Category: Suspense

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Kimberly reviews Close Up by Amanda Quick

TITLE: Close Up
SERIES #: Burning Cove #4
CHARACTERS: Vivian & Nick
AUTHOR: Amanda Quick
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/05/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Burning Cove, California where 1930s Hollywood glamour conceals a ruthless killer…

Vivian Brazier never thought life as an art photographer would include nightly wake-up calls to snap photos of grisly crime scenes or headshots for aspiring male actors. Although she is set on a career of transforming photography into a new art form, she knows her current work is what’s paying the bills.

After shooting crime scene photos of a famous actress, the latest victim of the murderer the press has dubbed the “Dagger Killer,” Vivian notices eerie similarities to the crime scenes of previous victims—details that only another photographer would have noticed—details that put Vivian at the top of the killer’s target list.

Nick Sundridge has always been able to “see” things that others don’t, coping with disturbing dreams and visions. His talent, or as he puts it—his curse—along with his dark past makes him a recluse, but a brilliant investigator. As the only one with the ability to help, Nick is sent to protect Vivian. Together, they discover the Dagger Killer has ties to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood royalty and high society. It is a cutthroat world of allure and deception that Vivian and Nick must traverse—all in order to uncover the killer who will stop at nothing to add them to their gallery of murders.

REVIEW:
Oh how I love Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick. And I really am enjoying this series. This is the 4th in the series but can be read as a stand alone. In this story Vivian is a photographer who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth but wanted to be her own person so she went into the photography field. And she also photographs crime scenes and something about her latest one has her looking into the crime a bit more than she should. But then all of JAK/AQ women are independent and strong so we couldn’t expect anything different.

Nick is brought in to protect Vivian as a bodyguard since she has been put into the crosshairs of the Dagger Killer.

Another great story by JAK/AQ. She always goes above and beyond.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Shadow Flight by Christine Feehan

TITLE: Shadow Flight
SERIES #: Shadow Riders #5
CHARACTERS: Nicoletta & Taviano
AUTHOR: Christine Feehan
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/05/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Chicago’s Ferraro crime family will do anything to protect one of their own in this thrilling entry in the Shadow Riders series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

Nicoletta Gomez was a terrified teenager when Taviano Ferraro and his brother saved her life. Ever since, she’s been trying to rise above what was done to her, molding herself into a survivor under the protective eyes of the Ferraro family. All the while, she’s been falling hopelessly in love with the man who knows her darkest secrets.…

With one look, Taviano knew that Nicoletta was his, just as he felt their shadows connect. But no matter how much he wanted to claim her, he knew she needed time to become her own woman. When Nicoletta once again finds herself in the sights of dangerous men, a split-second decision has Taviano breaking all of the Ferraro family’s rules to keep her safe. And as far as he’s concerned, the reward is more than worth the risk.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Another incredible book from Christine Feehan. Ms Feehan has a way of writing that makes you want to climb into the story and meet the characters in person. In this case Nicoletta needed a hug and I just wanted to jump in and do it. Don’t get me wrong Nicoletta is STRONG! She has been through hell and every woman’s worst nightmare but not only has she come out of it but she has come out of it with strength that I found palpable.

Taviano is just so sweet. Ok maybe not sweet but you just got to love a guy who is a diamond in the rough and realizes that Nicoletta needs time. And is willing to give her all the time she needs. That is until time is up and she is in danger again.

I adore Christine Feehan. I have never been disappointed in a book and this is no exception. This is the 5th in the book and while it can be a stand alone I am not sure why anyone wouldn’t want to devour any book Feehan writes.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Little Whispers by K.L. Slater

TITLE: Little Whispers
CHARACTERS: Janey & Tanya
AUTHOR: K.L. Slater
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/21/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
You shared a secret with the wrong person.

Janey Markham is thrilled to be moving with her family to Buckingham Crescent, the smartest address in a desirable suburban town.

Worried she’ll be excluded by the glossy local mothers, Janey is thrilled when she meets Tanya, the kind of woman she has always looked up to. Tanya takes Janey under her wing, and her teenage daughter Angel is amazing with Janey’s little boy. As Janey and Tanya grow closer, Janey feels she can finally leave her troubled past behind.

But then everything changes…

In a weak moment over a bottle of wine, Janey finds herself telling Tanya her most shocking secret. Why wouldn’t she trust her new friend?

The following day, Janey sees Angel, with a man old enough to be her father, pushing someone into a car. The next day a body is found and police appeal for witnesses – and share a picture of the same car…

When Janey tells Tanya she is going to the police, Tanya turns threatening. She’ll stop at nothing to defend Angel, even if her daughter is guilty. If Janey says anything, Tanya will make sure that her dark secret gets out.

Janey faces an impossible choice. Stay quiet about what she saw that terrible day. Or speak up, and destroy the family she has worked so hard to protect…

REVIEW:
Trust is a difficult thing and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Janey has been taking care of her mother and on her death bed she tells Janey a horrific secret. But soon Janey and her hubby are moving to a better address where she can relax after taking care of her mother for so long. Janey soon meets Tanya and they become fast friends… or are they? When Janey tells the secret to Tanya she realizes she has made a mistake. Because of all the people she trusted Tanya should not have been one.

I will say that I thought this book was a bit slow. It just spent a bit too much time before the move but once the move happened and Janey was in the new neighborhood the story picked up.

I liked that we didn’t know the secret throughout the book. We were guessing and trying to figure it out while reading.

I can’t recall reading other books but Slater but this will not be my last one.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Little Girl Tell Tales by Rachel Bennett

TITLE: Little Girl Tell Tales
CHARACTERS: Rosalie & Dallin
AUTHOR: Rachel Bennett
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/29/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Some of the boggy ponds were so deep that if a girl stepped into one it would swallow her forever…

2004: Rosalie is walking through the wild wetland behind her mother’s home on the isolated Isle of Man when she stumbles across a body. Having strayed from the path and lost her brother, Dallin, it’s hours before she’s discovered, shaken and exhausted. With a reputation for telling stories, not many believe the little girl’s tale of the body in the marsh.

2019: Dallin, estranged from his family, returns unannounced with a woman named Cora by his side. Cora’s sister went missing fifteen years ago and she believes Rosalie was the one who found her. As dangerous secrets are unearthed, Cora and Rosalie start asking questions about a girl who some would rather keep buried…

REVIEW:
Rosalie gets lost as a little girl and finds a skeleton. Once she is home she tells about the skeleton but nothing is found after a search of the area.

Now Rosalie is an adult and has become a loner. She doesn’t want anyone in her life after losing the love of her life. But enter Dallin, her estranged brother, and his girlfriend who believes Rosalie’s story of the skeleton and wonder if it may be Cora’s sister. And who put the skeleton there all those years ago and what will they do to keep the skeleton hidden?

This was an easy read. Didn’t keep the pages turning for me but was interesting. I never really connected to the characters, especially Rosalie. But a story that is interesting.

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

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Kimberly reviews Broken by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Broken
SERIES #: Deep Ops #3
CHARACTERS: Wolfe & Dana
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/26/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Dangerous: Former Navy SEAL Clarence Wolfe’s unit was taken out with a land mine. Injured and devastated, he hasn’t been quite right since. Worse, the tragedy was no accident. All Wolfe wants now is to take down the man responsible. In the meantime, he’s good with being the muscle for the Deep Ops team –and leading a steamy no-strings-attached personal life. Until one intriguing woman changes everything . . .

Determined: Reporter Dana Mulberry is on a mission to avenge the death of a fellow journalist. She’s finally hot on a trail–right to a sex club–where she runs into . . . Wolfe? It seems both their leads have led to the same spot. To keep from blowing their covers, they’ll have to at least pretend to have a little fun. Trouble is, they genuinely like each other. And that’s way too risky for Wolfe, especially when, to his surprise, Dana agrees . . .

Complicated: Drawn to each other in ways they can’t understand, Wolfe and Dana keep it professional–until they’re shot at one night. And when their adventures land them both at the heart of corruption in D.C.–and at odds in their missions–they’ll have to dig deeper than ever to succeed in their quests–and with each other . . .

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts It’s Rebecca Zanetti of course the book was great! Zanetti is easily one of my favorite authors. She has written all genres except historical (I believe) and has never once disappointed me. And this one is no exception. I have been waiting for Wolfe’s story and it was worth the wait.

Wolfe is the epitome of a Gemini. Wolfe can be deadly and focused. He can kill you practically with a look and then get a super sweet latte with whipped cream. He would do anything for his friends and those he cares about but if that means burying a body he will bring the shovel. Oh how I want a Wolfe of my own!

But in this care he has found Dana. Dana is a reporter determined to bring to justice the person who killed her friend. And when Dana and Wolfe combine forces they are unstoppable. And quite a story!

I loved the background characters of this story. Wolfe’s “family” of guys is who he cares about most and they care for him as much as he loves them.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews What You Don’t See by Tracy Clark

TITLE: What You Don’t See
SERIES #: Cass Raines #3
CHARACTERS: Cass & Ben
AUTHOR: Tracy Clark
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/26/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Former cop Cass Raines knows the streets of Chicago all too well. Now she’s a private investigator and getting an exclusive glimpse into how the other half lives–and how they die . . .

Wealth. Power. Celebrity. Vonda Allen’s glossy vanity magazine has taken the Windy City by storm, and she’s well on her way to building a one-woman media empire. Everybody adores her. Except the people who work for her. And the person who’s sending her flowers with death threats . . .

As Vonda’s bodyguard, off-duty cop Ben Mickerson knows he could use some back-up–and no one fits the bill better than his ex-partner on the police force, Cass Raines. Now a full-time private eye, Cass is reluctant to take the job. She isn’t keen on playing babysitter to a celebrity who’s rumored to be a heartless diva. But as a favor to Ben, she signs on. But when Vonda refuses to say why someone might be after her, and two of her staff turn up dead, Ben and Cass must battle an unknown assailant bent on getting to the great lady herself, before someone else dies.

Cass finds out the hard way just how persistent a threat they face during the first stop on Vonda’s book tour. As fans clamour for her autograph, things take an ugly turn when a mysterious fan shows up with flowers and slashes Ben with a knife. While her ex-partner’s life hangs in the balance, Cass is left to find out what secrets Vonda is keeping, who might want her dead, and how she can bring Ben’s attacker to justice before enemies in the Chicago Police Department try to stop her in her tracks . . .

REVIEW:
I honestly can’t recall ever reading this author before but maybe I have. I feel like the character of Cass has been introduced before and I feel like I missed a bit by not having read them. But as I did the book can be read as a stand alone but I do feel like having read the character before would have helped.

Now that being said I really liked the story. It kept me intrigued and wanting to read more. The suspense was most certainly there and each time I thought I figured it out something would send me in a different direction until I looped back around. And I love that kind of who-dun-it.

Great book to take you out of your own head and enjoy a good mystery.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Girl Long Gone by Danielle M. Haas

TITLE: Girl Long Gone
CHARACTERS: Connor & Monica
AUTHOR: Danielle M. Haas
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/25/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Monica’s stomach fluttered with excitement as she told the interesting man she’d been flirting with online for weeks all about her weekend plans. He was a great match, and they had so many things in common. But sometimes your life can come down to one single bad decision…

NYPD Computer-crimes detective Connor Mitchel’s sister is missing. As he combs through his sister’s life, he realizes Monica might not have been this killer’s first target—or his last. In a twisted game of cat and mouse, Connor thinks he’s finally found the man responsible for his sister’s disappearance. Unfortunately, he’ll first need to convince the shy, distrustful Evelyn Price she could be the next victim tangled in the murderer’s web if she doesn’t agree to help him catch the killer. But just as Connor and Evelyn close in on their quarry, the killer has one last trick up his sleeve that could trap them all…

REVIEW:
Have you ever watched a movie and wanted to yell at the screen can’t you tell that your co-worker is a serial killer? Well that is how I felt about this book. We find out pretty quickly who the bad guy is and I spent a lot of the book wanting to yell at the other characters to get a clue.

The story itself was fine. But I think if we hadn’t known who it was it would have been better because we would have been trying to figure it out too but knowing took something away from the story for me.

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

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Kimberly reviews The Goodbye Man by Jeffrey Deaver

TITLE: The Goodbye Man
SERIES #: Colter Shaw #2
CHARACTERS: Colter Shaw
AUTHOR: Jeffrey Deaver
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/12/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A thrilling new Colter Shaw adventure by the master of suspense, Jeffery Deaver.

In pursuit of two young men accused of terrible hate crimes, Colter Shaw stumbles upon a clue to another mystery. In an effort to save the life of a young woman–and possibly others–he travels to the wilderness of Washington State to investigate a mysterious organization. Is it a community that consoles the bereaved? Or a dangerous cult under the sway of a captivating leader? As he peels back the layers of truth, Shaw finds that some people will stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden.

All the while, Shaw must unravel an equally deadly enigma: locating and deciphering a message hidden by his father years ago, just before his death–a message that will have life-and-death consequences.

REVIEW:
Colter Shaw is a bumbling idiot (that may be a bit strong but still) with a heart of gold and I adore him. Somehow he figures everything out but the laughs he gives me along the way are worth the read in and of itself but the mystery of what is happening is a good read as well.

Shaw reminds me of Myron Bolitar from Harlan Coben’s series. There is humor in the way that Shaw does everything and yet he comes up with the answers.

This series is great for a humorous read with a bit of mystery and who-dun-it. A great beach read.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews This Is How I Lied by Heather Gudenkauf

TITLE: This Is How I Lied
CHARACTERS: Maggie & Nola
AUTHOR: Heather Gudenkauf
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/12/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Everyone has a secret they’ll do anything to hide…

Twenty-five years ago, the body of sixteen-year-old Eve Knox was found in the caves near her home in small-town Grotto, Iowa—discovered by her best friend, Maggie, and her sister, Nola. There were a handful of suspects, including her boyfriend, Nick, but without sufficient evidence the case ultimately went cold.

For decades Maggie was haunted by Eve’s death and that horrible night. Now a detective in Grotto, and seven months pregnant, she is thrust back into the past when a new piece of evidence surfaces and the case is reopened. As Maggie investigates and reexamines the clues, secrets about what really happened begin to emerge. But someone in town knows more than they’re letting on, and they’ll stop at nothing to keep the truth buried deep.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Maggie found the body of her best friend as a teenager and now, 25 years later, is a police detective assigned to the cold case of her friend Eve and her sister, Nola.

There are a lot of twists in this story and a lot of suspects. I have to say I was surprised at who-dun-it which is usually good for me (I enjoy when the author can trick me) but in this instance it was more of a “hmmm ok I guess”.

But that being said the build up to the end was really a fast page turning read. The characters are all interesting and full of personality and all have their reasons as to why.

Very good read.

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

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Flowers On Her Grave by Jennifer Chase

TITLE: Flowers on Her Grave
SERIES #: Detective Katie Scott#3
CHARACTERS: Katie Scott
AUTHOR: Jennifer Chase
PUBLICATION DATE: March 24, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
On the floor, amongst the piles of freshly pressed laundry, lay the woman’s lifeless body, her pale yellow nightdress soaked in blood. “I didn’t do it…” came a whisper from the corner of the room.
Detective Katie Scott has never seen two people more in love than her aunt and uncle as they danced together on the night of their wedding anniversary party. But the next morning, when Katie finds her aunt’s body sprawled across the floor, that perfect image is shattered forever.
All fingers point to Katie’s uncle, Pine Valley’s beloved sheriff and protector – after all, his prints are all over the antique knife found at the scene. Grieving, but certain of her uncle’s innocence, Katie is consigned to the cold case division after she’s discovered searching the house for clues.
Does someone want to keep her as far away from this investigation as possible?
Ignoring warnings from her team, Katie digs into her uncle’s old case files and discovers photographs of the body of a young girl found tied to a tree after a hike in search of a rare flower. Her body is covered with the same unusual lacerations her aunt suffered. Katie knows it can’t be a coincidence, but every lead she follows takes her to a dead end.
Moments before the sheriff is arrested, Katie realizes that a single piece of thread she found at the crime scene could be the missing link that will stitch old crimes to new.
But how can she prove her uncle’s innocence without throwing herself directly into the line of fire? She doesn’t have a choice, he’s the only family she has left…

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Flowers on Her Grave is the third installment in Jennifer Chase’s Detective Katie Scott series. Once again we get to follow Katie while she solves yet another cold case but this one is different. This cold case is eerily similar to the murder of her beloved Aunt. Katie jumps at the chance to solve not one but possibly two murder cases. That is if she can keep her eye on the prize and not get murdered in the process.

I enjoyed this installment to the Detective Katie Scott series. While I was not surprised by the who ending up being the murderer the journey to find the said murder was a good one. I also enjoyed seeing Katie’s relationships with her friends and Uncle grow. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

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

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Kimberly reviews The Rivals Of Sherlock Holmes by G.K. Chesterton & Jacques Futrelle

TITLE: The Rivals Of Sherlock Holmes
CHARACTERS: Various
AUTHOR: G.K. Chesterton & Jacques Futrelle
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/18/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Enthralled by the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Victorian readers around the world developed a fascination with eccentric detectives and bizarre crimes. Featuring an international array of authors and characters, this compilation of 16 short stories showcases the best of the mysteries inspired by the Baker Street sleuth. Their heroes range from famous figures like G. K. Chesterton’s Father Brown and Maurice Leblanc’s Arsene Lupin to lesser-known but equally captivating characters.
“The Problem of the Stolen Rubens,” by Jacques Futrelle, centers on Professor Van Dusen, also known as The Thinking Machine, whose superior mental powers and dispassionate approach resemble Holmes’. Robert Barr’s “The Absent Minded Coterie” presents French detective Eugène Valmont, a cultured and elegant gentleman . . . but a rather poor investigator. “The Murder at Troyte’s Hill,” by Catherine L. Pirkis, “The Ninescore Mystery,” by The Scarlet Pimpernel author Baroness Orczy, and “Cinderella’s Slipper,” by Hugh C. Weir, feature a Victorian novelty—a detective heroine. Holmesians and other lovers of old-time mysteries will thrill to these tales of dark deeds and their discovery.

REVIEW:
As a fan of Sherlock Holmes and ACD’s work I just had a hard time with this writing. ACD wrote Sherlock Holmes to be mentally introverted. He saw things and understood things others could not. And it seems hard for me to imagine there were “rivals” of Holmes that possessed the same attributes.

I will be honest and say I skimmed over a few of the stories. I would start them and just couldn’t bring myself to read every word but I did skim it so I would know where the short story went.

Others I enjoyed for lack of a better word. I had to put aside my fandom of Holmes and ACD and read them for themselves which at times was difficult.

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

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Kelly reviews Bitter Falls by Rachel Caine

TITLE: Bitter Falls
SERIES #: Stillhouse Lake #4
CHARACTERS: Gwen Proctor
AUTHOR: Rachel Caine
PUBLICATION DATE: January 28, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She’s investigating a cold case no one else could—by going places no else would dare.
In spite of a harrowing past still haunting her, Gwen Proctor is trying to move forward. Until a new assignment gives her purpose: the cold-case disappearance of a young man in Tennessee. Three years missing, no clues. Just Ruth Landry, a tortured mother in limbo. Gwen understands what it’s like to worry about your children.
Gwen’s investigation unearths new suspects…and victims. As she follows each sinister lead, the implications of the mystery grow more disturbing. Because the closer Gwen gets, the closer she is to a threat that looms back home.
In a town that’s closed its ranks against Gwen; her partner, Sam; and her kids, there’s no bolder enemy than the Belldene family—paramilitary, criminal, powerful, and vengeful. As personal vendettas collide with Gwen’s investigation, she’s prepared to fight both battles. But is she prepared for the toll it could take on everyone she loves?

REVIEW:
In Bitter Falls Gwen takes on the case of a missing child that has not been seen or heard from in years. But Gwen is not a quitter. She will do everything she can to find the answers good or bad for a grieving mother. But the real question is what will Gwen have to sacrifice to get those answers.

Gwen and her family have had to endure more than their fair share of trials and tribulations over the last few three books. I think that Bitter Falls is their toughest test yet. I enjoyed this book a lot and was very happy that I picked up for review.

I am looking forward to what is next in this series.

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

4 Hearts