Tag: mystery (Page 1 of 4)

HOUSE OF GLASS by Sarah Pekkanen

August 6, 2024 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

The next thrilling novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen, House of Glass.

On the outside they were the golden family with the perfect life. On the inside they built the perfect lie.
A young nanny who plunged to her death, or was she pushed? A nine-year-old girl who collects sharp objects and refuses to speak. A lawyer whose job it is to uncover who in the family is a victim and who is a murderer. But how can you find out the truth when everyone here is lying?

Rose Barclay is a nine-year-old girl who witnessed the possible murder of her nanny – in the midst of her parent’s bitter divorce – and immediately stopped speaking. Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney, appointed to serve as counsel for children in custody cases. She never accepts clients under thirteen due to her own traumatic childhood, but Stella’s mentor, a revered judge, believes Stella is the only one who can help. From the moment Stella passes through the iron security gate and steps into the gilded, historic DC home of the Barclays, she realizes the case is even more twisted, and the Barclay family far more troubled, than she feared. And there’s something eerie about the house itself: It’s a plastic house, with not a single bit of glass to be found.

As Stella comes closer to uncovering the secrets the Barclays are desperate to hide, danger wraps around her like a shroud, and her past and present are set on a collision course in ways she never expected. Everyone is a suspect in the nanny’s murder. The mother, the father, the grandmother, the nanny’s boyfriend. Even Rose. Is the person Stella’s supposed to protect the one she may need protection from?

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this review copy!

Sarah Pekkanen’s HOUSE OF GLASS is a captivating psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. The story centers around Stella Hudson, a lawyer appointed to represent a young girl caught in a bitter custody battle. The situation takes a dark turn when it is revealed the girl’s nanny recently fell from a window to her death, leaving a cloud of suspicion hanging over the entire household. The author skillfully weaves together elements of mystery and psychological drama. The reader is constantly questioning who to trust and what truly happened the night the nanny fell.

Pekkanen excels at building suspense. The story unfolds at a steady pace, slowly revealing cracks in the seemingly perfect facade of the Barclay family. Each character harbors secrets, and the lack of windows in their house adds a constant sense of unease. The narrative cleverly shifts between Stella’s investigation and the perspective of young Rose, the traumatized girl at the center of the case. This dual perspective allows the reader to delve deeper into the emotional toll of the situation and the complexities of Rose’s trauma. It also adds intrigue, as the reader is not sure who might be an unreliable narrator.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its characters. Each member of the Barclay family is flawed and complex, grappling with their own demons and motivations. Pekkanen expertly explores the dynamics of family relationships. The atmosphere of the house itself is also a character in its own right. Pekkanen creates a sense of unease and foreboding that permeates every page, making the mansion feel like a living, breathing entity with its own dark secrets waiting to be uncovered. The setting is vividly described, evoking a sense of isolation and claustrophobia that adds to the novel’s tension.

Summary:

Intriguing Premise: The combination of a child custody case and a suspicious death creates a layered mystery with high stakes. The lack of windows in the Barclay household adds a creepy atmosphere, making the reader wonder what the family is trying to hide.
Compelling Characters: Stella is a well-developed protagonist. She’s empathetic yet determined, making her a character you root for as she navigates the complexities of the case. The other characters, including the Barclay family members, are shrouded in secrecy, keeping the reader guessing about their true motives.

Suspenseful Plot: Pekkanen masterfully builds tension throughout the novel. The story unfolds with a slow burn, dropping subtle clues that leave you piecing together the puzzle. However,some readers might find the initial chapters a bit slow.
Focus on Trauma: The book deals with themes of child trauma and loss, which can be emotionally heavy for some readers.

HOUSE OF GLASS is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller. Pekkanen’s sharp writing and exploration of family dynamics make this a page-turner. If you enjoy character-driven mysteries with a touch of psychological suspense, then this book is definitely worth checking out. The exploration of family secrets and the unreliable nature of memory make for an entertaining story. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Tana French and Gillian Flynn, or for anyone who enjoys a good domestic mystery with a twist. Readers who enjoy piecing together clues and analyzing characters will find themselves engrossed in the story. The mystery itself is well-crafted, with enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the satisfying – and perhaps surprising – conclusion.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.

TO CURE OR KILL by Michael Young

December 19, 2023 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

This is a frightening story describing the scientific discovery of a new cancer medication, and the greed and quest for wealth within the pharmaceutical industry. The book delves into the world of scientific development, executive entitlement, and the ruthless efforts to obtain a needed molecular synthesis protocol to advance a new drug. At the end of the novel, the reader will need to ask themselves the underlying question: Is this story really fiction?

Thanks to Reedsy Discovery for this review copy!

In this frightening novel, author Michael Young delves into the dark side of the pharmaceutical industry, where greed and ambition clash with the pursuit of life-saving cures. The story revolves around a groundbreaking discovery of a new cancer-preventing drug and the ruthless individuals who will stop at nothing to exploit it for their own gain. The captivating narrative weaves together scientific intrigue, corporate espionage, and moral quandaries, keeping the reader interested until the very end. The novel’s exploration of the ethical boundaries of scientific research is particularly thought-provoking, raising questions about the balance between profit and human health.

The characters are complex and believable, making you care about their fate. Most of the scientists in this book are created as sympathetic characters (rather than science nerds), and the bad guys are so easy to hate! The author has done a thorough job of creating arrogant, narcissistic criminals, and I was impressed at how he was able to create a plausible story line that delved into the mind of the villains as they planned their heinous actions.

The novel is suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I also appreciated the accurate medical details: as a physician, Young clearly has a deep understanding of the medical field, which adds to the realism of the story. It is detailed yet easy for the layman to understand. These details may also serve to educate the reader about DNA, , mRNA, how new drugs are created, and medical ethics. There are also extensive descriptions of various poisons and how to use them for nefarious purposes.

One of the author’s strengths is the way he uses adjectives to create a picture. I particularly liked the description of the inside of a character’s home: “Burksdale made a final look around the rather boring, sullen, apartment…”. Another few sentences of note: “With his good looks, self-confidence, and obvious intelligence, Bob could walk into any room and light it up. The women adored him, and the men wanted to be him.”

I also learned some more about company security. We are all subject to phishing and identity theft, and I liked how the tone of chapter 9 was set by chapter 8’s discussing the internet of things and how hackers operate.

This book made me think about medical ethics and corporate greed. The drug companies in the United States are at times both helpful and a hindrance. Lifesaving drugs are created, yet they are ridiculously overpriced, and people may have to choose between food on the table or the medication that makes their quality of life better. It is also very frightening to consider that corporate espionage goes on every day, and we may never find out about it.

Some things I disliked about the book were: simple editing errors regarding spelling (pored over, NOT poured over!) and the author’s excessive use of italics. He used them in many instances where they were not needed. For example: italics are used for all company names (Harris Therapeutics) and websites (Google, Facebook). This became jarring to me, as I normally associate italics being used for emphasis, not to discern a company name or website, etc. Eventually I got italics fatigue and viewed it all like the boy crying wolf.

Another unpleasant idiosyncrasy I noted: the verb tenses were often not compatible with each other within the same sentence. For example, on page 69 the sentence moves from past tense to present: “…Burksdale WAS able to assemble a list….it IS frightening how much personal information IS available online…” And again, from page 73: “Traffic on the expressway CAN BE brutal during rush hour, and getting off late WOULD BE a miserable waste of time”. It was as if the author was writing an aside to the reader to make a point of explaining something. This too, became grating to me, as the English major in me cringed every time I came upon it. It took me away from being absorbed in the story to shuddering and replacing the verb tense in my mind. I have not read any other of Young’s books, so I have no way of knowing if this is a one-off in this particular book, or if that is his true writing style.

One final note: I thought the ending was a bit abrupt. I would have liked to see a little more detail about some of the characters and how their lives were affected.

In Summary: TO CURE OR KILL is a thrilling tale of greed, ambition, and the pursuit of scientific breakthroughs, with a cautionary message about the potential dangers of unchecked ambition. It is also a timely and relevant novel that sheds light on the often-hidden world of pharmaceutical research. The novel explores important themes such as the ethics of scientific research, the greed of corporations, and the power of hope. The plot is a blend of fiction and reality, and the author challenges the reader to question whether such a story could happen.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of medicine, business, and ethics. Fans of medical thrillers and suspenseful fiction will also enjoy this book. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading the works of Robin Cook, Michael Palmer, and Sandeep Jauhar.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.

GONE TONIGHT by Sarah Pekkanen

August 1, 2023 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

Catherine Sterling thinks she knows her mother. Ruth Sterling is quiet, hardworking, and lives for her daughter. All her life, it’s been just the two of them against the world. But now, Catherine is ready to spread her wings, move from home, and begin a new career. And Ruth Sterling will do anything to prevent that from happening.
Ruth Sterling thinks she knows her daughter. Catherine would never rebel, would never question anything about her mother’s past or background. But when Ruth’s desperate quest to keep her daughter by her side begins to reveal cracks in Ruth’s carefully-constructed world, both mother and daughter begin a dance of deception. No one can know Ruth’s history. There is a reason why Ruth kept them moving every few years, and why she was ready–in a moment’s notice–to be gone in the night. But danger is closing in. Is it coming from the outside, from Ruth’s past? Is Ruth reaching a breaking point? Or is the danger coming from the darkness that may live in Catherine, herself? Propulsive, brilliant, layered, and provocative, GONE TONIGHT is a thriller that showcases Sarah Pekkanen at the top of her game.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this review copy!

You know when you are reading a book and you can’t wait to have free time to get back to it? This is one of those books. Pekkanen has the ability to create multilayered characters that are both unreliable narrators yet sympathetic at the same time.

GONE TONIGHT has two strong female characters in the mother-daughter team of Ruth and Catherine Sterling. At first glance Ruth seems to be an overbearing, controlling parent, while Catherine is a wishy-washy daughter, content with drifting through life. But there is so much more behind this curtain! Catherine is ready to take a new job in another state, far away from Ruth and her constant scrutiny. When Ruth learns about Catherine’s plan, she creates a diabolical and twisted plan to keep her daughter near and dear. And then their lives begin to unravel.

I hated Ruth. Such a helicopter parent! And I also wished Catherine was stronger. Then, as the pages turned, I started to understand Ruth and disliked her less. Then, it seemed as if Catherine had found her inner strength and was going to leave her mother behind. Ok, the plot is all tied up neatly.

Nope.

The author adds some mind-blowing twists to the mix and wham! everything goes sideways and you can’t stop reading. GONE TONIGHT is psychological suspense at its best. I had no idea who to trust or who to believe. At a certain part of the book, I just kept murmuring “wow” as the plot took hairpin turns and twists yet stayed on the rails. A few more unreliable narrators got added and the conflict took a violent turn. Just when I thought the author couldn’t wring out another drop of crazy, another twist sent everything in yet another direction.

Yes, this story is full of suspense. But I also need to mention that the dialogue is on point. Ruth and Catherine seem completely believable as they alternately snipe at each other, then provide loving support. I also liked that each chapter was told from the POV of one of the characters. It is sometimes awkward to get into a rhythm when POVs are alternating, but once you become immersed, it flows. Using this style helped me get into the minds of each woman, giving me another layer of understanding of their “why”. (Even if that “why” is kind of unhinged.)

If you love psychological suspense, action, and well-written, opinionated female characters, you will adore GONE TONIGHT. There is so much more I would like to say about this book, but it can’t be done without including spoilers. Pekkanen is at the top of her diabolical game here – do not pass this one by.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.

WHAT THE NEIGHBORS SAW by Melissa Adelman

June 20, 2023 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

Desperate Housewives meets The Couple Next Door in a chilling story of murder and intrigue set in a well-to-do DC suburb.

Sometimes the darkest acts occur in the most beautiful houses… When Alexis and her husband Sam buy a neglected Cape Cod house in an exclusive DC suburb, they are ecstatic. Sam is on the cusp of making partner at his law firm, Alexis is pregnant with their second child, and their glamorous neighbors welcome the couple with open arms. Things are looking up, and Alexis believes she can finally leave her troubled past behind. But the neighborhood’s picture-perfect image is shattered when their neighbor Teddy – a handsome, successful father of three – is found dead on the steep banks of the Potomac River. The community is shaken, and as the police struggle to identify and apprehend the killer, tension in the neighborhood mounts and long-buried secrets start to emerge. In the midst of the turmoil, Alexis takes comfort in her budding friendship with Teddy’s beautiful and charismatic widow, Blair. But as the women grow closer, the neighborhood only becomes more divided. And when the unthinkable truth behind Teddy’s murder is finally uncovered, both Blair and Alexis must reexamine their friendship and decide how far they are willing to go to preserve the lives they have so carefully constructed.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this review copy!

WHAT THE NEIGHBORS SAW is a domestic suspense novel that explores the complex relationships and secrets that exist within a seemingly idyllic suburban community. The book is set in a well-to-do DC suburb and tells the story of Alexis Crawford, a young woman who moves into the neighborhood with her husband Sam and their young son. Alexis is immediately drawn to her glamorous neighbor Blair, who seems to have it all. But when Teddy, Blair’s husband, is found dead, Alexis begins to suspect that there is more to Blair than meets the eye.

The novel is told from the alternating points of view of two women: Alexis, the new neighbor, and Blair, the widow of the victim. The other residents of the neighborhood are also interesting characters. There is the nosy neighbor who always seems to know everyone’s business, the couple who is always fighting, and the young family who is trying to make it in the suburbs.

The author does a decent job of creating a sense of unease and suspicion in the reader. The characters are complex and believable, and the plot is full of twists and turns.

One of the things I enjoyed most about WHAT THE NEIGHBORS SAW was the way Adelman explored the theme of secrets. Everyone in the neighborhood seems to be hiding something, and as the novel progresses, the secrets start to come out. This creates a sense of tension and suspense that keeps the reader hooked until the very end. Unfortunately, I felt the ending was a bit too predictable.

I also appreciated the way Adelman developed the characters, albeit in a stereotypical manner. Alexis is a sympathetic character, and I found myself rooting for her even when she made mistakes. Blair is a more enigmatic character, but Adelman does a good job of slowly peeling back the layers and revealing her true nature.

Overall, I thought this book was a fairly good read.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.

HIDDEN BODIES by Caroline Kepnes

May 16, 2023 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

In the compulsively readable sequel to her widely acclaimed debut novel, YOU, Caroline Kepnes weaves a tale that Booklist calls “the love child of Holden Caulfield and Patrick Bateman.” Joe Goldberg is no stranger to hiding bodies. In the past ten years, this thirty-something has buried four of them, collateral damage in his quest for love. Now he’s heading west to Los Angeles, the city of second chances, determined to put his past behind him. In Hollywood, Joe blends in effortlessly with the other young upstarts. He eats guac, works in a bookstore, and flirts with a journalist neighbor. But while others seem fixated on their own reflections, Joe can’t stop looking over his shoulder. The problem with hidden bodies is that they don’t always stay that way. They re-emerge, like dark thoughts, multiplying and threatening to destroy what Joe wants most: true love. And when he finds it in a darkened room in Soho House, he’s more desperate than ever to keep his secrets buried. He doesn’t want to hurt his new girlfriend—he wants to be with her forever. But if she ever finds out what he’s done, he may not have a choice…

HIDDEN BODIES is the sequel to the best-selling thriller novel YOU. It continues the story of Joe Goldberg, a charming and obsessive stalker who becomes increasingly dangerous as his obsession with the object of his affection, Love Quinn, grows.

The novel is narrated in the first person by Joe himself, which gives readers a unique perspective into the mind of a stalker and sociopath. Kepnes does an excellent job of making Joe a sympathetic character, despite his disturbing actions, by delving into his past and showing the traumatic experiences that have shaped him.

The plot takes Joe on a wild and twisted journey from New York to Los Angeles as he tries to escape his past and start a new life with Love. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters, from Hollywood elites to struggling writers, all of whom become tangled up in his web of lies and manipulation.

These characters are also well-developed and complex. Joe’s love interest, Love Quinn, is a particularly interesting character who is much more than she appears to be at first. The interactions between the various characters are realistic and believable, adding to the sense of realism in the story.

Kepnes’ writing style is fast-paced and addictive, with plenty of suspenseful twists and turns to keep readers engaged. Her descriptions of Los Angeles are particularly vivid, bringing the city to life as a character in its own right.

While HIDDEN BODIES is a dark and unsettling read, it’s also a captivating exploration of obsession and the human psyche. Kepnes is a skilled storyteller who has a talent for creating deeply flawed characters who are still able to evoke empathy from the reader. This novel is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Fans of the first book will not be disappointed, and those new to the series will quickly find themselves hooked.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.

THE CABINET OF DR LENG by Preston and Child

February 14, 2023 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 1 Comment

Preston & Child continue their #1 bestselling series featuring FBI Special Agent Pendergast and Constance Greene, as they cross paths with New York’s deadliest serial killer: Pendergast’s own ancestor…and now his greatest foe. AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY: Astoundingly, Constance has found a way back to the place of her origins, New York City in the late 1800s, leaping at the chance, although it means leaving the present forever. A DESPERATE OPPORTUNITY: Constance sets off on a quest to prevent the events that lead to the deaths of her sister and brother. But along the road to redemption, Manhattan’s most infamous serial killer, Dr. Enoch Leng, lies in wait, ready to strike at the slightest provocation. UNIMAGINABLE ODDS: Meanwhile, in contemporary New York, Pendergast feverishly searches for a way to reunite with Constance—but will he discover a way back to her before it’s too late?

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this review copy!

DR LENG is number 21 in the Aloysius Pendergast series and one of the best ones, in my opinion. Constance has managed to get herself back to New York City in the 1800’s so she can change history. Pendergast is distraught and seems to be giving up on his life. Agent Coldmoon is away from Pendergast (to his relief) and is investigating a murder on the Rez in South Dakota. Commander D’agosta is looking into a mysterious death at the Museum of Natural History. Are all these murders connected? As the characters cross paths, the suspense ratchets up and the book is truly unputdownable.

The biggest source of enjoyment for me was the description of 1800’s NYC. Every sight, smell, and sound were described in such a way that I felt as if I were there alongside Constance. Along with the gruesome Dr Leng, there are other baddies that grab your attention and encourage you to “love to hate” them.

Constance is a divisive character in the Pendergast series; either you love her or find her terribly annoying. She is the main character in DR LENG, so if you are not a fan, you may want to pass this by. However, I will say that the other characters are involved enough to ensure that Constance’s presence isn’t too annoying. That being said, I feel that Constance elevated herself to a new level as an intelligent, driven, strong female character.

I’m a fan of all the characters and I was very happy to see everyone involved in this story. Pendergast seems a lot more human as he struggles his way through each day without his beloved ward. It seemed to me that everyone was quite emotional (except for Proctor, of course!) and it endeared them to me even more.

DR LENG flows smoothly, seamlessly moving from one character/plotline to another. Classic Preston & Child. However: the ending. No spoilers here, only that I did not see it coming. Other reviews are mixed; either the ending is genius or total bull****. My reaction was “WHAT?!? Seriously?!. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thoughts? Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.

THE FIRST HARM by Steven Piskula

November 29, 2022 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

A first-year medical student determined to do everything right . . . discovers something very wrong. Now somebody wants her dead. Tanna Christensen spent countless hours planning for her first gross anatomy dissection, but nothing could have prepared her for what she found. Beneath her scalpel lies a cadaver riddled with disturbing genetic abnormalities—evidence pointing to an unthinkable crime. Tanna believes her discovery is the tip of a terrifying secret that goes far deeper than a single corpse. But when her investigation leads to a brutal murder, a lethal cover-up threatens to destroy the future she once dreamed of. And now she’s the next target. Afraid and on the run, Tanna must expose the truth before more lives are lost—including her own. Or is it already too late?

Thanks to the author, BookSirens, Hidden Gems Books, and editors Jim Thomsen and David Gatewood for this ARC!

THE FIRST HARM is an excellent first outing by author Steven Piskula. There is suspense, mystery, sci-fi medicine, and a strong female lead character. Aspiring physician Tanna is drawn into a conspiracy when she secretly dissects a corpse that has an unusual anatomy glitch. Soon, her world comes crashing down around her as she is hunted mercilessly to prevent her from sharing her knowledge with the world. She finds an unlikely ally in an emotionally damaged former biker, Jason, who gets caught up in the whirlwind cat-and-mouse game purely by accident.

Tanna is a strong character, yet weak at the same time. She is filled with self-doubt and sometimes hesitates when she should be acting. She is full of dogged persistence, however, as she never gives up in her quest to uncover the truth. At times I wished she would stop second-guessing herself and be confident; this was probably the most frustrating thing about the story.

There is a love-to-hate self-aggrandizing head scientist, Dr Craig Emmerson, who is the head of Modern Genetics, a futuristic but entirely plausible company doing some unethical research. He is arrogant, narcissistic, and brilliant. Even though he was the baddest of villains, I enjoyed reading his innermost thoughts and learning about his evil intentions. I would be eager to see a prequel with him as the center of attention (this fictional character would LOVE that!) to learn more about his journey as he created Modern Genetics.

I did feel dubious about Jason, who is an addict who just wants to be high so he can escape his demons. He is very rough around the edges, but no fool, as he helps Tanna escape some precarious situations. As the book progresses, they become more of a cohesive team while the action ratchets up. I was definitely turning those pages to see what was going to happen next!

The author’s writing style is straightforward and easy to read. His ability to create the sci-f medicine of Modern Genetics is amazing and thought provoking, as his creation of other characters, some of which may be unreliable narrators. I was not sure who I should trust as the book progressed, and the ending was satisfactory without being abrupt or inconclusive. There were twists along the way that held my interest and I could not predict how the book would end. Piskula is an accomplished screenwriter with an MFA, and his talent shines bright in THE FIRST HARM. It was a wonderful read.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.

RIGHTEOUS PREY by John Sandford

October 4, 2022 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

Beloved heroes Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers are up against a powerful vigilante group with an eye on vengeance in a stunning new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author John Sandford. “We’re going to murder people who need to be murdered.” So begins a press release from a mysterious group known only as “The Five,” shortly after a vicious predator is murdered in San Francisco. The Five is believed to be made up of vigilante killers who are very bored…and very rich. They target the worst of society—rapists, murderers, and thieves—and then use their unlimited resources to offset the damage done by those who they’ve killed, donating untraceable Bitcoin to charities and victims via the dark net. The Five soon become the most popular figures on social media, a modern-day Batman…though their motives may not be entirely pure.

After a woman is murdered in the Twin Cities, Virgil Flowers and Lucas Davenport are sent in to investigate. And they soon have their hands full–the killings are smart and carefully choreographed, and with no apparent direct connection to the victims, The Five are virtually untraceable. But if anyone can destroy this group, it will be the dynamic team of Davenport and Flowers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this review copy!

RIGHTEOUS PREY is the 32^nd Prey book by John Sandford, and this is one of the better ones. Both Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers are in this, working together to solve a murder spree. A group calling themselves “The Five” are slaughtering people that they (and many others) consider detrimental to society. The victims are considered to be a**holes and consist of rapists, thugs, etc. This twist makes The Five sympathetic characters, despite their murderous impulses.

It seemed there was slightly more Virgil content than Lucas. The banter between the two is as good as it ever was, with lots of ribbing about Lucas’ clothes and Virgil’s burgeoning career as an author. The characters are aging, yes, but also growing, and adding layers to both of their career paths. I hope they continue in law enforcement, because I feel that a lot of their appeal would be lost if Virgil were a full-time author and Lucas decided to retire (the horror!).

There is a new character introduced in the novel; her name is Jasmine Green and she is a cop assigned to help the duo out once they reach a certain point in the investigation. She starts out as a character that I wasn’t sure I was going to like, but as the plot progressed, I was happy she was added to the novel. Sandford does tend to drop new characters in here and there, and I hope we see Green again in the future.

Sandford’s ability to create a gripping plot is legendary. He never runs out of new ideas, and he puts his own special twist out there so you never know how things are going to end. I read through this book quickly and slowly at the same time (is this even possible?) because I wanted to find out what was going to happen to The Five, yet I didn’t want the book to end. Sandford takes too much time between books, if you ask me. This sentiment among his immense following proves what a fantastic writer he is.

I felt that there were no slow portions of the book. As each member of The Five is introduced to the reader, they emerge as intelligent, sardonic, and Type-A people. We get a brief background on them and learn their motivation, which turns out to be a good reason for the murder spree. The reader is invited to think about whether this murky “reasoning” is a good or a bad thing. Not that murder should be condoned – but we have all pictured someone famous and thought Gee, the world would be much better off without him”. This unique spin is another detail that made RIGHTEOUS PREY a bonafide thriller.

Sandford fans should be raving about this book! Lucas and Virgil are beloved characters, and this latest installation is a sure winner. I cannot choose what I liked best about this book – the always funny conversation between the two, or the fast-paced plot that gripped my interest from the first page. Which did you like best?

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.

SAWBONES by Ed Kurtz

May 17, 2022 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

“I was to make myself a killer.” In 1865, a man calling himself Septimus Whitehall slashed, shot, and burned his way from New York to California in a frenzy of violence. This is his own story, told in his own words.
Seven names were on the doctor’s list. Seven men and women scattered all over the United States and its western territories. Seven souls judged guilty by a mysterious man with no past apart from the loss for which his enemies are blamed. The War Between the States is over, but Septimus Whitehall intends to wage a bloody war of his own and he is willing to cut down almost anyone who stands in his way. From New York City and Boston on the cusp of the Gilded Age to the war-ravaged ruins of Alabama and Arkansas, through the mythic American West and beyond, Whitehall will practice his violent vocation until everyone on that list meets the Sawbones.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crossroad Press for this review copy!

SAWBONES is quite the unusual read. The author creates a sympathetic character in Septimus Whitehall as he travels from New York City to the Dakota Territory, seeking to murder those who are on his “list” of victims. Whitehall is avenging the death of his only love by taking the lives of those who were involved in her death, either directly or indirectly. There is wonderful detail in the author’s descriptions of Five Points in the 1800’s, as well as the Civil War, and the unsettled West. As I read, I felt as if I were there, seeing, hearing and smelling the same things Septimus was.

Another curious and fascinating thing about SAWBONES is the author’s use of language. I consider myself to be quite familiar with the English language; yet there were many words that I needed to look up. As I read the definitions I felt as if I had struck gold. I became familiar with words such as effigial, pantophagy, and raillery. As I’ve said before, any book that makes me look up definitions is always a winner.

Septimus is at times a complete gentleman and then a murderer. He stalks his prey yet remains courteous to others. He is clearly an intelligent man with deep emotions but with a singular goal; eliminate those on his macabre list. During his journey he encounters many roadblocks, skirting his own death all the while. He is a solitary man with one purpose in life, and it is easy to cheer him on as he searches for his victims.

This is definitely a violent and gory read, but the balance of gore and period detail are perfectly blended. As I kept reading, I wondered when the book would draw to a close – it is actually quite long. However, the author kept me interested by throwing in some action just as the book bordered on dull/too much description. That being said, I totally loved SAWBONES. It’s a quirky, intelligent read that will stay with you long after you are done reading. I would love to see a sequel to see what Septimus is up to now.

You can get your copy here.

One Night Gone by Tara Laskowski

October 1, 2019 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

One sultry summer in the 1980s, a teenage girl arrived in the wealthy vacation town of Opal Beach to start her life anew—to achieve her destiny. But before the summer was up, she vanished.
Decades later, when Allison Simpson is offered the opportunity to house-sit in Opal Beach, it seems like the perfect chance to regroup and start fresh after a messy divorce. It’s the off-season, after all, which means peace and quiet, and more importantly for Allison, safety.
But when Allison becomes drawn into the story of a girl who disappeared from town thirty years before, she begins to realize that Opal Beach isn’t as idyllic as it seems. Beyond the walls of the gorgeous homes hide dark secrets. And as Allison digs deeper into the mystery, she uncovers not only the shocking truth, but finds herself caught in the middle of a twisted plot.

Part electric coming-of-age story and part breathtaking mystery, One Night Gone is an atmospheric, suspenseful novel about power, privilege, and ultimately, sisterhood.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This dark story takes place in Opal Beach, a Jersey Shore-like town with authentic details such as the Boardwalk, carnivals, and winter residents (who hate the summer with a passion). These residents are insular and secretive with good reason – a girl went missing years ago and no one knows what happened to her.

When Allison, a disgraced meteorologist, scores a house-sitting job in Opal Beach she discovers just how insular the townfolk can be. The story is told from various points of view, with the main story being that of Allison and her demons. Maureen, the vanished girl, has demons of her own but has a youthful optimism that makes her more appealing than Allison. I was instantly on Maureen’s side and was hoping for a good outcome for her. Allison had her moments, but it seemed that she was slow to make a move due to past events. I understand how she was written, but I wanted her to have a little more backbone. Perhaps she was outshone by the brightness and promise of Maureen. I absolutely loved, loved, loved that Maureen considered herself a mermaid, with her tail flapping at times when she was most confident. It’s too bad that some of that confidence didn’t rub off on Allison.

Allison is befriended by a few friendly residents of Opal Beach and shunned by others. As the plotlines converge and we see characters commit actions in their youth, the reader will find out that what happens in the 80’s does not stay there. The author is skilled at creating the carefree attitude of summer down the shore, both in her character description and the environment. Laskowski is adept at setting a mood with weather; I wondered if that was a subtle nod to Allison. Maureen’s weather is mostly warm, sunny, and full of promise, while Allison’s is bleak and cold. There has been quite a lot of books written with converging multiple points of view, and I may be growing weary of that. However, the author managed to keep my interest going until the plot twists captured my attention – then I didn’t put the book down until it was finished.

The themes of sisterhood and betrayal illuminate just how brutal it can be when women turn on each other. Women grab onto their anger and never let go until the death, either literally or figuratively. ONE NIGHT GONE places the reader firmly in the middle of this anger and doesn’t let go.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.