Things We Do in the Dark

4/5
I have several of her books and this one a bit different. I think what bothered me the most is, how she did the dual POV. She spent a lot of time with Drew explaining his past, then went on a different POV with Paris. To be honest I wasn't sure what annoyed me about it. Maybe because so much time was spent with him, then he was sidelined a good bit almost like he was forgotten. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing just odd.

I did have it figured out but love loved what happened in the end. Paris at some points just made me angry for some of the stupid stuff she does. Especially after she is arrested. The last half of the book actually made the book better. It was done well

All in all not a bad book. I will say I liked Drew the most. Especially when he described himself.

An Honest Lie

4/5

Well, I started this one yesterday so I could return it to the library and find it a good read. It was unique and different in a good way.
Rainy has been trough a lot but finally decided to do what needed to be done. I liked her character in the book. We all have something we don't share from our past, just probably not like this.

It kept me interested and wanting to know what next. Yes, again there were time of unrealistic parts but still found this enjoyable.

A History of Fear

 

2/5

Thank you Kennington for the free ARC.

I was so excited to read this, I was definitely let down.

Let me begin by saying this was not a book for me. I struggled to finish it. I would have DNF but I hate to do that and it's something I rarely do.

From the first page it was hard to keep my interest. As was the rest of the book. I found it long and tedious. Long winded. Nothing really happens. When there is a spot of action the author kills it. The concept was great. The location was great. The execution was not.

If that wasn't bad enough we then get thrown into a lot of issues that are political. Several times I was not happy with that. One of the reasons I read is to get away from all that.

I admit I am a hard person to scare, this book however will bore you to death.

The Pilot's Daughter

 

4/5

Trigger warning: domestic violence.

This book had a unique setting. Reporter in the 1940s searches for information and clues about a crime/murder In the 1920s. While also searching for answers on her on mystery in the 1940s. Ellie seeks answers about her father who is declared MIA, which leads to a murder from the past. I wasn't sure what to expect to be honest but I liked it. I liked if for many reasons but one of which it shows how far women have came since the 20s. Even In the 40s it was hard to be a woman, especially an unmarried one.

I liked the characters. They had growth. They even had strength. They felt real and genuine. Learning from past mistakes, changes the outlook of others. I don't know if I could have handled both issues in both time lines. I think the author did a good job with the characters and the settings. Very intriguing. Very unique. Very well done.

It was a fast read for me. Once I started it flowed really well and I did not want to but it down. It didn't take long to finish this book. Definitely will be watching out for her new one.

Nine Lives

                                                    

                                                 


5/5
Well played Mr. Swanson. Well played. Needless to say I really enjoyed this book. Like his others it was hard to put down and I kept wanting to know Who and Why ??

The story moved pretty quickly and kept me guessing. The two Agatha Christie books I thought were actually one and I should have known.

The characters were great, some I disliked while others were well liked. There was diversity, I would love to see a deaf character in one of his books. The ending was well done and tied everything up. The POV from each person was not confusing as some have mentioned in their reviews. I thought it was great to see who thought what.

And as always the great use of other great writers in his books. We all know Agatha Christie, but he always pulls in more posts and authors. A great thing I like about his books.

I definitely recommend this one. The twist is not huge but well done and I liked it. Liked the story and did not guess who done it.

Another great read from Peter Swanson. I look forward to his next.

All the Beautiful Lies

5/5
"The world is chaos, and then a detective comes along and restores order.

 Or he doesn't, and that's really my favorite kind
of mystery story."

Another awesome read from Peter Swanson. This is my second book from him and I was not disappointed. It was a good story with very intriguing twists.

One of the things I am finding I like about his books is the research or how well read he is with older mysteries. Agatha Christie being one of my favorites. He goes further then that, he brought Lace from the 80's which was 'a everyone was reading'. Who can forget that ?? He does go further back and some you'll know others you won't. I love that there is a love of books, mostly mysteries.

Harry my not be the book expert, his father was. Harry was likable and we all probably knew someone like him. Alice now there is a character you might want to think twice about.

The story kept me interested the whole way through. I did not want to put it down. It moved a a good pace and was an enjoyable read. I will admit I loved the ending. That's what gave it the fifth star.

The Maker of Swans

3/5

Thank you Tin House for the ARC copy of the book.
This book was a roller coaster. I felt much of the story got lost, questions were not answered, and at times confusing.

When I started this book, I was angry. The author spends like two pages on the fact this person is used to running, but then goes off on another story line without warning. I had to set the book aside because of this. Then pick it back up later. Thinking I should give the book another chance.

I liked the characters for the most part. I felt the development of this characters were not the greatest. We see them change, then it opens up more questions that are not answered.

The story, what there is of it, tends to be overshadowed by the writing. The timeline switches so quickly sometimes you are completely lost as to what is happening. This causes some confusion is couple places. Some parts he is very long winded.

I felt when the story finally gets moving and you're wondering and at the edge of your seat, it changes. Leaving you let down. At the end you see how these all come together. I was left with more questions then answers. Once you get past all that, the story is actually pretty good.

The Perfect Ruin

3/5

This was definitely and an odd book. Lot of cat and mouse.
I not sure how I felt about the characters, I did not feel any great connection with any of them. I thought the main character Ivy, could have been developed a little bit more instead of just being somewhat of a childish girl.

I have some problem with the believable. She looks up the woman on the internet and bam finds her. Well, yeah, I suppose that would happen, but how did she know which Lola Maxwell ?? I am sure more then one showed up. Lola, was to much as well. realistically she would have done research on anyone doing her charity work. Furthermore, Ivy's shrink really needed to step up.

Then you have to wait so long to find out what was so bad to have Ivy like this. I pretty much guessed it. The whole truth seemed to get lost. For what ?? Money. Just seemed a little beyond belief that so many knew the secret yet, it stayed a secret.

The saving grace of this book was the final who played who. That's the best thing about this book. I also like, how almost at the end she the way she reveals she is actually African American. Not that it changed my mind on what I felt for the characters but I did think that it did make some interesting revelations.

All in all, It was an ok read, not the greatest. Left me let down

The Hidden

4/5

This was an easy read, not complicated or a lot of twists.
I enjoyed reading this, It had the elements of a good book. Some Scottish legends of the Selke folk that I really liked how it was done. I thought it was a crazy girl talking weird things, but not all is as it seems. The story very interesting. I have not read her books before but I think I will read more from her.

I will say I was not fond of the main character Jo Harper. I thought her to be annoying and not a friendly or happy person. I did want to learn more about her, and what happened. Maybe this would have changed my opinion of her. I did like Ruby. Through all her struggles she still has a big heart. She does the right thing. even if it seems like its the crazy thing.

A solid read, with an interesting storyline and an easy twist or two, not so many to confuse you.

House of Salt and Sorrows

5/5

I really enjoyed this book. Kinda a retelling of the 12 dancing princesses, mixed with other ghostly and mythical parts.
I liked our main character. Just wished she would have been a little braver in some parts but all in all she's a good sister and loves her family.

The setting is interesting and I would love to visit Old Maud. Loved to go to The Churning as it sounded fascinating.

The author kept me interested and I didn't want to put this book down. Not usually a YA reader but I did like this one.

Very unique and well done

Twenty Years Later

4/5

Definitely a slow burn but a good one. Couple twists I did not see coming.
I liked the unique premise of the book. The author did a good job with this story. I admit I was starting to get a little angry at a part of the book. Then the twist. Delightful. A happy twist.

I Peg Perugo is the equivalent of Eve Plum. I did like the characters. I liked the story.

All in all a good book.

Mother May I

                                                  


4/5
When I started this book I didn't think it would effect me but it did. When I watch or see movies like this, and seemingly books, I get very angry. Not sure why but I do. Drives my husband nuts. I decided to keep reading. Glad I did. Very topic that needs more attention.

I liked the characters and the growth some go through. Even though it is a touchy subject and I wanted to hate the "witch" I couldn't. I may not have been in her shoes but grief does crazy things. Especially when you have nothing to loose.

This book kept me interested and I felt as if I may not have made the same decisions. Bree did well. She did what she had to do.

The ending, I thought was well done as well. Tied everything up and left no unanswered questions. This was to me a good book that was written well.

I added points for many things. Bartles and James wine coolers. Talk about a blast from you past. Nikon, Ansel Adams, Agatha Christie, and a few more. What I gave most points for ?? The way she described an autistic person who was non verbal. Not mute, non verbal.

Well worth the read

Cul-De-Sac

 3/5

Years ago, I loved Joy Fielding's books. Then through my chronic illness I was unable to read for years. I now reading again. It is different books and stories. When I saw this one I thought I would give it a go.

It was not totally bad but not like I remembered her writing to be. Her characters some I liked some I did not. Let me say one of the worst ones was the daughter who has not respect for her mother and the way she talks to her. If that was my child let's just say it would not be the same. She was one of the reasons I did not enjoy this book as much as I could have.

Then there is Dani, being a dentist, you would think she'd be a bit more smarter then she is. But when she finally wised up she did change the situation. Julia's family showed growth as well. She was probably my favorite character in this book. Olivia and Sean did not improve the story or make it worse.

It did keep me interested. Moves pretty well til the ending. Then it felt rushed. Was not a completely horrible book or a grand one. But an ok one.

I don't remember her books being like this

A Deadly Affair

 

4/5

I want to thank Harper Collins Publishing for this advanced copy of this book.

Being so busy and migraines aside, I really enjoyed this book. Definitely a good read.

If you have read any Tommy and Tuppence, you will recognize their stories in this one. The Death on the Nile is not the novel but a short story that sharpies the same name.

There were plenty of different stories featuring all the great ones. Poirot, Marble, Parker Payne, and others. One of my favorites in this book was Fruitful Sunday. What to do when given a interesting choice.

If you love Agatha Christie I definitely would read this one

The Darkest Flower

 

3/5


Not sure what I was expecting but this is just, off the wall. I thought the characters were not that great, any of them. So that took away from the story.

I have never liked or even been in the PTA PTO, not my type of clique. The pace was somewhat slow, but I just felt not involved. I guess my old fashioned strict mom is showing its head.

The best thing the story had going going for it is who and how the murder happened, and some of the just desserts served to the ice queen.

The Whisper Man

Holy moly !!! I had great expectations for this book and wow did this book deliver. This is one excellent book. Had all the great things needed for a suspense thriller. I was turning page after page. Characters were good. Loved all the twists, turns, and oh wow moments. Loved how all the loose ends were tied up in a bow with sparkles. I with out a doubt enjoyed this book and appreciated all the work that went into writing this book. Definitely recommend. Will be reading his next one.