Review: The Impossible Girl by Lydia Kang

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Jenn
Review: The Impossible Girl by Lydia KangThe Impossible Girl by Lydia Kang
Published by Amazon Publishing on September 18, 2018
Pages: 364
Format: eBook
New York. 1850. Cora Lee is an illegitimate child born out of a relationship between a wealthy socialite and an unnamed immigrant. The circumstances about her birth (and her survival) were kept secret from the wealthy side of her family.  For many reasons, she's a remarkable woman.  She has unique trait that sets her apart from the world: two hearts beat within her body.

As the only female resurrectionist in New York, she has quite the talent for tracking down bodies with the most remarkable abnormalities.  Anatomists have a difficult time getting their hands on such anomalies, and most are willing to pay a pretty penny in order to display them in public.  Her line of work also allows her to keep track of who is hunting for her, for her ailment is the source of legends.  Obtaining her body would render any anatomist the most lucrative of rewards.

Cora Lee catches news of a rise in the number of murders. The victims just happen to have specific anatomical anomalies, individuals whose names Cora Lee has kept hidden in her journal. These deaths hit too close to home, and now Cora Lee is left without anyone to trust.  As the killer(s)?! continue to go down the list of bodies to procure, she soon learns that hers must be the last one on it.  Though young in age, it's not implausible Cora Lee could die of a sudden, unnatural death...

What an incredibly fun read! This title appeared on my Kindle as a free read and boy, am I glad! I don’t know that I would have been aware of this title, otherwise.  It’s a completely unique storyline, one rich with history and filled to the brim gothic goodness!

Cora Lee is quite the unique character!  As  a woman, she’s not often given access to the things that men might.  Rather than sit down and let her trade be overcome by men, she dresses up as a man (in her case, her brother), to get the job done.  This proves to be a bit of a challenge on occasion, yet Cora Lee is thick-skinned and determined, not letting something as simple as this to hold her back.

I loved the setting and Kang does an outstanding job of keeping the reader’s attention.  A physician herself, it’s obvious that she has a passion for the history of medicine. I’m now making it a mission to check out her other titles.   Highly recommended!

Posted in Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem, Review | 1 Comment

Review: The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Good Demon by Jimmy CajoleasThe Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas
Published by Abrams on September 18th 2018
Genres: Horror, Young Adult Fiction
Pages: 320
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher
Since her exorcism, Clare has been lost without her demon.  Simply known as Her, Clare's demon was like a sister to her.  After she randomly meets the son of the preacher who exorcised her, Clare begins a mission to do whatever it takes to get Her back.  In doing so, she learns that her small Southern town has a deep, dark history, rich with occult roots. Her search forces her to question many things, including the line between good and evil, and religion and free will.

Cajoleas has created quite the sympathetic character in Clare.  Lonely in a small Southern town, with alcoholics as parents, her possession forged the only true “friendship” Clare had ever experienced.  Clare’s character is genuine and believable, a typical teen girl struggling with her own self-identity.

A wholly unique storyline, we follow Clare on her journey toward self-appreciation and growth, a coming-of-age like none other.  We meet Clare after her exorcism and, at least in her eyes, her possession was never dangerous our something to fear.  As her search to be reunited with Her, though, Clare discovers the relationship isn’t quite as innocuous as it seemed.

I dare you to find another title like this!  Highly recommended for readers looking for a touch of horror, but nothing to gruesome or chilling.  It isn’t until the near end that I felt chilled to the bone.  Clare’s journey, and the build-up to the end, is truly remarkable and rewarding.  Highly recommended!

 

Posted in Horror, Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem, Review, YA | 1 Comment

Review: Foe by Iain Reid

Posted on October 2, 2018 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Foe by Iain ReidFoe by Iain Reid
Also by this author: I'm Thinking of Ending Things
Published by Simon and Schuster on September 4, 2018
Genres: Fiction, Literary, Psychological, Suspense, Thrillers
Pages: 272
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher
Junior and Henrietta lead a quiet, remote life on their farm. They never get visitors, so when a man appears late one night, their suspicions are instantly raised.  The man, Terrance, is an agent for a company called Outercore.  Terrance breaks most unusual news: Junior has been selected to represent Earth on a mission that will take him far...far from home.  Apparently, he's been observed by Outercore for some time now, without his knowledge.   The mission isn't a quick one; he will be gone for a few years.  Though Junior didn't ask or apply for this mission, it's paramount that he accept it. While he awaits this journey, Terrance visits frequently to study Junior and Henrietta's relationship to ensure that his "replacement," an individual who will keep Henrietta company while he is gone, is most suited for the responsibility.

As time passes, Junior reflects often on his relationship with Henrietta.  Rather than getting closer as his mission date approaches, he finds she is distancing herself from him.  As the truth is revealed, Junior is left with answers that question not only his relationship with Henrietta, but his very existence.

Reid’s previous title,  I’m Thinking of Ending Things, introduced me to the sheer talent that is Iain Reid. When I heard he had a new title releasing, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy.

In true Reid form, this most recent novel takes you on a whirlwind ride.  You soon learn you cannot trust any of the characters; you are left questioning (and often doubting) nearly everything you read.   Not only is this a truly dynamic suspense/psychological thriller, it’s an examination of human relationships, the human condition…essentially everything that makes up being human.

To me, Foe is quite reminiscent of the Twilight Zone.  The setting, story-line, characters…everything could easily have been taking from that great classic.  From the unique story line to the mind-blowing and twisty ending, I honestly kept thinking I’d start hearing that eerie theme music in the background.

All in all, this is a highly, highly recommended read!

 

Posted in Mystery/Suspense, Review, Thriller | 2 Comments

2018 Murder, Monsters & Mayhem Kick-Off!

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Jenn

 

 

Happy October 1st or, as I like to call it, the first day of Halloween!  Our temps have been vacillating between blazing hot and seasonably chilly, so this kick-off to fall has been a little challenging.

Anyone who has followed this blog for any significant period of time understand just how much I love Halloween (and Fall in general)! To celebrate my obsession with the macabre, each year I host a month long feature in October called Murder, Monsters & Mayhem (Mx3). For the entire month, I’ll be sharing some horror/thriller/mystery suspense titles that gave me the chills!

I’ll officially kick off with the first review post tomorrow, but wanted to start the link-up for others reading spooktacular books this month!

Stay tuned for more….and keep your lights on!


Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Review: I Know You Know by Gilly Macmillan #iknowyouknow

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: I Know You Know by Gilly Macmillan #iknowyouknowI Know You Know by Gilly Macmillan
Published by HarperCollins on September 18, 2018
Genres: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Psychological, Thrillers
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher
Two decades ago, eleven year olds Charlie Paige and Scott Ashby were found murdered, their bodies left overlooking a dog racing track. Though a man was convicted and sentenced for their murder, unanswered questions still plague the surviving friend, Cody Swift.

Cody typically would have been with Charlie and Scott, yet he was kept home by his mother that fateful evening. Haunted by the unanswered questions, he returns to Bristol, starting a podcast in an attempt to get someone to come forward with additional information.  Years ago, Charlie's mother, the young Jess Paige, received public shame for her involvement that morning; she was responsible for keeping an eye on the boys.  Now married and with another child, she's reluctant to dredge up the past and reveal what really happened that night.

Meanwhile, a long-dead body is found close to the the location where the boys' bodies were dumped. A whole new murder investigation is launched, led by Detective John Fletcher, the very man who discovered the bodies all those years ago. This additional murder forces everyone to question the real identity of the killer. Fletcher built the case that convicted Sidney Noyce, a mentally challenged man, of the crime.  In order to save his career, he must uncover the identity of the true killer

Wow.  This thriller is chock full of secrets and lies, all of which Macmillan expertly and patiently reveals to her readers.  This is my first sampling of her writing, despite frequent recommendations by readers whose opinions I value and trust. I now have plans to seek out her backlist!

What really stands out about this thriller is the sheer volume of angles Macmillan examines, drafting a number of truly dynamic and well-developed characters.  The very individual who was shamed all those years ago is the one who is unable to uncover the secrets and lies that have been buried all this time.  Jess has her own secrets she wants to keep buried so the reader is left questioning whether or not she can be trusted.  Her secret, along with the identity of the killer, are revealed almost simultaneously, leaving the readers jaw dropped with shock.

All in all, this is a truly well written read, one I devoured in one sitting! Highly, highly recommended!

 

 

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Gilly Macmillan

Gilly Macmillan is the Edgar Nominated and New York Times bestselling author of What She Knew. She grew up in Swindon, Wiltshire and lived in Northern California in her late teens. She worked at The Burlington Magazine and the Hayward Gallery before starting a family. Since then she’s worked as a part-time lecturer in photography, and now writes full-time. She resides in Bristol, England.

Find out more about Gilly at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

Posted in Mystery/Suspense, Review, Thriller | 4 Comments

Review: Cross Her Heart by Sarah Pinborough

Posted on September 11, 2018 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Cross Her Heart by Sarah PinboroughCross Her Heart by Sarah Pinborough
Also by this author: Behind Her Eyes
Published by HarperCollins on September 4, 2018
Genres: Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective, Psychological, Suspense, Thrillers
Pages: 352
Format: Hardcover
Source: the publisher
For many years, Lisa's whole life has revolved around her daughter, Ava. Other than her daughter, and her best friend Marilyn, she's kept everyone else at a distance.  Yet when a new client seems to show interest in her, Lisa wonders if it's time to trust once again.  A horrific secret from her youth puts up a barrier between her and any other relationship.

Everything changes when Ava rescues a drowning boy. Her picture, now all over the news, brings the secret bubbling up from the past. She can no longer hide from the truth, and now must determine who she can trust, now that her entire world is threatened.  She broke a secret she make long ago and now she's forced to face the consequences.

I’ve been a fan of Sarah Pinborough for some time now.  She’s known for her shocking thrillers and terrifying horror titles.  Her previous title,  Behind Her Eyes, gave readers a glimpse of her terrifying potential.

This title is definitely one of her more tamer novels.  While there are twists and turns, it wasn’t nearly as shocking as her previous titles.  I think this opens up to a whole realm of new readers, those that aren’t quite prepared for jaw-dropping fiction.

As with her previous works, Pinborough has crafted well developed and genuine characters.  She excels at capturing the Ava’s youth, her teen drama and angst, while simultaneously building Julia’s character of a mother out to protect her daughter.  Julia’s character is developed more slowly; her past revealed slowly carefully.  She likely did this as to not destroy the “caring, loving mother” vibe once we found out more about her past.

As I mentioned previously, Pinborough’s characteristic twists and turns are there, but toned down. She still managed to surprise me on numerous occasions, a sure indication of writing brilliance.  After reading an author for so long, usually I’m able to predict where they are going. In this case, the journey took an unplanned detour that did leave me breathless.

All in all, I do highly recommend this novel to fans of suspense thrillers!  If you haven’t read Pinborough before, let this serve as your leaping off point!

Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing me the opportunity to review this title!

Posted in Mystery/Suspense, Review, Thriller | 3 Comments

Announcing 2018 Murder, Monsters & Mayhem!

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Jenn

 

It’s almost that time of year again! October, the most wonderful month of the year for horror-loving fans!

Anyone who has followed this blog for any significant period of time understand just how much I love Halloween (and Fall in general)! To celebrate my obsession with the macabre, each year I host a month long feature in October called Murder, Monsters & Mayhem (Mx3). For the entire month, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite horror and thriller titles, both new and old.

Want to participate alongside me? Feel free to include your sign up link below or, if you don’t have a blog, just mention your interest in participating in the comments below.  Your sign-up post can be simple, just indicate you are participating, maybe mention a few books you look forward to reading!

At the start of Murder, Monsters & Mayhem (October 1) I will post a link-up post so everyone can see what spooky books other participants are reading! Also, I’ll have some giveaways for participants throughout the month!


Posted in Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem | 1 Comment

R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril Thirteen!

Posted on August 31, 2018 by Jenn

It’s my favorite time of year! For me, Fall doesn’t kick off after Labor Day, but instead when Readers Imbibing Peril (affectionately known as RIP!) begins!

Here’s a little bit about this challenge:

The purpose of the R.I.P. Challenge is to enjoy books that could be classified as:

Mystery.
Suspense.
Thriller.
Dark Fantasy.
Gothic.
Horror.
Supernatural.
The emphasis is never on the word challenge, instead it is about coming together as a community and embracing the autumnal mood, whether the weather is cooperative where you live or not.

The goals are simple. 

1. Have fun reading.

2. Share that fun with others.

What makes this perfect is that it’s a lead-in to my very own Halloween blog feature, Murder, Monsters & Mayhem!

Here’s my book line-up so far:

I’m sure many, many other titles will be added to my list!  Plus, my youngest son and I will be watching some of my favorite horror movies to get in the Halloween mood.  I’ve got my Halloween monster leggings all laid out; time to get in the spooky mood!

Do you read spooky titles this time of year? What are your favorites?

Posted in RIP | 4 Comments

Quick-Takes Review: #MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Jenn
Quick-Takes Review: #MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil#MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil
Published by Disney Electronic Content on August 7th 2018
Genres: Action & Adventure, General, Horror, Humorous, Young Adult Fiction
Pages: 457
In the not-too-distant future, the public can watch the executions of the country's most devious criminals on The Postman app.  Said criminals are now residents of Alcatraz 2.0, a recently suburbanized prison island.  There, the criminals hold jobs, live in homes, but their every move is live-streamed.  They aren't really free, for at any moment they can fall victim any one of a set of killers with trademark killing styles.  Bets are placed on the length of survival for each of the "inmates." It's the latest craze in reality TV.

Seventeen-year-old Dee Guerrera is the newest addition to Alcatraz 2.0.  Unlike the others, she's not guilty of the crime she's committed (really!).  Luckily, she's formed an alliance (humorously coined The Death Row Breakfast Club) who helps her get to the root of her suspicious that something nefarious is afoot on Alcatraz 2.0. The "rules" aren't being followed by those who created them, and Dee can't shake the feeling that there is something deeply personal about the decisions that caused her to be a resident of Alcatraz 2.0.  Only in surviving the vast list of executioners (and the other residents) can she find the answers that are somehow tied to her troubled past.

Now this was a fun read!  Picture Hunger Games meets Survivor, in all the best of ways. I’m a huge fan of McNeil’s thrillers, and this one just added on to my adoration of everything she does!

This lady is talented!  From the quirky executioners and their trademark “moves” (one dresses his victims up as Disney princesses) to the latent expose on how social media affects our lives, McNeil manages to entertain, as well as mix in a bit of social commentary.  This is all done so expertly, but not in a preachy way.  The chilling moments are well balanced with the more comedic moments, making this a fun and action-packed thriller for readers of all varieties.

It was a fun weekend read for me; I truly cannot wait to read what McNeil has next for her fans!

Posted in Mystery/Suspense, Review, Thriller | Leave a comment

Review: Vox by Christina Dalcher

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Vox by Christina DalcherVox by Christina Dalcher
Published by Penguin on August 21, 2018
Genres: Contemporary Women, Dystopian, Fiction, Political, Thrillers
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher
Women are not allowed to speak more than 100 words per day.  A counter on their wrist monitors their speech, inflicting pain should they go over that limit.

It doesn't end there.  Women are then forced to quit their jobs. They are forbidden to read; all books are locked up. Even mail is locked up, access only granted to husbands.  Young girls are no longer taught how to read and write, only how to cook and take care of their families.

Dr. Jean McClellan is tormented by this new fate women have been dealt. Once a neurologist involved with important research, she's now forced to abandon her education and revert to a voiceless, opinion-less, housewife.

Jean cannot continue to remain silent. She cannot continue to watch her children grow up in a world in which Society has little respect for women.  She's determined to get her voice back, no matter the cost.

I’ve been looking forward to reading this title since I first heard about it in the early part of this year.  The premise sounded phenomenal, quite timely given the state of our current government.  Alas, my hope and expectations were diminished upon reading this novel.

Yes, the premise is thought-provoking and intense.  Unfortunately, it is too plausible.  Rather than engaging me, this novel left me feeling angry and frustrated.  I read to escape, and in this case, I hoped to find a hopeful resolution.  I needed that, to get away from what is happening in our country right now.  In this case, that didn’t happen.  I turned the last pages just as frustrated as I was when I started reading.

That’s not to say there wasn’t sparks of change and hope.  They did exist but were not as far-stretching and universal as I hoped they would be.  There wasn’t one profound moment that moved me, that hit me in my core.

I don’t necessarily fault the author in this case.  Perhaps had it been written in a more positive time in our society it would have affected me differently.  Instead, it has me reaching for a more hopeful and uplifting title, something to get me out of this negative funk.

Do I recommend this title? Not now…..perhaps wait a few years (or perhaps the end of a presidential term!?) to pick it up.  Reach for Handmaid’s Tale instead.

Posted in Review | 1 Comment