Suspense – Page 3 – One Chapter

The Replacement Wife by Darby Kane

4.5 stars Mystery

Who was the crazy one? I was torn between trying to figure out if Elisa might just be going off the deep-end or if her brother-in-law was as demented as Elisa thought he was. How many women does Josh have to go through before someone besides Elisa notices something just isn’t right? Elisa didn’t seem to be the most stable character to believe yet I wanted to think that she was a caring individual and carried that trait onto being a terrific friend, spouse, and mother yet when her family starts to find holes in her stories, I started to wonder just how stable Elisa really was.

Elisa has been staying home lately due to an incident, but it seemed that her husband encouraged this decision. Elisa liked spending more time with their son Nathan but even Nathan can be too much sometimes. Elisa is concerned about her friend Abby who was dating Josh, her brother-in-law. She’s been missing for a while, and no one seems concerned except for Elisa. Josh seems to have moved on, providing an excuse about Abby disappearance. Elisa is not buying the story and when Josh arrives on the scene with a new girl, Elisa is all over it. Elisa doesn’t understand Josh’s attitude and where did this new girl come from? The story becomes entangled as the stories don’t match up and I begin to wonder who is playing who? Did the incident with Elisa change her? IS Josh the killer that Elisa believes he is? What part does her husband play in all this, as he’s dancing between the two stages, he’s the nice guy to the both of them? Just when I think I had the characters all figured out, Darby throws a wrench into the mix, and I’m left deciding if this tool really matters and who it belongs to. The book really got interesting towards the middle and by the end, I had to know how it all ended. I liked how this book made me question the information that was presented, and it made me analyze the characters. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, Scene of the Crime, and William Morrow in exchange for an honest opinion. 4.5 stars

The Manor by Gilly Macmillan

4.5 stars Thriller

Ahh! Oh, this was wicked. Wicked on some many different levels. I really enjoyed how this book was executed as it dragged me along, examining each character, as they each wore the badge as murderer.

Childhood sweethearts, Nicole and Tom won the lottery and were now finally enjoying their dream home. The state-of-the-art smart house was almost too smart for this couple as they settled into their new, quiet lifestyle. Arriving home from shopping, Nicole finds the stereo shattering the silence and her husband Tom, floating face-down in their pool. What? Already? Nicole finds help from neighbors Olly and Sasha, and Olly drags Tom’s body out of the water. It’s Olly comment about his wife that has me wondering what secret this couple is keeping from the rest of the world and what their link is, to their new neighbors.

Reading from a journal of Anna’s and the present day, this dual timeline mystery begins immediately as you start to put each character under the magnifying glass. As the investigation gets underway, Nicole stays with her neighbors at the Manor, as the Barn seems too terrifying to stay there alone. Nicole becomes friends with Kitty, the Manor’s housekeeper. I liked Kitty as she was a character that was very down-to-earth, and I felt she was straightforward. When an old friend comes to stay with Nicole at the Barn, he brings with him more twists than a branch has.

There are lots of twists and turns with this story, games of cat and mouse, and discoveries that when you uncover, you didn’t know that they were buried. Great story but I didn’t care for the ending. 4.5 stars

“Afraid of them and afraid of being without them, she was happy to agree to anything.”

The Guest by B. A. Paris

4 stars Mystery

What’s eating Gabriel? Since finding Charlie in the quarry, Gabriel just hasn’t been the same. While Gabriel was out running, he found the 18-year-old dying inside the quarry and now, he won’t discuss what happened. Experiencing burnout from work, Gabriel suggested a vacation but now, Iris and Gabriel have arrived home a day early, to Laure setting up house inside their home. Sure, she’s a good friend but wearing Iris’ clothes and rearranging their house is pushing it a bit too far. Such a great start to this book, so many unanswered questions to pull me in.

Laure’s marriage is falling apart, so she took refuge in Iris and Gabriel’s home. Part of her story makes sense, but I felt she was really putting on a good show for parts of it. Pierre, Laure’s husband, was a man who preferred to remain childless yet now he claims that he’s a father. He’s got a long story behind this one so I guess you can believe what he’s saying or not, but I had my doubts. Laure feels betrayed and she plays her role as a victim very well. Since they are such close friends, why hasn’t Pierre reached out to Gabriel? Deciding that Laure can continue to stay with Iris and Gabriel, the mystery begins to deepen.

Lauren started to annoy me as she was pushing herself onto everyone around her. She thought she was being clever and sneaky but dang, she irritated me. As we got inside Gabriel head, the author helps us figure out what’s bothering him which leads to more mystery. Then, there are the deaths. Deaths everywhere. Deaths and secrets are always an interesting and intriguing combination. With well-planned out and executed performances, for which some of them I never saw coming, it was a book that spiked my emotions. There were quite a few characters to keep track of during this story, but I liked that the author pulls the whole story together in the end and fully explains everything in the final pages. I’m a huge B.A. Paris fan as I enjoy the way she brings me into her stories and the way she twists her characters up. I don’t feel that this book was as intense as previous B.A. Paris books have been, but I enjoyed it for the characters and the mystery elements pulled me along. 4 stars

The New Neighbor by Carter Wilson

3.5 stars Mystery

It finally paid off! Marlowe has been playing the same lottery numbers for years and today, it finally paid off, as he nails all the numbers to win, thirty-million-dollar dollars! Marlowe should be dancing in the street but today, Marlowe is burying his wife. Really? Both of these events happen in the same day? This sounded kinda fishy to me as I tried to take in what was just happening. A major high and a major low all in one day, or was it?

With the means to start over, Marlowe takes his young children out of the city and moves them to the quieter countryside. It’s a beautiful old home with Marlowe being the children’s sole caregiver. He immediately begins setting up the house. With all the new adjustments, Marlowe invites his father to come stay for a while as he gets the family settled. It’s not long before Marlowe begins to receive threatening letters, letters stating that they are keeping an eye on him. Who and why, they don’t know. With some research, they realize that the perfect house that Marlowe bought came with its own past.

So many questions flooded my mind as I read this book. I was on edge about Marlowe throughout the book as he tries to take control of the many situations that surround him. When he invited his father out to the new house, lots of alarms sounded in my head yet perhaps I had imagined this would not be a good visit. The pacing of the book was fast at the beginning and soon it slowed down as the mystery started to shine. I was hoping for some unexpected twists to heighten the story for me. It was an enjoyable read not a memorable one. 3.5 stars

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen

5 stars Thriller

The price we pay for our family. Career or family? Catherine is ready to begin a new chapter in her life, as she finishes up the last details on her new job in Baltimore. Currently working as a nurse in a memory care unit, there’s a land of opportunity awaiting Catherine. Her mother, a hard-working individual, is now beginning to display signs of aging: missing keys, a forgotten word, and loss of concentration. After months of reoccurrences, Catherine realizes that her mother might have Alzheimer’s. Confirming her assessment with a doctor’s visit, Catherine changes her future as her mother now needs her home.

Catherine’s has had limited knowledge about her past, including her family, so it’s no surprise to learn that her grandmother also had this disease. As Catherine digs into her family history, she begins to uncover truths that were meant to stay buried. Mother had tried to paint a good picture but now Catherine is peeling back the layers and discovering how much she really knows about her so-called life. It’s a book you want to savor yet you can’t stop the pages from flying by.

There are so many layers in this book which I really enjoyed. It’s a story that you can’t get too comfortable with, as you never know what the next page might bring. As Catherine started to uncover her mother’s deceit, she never knew what to expect. Catherine knew that she had a good mother but at what cost? Blessed with a devoted, loving mother, Catherine learns that behind that appearance was someone who wanted to be hidden. 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Pekkanen, and St. Martin’s Press for an arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Prisoner by B.A. Paris

4 stars Suspense

I always like it when a book starts off with a bang and this one definitely did. Amelie awakes but where is she? Opening her eyes, it’s dark, she’s on a mattress but where in the heck is she? Told in alternating timelines, the reader gets Amelie’s past and her current situation. With both of her parents gone, Amelie wants to get an education but lacks the funds to do so. At 16, she heads to London and as fate would have it, she runs into Carolyn. Carolyn needs Amelia as much as Amelia needs her, so an agreement is made. Amelia is welcomed into the circle of Carolyn’s work friends, and I liked how freely they accepted her and how easily they all got along. Amelia finally has some new friends and she’s starting to feel comfortable in London. Just when things were falling into place, she meets Carolyn’s boss, Ned Hawthorpe and she accepts Ned’s job offer. This was a big surprise and I had to wonder Ned’s motive in this offer. Amelia begins working at the newspaper and it’s one big happy family now, or is it? This happy little scenario continues as Ned proposes to Amelia and their happily-ever-after-life begins, or does it?

Why? The newlyweds are kidnapped and Amelie fears for their lives. Kept isolated from Ned, she keeps her wits about her in the darken room, as she tries to unravel the sounds and sights around her. She is one smart hostage as she waits for the ransom to be paid, marking off each day as time ticks by. Piece by piece, Amelie starts to put the puzzle together, trying to put a plan into motion but who is she escaping from?

What happened next took me by surprise and I had to put on the breaks. What was happening? I was running on adrenaline reading this first part of the book and now, the pacing slowed down, and parts of the book were coming together. As the past met up with the present, we came to understand the why and, in the end, I wasn’t expecting that. I’ve always been a huge B.A. Paris fan and I look forward to future books by this talented author.

I want to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Northwoods by Amy Pease

5 stars Mystery

Eli’s coping mechanism is drinking. Not just one drink but drinking sometimes, until he passes out. His job as a deputy keeps him going but lately, that’s not even helping. Since returning from Afghanistan, Eli has lost his career and his marriage, and now, his memories and drinking have taken over his life. His mother, the town’s sheriff, has put Eli on her force and she tries hard to help him while listening to her community’s comments about his performance. It’s a balancing act as a mother’s fights for her son and for what’s right for her community.

It’s another night of escape as Eli finds himself alone, isolated, enjoying one of his favorite beverages. He hears something and now, his relaxing night is over. Forced to put on his professional mask, Eli tries to sharpen his senses when he discovers a male body in a boat.

In a department that’s already short-staffed, they now have a murder to solve. It should be Eli’s case, but can he handle it? Calling in the FBI, Alyssa arrives on the scene, and I wondered how Eli and Alyssa would be able to work together. Eli still can’t put the bottle and Alyssa seems to be all business as they start to put the pieces together.

The author throws in a couple other stories into this case, adding more interesting characters that create a storyline that’s entertaining and full of energy. My favorite character was Eli, with all his difficulties and challenges, as I felt he gave the book strength and unpredictability. He was a torn character with potential. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I received an arc copy of this book from NetGalley, Atria Books, and Amy Pease in exchange for an honest opinion, thank you sharing your book with me. 5 stars.

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

5 stars Fiction Suspense

Twin sisters, devoted to one another, hiding a big secret. The love and support that they had for one another was remarkable and as I read about their lives growing up, I understood why this had grown so deep. An event when the girls were 12, has their lips sealed but ties the girls even closer.

Growing up in a strict household, their mother expected perfection from them. She wanted her children to adore her and now, Fern is the only one who visits her mother in the care center. Why hasn’t Rose visited her mom in 16 years? These two girls were total opposites. Fern enjoys her job at the library. She’s the quiet twin who enjoys being alone and the simpler things in life. Rose on the other hand, is more outgoing and vocal. Rose has taken on the job of Fern’s protector, a role that she takes very seriously.

Fern meets a guy at the library who has taken an interest in her. She calls him Wally and like her, he’s quirky. I liked their relationship as it gets interesting, and I enjoyed their characters. Rose was married but I felt that she was more devoted to Fern than to her own husband, Fern discovers that Rose is having difficulties getting pregnant so without Rose’s knowledge, Fern decides she’s going to help her sister. How? Fern will get pregnant and give the baby to her sister. If only it were that easy, Fern. The novel speeds along as everything is moving now but what will happen to the girls and their relationship once the dust has all settled.

This was a page-turning, exciting book to read and I really enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. 5 stars

Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates

4.5 stars Suspense

I’m not a winter person. I lived in a state that experiences four different seasons and winter is the one that I detest the most. It amazes me why individuals would board a bus in winter, for a getaway and not be more prepared in case something went wrong. It’s just plain crazy, in my world! I also wonder how these individuals got together. Did they find a great deal? It must have been a great price, as a VRBO could have been a better option and more isolation. Think about this next time you plan a vacation.

There are eight strangers on the bus. On the road ahead, a tree has fallen, and it has blocked the road. No problem, Brian the guide has a chainsaw, and he will move it. This has eliminated problem #1. The vacationers were supposed to stay close to the bus while Brian removed the tree but nope, two individuals decided to take a walk and they haven’t returned. Problem #2 Problem #3 is the precipitation which amounts to a snowstorm and when they return to the bus after searching for the couple, they discover that the bus won’t start. I can’t even keep up with all the problems this group of travelers encounter as this should be Problem #4 but as the remaining individuals locate a boarded-up cabin to take refuge in, they discover that the shelter has some issues of its own. Keep your wits about you as things are about to get crazy.

This cabin is rustic, and I mean, rustic. It does provide them with shelter, but it doesn’t have running water, food, or electricity. As one of the missing individuals returns to the group, there’s still one unaccounted for out in the snowstorm. Resuming their search for this person, it doesn’t take long to discover why they never made it back. They never could have made it back in the condition they were in. Who did this to them and why? I guess I better start paying attention as I thought everyone was accounted for, so did one of the vacationers sneak off and do this evil act?

This was the first victim, the first of many. The vacationers start disappearing one-by-one and when the others find them, they think they discover a pattern. What can the remaining individuals do to stop this? Keeping watch over each other, they’re like hawks, but the dead bodies keep popping up. Are they missing something?

What a fun and entertaining read. This book definitely had my attention, and I felt as if I was watching each character waiting for them to slip up so I could catch them in the act. The cabin carried a vibe of its own and the weather helped create a feeling of isolation and despair. This book reminded me of another book that I had read but that was okay. 4.5 stars.

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.