Audio Book Review: I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Jenn
Audio Book Review: I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamaraI'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
Published by HarperCollins on February 27, 2018
Genres: Biography & Autobiography, Law Enforcement, Murder, Personal Memoirs, Serial Killers, True Crime
Pages: 352
Format: Audiobook
For over a decade, a sadistic predator terrorized California, commititing 50 sexual assaults before moving on to murder. The territory of his crimes spanned the state, involving numerous police jurisdictions.  His crimes took place over thirty years ago, long before computer technology allowed police to track his crimes and evidence using a central source.

Michelle McNamara, a crime journalist and creator of the website TrueCrimeDiary.com, became obsessed with the case and the still unidentified perpetrator.  So invested in the case, McNamara was the one who dubbed the nickname "Golden State Killer." She thoroughly reviewed police reports and interviewed victims, investing all of her free time in studying this case.  Her sudden death put a halt on her investigation, but her perseverance catapulted this story back into the focus of the police, ultimately leading to the capture of the Golden State Killer.

I studied psychology and criminal justice in college.  My personal obsession was the mind of serial killer: the motives, the root cause, the rationale, behind our nation’s most terrifying killers.  I interviewed individuals who, if they hadn’t been caught, may have embarked on a serial killing rampage.

I don’t typically read true crime. After reading so much that was written by very very very amateur sleuths that took create liberties with the conclusions and evidence they presented, I permanently banned true crime from my reading.  So, when I first learned of the release of this title, I was not interested. At all.  Until the rush of new information in the news announced the apprehension of the Golden State Killer, and how McNamara’s passion may  have led authorities to his arrest.

This was, by far, one of the most well researched books I have ever read.  McNamara’s passion for this case, and her desire for the perpetrator to get the punishment he deserved, was very apparent.  What makes her writing different is that she shared her emotion, the emotion of the victims, the human aspect of the cases, that is often overlooked in true crime novels. The emotional journey she takes the reader on is quite painful and difficult to take at times, but completely necessary to understand the true grasp of this man’s evil.

This is certainly a classic of true crime, one that will be talked about for some time.  A must read for readers of all types! Highly, highly recommended.

Posted in Review, True Crime | 1 Comment

Review: Kill Creek by Scott Thomas

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Jenn
Review: Kill Creek by Scott ThomasKill Creek by Scott Thomas
Published by Inkshares on October 31, 2017
Genres: Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Supernatural, Thrillers
Pages: 432
Format: eBook
Source: personal copy
The Finch house sits abandoned in the middle of the Kansas countryside.  It hasn't been inhabited in years, for it doesn't have the best history.  The last owners, the Finch sisters, had strict guidelines for how it should be cared for following their deaths.  Now known as one of the most infamous haunted houses, it's about to have guests for the first time in decades.

Sam McGarver is a well-known horror writer. His publisher keeps pushing him to churn out books on an annual basis to keep up with his readers' demands.  He's struggling in his efforts to write his next novel, so when he receives an invitation for a unique interview opportunity, he is intrigued.

McGarver, along with three other masters of horror, have been invited to spend the night at the Finch House. Not just any night, either, but Halloween night.  When the arrive, however, they awaken something that will torment them long after they've left.

 

I don’t actually recall how I discovered this title, but it seems like it was fate that I read it.  The timing was perfect (I’d just finished reading a very…unfulfilling book and I needed something that would sweep me away.  This one certainly met my challenge.  I’m a huge fan of horror, specifically tales of haunted houses.  As I read the premise, I did have a concern that this title was too closely mimicking the work of the great Shirley Jackson.  That concern lay unfounded. Ultimately, Thomas created a story-line so unique and captivating that I read this in a matter of a few hours.

Thomas’ writing is outstanding; I was instantly drawn into the lives of the characters and the various challenges they faced. I had fun trying to figure out if they were modeled after actual horror greats.  But most importantly, Thomas’ respect and understanding of the horror genre is what really makes this novel stand out.  It was a testimony to truly excellent horror that chills you to the bone without unnecessary gore.  Horror authors, in their true and genuine format, have never really been respected, instead forced to fit a mold that popular media will understand. Thomas covers all of this through his characters, an aspect that perhaps not all readers will pick up on, yet I certainly did.

Thomas’ novel is everything I love about horror and then some.  It chilled me to the bone in the very best of ways, and that’s hard to do! This is a must-read for all fans of horror.  Now, I just have to sit back and (impatiently) wait for whatever Thomas writes next! That this is Thomas’ debut novel just floors me! Highly, highly recommended!

Posted in Horror, Review | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dewey’s April 2018 #Readathon Wrap Up Post

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Jenn

Another wonderful read-a-thon has ended. I’m not going to lie; I’m still reading!

Here are my stats:

1531 pages read (titles listed below).  Roughly 10 hours read.

 

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

I actually just stop reading when I’m tired; long gone are the days of staying up for 24 hours!

2. Tell us ALLLLL the books you read!

Dread Nation by Justine Ireland, If You Go Down to the Woods by Seth Adams, One Of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus and Kill Creek by Scott Thomas

3. Which books would you recommend to other Read-a-thoners? All but If You Go Down to the Woods!? 🙂   Kill Creek is a must-read for any horror fan!

4. What’s a really rad thing we could do during the next Read-a-thon that would make you smile?

I actually woudn’t change a thing! 🙂

5. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? Would you be interested in volunteering to help organize and prep?

Yes and Yes!

Posted in Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon | Leave a comment

Dewey’s April 2018 #Readathon Update Post!

Posted on April 28, 2018 by Jenn

It’s here, it’s here!  The Spring read-a-thon is here!  This post will serve as my update post.  I plan on updating on Instagram, but I’ll link it below.

I slept in today. During the week, I wake up at 4:30 AM so I figured I deserved to sleep in until 7 today.  Now I’m up, fed, the kids are up and moving. I’m ready to curl up around a book!

Update Posts:
Kick-off post

Update #1: 451 Pages Read So Far!

Update #2: Starting Book 3! Just over 800 pages read. Enjoyed a trip to our favorite independent bookstore! It was nice to have a little break and get out of the house for a bit!  Justin won a bookish superhero scavenger hunt! John made a delicious dinner of ribs he’s had going in the smoker all day, coleslaw, green beans. Mmm.  So good.

Update #3: Let’s pretend that one book never happened…

Update #4: In which I read a book so outstanding that I stop reading and instead binge-watch Hulu.

Posted in Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon | 2 Comments

Dewey’s April 2018 24-Hour #Readathon!

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Jenn

 

I’m so thrilled another read-a-thon is here!  Life has been so busy lately with the day job, LuLaRoe job, family (the teen is graduating high school!!) and more that I really do need a reason to force myself to read!

I have my reading pile assembled (don’t worry, I won’t get through all of these!)!

Food has been procured (to be photographed later!).  My read-a-thon menu is typically the same each time:

  • Breakfast: coffee & cinnamon rolls (a read-a-thon tradition!)
  • Snacks: More coffee, baby carrots, cheese, crackers
  • Lunch: pizza rolls (my teen boys’ favorite part of the read-a-thon)
  • Dinner: I leave this up to the husband!

Reading location prepared:

 

Now, all I need to do is decide upon my read-a-thon outfit (usually a bookish tee and a pair of leggings) and I’m good to go!

 

I’ll be posting updates here, on Instagram, Twitter, & Litsy (pretty much everywhere!)

 

Are you participating!? What does your reading pile look like!?

 

Posted in Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon | 1 Comment

Review: The Hunger by Alma Katsu

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Jenn
Review: The Hunger by Alma KatsuThe Hunger by Alma Katsu
Also by this author: The Deep, Red Widow
Published by Penguin on March 6, 2018
Genres: Fiction, Historical, Occult & Supernatural, Psychological, Thrillers
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
The fate of the Donner Party, a wagon train heading west for new opportunities, is riddled with danger and despair. The travel isn't easy, plagued by numerous misfortunes that make the group of travelers question their decision to move west.  Each of them dream of a new future and opportunities, many attempting to bury secrets that lay waiting in their past.

As their fates and wills are tested, these secrets begin to unfold. They are unable to escape the tragedies that seem to follow them on their journey.  Rather than accepting the blame themselves, they find the need to blame it on external factors...namely Tamsen Donner, whom many believe to be a witch.

It's not only a doomed fate that follows the ninety-members of the Donner Party, but an evil that surrounds them, one that has been curating within them for the entire journey.

We’re all familiar with the story of the Donner party. The story that most of us learned in history class was of a group of travelers during the great Westward Expansion.  Trapped by a difficult terrain, their only means to survive was to eat the flesh of their own.  Yet what Katsu has done in this brilliantly crafted retelling is to add a dark and supernatural reasoning behind their decisions.

Because Katsu uses a few choice characters to relay this story, readers get a truly personal narrative of the fate of the Donner party. We know their motives for the journey, at least on the surface, and eventually uncover the secrets that lay just below the surface, secrets worth dying for.

The path they take is vast and undeveloped, giving a feeling of isolation and desperation.  That soon is felt by those in the traveling party, especially when members of the party, both animal and human, begin disappearing. Unable, or perhaps unwilling, to accept this new deadly fate, they begin in-fighting, leaving them even more vulnerable than when they started.

Katsu’s story is an epic one, and like all epics it is not one that is quickly relayed but instead one that should be slowly savored. Only in doing so will the reader get the full impact of this truly remarkable read.  Highly, highly recommended.

Posted in Horror, Mystery/Suspense, Review, Supernatural | 2 Comments

Review: The Lucky Ones by Tiffany Reisz

Posted on February 23, 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 Lucky Ones by Tiffany ReiszThe Lucky Ones by Tiffany Reisz
Also by this author: The Bourbon Thief, The Night Mark
Published by MIRA on February 13, 2018
Genres: Contemporary Women, Fiction, Gothic, Suspense, Thrillers
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Allison's "relationship" with her lover of the past several years has abruptly ended.  She finds herself struggling; never has she found herself with her future so open-ended.

As thought it was fate, she receives a letter that transports her to her past, her life thirteen years ago, living as one of seven children "rescued" by  legendary philanthropist and brain surgeon Dr. Vincent Capello.  The letter is from one of Dr. Capello's adoptive son's; Capello is close to death and Allison is urged to come home to say her final goodbyes.

The life Allison had with Dr. Capello and his house on the Oregon coast was a perfect one.  That all ended abruptly when someone attempted to take her life.  She was abruptly removed from the home and her adoptive family.  Until now.

In returning, Allison is forced to come to terms with what transpired that fateful night. In doing so, she uncovers secrets that shatter the idyllic image she once had of her "perfect" family.

Oooh, was this a good one!! Since discovering Reisz’s other works (like The Bourbon Thief and The Night Mark), I have come to count on her wholly unique, incredibly captivating Gothic fiction.  This level of fandom has only increased with my reading of this most recent release.

The way Reisz excels is with her slow revelation and development of her characters.  Sure, we may know surface-layer details about the main characters at the onset, but it is her deliberate pacing of the details that engages the readers, making the investment in the read seem effortless, but nonetheless immensely rewarding. Additionally, our perspectives or opinions about the characters waver tremendously throughout the novel, never really settling on a definitive opinion until the last pages were turned.

The story itself is incredibly captivating, forcing one to attempt to devour this in one read.  As a fan (or devourer!) of thriller and suspense, it kept my attention rapt; I couldn’t bear to separate myself from the book until I read the final pages.  It has the characteristics of so many genres that this is most certainly destined to be loved by readers of all sorts, from fans of mystery to lovers of romance!

All in all, this was an incredibly-well crafted read.  Highly, highly recommended!

Posted in Mystery/Suspense, Review | 5 Comments

2018 Big Game’s On Read-a-athon: Postgame

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Jenn

I sincerely hope everyone who participated (officially or unofficially) in the #biggamereadathon enjoyed themselves!  It’s time to report back on our success!  In the comments below, or in a blog or Instagram post, share your successes. Don’t forget to mention if the predictions you made earlier in the game came true!  Discuss your favorite parts of the read-a-thon, was it the food, the books, or the commercials?

While I only ended up finishing one book (City of the Lost) thanks to my family’s boisterous viewing of the game, I still found it to be a great success!

Thanks to all who participated!  This just goes to show you can turn any event into a bookish event 🙂

Posted in The Big Game's On! Read-a-thon! | 3 Comments

2018 Big Game’s On Read-a-thon: Halftime

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Jenn

Half-time is here! I’t is time to reminisce on what you’ve read so far today.  How has your reading gone so far?  What snacks have you partaken in?

I’m about finished with my first book (City of the Lost) and I’m hoping to start a second (History of Wolves) before calling it a night!

As far as food, so far we’ve partaken in: meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, loaded fries!

While there won’t be any official posts until the wrap-up tomorrow, keep us updated on your progress in the comments below or, if you are on Twitter, use the hashtag #biggamereadathon!

Game on!

Posted in The Big Game's On! Read-a-thon! | Leave a comment

2018 The Big Game’s On Read-a-thon: The Kick-off!

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Jenn

It’s finally here, the kick-off for The Big Game’s On Read-a-thon!  Although the official Superbowl kick-off isn’t for several hours yet, I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to start reading if they choose! There’s still time to sign-up if you haven’t already!

Please enter the link to your kick-off post below.  Discuss the books you are planning to read, the food you are planning to snack on, etc.  Since this is a completely laid back, relaxed read-a-thon, feel free to do it any way you chose! No blog, no worries! Just share your plans in the comments below, on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Just make sure you use the hashtag #biggamereadatahon so we can keep track of your posts!

I started Kelley Armstrong’s Casey Armstrong books!  I started City of the Lost earlier in the week and received the third book for review, so I think this is a good opportunity to devote some time to them.

As far as food goes, we may have gone a little overboard. On our menu, we have meatballs, wings, sweet & spicy meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, and an assortment of appetizers.

Be sure to check back periodically throughout the day for fun updates & a mini-challenge! Special prizes will also awarded to participants who earn MVP status! Stay tuned for more information!

Posted in The Big Game's On! Read-a-thon! | 3 Comments