It’s July 4th in Texas as I’m writing this review. I went to a festival before the fireworks and finished this almost right before they went off!!! HoIt’s July 4th in Texas as I’m writing this review. I went to a festival before the fireworks and finished this almost right before they went off!!! Holy smokes this was amazing!!! Fireworks were the perfect setting!
Rebecca and her daughter, Moonflower are on the run. Rebecca will stop at nothing and no one in order to keep her safe. Something terrible happened some years ago and they’ve been trying to stay out of sight. What is this terrible secret? Can Rebecca really keep her daughter from a terrible demise? On top of that, what actually is it???
This is what I call TRUE HORROR! This is the kind of stuff I grew up on. The mother, daughter and detective on the case were all just fascinating to me. Neville wrote an ending that is truly EPIC! Horror fans and thriller fans DO NOT MISS OUT! PUT THIS ON YOUR TBR NOW!!! Tied for Favorite of the year! ...more
If you are just now reading one of my reviews for the first time, I will let you in on a little secret…. I can be quite critical of popular authors. I’If you are just now reading one of my reviews for the first time, I will let you in on a little secret…. I can be quite critical of popular authors. I’m not a fan of Ruth Ware, Lisa Jewell, BA Paris, Lucy Foley, Freida McFadden, or Alice Feeney. The reason I’m telling you this is because I’m always looking for an author that stands out. Keeps me on my toes! Doesn’t have the most ridiculous twists. Folks, it appears I have found a new author that has blown me away! Charlie Donlea is one heck of a writer! ...more
Dear Helen Fields, you are a badass! What I thought was going to be your typical serial killer storyline was something muc*** Happy Publication Day***
Dear Helen Fields, you are a badass! What I thought was going to be your typical serial killer storyline was something much more complex! I now want gobble up everything you’ve written. Bravo. ...more
How in the hell am I supposed to give this book any justice? With 708 pages, Kindle Edition, we would be here quite a long time. I must admit that thiHow in the hell am I supposed to give this book any justice? With 708 pages, Kindle Edition, we would be here quite a long time. I must admit that this story blew me away! This was not at all what I was expecting. It became so much more. Kudos to J.D Barker for his miraculous mind and the ability to take his readers through a splendid JOURNEY!
This is a vivid suspenseful thriller! At times, violently brutal. If you’re not one for a gruesome tale, do not read this. I found some of the scenes to be shocking and loved every minute of it! The author brought multiple genres together, truly fascinating! However, the elements of storytelling changed throughout. It’s a coming of age…. a lifelong love story, literary fiction that pulls from the novel Great Expectations. I found this story only better. Elements of sci-fi throughout turned this into something wicked! I’m not really a sci-fi kind of gal, well sometimes, but the level of it written in with so much detail is incredible. I felt captivated. You just cannot look away. Again, I cannot do this justice. The wild parts are the mysterious murders that can’t be explained nor solved. When these crimes were discovered, I thought WITF is actually going on?
Intrigued yet? I’m telling you, She Has a Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be is probably the wildest ride I have ever been on! Fantastic, remarkable, gripping, and so so much more. The story should be made into a series! It’s that freaking good! Wanna be immersed in something special? A story like no other. It’s an automatic 5 ⭐️ ! A book not to be forgotten!
I gobbled this right up in two days! Talk about a great suspenseful story! Bravo Sarah Pekkanen!
A nanny has fallen to her death out of a window at thI gobbled this right up in two days! Talk about a great suspenseful story! Bravo Sarah Pekkanen!
A nanny has fallen to her death out of a window at the Barclay’s residence. A very wealthy couple who are going through a divorce with a nasty custody battle of their nine year old daughter, Rose. Stella Hudson has been appointed to represent Rose during the custody battle, looking out for her best interests.
Was Tina, the nanny murdered or did she fall during a terrible accident?
Man OH MAN, did I blow through this! Stella’s character is driven and stops at nothing to find out just what happened in that creepy freaking house. As she starts discovering, something is wickedly wrong with Rose! You know how some books portray evil kids in a very annoying way? Not here! Pekkanen does a splendid job throughout the book. Her writing is excellent and is superb at sucking the reader in!
Everyone in the house is a suspect! Who did it and why?
This is somewhat of a slow burn but HIGHLY SUSPENSEFUL in the process! Brilliant and wickedly good! I highly recommend you add this little number to your TBR! 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’d like to give a massive thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Sarah Pekkanen for the opportunity!
This man’s stories are about the thin lines between what’s right and what is wrong. At night, can you sleep with the choices you have made? So damn goThis man’s stories are about the thin lines between what’s right and what is wrong. At night, can you sleep with the choices you have made? So damn good, this guy!
Joe Talbert #2. Joe is a reporter for the Associated Press. One day his boss hands him information about a press release about a murdered man in a small town who carries the same name. Not ever knowing who his father was, could this be Joe Talbert Sr.?
As Joe heads to Caspen County, Minnesota….. he learns that the victim was not a very nice man. In fact, all of the residents of this town despised (Toke) Talbert AKA Joe. Not only was he a hateful man, his wife just committed suicide. To top it off, his daughter is left in a coma due to an attempt at suicide herself. Did Toke (Joe Sr.) play a part in these events or is someone out to get this family?
As the story developed, I felt these people were country bumpkins, you could say. In my mind, I was preparing myself for disappointment. However, it’s just the opposite. This is just how the life is, especially here in the south lol. People really act like this. Btw, I’m from Texas ...more
You know when you finish an amazing psychological thriller that your heart is just pumping like crazy? That’s how I’m fee*** Happy Publication Day ***
You know when you finish an amazing psychological thriller that your heart is just pumping like crazy? That’s how I’m feeling right now! Whew!!! What an amazing trip this book took me through and surprises that I never saw coming!
We know a woman has fallen to her death from a very tall building. Tate is the woman that says she was with her. But did Tate kill her? Did the woman jump to her death killing herself instead? If not Tate, then who and what the hell is actually going on? I was confused in an exciting way!
This is all I’m going to tell you about this book because this book is misleading. It will take you down lanes that you never see coming. What I thought this was going to be about was nothing of the sort. What a marvelous surprise this was!
The Woman on The Ledge is about to come out and you must read it if you love psychological suspense! For all the FOMO folks….. here’s one not to be missed!
Huge massive thanks to HarperCollins, NetGalley, and Ruth Mancini! Loved every minute of it! Available now.
I have never cried so hard and for so long immersing myself into a book. Nothing More Dangerous hit me in the gut….. ripping my heart out….. Then sowinI have never cried so hard and for so long immersing myself into a book. Nothing More Dangerous hit me in the gut….. ripping my heart out….. Then sowing it back together again. That is the beauty of Eskens’s work. Conjuring every emotion felt that lies within us.
Maybe this classifies as historical fiction. Set in the 1970’s. However, I’m not familiar with the genre. Even though this is Allen Eskens’s work, I thought I might not enjoy it as much as the rest in this series. Mr. Allen, I owe you a huge apology. Oh, how I was so so very WRONG!
Boady Sanden, age 15, lives in a small country town with his widowed mother in Jessup, Missouri. Just the two of them with the exception of his elderly neighbor, Hoke (Hoke is the best character btw). Boady doesn’t know much about Hoke in the 15 years they have lived there.
His school life is a miserable one. Racism runs rampant during this time. Separating US from THEM. He is bullied constantly. He doesn’t understand why racism even exists. He’s even ignorant to it.
Then the Elgins, a black family, move in across the street. Boady befriends the Elgin’s teenage son, Thomas while his mother forms a friendship with them as well.
What we learn in the beginning of the book is that a black woman by the name of Lida Poe has gone missing. Some say she has run off with her company’s money. However, Boady is worried something more sinister is going on.
Holy mother of God did I go on an emotional roller coaster with this one. Fear, happiness, grief, anger, sadness, fulfillment, laughter, resentment, and most of all UNDERSTANDING. The understanding of what life was like in a time where racism was still accepted and secret societies formed. With contemplating which side a person should choose.
I felt a personal situation that happened in this book hit too close to home. I grew up in Red Oak, Texas, a small country town from 1983-1995. My whole childhood in school. I had a black boyfriend when I was 13. I remember kissing him under the bleachers at one of our football games. When I turned around, the look on my classmate’s faces was one of disgust. However, I didn’t care. A few weeks later, my mother confronted me about our relationship. She said ‘Nikki, if your grandfather found out you were dating a black boy, he would disown you outright. I felt fear and surely loved my grandfather. Even though I didn’t understand, I broke it off soon after that. I WAS A COWARD. Full of shame of something I didn’t really understand. Now how it related to me…… Boady dances with a black girl at a gathering and he too had a similar experience. Only Boady chose with his heart.
GUYS, I BAWLED my EYES OUT for over an hour off and on. Late into the night, telling myself I had to stop and I would finish in the morning. However, I trudged on anyway until 3:30am. Puffy eyes, heart swollen, snot running down. Yes, I had tissues. ...more
Once again, the author has fed my soul! You might ask yourself if that sounds a bit dramatic? However, if you’ve had the Eskens experience, you would Once again, the author has fed my soul! You might ask yourself if that sounds a bit dramatic? However, if you’ve had the Eskens experience, you would most likely agree.
The story starts off with Max in a secluded snow filled area in Canada. On a frozen lake with his captive, he is seeking retribution for the murder of his wife four years ago. All he knows is that he will kill this man. Max is so consumed with avenging Jenni’s death, so much that nothing else matters. His mourning has turned to gut wrenching despair.
What we must find out….. who is the man and how did Max find him. Delving back to the past to the events that led to this moment, I too wanted justice for Jenni!
This was my 6th book of his. I have been reading out of order even though I normally do not do that. The Deep Dark Descending is his 4th novel. Which ever order you read, you are GUARANTEED TO LOVE HIS WORK.
Heartbreaking, poignant, extraordinary story telling. Emotions guaranteed to surface.
Once again another 5 ⭐️ read from a master novelist. I have two more books to complete. When I finish, I too will be suffering from loss. ...more
Oh my friggin’ gosh y’all….. I LOVE this man SO much! Allen Eskens has not only pulled on my heartstrings, but has given me the ability to feel EVERY Oh my friggin’ gosh y’all….. I LOVE this man SO much! Allen Eskens has not only pulled on my heartstrings, but has given me the ability to feel EVERY SINGLE emotion a person could possibly have! Through all the suspense…. My heart feels full! I literally ordered all the other physical copies of his books this morning to add to my collection.
The story…. And boy oh boy was this hard to put down. ❤️
Max Rupert has retreated far into the woods in a cabin to escape the world. He feels he has to pay a penance for his sins in solitude. What happened? I can’t tell you as it would spoil the other book. However, you do know he’s mourning the death of his wife, Jenni.
In town one day, Max runs into Lyle Voight, a man who used to be the Sheriff. He introduces his daughter, Sandy and grandson, Pip to him and then they are on their way. Days later, Lyle shows up to Max’s cabin with news that Sandy and Pip are missing. Lyle begs Max to help him find them, even though Max is no longer a detective. Reluctantly, Max agrees. While on the hunt into their disappearance, Max is convinced something way more sinister is going on. In a race for time, can they find Sandy and Pip? Could they still be alive?
The story shows you that the world is not always black and white, that it is gray at times too. Sometimes the choices we make leave a permanent mark in our lives. Tough decisions can feel so wrong, but we know that they are right. It’s whether you can live with those choices.
I felt this book IN MY SOUL! My whole being! Max is a character that you are literally gripped to. My empathy for this man runs so deep. Eskens weaves elaborate character building to where you fully connect to his characters, and not only Max but all of them. He is a masterful storyteller! I just want to share with the world the immense talent Allen Eskens has. Please do yourself a favor and read one of his books. You will definitely NOT REGRET IT!
10 POWERFUL ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ but I’ll settle for 5...more
Allen Eskens is an author that captures your deepest emotions and reverence for his characters. This man knows how to weave a narrative that holds youAllen Eskens is an author that captures your deepest emotions and reverence for his characters. This man knows how to weave a narrative that holds you captivated! The only reason it took me 4 days to finish this was due to that thing I do called work. ...more
I was really blown away by this futuristic speculative fiction novel! Yes, fans of John Marrs will absolutely love this!*** Happy Publication Day ***
I was really blown away by this futuristic speculative fiction novel! Yes, fans of John Marrs will absolutely love this! Add this to your TBR list, you will NOT be disappointed.
This is set some time in the future, 2040 something I believe. Imagine where you can choose the characteristics that you want your child to have. Down to personality traits, dispositions, even to the professions they might choose. You can even be informed what diseases they might have. DNA is the way of the future. Wow!
The Vault is known for stealing famous people’s DNA to be turned into eggs and sperm. Then having children with whomever they want. INSANE RIGHT!!! Total chaos! For a very special high price, anything can be done.
That is all I’m going to say about this as I want you to go in with only this much information. You are in for quite a wild ride. So much medical information is given so pay close attention!
I’d like to thank Crooked Lane, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this special book. All opinions are my own.
Ask yourself this question….. If I’ve yet to read an Allen Eskens novel…. What am I really doing with my life? That is the very question you should beAsk yourself this question….. If I’ve yet to read an Allen Eskens novel…. What am I really doing with my life? That is the very question you should be asking yourself when it comes to reading psychological thrillers. I seem to gather this author is a hidden gem. Definitely one not to be missed.
A law professor, Boady Sanden closed his legal practice four years prior for the simple life. One thing he still contributes his work to is The Innocence Project. Elijah Matthews was convicted of murdering a pastor four years ago, sentenced to a psychiatric hospital as he claimed he is a prophet of God. His sister believes in his innocence and desperately wants Boady to prove it.
While that plot line is going, we have Emma, a 14 year old girl who has been under Boady’s and his wife’s care for the past four years. But her living arrangements have been erupted when her Aunt won’t give her back after a visit, seeking full custody. Now, Boady will fight for everything he knows to keep Emma with them. A race against time, Boady is determined to prove Elijah’s innocence while figuring out the solution to Emma’s future.
This book starts off with a bang! As soon as it’s revealed a psychotic ‘Prophet’ murdered a pastor, I COULD NOT SET THIS DOWN. Religion and murder highly fascinate me when combined together. I automatically assume the priest/pastor has done something heinous. Is Elijah a delusional man just wrongfully accused? Or is he playing the game of insanity? Will Boady and Dee get the ‘daughter’ they never had back home? And are these two cases somehow connected?
I fell in love with these characters. Eskens weaves each and every person in narrative detail. You get an understanding the driving force behind them. I would say that Allen Eskens is one of the best in the legal thrilling genre. I’m putting him up there with Steve Cavanagh. Yes, that good!
Highly recommend! Can be read as a stand alone....more
Wow!!!!!!! Mrs Hepworth, I am deeply moved and in awe of your work. I owe an amends for not having read you sooner. Please continue to write awesome bWow!!!!!!! Mrs Hepworth, I am deeply moved and in awe of your work. I owe an amends for not having read you sooner. Please continue to write awesome books!
The story-- Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are sisters. Sisters by a bond through the foster system, not by relation. As adults, they are contacted and told there has been a discovery of human bones in the ground of their foster home. Perplexed, they decide to travel back to the town and find out what's going on. Who do the bones belong to? Was it murder? Who did it? Are they suddenly suspects even though they were only children?
The story has two timelines- 25 years in the past and current time. Which I love, btw, especially when a story is told right and it all comes together. Told from different POV.
25 years ago-- The three girls are taken to a woman, Miss Fairchild, who lives alone. Let's just say.... Miss Fairchild is a hideous woman. As you can imagine, their foster lives are unhappy ones.
You know how in books that have child abuse can become too much? Too descriptive. Horrible to imagine? For example- the book If You Tell by Gregg Olsen. It was a gawd awful true story of child abuse. Well... this doesn't even come close to that. Yes, it is sad... but not deeply depressing IMO.
What I loved the most were the characters. I felt connected to them in so many ways. Alicia, Jessica, and Norah experience pain through childhood that ultimately leads to strength and an unbreakable bond. I was not only rooting for them, I was connected to them. Chemical dependency is mentioned, as I have been a recovering alcoholic for 20 years.... I felt connected. I too have been a victim of abuse. However, today I am a survivor!
--- Definitely read the Acknowledgements! It's extremely important to the story and the research Hepworth went through. I was moved. I will definitely be thinking about this book for a while.
*** Ending twist you NEVER SEE COMING!!!
--Trigger Warnings-- Child Abuse, sexual abuse (nothing descriptive), addiction, and death of a child. I hate to read about these things, but Hepworth told these things without ripping my heart out. No descriptive scenes. *5 huge ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ * Thanks to NetGalley, Sally Hepworth, and St Martin's Press for an advanced copy for my honest opinion. *Expected publication date April 23rd 2024...more
This book is The Bomb Diggity!!! This dude can seriously write! I find myself slacking on my domestic duties every single time I open this guy's stuffThis book is The Bomb Diggity!!! This dude can seriously write! I find myself slacking on my domestic duties every single time I open this guy's stuff up. M.W Craven is a genius storyteller. He never ever disappoints.
Someone is sending an envelope with a flower and a poem inside. The recipient is someone with heinous transgressions. Then they die. The media calls him The Botanist and they are cheering him on.
Another crime has been committed, Estelle Doyle, the brilliant pathologist's father has been brutally murdered. She is the number one suspect. Poe is racing against time to help prove her innocence.
Poe and Tilly once again are a brilliant duo. These two are my favorite combo out of any series. They blow me away and they will blow you away too! I'm just irritated I didn't read this sooner. Thank goodness for Facebook and the book groups I'm in for their recommendations. This is a stellar series with a top tier author. I highly recommend this series. Bravo, Craven! 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️...more
If you aren't reading this series.... What in the hell are you doing with your life? Seriously!
Another page turning mind-twist of a book. 4th Poe and If you aren't reading this series.... What in the hell are you doing with your life? Seriously!
Another page turning mind-twist of a book. 4th Poe and Tilly installment. Spectacular! Look, there is so much information fed to you that I think an audio book just wouldn't suffice. You'd probably be lost. I had to look up many words as I had not heard of them before. I'm American. These were military terms, IT technical mumbo-jumbo and police procedural terms. I've learned so much. I feel smarter with each book lol. You can NOT skim over this stuff! You have to absorb it. Remarkably funny and sharp writing. Suspenseful! You can't put these books down!!! Excellent series! 5 brilliant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️...more
I apologize there isn't an image of the book. However, HOLY FUCK BALLS! This book was bonkers! Out of this world good! It made my brain hurt with all I apologize there isn't an image of the book. However, HOLY FUCK BALLS! This book was bonkers! Out of this world good! It made my brain hurt with all the technical mumbo-jumbo and forensic information. It appears I'm learning a whole lot from this series!
This is the 3rd installment to the Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw series. This combo is one of my favorites ever! Poe, a disgruntled Sergeant and his wiz I.T analyst are back at it again.
Someone has left some severed fingers laying across the city. There's a message left with them, but was does the message mean? It honestly amazes me how much can be found out just from random body parts. I have learned so much forensic information and technology mumbo-jumbo that it makes my brain hurt! However, I absolutely LOVE IT!
This is a series that mustn't be missed! Being American, I just discovered him a month ago.... and disappointed it took that long. It's sharp, gripping, witty at times, and definitely suspenseful! Start with the first book, The Puppet Show. You won't be disappointed!...more
FINALLY!!! A Riley Sager book I can get down with! I loved it! It's a miracle! I'm not even a Sager fan, but he knocked it out of the park with this oFINALLY!!! A Riley Sager book I can get down with! I loved it! It's a miracle! I'm not even a Sager fan, but he knocked it out of the park with this one! It's 1983 and Kit McDeere has accepted a job as she is a caregiver. The job.... to care for Lenora Hope... an accused murderer in 1929. Now 70, Lenora is mute and paralyzed. Kit is determined to find out the truth of what happened that night so long ago. Did Lenora really kill her father, mother, and sister?
The atmosphere in this is quite creepy which I highly enjoyed. Little nuggets are chunked out piece by piece. However, it wasn't what I thought at all in several reveals. What a surprise! I met him last week in Houston at a book signing and he's quite funny I must say. Great job Riley Sager! I highly recommend this book!...more
What a gripping, sadistic, disturbing tale this was! The Puppet Show by M.W Craven- *** TRIGGER WARNINGS GALORE*** No animal stuff but just about everyWhat a gripping, sadistic, disturbing tale this was! The Puppet Show by M.W Craven- *** TRIGGER WARNINGS GALORE*** No animal stuff but just about everything else***
This is a British police procedural novel, the first in the Washington Poe series. Someone is burning bodies, oh yeah, and it's pretty gritty. Poe has been on suspension for a while, due to his lack of rules. He just doesn't have any. The next victim has his name carved into him before he was burned, which is obviously a message. The characters in this book are so unique and likable. Finally! This story took off and I felt like I had to come up for air. I literally lost sleep over this one. I'm exhausted, but oh so worth it. TWIST AFTER TWIST- and not for just shock value. I immediately downloaded the next in the series. If you can handle outright disturbing stuff with a mind-**** of a plot... THIS IS FOR YOU! 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ brilliant stars!
Thank you Steve Cavanagh for the recommendation! If he loves him, surely I would too, because Cavanagh is brilliant himself!...more
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