Category: Mystery

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Kimberly reviews Mercy by David Baldacci

TITLE: Mercy
SERIES #: Atlee Pine #4
CHARACTERS: Atlee Pine
AUTHOR: David Baldacci
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/16/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
FBI Agent Atlee Pine’s harrowing search for her long-lost sister Mercy reaches a boiling point in this breakneck thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci.

For her entire life, FBI agent Atlee Pine has been searching for her twin sister, Mercy, who was abducted at the age of six and never seen again. Mercy’s disappearance left behind a damaged family that later shattered beyond repair when Atlee’s parents inexplicably abandoned her.

Now, after a perilous investigation that nearly proved fatal, Atlee has finally discovered not only the reason behind her parents’ abandonment and Mercy’s kidnapping, but also the most promising breakthrough yet: proof that Mercy survived her abduction and then escaped her captors many years ago.

Though Atlee is tantalizingly close to her family at last, the final leg of her long road to Mercy will be the most treacherous yet. Mercy left at least one dead body behind before fleeing her captors years before. Atlee has no idea if her sister is still alive, and if so, how she has been surviving all this time. When the truth is finally revealed, Atlee Pine will face the greatest danger yet, and it may well cost her everything.

REVIEW:
This is the fourth and possibly last in the series. I haven’t heard for sure. I hope it is not but if not I am sure Baldacci will start a new series which will be just as good.

In this one we get to the conclusion as to what happened to Mercy, who is Atlee’s twin who went missing when they were 6 years old. And as always the storyline is great and gives us a satisfying conclusion to the story.

Baldacci is one of the best in the genre. He always gives us a run of twists and turns with a storyline that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

Another great book and series from Baldacci.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Whisper Island by Carissa Ann Lynch

TITLE: Whisper Island
CHARACTERS: Riley, Sam, Mia and Scarlett
AUTHOR: Carissa Ann Lynch
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/16/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Don’t miss the gripping new page-turning thriller from the USA Today bestseller!

It was the perfect escape

Until one by one they vanished…

For friends Riley, Sam, Mia and Scarlett, their trip to Whisper Island, Alaska, was meant to be a once in a lifetime adventure – just four young women, with everything to live for…

But as soon as they arrive things start to go wrong. First there is the unexpected arrival of Sammy’s drug addict brother and his girlfriend Opal – why are they here?

And then the deaths begin.

As the dream trip quickly turns into a nightmare, suspicion is high. Are they really alone on the island? Or is there a killer hiding in the shadows?

And as each of the girls reveals a dark secret of their own, perhaps the truth is the killer is closer than they think…just a whisper away…

REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts This was not the book for me. It is not a thriller but more of a mystery. And actually reminded me of those mystery room places you see popping up everywhere except set on an island.

I actually didn’t care who died or who the killer was. To be honest, I skipped over full paragraphs and didn’t lose any info.

I just didn’t care much about this book. Sadly.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews The Room In The Attic by Louise Douglas

TITLE: The Room In The Attic
CHARACTERS: Lewis, Emma & Isak
AUTHOR: Louise Douglas
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/12/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A child who does not know her name…

In 1903 fishermen find a wrecked boat containing a woman, who has been badly beaten, and a young girl. An ambulance is sent for, and the two survivors are taken to All Hallows, the imposing asylum, hidden deep on Dartmoor. The woman remains in a coma, but the little girl, who the staff name Harriet, awakens and is taken to an attic room, far away from the noise of the asylum, and is put in the care of Nurse Emma Everdeen.

Two motherless boys banished to boarding school…

In 1993, All Hallows is now a boarding school. Following his mother’s death and his father’s hasty remarriage, Lewis Tyler is banished to Dartmoor, stripped of his fashionable clothes, shorn of his long hair, and left feeling more alone than ever. There he meets Isak, another lost soul, and whilst refurbishment of the dormitories is taking place, the boys are marooned up in the attic, in an old wing of the school.

Cries and calls from the past that can no longer be ignored…

All Hallows is a building full of memories, whispers, cries from the past. As Lewis and Isak learn more about the fate of Harriet, and Nurse Emma’s desperate fight to keep the little girl safe, it soon becomes clear there are ghosts who are still restless.

Are they ghosts the boys hear at night in the room above, are they the unquiet souls from the asylum still caught between the walls? And can Lewis and Isak bring peace to All Hallows before the past breaks them first…

REVIEW:
What an interesting story. I enjoyed this story most of the time. The ending was a bit of a disappointment.

I found the gothic story spooky and creepy but in a good way. I enjoyed the two different timelines of 1903 and 1993 well written.

This book is pretty long. And there are certainly parts that went a bit over the top in description and but the scariness of the story was high.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz

TITLE: Orphan X
SERIES #: Orphan X #1
CHARACTERS: Evan Smoak
AUTHOR: Gregg Hurwitz
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The Nowhere Man is a legendary figure spoken about only in whispers. It’s said that when he’s reached by the truly desperate and deserving, the Nowhere Man can and will do anything to protect and save them.

But he’s no legend.

Evan Smoak is a man with skills, resources, and a personal mission to help those with nowhere else to turn. He’s also a man with a dangerous past. Chosen as a child, he was raised and trained as part of the off-the-books black box Orphan program, designed to create the perfect deniable intelligence assets—i.e. assassins. He was Orphan X. Evan broke with the program, using everything he learned to disappear.

Now, however, someone is on his tail. Someone with similar skills and training. Someone who knows Orphan X. Someone who is getting closer and closer. And will exploit Evan’s weakness—his work as The Nowhere Man—to find him and eliminate him. Grabbing the reader from the very first page, Orphan X is a masterful thriller, the first in Gregg Hurwitz’s electrifying new series featuring Evan Smoak.

REVIEW:
This is a re-release of the first in the series. I have read the second in the series and it was nice to understand a bit more of what book two was really about.

However, it did not change my mind on Evan. I really am not a fan of his. He is a bit of a jerk and the writing is a bit winded. I have read Hurwitz before but this series seems like he is using 3 words where one will work.

I am sure I will continue with the series but I hope he starts a new series soon.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews Jingle All The Slay by Dakota Cassidy

TITLE: Jingle All the Slay
SERIES: Marshmallow Hollow Mystery #1
CHARACTERS: Halliday Valentine
AUTHORS: Dakota Cassidy
PUBLICATION DATE: October 12, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Marshmallow Hollow, Maine, a holiday mystery, where it’s all Christmas all the time and murder is hung by the chimney with care…
I’m Halliday Valentine (yep; funny name is funny), a psychic witch who’s recently moved from New York City back to my very human hometown of Marshmallow Hollow, where I run the family factory that caters to all things Christmas. I inherited the factory from Mom, who inherited from Nana Karen, but now it’s just me (kinda…long story), my curmudgeonly British familiar hummingbird, Atticus; one ungrateful rescue cat; my talking reindeer, Karen; and my BFF Stiles (the only human aware of my witchy side).
Oh, and Digby Dainty (known as Hobbs), the tall drink of water who rents my guest cottage. And who I wouldn’t mind getting to know better. We have a lot in common, including a love of true crime. So as macabre as it sounds, when a shady real estate tycoon shows up dead in the middle of the annual ice festival, I’m thrilled to spend time with Hobbs, flexing our amateur sleuthing skills.
Well…not thrilled. I mean, a guy’s dead after all. But he did try to con some businesses right out from under the hard-working locals. In fact, the only thing more surprising than a murder in our charming Christmas town is how many of my friendly, beloved neighbors seemed to want the man dead…

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Welcome to Marshmallow Hollow where everything’s coming up tinsel! Where the hot chocolate is the best, the candy canes are sweet and the murders are….. Who murders someone in Christmas town? But never fear Halliday ‘Hal’ Valentine, her familiar Atticus, her feisty Reindeer Karen and her hunky cottage guest (*dreamy eyes*) are on the case!
This was a great start of a new series for Dakota Cassidy. If you are a fan of her Witchless in Seattle series then you might remember meeting Halliday Valentine. Hal is Stevie’s long lost sister. Jingle All the Slay is a great quick read filled with lots of humor, suspense, and of course Christmas. I loved every minute of this book and am already looking forward to what is next for Hal, Hobbs and the rest of the crew.
If you are a fan of Dakota Cassidy you will love this new gem. If you are new to Dakota this is a great place to start, then you can go back and meet Stevie and her gang.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Dakota Cassidy in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Daylight by David Baldacci

TITLE: Daylight
SERIES #: Atlee Pine #3
CHARACTERS: Atlee Pine
AUTHOR: David Baldacci
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/17/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
FBI Agent Atlee Pine’s search for her sister Mercy clashes with military investigator John Puller’s high-stakes case, leading them both deep into a global conspiracy — from which neither of them will escape unscathed.

For many long years, Atlee Pine was tormented by uncertainty after her twin sister, Mercy, was abducted at the age of six and never seen again. Now, just as Atlee is pressured to end her investigation into Mercy’s disappearance, she finally gets her most promising breakthrough yet: the identity of her sister’s kidnapper, Ito Vincenzo.

With time running out, Atlee and her assistant Carol Blum race to Vincenzo’s last known location in Trenton, New Jersey — and unknowingly stumble straight into John Puller’s case, blowing his arrest during a drug ring investigation involving a military installation.

Stunningly, Pine and Puller’s joint investigation uncovers a connection between Vincenzo’s family and a breathtaking scheme that strikes at the very heart of global democracy. Peeling back the layers of deceit, lies and cover-ups, Atlee finally discovers the truth about what happened to Mercy. And that truth will shock Pine to her very core.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts I love the writing style of Baldacci.

For years Atlee has wondered what happened to her sister, Mercy and finally she is going to get some answers. But finding answers also has her finding herself causing a problem in the arrest of a wanted man. And now she has to right the wrong she caused. Leading to a global search.

Any fan of suspense/crime thriller will LOVE this book. There is so much going on and it is non-stop. This could easily be turned into a movie with all the ins and outs that happen.

Baldacci has a way of writing that pulls you in and leaves you wanting more. At time I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen.

Great book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Nothing Good Happens After Midnight by 12 different authors

TITLE: Nothing Good Happens After Midnight
SERIES #: A Suspense Magazine Anthology
CHARACTERS: Various
AUTHOR: Jeffery Deaver, Linwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen, Heather Graham, Alan Jacobson, Paul Kemprecos, Jon Land, John Lescroart, Kevin O’Brien, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Joseph Badal, D. P. Lyle
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/17/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The sun sets. The moon takes its place, illuminating the most evil corners of the planet. What twisted fear dwells in that blackness? What legends attach to those of sound mind and make them go crazy in the bright light of day? Only Suspense Magazine knows…

Teaming up with New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver, Suspense Magazine offers up a nail-biting anthology titled: “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight.” This thrilling collection consists of thirteen original short stories representing the genres of suspense/thriller, mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, and more.

Readers’ favorites come together to explore the mystery of midnight. The ‘best of the best’ presenting these memorable tales, include: Joseph Badal, Linwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen, Jeffery Deaver, Heather Graham, Alan Jacobson, Paul Kemprecos, Shannon Kirk, Jon Land, John Lescroart, D. P. Lyle, Kevin O’Brien, and Hank Phillippi Ryan.

Take their hands…walk into their worlds…but be prepared to leave the light on when you’re through. After all, this incredible gathering of authors, who will delight fans of all genres, not only utilized their award-winning imaginations to answer that age-old question of why “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight”—they also made sure to pen stories that will leave you…speechless.

REVIEW:
12 authors all with one rule… Write about “late night” or “midnight”… that is what Jeffrey Deaver put to 11 other authors and, of course, himself.

Some authors are my go-to authors already (Deaver, Graham) and some I do not recall I have ever read before so this was a great mix of authors to enjoy the ones I knew and find new-to-me authors.

Because these are short stories (what Deaver calls magazine stories) there was just not enough time to get to know each character from each story. There were a number of stories I wish had been a full length novel and some I was happy with just the way they are.

A great collaboration of authors and a lot of great quick reads to have on hand.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews All The Missing Pieces by Julianna Keyes

TITLE: All The Missing Pieces
CHARACTERS: Reese Carlisle
AUTHOR: Julianna Keyes
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/21/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Reese Carlisle hates her life.

Three years after her father’s arrest for one of the largest embezzlement schemes in history, twenty million dollars is still missing, and the world believes she knows where it is.

Two years after her brother’s death, they still think she killed him.

One year later, she’s still hiding.

When the loneliness is too much, she seeks out strangers for one dark night, no questions asked. She makes up a name, puts on a disguise, and tries to forget.

One night she meets a new man. She tells him her name is Denise, she’s a dental assistant, and she loves dogs. He tells her she’s smart, she’s pretty, she’s funny. Things she hasn’t heard in too long.

Things that are too good to be true…

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts A bit romance, a bit mystery and a whole lot of good read. After Reese’s dad goes to jail for stealing a butt-load of money Reese goes into hiding, sorta. She is still out in the world but under a bunch of pseudonyms and back stories. Then she meets Chris.

There are a lot of things to figure out while we enjoy the HOT romance between “Denise”/Reese and Chris. Does Reese have or know where the missing $20M went? If Reese isn’t who she says she is, how do we know Chris is?

Fun fast read that has a bit of everything.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Silent Victim by Dana Perry

TITLE: The Silent Victim
SERIES #: Jessie Tucker #1
CHARACTERS: Jessie Tucker
AUTHOR: Dana Perry
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/20/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The woman’s golden hair is spread out beneath her on the bed of leaves where she’s fallen, her beautiful blue eyes open wide. The police are calling it a random attack, but Jessie Tucker isn’t so sure – she’s seen this crime scene before… she was the victim.

Twelve years ago, Jessie Tucker was attacked as she made her way home from an outdoor concert. She still walks with a limp from that night, and every day since has been a struggle to rebuild her life. The police told her she was unlucky – that she was safe after they charged a local man for the crime. But Jessie has never managed to shake the feeling that there was someone else in the park that night… someone she knew.

But then Margaret Kincaid’s murder file lands across her desk, and Jessie knows she can’t keep silent any longer. Margaret’s wounds so exactly match her own it’s spooky – but Jessie’s attacker is in prison, and Jessie has never met the victim. What links her to Margaret Kincaid, and why did the attacker let one woman live, and the other die?

Nail-biting, gripping and absolutely unputdownable! Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot and Gregg Olsen.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a new series about Jessie Tucker who is a crime reporter after being attacked years ago she wants to get justice for those that attack others. She clamps on to the murder file of Margaret Kincaid which has similar details to her own attack so she goes out on her own to find out what happened to Margaret.

I liked Jessie even though there are a few times I wanted to roll my eyes at her. And just like shows on tv somehow the copus can not solve it but a reporter can just doesn’t always work for me.

There are a few sex scenes that ar3e explicit and make me think they were thrown in for erotica value when it really wasn’t needed.

As with any first in a series there is a lot just to get to know the characters. I will give the next in the series to try to see if there is more depth to the story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews Deny Me by Karen Cole

TITLE: Deny Me
CHARACTERS: Jessica & Jean
AUTHOR: Karen Cole
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/30/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the bestselling author of Deliver Me comes a gripping new thriller with a twist you’ll never see coming!
Thirty-two-year-old Jessica is newly divorced and has returned home to live with her parents whilst she puts the pieces of her life back together. But Jessica isn’t the only one with problems, as her mother, Jean, has recently been diagnosed with dementia.
Shortly after Jessica’s arrival, one of the neighbours falls to her death, in what appears to be a terrible accident. However, Jean claims that the woman was murdered by her husband and that she witnessed the whole thing.
With Jean’s memory rapidly deteriorating, her family dismiss her story, believing Jean is confused. But when Jessica learns that the couple next door’s marriage may have been in trouble, she begins to wonder if her mother did see something after all.
Jessica is determined to discover the truth, but soon uncovers much more than she bargained for…

REVIEW:
I can sum up this book in two words… Rear Window.

This is a modern day telling of Hitchcock’s Rear Window. In this case Jean has Dementia and swears she sees the neighbor being murdered by her husband but, of course, her daughter doesn’t believe it until the clues start making sense and Jessica needs to find out the truth.

The story was ok but I just kept thinking how much this was like the movie. I think the book was fine just not what I hoped it would be.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews The Fallen Girls by Kathryn Casey

TITLE: The Fallen Girls
CHARACTERS: Clara Jefferies
AUTHOR: Kathryn Casey
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/03/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She didn’t notice the corn stalks shiver a few feet to her right. By the time she looked up, the man towered above her. In a single movement he wrapped one thick hand around her waist, the other he clamped over her mouth, muffling her screams.

Detective Clara Jefferies has spent years running from her childhood in Alber, Utah. But when she hears that her baby sister Delilah has disappeared, she knows that the peaceful community will be shattered, her family vulnerable, and that she must face up to her past and go home.

Clara returns to find that her mother, Ardeth, has isolated her family by moving to the edge of town, in the shadow of the mountains. Ardeth refuses to talk to the police and won’t let Clara through the front door, believing she and her sister-wives can protect their own. But Clara knows better than anyone that her mother isn’t always capable of protecting her children.

When Clara finds out that two more girls have disappeared, all last seen around the cornfields near her family’s home, she realizes it’s not just Delilah who’s in danger. And then she gets a call that a body has been found…

Clara will have to dig deep into the town’s secrets if she’s going to find Delilah. But that will mean confronting the reason she left. And as she gets closer to Delilah, she might be putting her more at risk…

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts So here is the deal. I will admit I hate when a book that is first in a series takes forever to tell you who the characters are and the book seems to take forever. And then we have books that do not tell you much about the characters at all. This was one that told us a lot. And while it wasn’t my favorite part it was very thorough. And Detective Jeffries has had a lot of backstory for us to get to know. Maybe even a bit too much but it was fine.

The suspense part was finding Delilah. The suspense part was very well written. I enjoyed the mystery. However I will say that I figured it out, actually I think one of the characters gave it away or maybe I am just that lucky. But even knowing I still enjoyed the story.

I will certainly pick up the next in the series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Gone To Darkness by Barbara Nickless

TITLE: Gone To Darkness
SERIES #: Sydney Rose Parnell #4
CHARACTERS: Sydney & Bandoni
AUTHOR: Barbara Nickless
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/02/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From a Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Newly minted homicide detective Sydney Parnell faces a savage killer whose endgame is to capture her. And keep her.

Iraqi war vet and former railway cop Sydney Parnell is now the youngest homicide detective in Denver’s Major Crimes Unit. In the past, gut instinct has served her and her K9 partner well. But it’s not a trait Len Bandoni, her old nemesis turned reluctant mentor, admires. Not until Sydney’s instincts lead to their first case: a man tortured and beaten to death, then left in a refrigerated train car with cryptic messages carved into his body.

The victim is a well-liked member of an elite club called the Superior Gentlemen. At first glance, the club appears harmless. But beneath its refined surface swim darker currents.

As Sydney; her K9 partner, Clyde; and Bandoni investigate the grisly murder, the three develop a bond that carries them through a shocking series of crimes and a horrifying conspiracy that threatens the detectives’ lives and promises to bring their beloved city to its knees.

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts This is the 4th in a series that I have not read before. And to say I felt a bit like I had no idea what was going on with the characters would be an understatement. Maybe if I had read the first one and understood Sydney a bit I would have enjoyed the story more but since I didn’t I was a bit out of sorts.

That being said the story is good. I loved Clyde, Sydney’s K9 partner. I always enjoy a book that really incorporates a dog and gives him a personality not just a “working dog”. Clyde is great.

The suspense was good. Didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat but I didn’t want to DNF it either.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.