might be.

Tegan wants to go to the hospital for her injuries and to make sure her unborn child is okay. The wife sees Tegan as a gift, an opportunity, something to fulfill a need that she has. Her husband, he seems to be caught in the middle. See, he loves his wife, and he wants to make her happy but he’s wondering about her need, and he’s concerned about the welfare of Tegan. It’s a balancing act and the clock is ticking.

I really enjoy these thrillers. They get my blood pumping and get my mind off of my everyday life because isn’t that what reading is supposed to do- give us an escape. Sure, some of the characters are predictable but so are some of the people in our life but then again, some of the characters throw something into the mix and I’m off. I’m off into another world, a world where you just don’t know where you’re going to land. 5 stars.