DCS Kat Frank is ready to go back to work. She has been on leave after the passing of her husband. She A refreshing view of a police procedural novel.
DCS Kat Frank is ready to go back to work. She has been on leave after the passing of her husband. She has taken time off to be with her high school-aged son. She is grieving but knows she has to start work to keep her mind entertained, or she will go crazy.
Her boss assigns her to a pilot program. She is going to have the first AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detective Entity) working with her. His name is Lock. After completing her team, they go to work on solving a couple of cold cases. Then, when they discover the two cases are connected and become a live case, Kat and Lock will have to work together against the clock to hopefully save a kidnapped victim.
I can't believe this was a debut novel by Jo Callaghan. 'In the Blink of An Eye' was engaging, entertaining, and unputdownable. The characters are all fleshed out, and I want to know more about all of them. I love Lock and Kat together. They make an amazing team. It's so interesting how Lock is learning and becoming more. Too bad he isn't human.
Theodora Scott meets Connor Dalton, sparking a belief in love at first sight. The couple quickly becomes inseparable.A good atmospheric thriller ride!
Theodora Scott meets Connor Dalton, sparking a belief in love at first sight. The couple quickly becomes inseparable. After six months together, Connor invites her to his wealthy family’s retreat, Idlewood. Theo is nervous about meeting his family, and she’s right to feel uneasy. Upon arriving, she finds no one making an effort to include or welcome her. To make matters worse, she receives cryptic messages warning her to stay away from Connor. Strangely, she also feels an inexplicable sense of familiarity with the place and finds herself drawn to an empty cabin called Dragonfly. Her dragonfly tattoo only deepens the mystery—what’s the connection?
I listened to the audio version of A Killing Cold, which helped me keep track of the characters across present-day scenes and flashbacks. The novel delivered several twists—some I anticipated, others caught me off guard. I also appreciated the denouement; it felt satisfying without being overly perfect.
This is my second book by Kate Alice Marshall, having enjoyed What Lies in the Woods as well. I’m eager to read more of her work.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Macmillan Audio via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Letty Davenport is Lucas Davenport’s adopted daughter, yet she feels more like his own than if she were his biological child.
Now fully grown, Letty woLetty Davenport is Lucas Davenport’s adopted daughter, yet she feels more like his own than if she were his biological child.
Now fully grown, Letty works for the government. She starts with a desk job for U.S. Senator Colles in Washington, but just as she’s about to quit, he offers her a role as an investigator. She’s paired with John Kaiser from the Department of Homeland Security, and together they must uncover what happened to the missing petroleum—and why.
As the clues point to a militia plotting to harm people, Letty races to find and stop them before it’s too late.
I was thrilled to dive into Letty’s first standalone book. As a fan of Lucas and Virgil from their respective series, I had high hopes, especially since Letty appears in several of Lucas’s stories. Surprisingly, I found the plot dragged at times, and the villains felt too one-dimensional. Typically, John Sandford’s antagonists make you squirm with how bad they are, but not so much in The Investigator. Another big letdown was the humor—while there were a few funny moments, it lacked the sharp wit of the other two series.
Still, I’ll keep reading the series since I know it will get better.
Detective Kat Frank and AIDE Lock are back together in Leave No Trace.
After solving a cold case, Detective Kat feels lonelWhy can't AIDE Lock be real?
Detective Kat Frank and AIDE Lock are back together in Leave No Trace.
After solving a cold case, Detective Kat feels lonely. She recently became a widow, and with her beloved son now away at university, she’s alone in their house so close to the Christmas holiday. She knows work can keep her busy and help manage her blues. Needing something to pull her from her dark thoughts, she finds no better way than immersing herself in a new case. Her boss agrees and assigns her their first live case. Kat and Lock must work hard and fast to find the person who crucified a young man in the British Midlands before someone else becomes the next victim.
The first book in this series was unique, introducing the concept of AI assisting in case-solving. In this installment, we see Lock evolving through human interaction. He’s learning human behaviors and developing his own version of them. Kat, for her part, is beginning to appreciate areas where Lock is indispensable to investigations. For instance, the vast amount of data he can process in mere seconds helps prevent delays in a live case
The author does pose an interesting question: Is an experienced human better than a free-of-bias machine, or are they complementary?
I can't wait to see where Jo Callaghan takes this team next.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Random House Trade Paperbacks via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Quite is an endearing novel with an awesome narration by Harrie Dobby!
Maggie Field manages the IT team at work. She loves her team which includes FranQuite is an endearing novel with an awesome narration by Harrie Dobby!
Maggie Field manages the IT team at work. She loves her team which includes Frank, Jasper, and Leo.
It's the end of December, and she has no plans since her parents are on a cruise. To her surprise, each guy invites her to stay with them during the holidays. She will go to a wedding with Frank and fake being his girlfriend. She will go with Jasper and stay at his posh family estate, and then she'll stay with Leo's family before returning home.
Maggie is super excited about joining the guys until she is called to the HR office, where she is told that she needs to fire one person from her team when she returns from the holidays. Maggie has no clue what to do. She loves her team, and lately, she has developed feelings for Leo.
What is she going to do?
Charming and sweet is the best way to describe We Three Kings. Their personalities, mixed with the moments that made me laugh and smile, made it easy to fall in love with Maggie and the three guys.
I will need to check out more of Kristen Bailey's books now that I know I like her style.
Well, this one was a mix of hating it and liking it.
Maddie is in her twenties, a workaholic who hates nothing more than feeling abandoned. It seems thWell, this one was a mix of hating it and liking it.
Maddie is in her twenties, a workaholic who hates nothing more than feeling abandoned. It seems this keeps happening to her. The latest person to leave her is her brother, who died of cancer when the book begins.
Maddie tries to avoid everyone and hides in a closet. She doesn't recognize anyone at the funeral. Also, she doesn’t have a good relationship with her mother or grandmother; both seem to despise her.
Josh, her brother, was the one person she could count on. What she wasn’t prepared for was him asking a favor from beyond the grave. He wants her and his best friend, Dominic Perry, to spread his ashes across eight different states he never got to visit. Maddie wishes she could say no because Dominic is the man who broke her heart, and she still harbors a lot of anger toward him.
What could go wrong?
Things I didn’t like: Maddie was so immature at times (or most of the time), and it drove me insane! She was extremely rude and obnoxious for half the book—or more. I didn’t like the way she treated her friends. I hated how she behaved in state number seven. The reason behind Dominic’s behavior when they were younger.
Things I liked: The twins. The descriptions of the views at the places they traveled to. Maddie’s best friends.
In the end, I won’t say I loved the resolution of their troubles, but I liked it well enough.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
That’s the question facing Olivia Dumont, a professional ghostwriter.
Olivia is the daughter of Vincent Taylor, a reCan ghostwriting bring you closure?
That’s the question facing Olivia Dumont, a professional ghostwriter.
Olivia is the daughter of Vincent Taylor, a renowned horror novelist who is equally infamous for his dark past. When Vincent was eighteen, he became the prime suspect in the deaths of his two siblings, Danny and Poppy—a mystery that has haunted their family for decades.
Olivia once enjoyed a successful career, but a costly mistake has left her reputation in tatters. With no new projects on the horizon, her finances are spiraling. If she doesn’t find work soon, she may be forced to sell her home to pay her legal fees and the damages owed to the man who sued her.
Then, a surprising job offer lands in her lap. At first, Olivia is thrilled—until she learns who her client is. Her father, Vincent, wants her help writing his memoir, and he’s asking for her specifically.
As they work together, the question looms: Is Vincent finally ready to reveal the truth about what really happened that night fifty years ago?
From the very beginning, this story had me hooked. The flashbacks to the 1970s were richly atmospheric, immersing me in the lives of Lydia, Danny, Poppy, and Vincent. The more I learned about them, the more desperate I became to uncover the truth of that fateful night.
I can’t wait for Julie Clark’s next book—I’m officially a fan!
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Sourcebooks Landmark via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Grady Green experiences the best day of his life, followed by the worst!
Grady was waiting for his publishing team in the US to inform him about the3.5
Grady Green experiences the best day of his life, followed by the worst!
Grady was waiting for his publishing team in the US to inform him about the performance of his new book. After receiving the best news, his wife, Abby, who is running late, calls him on the phone. She is ecstatic about his success and can't wait to get home to celebrate. Then, while on the phone, Grady hears Abby say she's going to stop the car because a woman is lying in the middle of the road. He tells her not to do it, but she doesn't listen. Abby never returns to the call, and by the time Grady arrives, his wife is gone.
A year later, Grady is a mess. His grief is overwhelming; he hasn't been able to write, his money is gone, and he's drinking too much. He dreads his meeting with his agent, sure that she's going to drop him as a client. To his surprise, she offers him a lifeline: she has a place on a remote island in Scotland and offers it to Grady. A change of scenery could be good for him, and hopefully, he'll be able to write again.
Not long after arriving at the Isle of Amberley, Grady starts seeing his wife, but there's no way it could be Abby. Something feels wrong, and he begins to question whether he's hallucinating, unsure of what's real and what's not.
I must say that the narrators, Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton, did a phenomenal job with this atmospheric story. I was transported to the island with these characters, feeling a sense of dread and lurking darkness.
Although I enjoyed the first two-thirds of the book, I found the last part lacking. Nonetheless, overall, it was quite good.
Cliffhanger: No
Rating: 3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Macmillan Audio via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Anna Appleby is a writer for a news magazine. She has her own column. However, now that the magazine has a new owner, she mighA romance worth reading!
Anna Appleby is a writer for a news magazine. She has her own column. However, now that the magazine has a new owner, she might lose her job if she doesn't perform well with the readers. This is something she can't afford. Anna is divorced and has two kids, Jess and Ethan, who are counting on her.
Anna pitches a new series of articles. She will go on dates, and her children will be picking the men she goes out with. As a counterpart, her co-worker Will Havers will be writing a column about the women he goes on dates with using an online dating app.
Anna doesn't like Will. She assumes he is entitled and always gets away with everything. But what happens when what you thought you knew is wrong?
As a fan of Sophie Cousens and "This Time Next Year," it was with pleasure that I grabbed "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" This author knows how to write a fulfilling enemies-to-lovers trope. Her protagonists are always relatable. The situations they find themselves in can be embarrassing at times. The humor is always on par. This one had me smiling quite a bit.
Another winner in my book!
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by G.P. Putnam's Sons via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Is the teacher guilty of a sexual relationship with his student, or is the student lying?
This could be the premise of mWhat an exciting book this was!
Is the teacher guilty of a sexual relationship with his student, or is the student lying?
This could be the premise of many novels, but The Boundaries We Cross takes it to a whole new level of intrigue and suspense.
Charles Bliss is a teacher at the prestigious Carrington Academy, an elite boarding school. He prides himself on maintaining firm boundaries with his students. To them, he is strictly “Mr. Bliss,� a professional who leaves no room for misunderstandings. But his world is turned upside down when, in mid-January, he’s summoned to the headmaster’s office. He knows this can’t be good.
Once there, Charles learns that one of his students, Hayley Goodloe, is accusing him of having had a sexual encounter with her.
Hayley’s parents are powerful and well-connected, and Charles realizes his life is on the brink of collapse. His reputation, his job, his friendships, his income, and, most importantly, his marriage are all at stake.
Can things get any worse?
Yes. Hayley goes missing!
The story is told primarily from Charles’s perspective, but Hayley’s electronic diary adds another layer, offering her side of the story. As the narrative unfolds, you can’t help but wonder: Who is lying? Is one of them an unreliable narrator? What really happened?
While I was able to guess the main twist, the ending completely blindsided me—I never saw it coming.
This was my first Brad Parks novel, but it certainly won’t be my last.
I was excited to be back in the tumultuous life of Finlay Donovan and her sidekick nanny/friend, Vero.
Trouble finds them—this time, with a knock at thI was excited to be back in the tumultuous life of Finlay Donovan and her sidekick nanny/friend, Vero.
Trouble finds them—this time, with a knock at the door. Finlay’s neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, has nowhere to go now that her house is a crime scene. A man’s body was found murdered and buried beneath her roses. Who was he, and who killed him?
The clues keep pointing to Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, but Finlay refuses to let her children’s father go to jail. Convinced of his innocence, she sets out to uncover the truth. With help from Vero, Cam, and Javi, Finlay has a better shot at unearthing the real killer than she would alone, all while juggling her two kids and her neighbor living with her.
I firmly believe this series shines brightest in audio form. Angela Dawe does an incredible job with the characters� voices, capturing the perfect essence for each one.
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is another triumph in this series. I love the characters, the humor, and how I’m always entertained by the messes Finlay stumbles into without ever seeking them out..
Cliffhanger: Kinda
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a fan of Maxine, I couldn't pass up Like It Never Was.
The story revolves around Jolene, a high school senior who makes a fateful decision to prank As a fan of Maxine, I couldn't pass up Like It Never Was.
The story revolves around Jolene, a high school senior who makes a fateful decision to prank her friend Elizabeth. What starts as a joke spirals into a chain of events with devastating consequences for both young women.
For ten years, Jolene has been haunted by guilt over what happened that night. She knows she’s responsible for the events that led to Elizabeth’s tragic accident. Unable to find peace, she drifts from country to country and job to job, her criminal attorney father frequently stepping in to bail her out.
Now, Jolene has decided to move back to Berkeley. She hopes to rebuild her life and find some stability. Her father helps her secure a new job, and she finds an apartment within walking distance of her workplace.
Then she sees Elizabeth again. To Jolene’s surprise, Elizabeth wants to reconnect and rekindle their friendship. But what is Jolene supposed to do? Could Elizabeth know the truth about that night—and is she seeking revenge?
The plot is intriguing, centered around an unstable protagonist. Jolene is a mental breakdown waiting to happen. Her paranoia leaves you questioning whether the danger is real or all in her mind.
My only complaint is that the book sometimes felt too YA for my taste. That said, the twist at the end made it a worthwhile read.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Mirror House Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Isabella Shay is starting to get worried. She’s at Starbucks, waiting for her pumpkin spice latte, but no one is calling her name. Cute-meet for sure!
Isabella Shay is starting to get worried. She’s at Starbucks, waiting for her pumpkin spice latte, but no one is calling her name. The barista keeps calling for Amy, who just so happens to have ordered the exact same drink. In a split-second decision, Isabella decides to take Amy’s order.
As she turns to leave, she bumps into a very attractive man, spilling her PSL all over him. They start talking, and a connection sparks. But then, Isabella realizes she’s now super late for her first day at work. She hurriedly says goodbye, and the stranger calls after her, “See you tomorrow, Amy.� Oh well—she’ll have to fix the mix-up later.
At work, she’s getting acquainted with her immediate boss when she’s led to the VP’s office. There, she’s introduced to Blake Phillips—none other than the guy from Starbucks. And he’s not too happy to find out her name isn’t actually Amy� or that she took someone else’s drink!
"Accidentally Amy" was such a fun read—exactly what I needed at the time. I ended up really liking both characters and rooting for them to make it work. Plus, the cover was absolutely beautiful!
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
In a dystopian world (which hopefully never happens), everyone is blind. Seven years ago, the world went from full vision to comple Interesting sci-fi!
In a dystopian world (which hopefully never happens), everyone is blind. Seven years ago, the world went from full vision to complete darkness.
Thankfully, technology stepped in to save the day. Scientists developed an implantable device called the vidder, which is placed in the right temple. This device provides the perception of sight by downloading images directly into the user’s brain. Most people who can afford it rely on it, but criminals are finding ways to exploit it, and some individuals refuse to have anything to do with it.
The story centers on Mark Owens, a detective still grappling with grief after losing his wife, an artist. He was part of the force both before and after The Blinding. He remembers the dark times (no pun intended) when maintaining order often had deadly consequences.
Now, Mark and his partner, Jimmy, are called to investigate a murder. The sole witness, a scientist, claims the killer somehow blacked himself out from her vidder completely. At first, Mark doesn’t believe her—but when he sees it happen for himself, he can no longer deny the terrifying truth.
Who is behind this—and why?
A great (and horrifying) premise for a novel. For someone who loves to read, this scenario is truly chilling. Blind Spots grabbed my attention from the very first page—I couldn’t wait for Mark to piece it all together and uncover who was corrupting the vidder.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sheyla �
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