Suspense – Page 23 – Books-n-Kisses

September 10, 2018September 9, 2018

Kelly reviews What I’ve Done by Melinda Leigh

TITLE: What I’ve Done
SERIES #: Morgan Dane #4
CHARACTERS: Morgan Dane & Lance Kruger
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: September 18, 2018
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Morgan Dane’s new client has blood on her hands—and no recollection of what happened—as the #1 Amazon Charts bestselling series continues.
Haley Powell wakes up covered in blood, with no memory of the night before. When she sees a man lying in the backyard, stabbed to death, she has only one terrified thought: What have I done?
Agreeing to take the case as a favor to her PI friend Lincoln Sharp, Morgan must scale a mountain of damning circumstantial and forensic evidence to prove her client innocent. Haley couldn’t appear more guilty: her bloodstained fingerprints are on the murder weapon, and she has no alibi. But Morgan can’t shake the feeling that this shocked young woman has been framed.
Someone out there is hell-bent on sabotaging her defense, targeting Morgan, her partner, and especially Haley. Someone who will stop at nothing—and whose next move will be deadly.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Waking up covered in blood, finding a dead body on the back porch and you are the only one in the house was not how Haley Powell wanted to start her day. But there is no way she could have done this….

Is there?

Or did Haley Powell just commit murder?

It is a good thing Morgan, Lance and Sharp were on this case and not me. I was so wrong on who I thought the killer was. There are a lot of moving parts in this story line and it keep me on my toes. So many so that I really don’t want to give away anything. You will just have to pick up a copy of What I’ve Done and find out for yourself who done it!!

I always enjoy reading Melinda’s books. She is able to great a world and storyline that always feels fresh and exciting. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.

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

September 5, 2018September 4, 2018

Kelly reviews Killman Creek by Rachel Caine

TITLE: Killman Creek
SERIES #: Stillhouse Lake #2
CHARACTERS: Gwen Proctor
AUTHOR: Rachel Caine
PUBLICATION DATE: December 12, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Every time Gwen closed her eyes, she saw him in her nightmares. Now her eyes are open, and he’s not going away.
Gwen Proctor won the battle to save her kids from her ex-husband, serial killer Melvin Royal, and his league of psychotic accomplices. But the war isn’t over. Not since Melvin broke out of prison. Not since she received a chilling text…
You’re not safe anywhere now.
Her refuge at Stillhouse Lake has become a trap. Gwen leaves her children in the protective custody of a fortified, well-armed neighbor. Now, with the help of Sam Cade, brother of one of Melvin’s victims, Gwen is going hunting. She’s learned how from one of the sickest killers alive.
But what she’s up against is beyond anything she feared—a sophisticated and savage mind game calculated to destroy her. As trust beyond her small circle of friends begins to vanish, Gwen has only fury and vengeance to believe in as she closes in on her prey. And sure as the night, one of them will die.

REVIEW:
Gwen had thought that she and her kids were safe. But this Melvin’s escape from prison and his chilling note to her. Gwen knows that no one will ever be safe again as long as Melvin is still breathing. Let the hunt begin.

Killman Creek picks up were Stillhouse Lake left off (you need to read Stillhouse Lake first. That is a must). Ms. Caine’s second installment in this series was great! We know from book one that Gwen is one tough cookie, but in Killman Creek we learn to what lengths she will go to protect her kids.

I am very excited that there will be a third installment in this series. I hope that by the end Gwen and her family will find a little bit of peace.

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

September 4, 2018September 3, 2018

Kelly reviews Bones Don’t Lie by Melinda Leigh

TITLE: Bone’s Don’t Lie
SERIES #: Morgan Dane #3
CHARACTERS: Morgan Dane & Lance Kruger
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: March 13,2018
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Shocking evidence hits close to home for attorney Morgan Dane and PI Lance Kruger as Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh’s acclaimed series continues.

Private investigator Lance Kruger was just a boy when his father vanished twenty-three years ago. Since then he’s lived under the weight of that disappearance—until his father’s car is finally dredged up from the bottom of Grey Lake. It should be a time for closure, except for the skeleton found in the trunk. A missing person case gone cold has become one of murder, and Lance and attorney Morgan Dane must face the deadly past that’s risen to the surface.

For Lance, the investigation yields troubling questions about a man he thought he knew. But memories can play dirty tricks. For Morgan, uncovering each new lie comes with a disquieting fear that someone is out there watching, because someone is killing every witness tied to this decades-old crime. Morgan and Lance follow in the shadows of a relentless killer and walk right into the crossfire.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts WOW!!!! I didn’t see that coming!!! What you ask? Like I am going to tell you that, you sillys. You will have to go get a copy of Bones Don’t Lie to find out!!!

I have loved all of the installments in the Morgan Dane series. But Bones Don’t Lie made me love Lance even more than I did before. It was both refreshing and heartbreaking to go on this journey with him.

Bones Don’t Lie is filled with twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the end!!!

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

August 29, 2018August 27, 2018

Kimberly reviews They Won’t Be Hurt by Kevin O’Brien

TITLE: They Won’t Be Hurt
CHARACTERS: Laura Gretchell
AUTHOR: Kevin O’Brien
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/31/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
ONCE YOU LET THEM IN
The lights are on at the Singleton vacation home on Lopez Island, Washington, illuminating the horror within. Scott Singleton, former NFL star turned television evangelist, lies dead. The bodies of his wife and four of their five children are found on the second floor, bound, gagged, and stabbed repeatedly. The oldest daughter was shot in her boyfriend’s car. And the police’s main suspect—the property caretaker—has disappeared.

THEY WILL NEVER
In her secluded vineyard home two hours away, Laura Gretchell is on edge. Her husband is out of town on business, and the children are understandably shaken. Laura tries to tell herself there’s no reason to fear. Then the door handle rattles, and the real terror begins.

LET YOU GO
They’re in her house, holding her children hostage, and Laura has only one option: do exactly what the intruders say. But as Laura races to find the information they seek, she realizes that the enemies within her own home are only part of the nightmare. Because someone wants to keep the truth hidden at any cost, no matter how many more must die . . .

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I have read other books from O’Brien but this was not one of my favorites. The story is good and had some suspense but there were so much extra wording that the thrill left this thriller.

I am not sure why there are so many filler words but it really takes a lot from this story and the reader loses a lot of the suspense. But as I said the story itself is good. But I am not sure you won’t find yourself skipping lines.

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

August 28, 2018August 27, 2018

Kimberly reviews Keep Her Silent by Theresa Talbot

TITLE: Keep Her Silent
SERIES #: Oonagh O’Neil #2
CHARACTERS: Oonagh
AUTHOR: Theresa Talbot
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/21/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
‘Do that which is good and no evil shall touch you’
That was the note the so-called Raphael killer left on each of his victims. Everyone in Glasgow – investigative journalist Oonagh O’Neil included – remember the murder of three women in Glasgow which sent a wave of terror through the city. They also remember that he is still at large…
When the police investigation into the Raphael killings reopens, Oonagh is given a tip off that leads her straight to the heart of a complex and deadly cover-up. When history starts to repeat itself, it seems the killer is closer than she thinks. Could Oonagh be the next target…?

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I didn’t realize that this was the second in the series when I requested it so I feel like I missed a little bit of understanding the lead character. Oonagh is an interesting character with an even more interesting name. I am sure my brain was not pronouncing it correctly as I read this story.

I thought the story was good and well written for the most part. There was a few times that I felt there was too much to take in. A lot of characters were thrown in for what seems like no reason. The story dragged a bit and the story jumped a bit. But with that being said it was interesting.

I am not sure but I think when my TBR pile dwindles I will pick up the first one and maybe understand a bit more.

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

August 9, 2018August 7, 2018

Kimberly reviews The Escape Artist by Brad Meltzer

TITLE: The Escape Artist
CHARACTERS: Jim Zwicharowski
AUTHOR: Brad Meltzer
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/06/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In #1 bestselling author Brad Meltzer’s new thriller, death is just another way to disappear.

Two hours outside of Washington, DC is the mortuary for the U.S. government’s most top-secret and high profile cases. America’s most important funeral home. To work there, mortician Jim “Zig” Zwicharowski has one rule: never let a case get personal. But when a new body arrives–of young female sergeant Nola Brown, who was a childhood friend of Zig’s daughter–Zig can’t help himself. Looking closely at Nola’s body, he realizes immediately: this isn’t Nola. Indeed, his daughter’s friend is still alive. And on the run. Zig’s discovery reveals a sleight of hand being played at the highest levels of power–and traces back through history to a man named Harry Houdini. “Nola, you were right. Keep running.”

REVIEW:
One of my favorite things about Meltzer’s books is the trueness in them and this one is not different. However what is different in this one is the sadness that I felt. This book shows how our US Soldiers are treated when their bodies return.

The suspense is very high in this book and what I loved (and hated) was each chapter made me want to turn the page and start the next chapter. Very few books anymore give me that “oh just one more chapter” feel but this one did. Each chapter ended with just enough of a cliffhanger that I had to read on.

Meltzer is amazing and this book proves it.

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

August 7, 2018August 5, 2018

Kimberly reviews Last Seen by Rick Mofina

TITLE: Last Seen
CHARACTERS: The Hudson Family
AUTHOR: Rick Mofina
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/27/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
They are the perfect family. But perfection is fragile.

Cal Hudson knows the world can be an ugly place. As a reporter for a big Chicago newspaper, Cal has journeyed into society’s darkest corners to expose the vilest crimes. But the world he and his devoted wife, Faith, share with their son is much nicer. They have made sure of it, creating a tranquil haven in suburban River Ridge to protect the person most precious to them.

Until the unthinkable happens, and nine-year-old Gage vanishes.

In a split second at a local carnival, the Hudsons’ storybook world begins unraveling. A frantic search starts to uncover splinters in their carefully crafted facade, revealing buried secrets that cast just as much suspicion on Cal and Faith as any ill-meaning stranger, and proving that the line between love and violence can disappear as suddenly as a child on a chaotic midway.

REVIEW:
As a parent this is the worst of nightmares. Your child is missing and you need to contact the FBI for help. So many kids so missing a year that it could happen to anyone.

Mofina is one of my go to authors for suspense. And in this book he is at his best. I enjoyed all the characters. I enjoyed how real it was even though you know it is fiction. But knowing this could happen to anyone makes you pay closer attention to how the case is handled.

I will warn you though the book is LONG. More than 500 pages. But the good part is Mofina puts so many twist and turns and it is written with a flow that makes it a pretty quick read for so many pages.

This book and Rick Mofina is a most read.

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

August 1, 2018July 31, 2018

Kimberly reviews The Third Victim by Phillip Margolin

TITLE: The Third Victim
CHARACTERS: Regina & Robin
AUTHOR: Phillip Margolin
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/06/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A woman stumbles onto a dark road in rural Oregon—tortured, battered, and bound. She tells a horrific story about being kidnapped, then tortured, until she finally managed to escape. She was the lucky one—two other women, with similar burns and bruises, were found dead.

The surviving victim identifies the house where she was held captive and the owner, Alex Mason—a prominent local attorney—is arrested. Although he loudly insists upon his innocence, his wife’s statements about his sexual sadism and the physical evidence found at the scene, his summer home, is damning.

Regina Barrister is a legendary criminal defense attorney, known as “The Sorceress” for her courtroom victories. But she’s got a secret, one that threatens her skill, her reputation, and, most of all, her clients. And she’s agreed to take on the seemingly impossible task of defending Alex Mason.

Robin Lockwood, a young lawyer and former MMA fighter, has just left a clerkship at the Oregon Supreme Court to work for Regina Barrister. The Alex Mason trial is her first big one, a likely death penalty case, and she’s second chair to Regina. Increasingly, she’s worried her boss’s behavior and the details in the case against their client don’t quite add up.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I have to say that I haven’t read anything like this before and while part of me is on the fence that is what gave it that extra half star.

Margolin has an interesting way of writing this story. Some seems to be thrown in like characters and such but the storyline was interesting enough to make me want to know what was going on and how it would end. Both Regina and Robin are really interesting characters and I think any fan of Margolin will enjoy the story. But if you haven’t read Margolin before this would not be the first story I recommended by him.

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

January 30, 2018January 29, 2018

Kimberly reviews The Honorable Traitors by John Lutz

TITLE: The Honorable Traitors
SERIES #: Laker #1
CHARACTERS: Thomas Laker
AUTHOR: John Lutz
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/30/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
THE UNKNOWN SPY

Officially, Thomas Laker is an employee of the NSA. His real employer, known as the Gray Outfit, is not listed—anywhere. When a Washington, D.C., insider is killed in a bomb explosion, Laker teams up with cryptographer Ava North on a desperate search for clues. The only thing certain is that another act of terrorism is imminent. Delving into the dangerous past when America was drawn into global conflict, they discover one of history’s greatest—and deadliest—secrets. In the wrong hands it can unleash unimaginable destruction. Now, to keep his homeland from plunging into its darkest hour, Laker will have to defend everything he believes in…

REVIEW:
2.25 Hearts So what to say about this book? Not much. I really didn’t enjoy this book at all. The characters just didn’t connect with me. Something is just off. They seem so immature for what is supposed to be their ages.

The writing is not great either. I usually enjoy Lutz’s writing but not this time. I really had a hard time finishing this book and a number of times wondered if I should just put it down and start something I would enjoy. I didn’t but the feelings never changed.

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

January 18, 2018January 15, 2018

Kimberly reviews Promise Not To Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz

TITLE: Promise Not To Tell
SERIES #: Cutler, Sutter & Salinas #2
CHARACTERS: Virginia & Cabot
AUTHOR: Jayne Ann Krentz
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/02/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A painter of fiery, nightmarish visions throws herself into the sea—but she leaves her secrets behind . . .
Seattle gallery owner Virginia Troy has spent years battling the demons that stem from her childhood time in a cult and the night a fire burned through the compound, killing her mother. And now one of her artists has taken her own life, but not before sending Virginia a last picture: a painting that makes Virginia doubt everything about the so-called suicide—and her own past.
Like Virginia, private investigator Cabot Sutter was one of the children in the cult who survived that fire… and only he can help her now. As they struggle to unravel the clues in the painting, it becomes clear that someone thinks Virginia knows more than she does and that she must be stopped. Thrown into an inferno of desire and deception, Virginia and Cabot draw ever closer to the mystery of their shared memories—and the shocking fate of the one man who still wields the power to destroy everything they hold dear.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Let me say that Krentz is high on my list of favorite authors but this book just didn’t do it for me. It seemed very long and yet each chapter was very short.
Virginia and Cabot knew each other as kids living in a cult and dealing with horrendous conditions and almost being killed. Now they are adults and believe the cult leader is back.
The story just wasn’t suspensive enough and I never really connected to the characters. I suggest reading any of Krentz’s books but don’t start with this one as you will not really get the feel of Krentz’s work.

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

January 16, 2018January 15, 2018

Kimberly reviews City Of Endless Night by Preston & Child

TITLE: City Of Endless Night
SERIES #: Pendergast #17
CHARACTERS: Vincent D’Agosta & Pendergast
AUTHOR: Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/16/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
What begins as a manhunt for the missing daughter of a wealthy tech billionaire becomes something altogether different when the young woman’s body is discovered in an abandoned warehouse in Kew Gardens, Queens, the head nowhere to be found. It appears there may be two killers on the loose–one responsible for the young woman’s death, another responsible for the mutilation. A pair of such dastardly killers requires a team of equally talented investigators. Luckily, both Vincent D’Agosta and Special Agent Pendergast are back in town.
D’Agosta hopes that working a case back on his home turf for the first time in years will reinvigorate the FBI Special Agent and give him an opportunity to flex his investigative might. But neither is prepared to face a killer–or killers–as diabolical as this. It will take all of Pendergast and D’Agosta’s intelligence and strength simply to match wits–let alone stay alive.

REVIEW:
Imagine a modern day Sherlock Holmes with issues galore. That is who Pendergast is to me. He can see things that others can’t and he is so intelligent but he has so many issues that it is a wonder he can put his shoes on the right feet.
This book is not on the top of the list of this series but it is a good one. Pendergast is vulnerable is this story which is refreshing. He is always the smartest one in the room so to see him at this stage is odd and yet interesting.
This series is a winner and it has stood the test since this is the 17th in the series. I will say after so many books you really shouldn’t start with this one because you need to understand Pendergast from the beginning. But you won’t regret starting this series.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

January 12, 2018January 7, 2018

Kelly reviews Squirrel On The Train by Kevin Hearne

TITLE: Squirrel on the Train
SERIES #: Oberon’s Meaty Mysteries #2
CHARACTERS: Oberon, Orlaith, Starbuck and Atticus
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
RUN TIME: 2 Hours & 54 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: November 30, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Oberon the Irish wolfhound is off to Portland to smell all the things with canine companions wolfhound Orlaith and Boston terrier Starbuck, and, of course, his human, ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan. The first complication is an unmistakable sign of sinister agendas afoot: a squirrel atop the train. But an even more ominous situation is in store when the trio plus Atticus stumble across a murder upon arrival at the station. They recognize Detective Gabriela Ibarra, who’s there to investigate. But they also recognize the body—or rather that the body is a doppelganger for Atticus himself. The police, hampered by human senses of smell and a decided lack of canine intuition, obviously can’t handle this alone. Not with Atticus likely in danger. Oberon knows it’s time to investigate once more-—for justice! For gravy! And possibly greasy tacos!

Alongside his faithful Druid, Oberon and the other loyal hounds navigate by nose through Portland to find a bear-shifter friend with intel, delicious clues at the victim’s home, and more squirrels. Always more squirrels!

But will our hungry band of heroes be able to identify the culprit before someone else is murdered? Will there be mystery meat in gravy as a reward or tragedy in store for the world’s (or at least the Pacific Northwest’s) greatest dog detective.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Another fun adventure with Oberon, Orlaith, Starbuck and Atticus. Squirrel on the Train takes us back to Portland for a grand adventure that takes an unexpected turn in the form of a murder. But never fear detective Oberon is on the case!! We get to travel from Portland to Eugene back to Portland again before we solve the mystery. We also get a lesson on why squirrels are so evil.
This was a fun quick listen with the help of the amazingly talented Luke Daniels. I always enjoy having Luke read Kevin’s stories to me. I am looking forward to the next installment by Kevin and narrated by Luke!!!

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