Suspense – Page 4 – One Chapter

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.

The Last Word by Taylor Adams

4 stars Mystery

I loved the points of view in this book. It was such a great way to bring this story together as we read about Emma, who is isolating herself with her dog Laika in a beach house. There is only one other neighbor with whom she communicates with via textboard and window otherwise she spends her time reading and taking walks. When Emma leaves an honest, low rating of a book online, she’s harassed by the author to remove it. Emma refuses to accommodate the author which starts the ball rolling in this book and Emma’s quiet retreat by the water is over. I’m glad that she has her dog, Laika with her as she needs those extra eyes and ears now.

I liked the relationship Emma had with her only neighbor. Their means of communication was interesting yet I questioned how much this man was actually watching her and her movements. As the strange events started to occur and intensify, I started to look at the neighbor and wondered about his involvement and his connection to the author, who Emma thought was stalking her. I started to doubt who really was involved or if it was someone else entirely. Just when I thought the book might be winding down, a new wrinkle was thrown in and we were off again. I thought the middle of the book was a bit slow for me. I liked the character of Emma as she wasn’t someone who frustrated me with being forgetful or dizzy when faced with pressure. 4 stars

Dirty Laundry by Disha Bose

3.5 stars Mystery

She threw around the word “friend” yet, she didn’t for the life of her, know what the real meaning of that word meant! According to Ciara definition, a friend was someone who you could take advantage of, someone who would bend over backwards for you but they’d better not expect the same from her. A friend was someone who was loyal to Ciara and her only and when Ciara needed someone, they’d better be hopping over to lend their shoulder. Give this chick a wakeup call! She was really getting on my nerves! Why was everyone following her around, wanting to be in her circle? Couldn’t they really “see” her?

It was hard to keep track of everyone in this book. Perhaps, if everyone would stay in their corner it wouldn’t have been so hard, but these individuals were like spinning a web. They were supposed to be couples, that were supposed to be together but boy, did they have baggage. What I actually meant to say, is that they had oversized luggage! There wasn’t one happy couple in the whole bunch. Each of them had issues that ended up flowing into one of the other couples.

Ciara lives this perfect life on Instagram but in reality, she’s a mess. Depending on which friend you are, Ciara lets you see into her many different lives. With a husband and a couple kids, she’s something else! It’s a good thing that one of her children attend school and there’s a grandmother living close, as the children need some stability when Ciara needs her space. The lies fall right off her tongue as she zips down the road to her next rendezvous or shopping excursion, after she frees herself from her children. Mishti is Ciara’s dearest friend. Mishti arranged marriage to Parth is anything but perfect but that makes her life fit right in with Ciara’s. Mishti feels as if she’s missing out and she really is. Mishti, my lady, open your eyes as you really are missing out on ….. what’s right in front of you! There’s Lauren, who I wasn’t sure I wanted to like but the more I read about her, the more I cheered her on. She likes to throw punches and for being a timid thing, she was finally trying to break out of her shell but her words got stuck on her tongue. Lauren’s written words spoke louder than her voice.

This was a twisted story for me. I liked how all the characters were linked together and how the drama unfolded in layers. I found though, that I was waiting for something else to happen in the book. I don’t know what else I was expecting to occur but as I was reading and I got 75% of the book finished, I wondered if this drama that I had been reading about, was all there was to expect in this book. I was emotionally caught up in the characters and their lives which was a good thing but I really didn’t care about any of these individuals in the end. 3.5 stars.

The Last Laugh by Mindy McGinnis

5 stars YA Suspense

It went off the rails pretty quickly! I suggest that you read the first book in this series before you tackle this book, as you’ll want to enjoy this ride to the fullest effect. There was quite a bit of drama amongst the characters even before this book began. As things started to heat up, I had a hard time putting this book down. Taking off right where the previous book left off, Mindy’s not just wrapping things up inside this book, Mindy begins by stoking up the fire. Into this dark storyline, I met some fantastic characters that I didn’t trust but they fit perfectly inside this story. Thanks, Mindy, for that fantastic ending.