Category: Suspense

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Driven by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Driven
SERIES #: Deep Ops #4
CHARACTERS: Angus & Nari
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/26/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Unswerving: Angus Force is determined to hunt down the serial killer he’d once shot dead–or so he thought. But an anonymous source reports that Lassiter is alive. Force hasn’t slept since, knowing it’s only a matter of time before “the Surgeon” strikes again. And soon, a body is found, bearing Lassiter’s same maniacal MO. It’s just the beginning of a murderous trail blazing through DC and Virginia, right to Force’s backyard…

Unstoppable: Nari Zhang is the shrink for the ragtag Deep Ops Unit, though she isn’t Force’s shrink–which is a very good thing. Because once they’re thrown together on the case, their attraction is explosive and irresistible. They’ll just have to fight that much harder to keep the heat between them from flaming out of control. But things are about to become far more challenging, and deadly, than they could have imagined…

Unhinged: Once the killer catches a glimpse of Nari, she becomes his new obsession. She is now the focus point–for both Force and Lassiter–in a dangerous dance for survival…

REVIEW
4.5 Hearts I have been a fan of Rebecca Zanetti for years now and I swear with each book she gets better and better.

We have been waiting for Nari and Angus’s story from book one. They are part of a team and there is something between Nari and Angus but neither wants to admit it. That is until Nari is the new obsession of the killer and Angus is not going to let anything happen to Nari if it kills him.

I love love love the way Rebecca Zanetti writes. There is something that draws you in from the first page of the story. And as a fan knowing we were finally getting the story we have been waiting for.

Zanetti writes so many genres and writes them all with perfection. This book is as good as her many others but I do suggest reading this whole series so you understand why Zanetti’s fans have been waiting for this book.

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

4 Hearts

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Into The Woods by David Mark

TITLE: Into The Woods
CHARACTERS: Rowan Blake
AUTHOR: David Mark
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/21/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING RICHARD & JUDY PICK AND KINDLE CHART-TOPPING SENSATION.

Thirty years ago, three school-friends took a walk in the woods. Only two came back – their memories a jumble of hallucinations and twisted visions.

There is a chilling reason why nobody looked for the missing girl.

Now, disgraced investigator ROWAN BLAKE will discover that in the remote and desolate Wasdale Valley, nothing stays buried forever.

Murder and suspense are entwined with supernatural overtones and blistering social commentary in this fast-paced whodunit set in the rugged surroundings of England’s Lake District

This is the first instalment in a Lakeland trilogy by internationally bestselling crime writer DAVID MARK, whose “outstanding”, critically-acclaimed McAvoy series is being developed for TV.

REVIEW:
Boy, I just couldn’t get into this book. I had the worst time not finding every little mistake which had to have gone into the triple digits. It really took me out of the story which each obvious mistake. I hope this is corrected before the book is released.

Now, the story was way too out there (and I watched Supernatural!!!). The suspense was fine but the paranormal part of the story was just too phony.

I picked this up from NetGalley because the synopsis says that the author, David Mark, is having a series made for TV but I am glad it is not this series.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Shadow Falls by Wendy Dranfield

TITLE: Shadow Falls
SERIES #: Detective Madison Harper #1
CHARACTERS: Madison Harper
AUTHOR: Wendy Dranfield
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/25/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
You thought your little girl was safe at summer camp. You were wrong.

She drags her eyes open, realizing she’s starting to fade. Did she imagine the voices, or were they real? She tries calling out—“Daddy?”—using all her remaining strength. But she’s too late and her little voice just isn’t loud enough…

When Detective Madison Harper arrives at a remote summer camp in Shadow Falls, northern California, her heart breaks for Jenny, the sweet little girl last seen splashing in the lake with her friends before she vanished. Peering into the silent cabins filled with rows of neatly made beds, Madison knows this idyllic place is hiding a terrible secret.

The girl’s parents are distraught, and the local police have no leads—they desperately need Madison’s help. She’ll do whatever it takes to crack this case, because it’s the only way back to the son she lost to the care system years ago when she was framed for a crime she didn’t commit.

But with the camp staff keeping tight-lipped and her new partner on the edge of a breakdown, Madison can’t find any truth to her instinct that there is more to Jenny’s perfect parents than meets the eye. Until she discovers a disturbing family portrait Jenny drew at the local library. Was this angelic girl more troubled than anybody knew? Was she in danger from those she trusted most?

One thing is certain, if Madison doesn’t find the answers soon, the lives of more innocent children will be at risk…

An absolutely unputdownable crime thriller that will keep you up all night! Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Melinda Leigh.

REVIEW:
What an interesting start to a new series. I do not believe I have read this author before but I really enjoyed the way she wrote.

In the first book we are introduced to Madison, once a police officer herself and who has spent the last few years in jail for a crime she did not commit. Now that she is out she wants to find out who framed her. She teams up with Nate, who spent almost 2 decades serving time in prison for a crime he did not commit. But something gets in their way as they go about the search for the person that set Madison up.

Jenny went missing and Madison and Nate Madison “knows” there is more to the story than Jenny’s parents are telling. And there is more to Jenny than everyone knows.

I found this really interesting. The backstory on Madison is well written and while it is not the main part of the story, which is about Jenny’s disappearance. I look forward to learning more about Madison and Nate and their next case.

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

4 Hearts

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Asylum by Theresa Dale

TITLE: Asylum
CHARACTERS: Bailey O’Connor
AUTHOR: Theresa Dale
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/29/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the creator of the Rose’s Ghost series comes another thrilling tale: Asylum proves to be a ghost story that stands on its own.
We follow Bailey O’Connor on an exciting urban exploration trip across the border to discover the secrets of a long-abandoned institution for mentally and physically handicapped children. But there’s more than just mystery darkening the crumbling buildings they discover, and Bailey finds herself lost within them with the help of those who linger.
The search for her is mounted during the day while her own search takes place in the dark. Are the rumors true? The whisperings of experiments performed on the innocent and vulnerable? What secrets lurk within the few impenetrable buildings on the site? Most importantly, can the truth be uncovered before the property is leveled and its secrets are buried forever?
Told in Dale’s unique voice, readers both familiar and new will appreciate an engaging cast of characters and a compelling story that is hard to put down.

REVIEW:
This book had so much potential to be a good scary ghost story but that is not what it ended up being. Some friends go into an asylum to check it out (like any normal person would) when Bailey is bombarded by ghosts who want her to get their stories out.

That should have been good and scary, right? Well some of the ghost stories are interesting but most I just didn’t care about. Nothing was scary. It wasn’t the “leave the light on while you read this” story, unfortunately.

I actually thought this was a first time author so I was willing to give it a bit of a slide since it was such a generic story, but I see this author has written other stories.

I think it still has a lot of potential but didn’t stand up to the potential it had.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews 13 Steps To The Cellar by Teresa Mathews

TITLE: 13 Steps To The Cellar
CHARACTERS: Callie Harris
AUTHOR: Teresa Mathews
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/19/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There were thirteen steps to the cellar. They were steep and they were narrow—but was a fall down them enough to have caused the twenty-seven deep lacerations to her aunt’s head?

Callie Harris travels from her home in Alabama to her aunt’s former mansion in Maine to unravel the haunting forty-year-old mystery of Dr. Laverne Harris Doss’ brutal death.

Why wasn’t a murder weapon found? Was her uncle justly convicted of the killing? Was his mistress involved? Or was the murderer the bearded stranger rumored to have arrived by train that night?

In the charming town of Richmond, located on the banks of Maine’s historic Kennebec River, Callie uncovers the community’s darkest secrets—a botched police investigation, a betrayed widow’s lie, a dead woman’s blackmail, and a wealthy philanthropist’s shame. The web of intrigue extends far beyond Callie’s suspicions and its connection to her personal story pierces her to the core.

REVIEW:
I have to say… What a surprise! Not how the book ended up everything about it. The writing was done well and the suspense was great.

I really enjoy a book where I think I know the “who-dun-it”/”the truth is out there” info but find out that the author was able to trick me. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen enough with me. But this one did! I was sure I had it all figured out…. But nope!

I enjoyed the characters which were plenty but not confusing and who always had a bit of suspense to them.

I liked Callie who gave off that “I only came here for the house” feel and ended up with so many more questions than answers.

Pleasantly surprised!

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

4 Hearts

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Red House by Joss Stirling

TITLE: Red House
SERIES #: Jess Bridges Mystery #3
CHARACTERS: Jess Bridges & Leo George
AUTHOR: Joss Stirling
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/26/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The compelling new mystery featuring Bridges and George has them taking on a haunting new case that will leave them doubting their judgement, and even their own eyes and ears …

REVIEW:
Ok so I am thinking I didn’t enjoy this book so much because it is the third in the series and I had not read the other ones. I think I was missing something by coming in late but was still able to figure it out.

The story was nothing new. Very typical of the genre. Man is killed and then another man is killed next door. And while Jess is not a cop she is the only one who figures it out. I get tired of stories that make the cops seem stupid and some investigator can come in and figure it out.

That being said the story had a lot of potential and I may have enjoyed it more if I had read the first two in the series.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews The Little Grave by Carolyn Arnold

TITLE: The Little Grave
SERIES #: Detective Amanda Steele #1
CHARACTERS: Amanda Steele
AUTHOR: Carolyn Arnold
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/11/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Detective Amanda Steele stops just inside the doorway, recognizing the victim’s face instantly. He seems so vulnerable in death; soft, human, even harmless. But she can never forget the evil he has inflicted. Her heart is hammering as she remembers her precious daughter, with her red curls and infectious laugh, and how she was lowered into that little grave…

It’s been five years since Detective Amanda Steele’s life was derailed in the path of an oncoming drunk driver. The small community of Dumfries, Virginia, may have moved on from the tragic deaths of her husband and daughter, but Amanda cannot. When the driver who killed her family is found murdered in a motel room, she can’t keep away from the case.

Fighting her sergeant to be allowed to work an investigation with such a personal connection to her, Amanda is in a race to prove that she can uncover the truth. But the more she digs into the past of the man who destroyed her future, the more shocking discoveries she makes. And when Amanda finds the link between a silver bracelet in his possession and the brutal unsolved murder of a young exotic dancer, she realizes she’s caught up in something darker than she ever imagined and suspects that more girls could be in danger.

But as Amanda edges toward the truth, she gets closer to a secret as personal as it is deadly. Amanda has stumbled upon a dangerous killer, and she must face some terrible truths in order to catch this killer – and save his next victim as she couldn’t save her own daughter…

A gripping, page-turning thriller full of mystery and suspense. Perfect for fans of Rachel Caine, Lisa Regan and Robert Dugoni.

REVIEW:
I have not read this author before so when I saw that this was the first book in a series I decided to give it a try. And mostly I enjoyed it.

Homicide detective Amanda Steele’s life fell apart when her family was killed by a drunk driver and pretty much she is just going through her daily routine to survive the pain. But when she is called to a motel where a dead body happens to be the drunk driver her senses tell her there is more to the story.

As I said I mostly enjoyed it. The suspense part of it was good. I enjoyed the “who-dun-it” part of the book and because this is book one of a new series I gave leeway to how many times the author introduced us to something new about Amanda but, honestly, I never found myself liking Amanda. There was so much grief in the book that I got tired of it. And the fact that she is even working the murder case, that in all truth, she could have done just doesn’t seem logical at all.

I will say that I will give the series another try when book two comes out, hoping that the author moves beyond the grief/pitifulness and lets us know who Amanda really is.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews The Scorpion’s Tail by Preston & Child

TITLE: The Scorpion’s Tail
SERIES #: Nora Kelly #2
CHARACTERS: Nora & Corrie
AUTHOR: Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/12/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Following OLD BONES, the second “happily anticipated” new thriller in Preston & Child’s new series will once again feature Nora Kelly, archaeologist at the Santa Fe Archeological Institute, and FBI Agent Corrie Swanson investigating a new case that requires both their skills (Booklist).

After a shoot-out Swanson is involved in, leaving a senior FBI agent gravely wounded, Corrie finds herself under investigation. Her supervisor assures her she’s not to blame and the black mark on her record will be cleared in short order. But Corrie finds herself shaking her overwhelming guilt.

As a distraction, she takes on a new case involving a fifty-year-old, mummified corpse discovered in a hidden enclave at High Lonesome, a long-abandoned New Mexico ghost town. Quickly out of her depth, she quickly realizes she needs the help of her foe-turned-ally, archaeologist Nora Kelly, who soon uncovers a startling truth: the deceased had been poisoned, and died clutching a priceless artifact from outside High Lonesome.

REVIEW:
This is the 2nd in a new series from Preston/Child. And Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson make excellent partners.

One of the best things about a Preston/Child book is the real life history that they add to their story. In this one we are brought to the desert of New Mexico. When Swanson finds a decades old dead body she asks Dr Kelly, archaeologist, to help.

The story takes some wonderful twists and turns leading the reader on a fact filled and fun ride.

Preston/Child have a magical way of writing together. Their stories, including this one, pull you in from the first couple of pages. And the suspense lasts until you turn the final page.

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

4 Hearts

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Dead Girl Walking by Roberta Gately

TITLE: Dead Girl Walking
CHARACTERS: Jessie & Sam
AUTHOR: Roberta Gately
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/24/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
“911. What’s your emergency?”
“He came for her. She’s been shot,” says a desperate voice, as footsteps echo down an alley. “She’s dying.”
“Oh no, oh no, he’s coming back. Please, come quickly––” And then a click, and the drone of a dial tone.

The beautiful young woman on the stretcher could be on her honeymoon. Chestnut hair tumbles around a pretty face, rose petals tangled in the loose strands. But the bandage around her forehead tells a different tale, as Emergency Room Nurse Jessie Novak desperately battles to keep her alive. Jessie’s thoughts are racing—who shot this beautiful young woman and more importantly, why?

Ann Hart’s life hangs by a thread, and Jessie cannot bear to see this beautiful young woman die without justice being done. Being a nurse is like hunting for clues, and Jessie is sure she can find the person who hurt Ann. She also asks her friend Detective Sam Dallas for help digging into Ann’s past. But then Jessie receives a gift that sends shivers up her spine: a huge bouquet of blood-red roses, just like the ones in Ann’s hair…

As the first snowflakes start to fall, another body turns up. Jessie is sure that she’s in danger too—since the roses, someone has been watching her… Sam is reluctant to see the link but Jessie knows she must find the culprit before he strikes again. He is stalking her through the frozen streets and he doesn’t want his fun to stop. Can Jessie turn the tables on the killer, or is she just a dead girl walking?

A totally addictive mystery novel that will leave you gasping for breath and have your heart thumping! Fans of Lisa Regan, Gregg Olsen and Tess Gerritsen will be completely hooked.

REVIEW:
This book just didn’t do it for me. I never ended up like Jessie and while I appreciated her tenacity to get to the answers the way she goes about it is, well, unlikable. I hated the way she was with Sam. Apparently Sam needs to give her every minute detail about what he finds out but she claims Hippa every time anything is asked of her.

She gets involved with another cop even though she is attracted to Sam and I, honestly, have no idea why. This other officer and the love triangle bring nothing to this story.

The storyline was obvious to me and it was no surprise that I figured out everything pretty early in the book.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Every Last Secret by A.R. Torre

TITLE: Every Last Secret
CHARACTERS: Cat & Neena
AUTHOR: A.R. Torre
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/01/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to the neighborhood. Watch your husband, watch your friends, and watch your back.

Cat Winthorpe has worked hard to get what she has: a gorgeous home; social standing; and William, her successful, handsome husband. Then a friendly new couple moves into the estate next door. While cautious, a good neighbor like Cat greets them with open arms and warm hospitality.

Neena Ryder isn’t a fellow lady of leisure. A life coach with off-the-rack dresses, personal issues, and a husband who hasn’t delivered, she’s anxious to move up in the world. This beautiful new town is a step in the right direction. It’s also making Neena aware of what she doesn’t have. Namely, William. When Neena’s infatuation escalates into obsession, it’s just a matter of eliminating a few obstacles to get the life she wants. The life next door.

As Neena’s secret fixation grows, so does her friendship with Cat. But beneath their cordial interactions is a wealth of temptations, secrets, and toxic jealousy. For both women, the desire for a perfect life can turn perfectly dangerous.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Here is the thing about this book. There is no good characters and yet they are all fun to read. Cat has it all and Neena wants it.

I found the characters well written and while I could see every last scene before it happened it was still a good read. As I said I really never cared about any of the characters so it made it easy to sit back and watch the train wreck happen.

I am not sure I have read this author before, I do not believe I have, so I was pleasantly surprised at the well written story.

Worth reading the next from this author.

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

4 Hearts

Posted on

Kimberly reviews The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher

TITLE: The Wrong Family
CHARACTERS: Juno & Winnie
AUTHOR: Tarryn Fisher
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the author of the instant New York Times bestseller The Wives comes another twisted psychological thriller guaranteed to turn your world upside down.

Have you ever been wrong about someone?

Juno was wrong about Winnie Crouch.

Before moving in with the Crouch family, Juno thought Winnie and her husband, Nigel, had the perfect marriage, the perfect son—the perfect life. Only now that she’s living in their beautiful house, she sees the cracks in the crumbling facade are too deep to ignore.

Still, she isn’t one to judge. After her grim diagnosis, the retired therapist simply wants a place to live out the rest of her days in peace. But that peace is shattered the day Juno overhears a chilling conversation between Winnie and Nigel…

She shouldn’t get involved.

She really shouldn’t.

But this could be her chance to make a few things right.

Because if you thought Juno didn’t have a secret of her own, then you were wrong about her, too.

From the wickedly dark mind of bestselling author Tarryn Fisher, The Wrong Family is a taut new thriller that’s riddled with twists in all the right places.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I do not recall reading this author before but the synopsis seemed interesting. I wasn’t wrong.

Cool thing is the main character is an older woman who moves into the house of the “perfect” family. But things are not always as we think and this “perfect” family is hiding something dark but when Juno finds out she has to make things right.

There is a lot happening in this book. There are so many twists and turns that you can’t help reading past your bedtime.

This is a hard back to review. Mainly because if the reviewer says something it is going to ruin some part of the story.

A very good read for any fan of the genre of suspense.

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

4 Hearts

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Walking The Edge by Sue Ward Drake

TITLE: Walking The Edge
SERIES #: Danger In The Big Easy #1
CHARACTERS: Mitch & Cath
AUTHOR: Sue Ward Drake
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/29/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
On the knife edge of danger in the streets of New Orleans, these rugged men call the Big Easy home, and they’ll do whatever it takes to protect their own

Ex-army ranger Mitch Guidry never should have let his brothers talk him into joining them in the Big Easy. Particularly when they have him going head-to-head with the very last thing he needs: a feisty redhead who has more opinions than even his hard-headed brothers. Loyal and overprotective to a fault, Catherine Hurley will do everything she can to stop Mitch from finding her fugitive brother…and yet, he can’t get enough of her.

Cath should be furious with the overbearing ex-ranger who shows up on her doorstep looking for her brother. Sure, Mitch Guidry is hotter than a Louisiana summer and pushes every one of her buttons, but he’s also an immediate threat to her family, and family is everything to Cath. Unfortunately, the only way to save her brother is to stick to Mitch like glue. But sharing close quarters with him while they search for her missing brother together proves to be more than a little challenging…particularly when it comes to protecting her heart.

Sue Ward Drake takes you on a wild ride through the steamy streets of New Orleans in this action-packed, sexy romantic suspense!

REVIEW:
I am on the fence on this one. I think the story was good. I LOVED that there were characters who were deaf but while a hurtile it was not a disability. It gave the characters some different definition than other suspense.

The problem was the writing. I had a hard time with it and had to figure out a lot of things than normal. I spent a good amount of time looking back on something or other because it was not what was originally said/described.

I think this book had a lot of potential but just needed a little more time.

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