The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant

The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant
5 Stars 

MAN. WHAT A BOOK! This one TOOK ME OUT! I read this as an impromptu buddy read with my friend Keisha and we loved it!

Read if you love:
- Suspense / Mystery Books

- Great writing

- Wilderness settings

- A best friend is missing plot

- Secrets of the past...

- Twists and turns 

This was my first book by Kimi and I can't wait to read These Silent Woods in the winter! So many good nature descriptions and wilderness details, really great storytelling and brings you right in the setting. The way she brings in RIGHT IN the story too, that is so good! I was IMMEDIATLEY drawn in and in that "need to know" status. 

Emlyn, a wilderness guide, teams up with the man who ruined her life so many years ago to find her friend who goes missing. Tyler, who was the love of her life and left her for dead on the side of the road 3 years ago, is the one person she doesn't want to see again and the one person she doesn't trust. Yet he's the one who has to help her find her friend Janessa. Janessa is a social media influencer documenting her #vanlife adventures with her boyfriend but no one has seen her lately so Tyler and Emlyn set out to find her.....what will they find?

My favorite part of this book was the surprise themes of faith and hope. One of the side characters, Rev, shared some biblical reference and I really liked that. You could also see Emlyn knew of the hope deep down that God brings and was fighting it. I could see God in this story seeking her. I have loved finding the Lord in secular fiction lately and this is another example!

One unique piece of this was she has a word for each person she met in the book, loved that. Also the flashbacks added a lot of good layers to the story as we got to figure everything out along the way. 

Highly recommend!

Content: no language that I recall, no sexual content, some suspenseful moments, animals being trapped and the details of that shown, drugs and substance abuse/addiction themes

P.s. the audiobook is great! I read the e-book some but also listened when I had time.

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/45D9RmF

Libro.fm Audiobook: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781250347749-the-nature-of-disappearing

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased 

from these links. 

✨Sign up for Libro.fm Audiobooks here: https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm206402 (Supports Local Indie Bookstores)

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego
4.5 Stars

THIS WAS A WILD RIDE Y'ALL! This is a very clever, twisty locked-room mystery! If you love thrillers or mysteries, this will be one to check out for sure!

6 thriller authors are invited to an exclusive writing retreat on a private island as a game centered around classic mystery tropes....but things turn deadly when one of the guests is murdered. You know what's next...

I loved the cast of characters, the atmosphere, the isolated island...it was giving And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie vibes honestly! (Another favorite of mine from this year!)

As somebody who never figures out the "who-dun-it" in the book, you already know I never knew who to trust but it kept me engaged as I read along. I was just here for the ride!

The premise is especially fun for thriller fans because the characters themselves are mystery writers. They know all the tricks and tropes, which adds another layer to the cat-and-mouse game unfolding on the island. The author clearly had fun playing with classic mystery conventions while still delivering surprising twists.

The large cast occasionally made it challenging for me to keep track of everyone and their motivations, particularly in the beginning but thats a ME thing. The audio helped me keep track since it was a FULL CAST! I LOVEEEE a good FULL CAST AUDIOBOOK! :) I became fully invested in this one.

If you enjoy locked-room mysteries, isolated settings, and stories that keep you second-guessing every character, this one is worth adding to your TBR!

Content/Trigger Warnings: Mild to moderate language, murder, psychological tension, lots of death in general 

Libro.fm Audio (Supports Local Indie Book Stores): 

https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780593949863-you-are-fatally-invited (on sale as of 6/24)
Sign up for Libro.fm here: https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm206402

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3R0O9VZ
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

5 stars
WOW

What can I say at this point, Agatha is literally the mystery queen! I keep saying this each time I read her books. This was brilliant. The way she ended it, the epilogue, the characters...chef's kiss!

This is one of the more darker ones I have read by her but it was still so good! I was invested in each character, loved the history behind the mystery, and loved listing to the audio by Hugh Fraser alongside my reading of the 1972 book copy I found on Pango Books.

We essentially follow 10 people who get summoned by a letter to go to this island to meet the Owen's. When they all get there, they see the poem for 10 little soldier boys (old edition said Indian instead of Soldier, but was changed to Soldier in the mid-20th century). The poem soon becomes the guests reality....which leads us to a wild and crazy whodunit case. We also learn along the way why each person was chosen to be there, which in itself was WILD.

I loved how the cast of characters were each trying to figure out whodunit and pointing fingers, trying to figure out the clues....I wasn't 100% right with the ending but I did have my right suspicion I guess with whodunit, for once. I even watched the adaptation (2015 BBC) and loved it, even though the adaption added odd romance tension bit with two characters.

Highly recommend as an Agatha standalone read. I loved the twists and turns and how invested I was in it.

Content/Trigger Warnings: death, suicide, crimes explained such as murders/death of a child by drowning/gun violence etc., language several d*mn and 1 GD. 

If you watch the 2015 adaptation, there is obviously flashbacks of the crimes shown for each character that are a bit more graphic than the book and a closed door sex scene randomly placed, lol. but that is not in the book at all.

Libro.fm Audio (Supports Local Indie Book Stores):
https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780062229397-and-then-there-were-none
Sign up for Libro.fm here, I love it:
https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm206402

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cbCefT

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Lost Story of Via Belle - Melanie Dobson

The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson 

4 Stars 

What a good book! I was very interested in both storylines here. Melanie tied it all together so well. The mystery had me on the edge of my seat in the end!

If you like books about authors, screenwriters, books, with a historical fiction mystery - check this out!

1940 + 2006: 

In 1940, we follow Olivia Ashe - Via Belle is her pen name for her romance books. Her books have been beloved by readers for years but she has grieved the loss of her husband and child...Her and her husband were married for 20 years so since he passed, she lives in Pennsylvania with her aunt. She meets Simon at an author panel she goes to.....they have a romance....but is all that it seems? 

In 2006, we follow Harper who aspires to be a screenwriter and finds herself in Pennsylvania researching the life of Via Belle, who was her late mother's favorite author. She finds her books, a biography all about Via and starts to learn more about her life and secrets. Harper has her own grief she is working through after losing her mother as well. She really pieces the past together so well and learns so much about Via.

We have some other characters we follow too but the primary story is as mentioned above.

This was my first Melanie Dobson read and I really want to try her other books now! I liked how she weaved these characters, timelines and mystery together more than anything. While I would have liked a bit more faith and Christian elements, there were some good moments of hope and lessons learned. I think this is a book you really want to take some time to sit with because of the layers Melanie weaves in. Lots of twists and turns!

Thank you to Uplit Reads, Tyndale House Publishers and Melanie Dobson for a gifted copy of this book to read for review. All thoughts are my own. 

Content/Trigger Warnings: death of a child and spouse mentioned but not a focal point of the book, grief from loss, death of a parent mentioned but also not a huge focal point of the book, no language, clean romance, pregnancy out of wedlock mentioned, death in general.

Libro.fm Audio (Supports Local Indie Book Stores):

https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798400514388-the-lost-story-of-via-belle

Sign up for Libro.fm here, I love it:

https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm206402

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Oubr5n
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781496474520_the-lost-story-of-via-belle
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

The Mysterious Affair at Styles - Agatha Christie

 

The Mysterious Affair at Styles - Agatha Christie

5 Stars

It's been almost 2 years since I picked up an Agatha book and I am so glad I picked this one up! Agatha Christie is who I always consider the QUEEN of Mystery! This was her debut novel and it's exactly the kind of classic mystery that shows just how she became that QUEEN! :)

This is book 1 in the Hercule Poirot series. We have a country estate, a sudden death, a house full of complicated relationships and a detective who sees what most people will overlook.

I love how Agatha lays out the puzzle, she gives you clues, red herrings and character dynamics that you becomes so interested in. Hastings, the narrator of the story, adds a layer of humor too. 

Did I figure it out, NO LOL - no surprise! But I am so glad I read it. I have read a few of hers before but it's been almost 2 years since I have read one, and getting back to it was such a JOY! I have been struggling with some of the books I have been reading to love them and this was just an awesome change of pace. I found myself looking up words I didn't understand and really learning!

It's short, clever and unique. Looking forward to more! 

Content/Trigger Warnings: Death, Murder, Poisoning, Nothing Explicit in Nature

Libro.fm Audio (Supports Local Indie Book Stores):
https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780062243874-the-mysterious-affair-at-styles
Sign up for Libro.fm here, I love it:
https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm206402

Amazon: https://amzn.to/41jKUdH

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Tailing a Tabby by Laurie Cass

Tailing a Tabby by Laurie Cass

4 Stars
Book #2 in the Bookmobile Cat Mystery Series

In this book, librarian Minnie and her rescue cat, Eddie, roll the bookmobile out for some summer books to people in Michigan. The bookmobile is making its usual rounds when Minnie and Eddie are flagged down by a woman in distress. The women's husband is a famous artist and he needs emergency medical care. Minnie helps out quickly and gets him to the hospital. He disappears from the hospital and is discovered slumped over the body of a murdered woman...Minnie and Eddie start their investigating....

I just love this series. It's perfect for cat lovers - Eddie just steals the show! While I don't have a ton to say, I just generally enjoy these books. They are the definition of a good cozy mystery.  Clean, no explicit content, no language. Would recommend. Start with Lending a Paw, book 1.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6841526469
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4sN0N9c

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelley

 

Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly
4 Stars
Book 2 in the Emma Knightley Mystery Series

Read this series if you enjoy:
✨ Regency settings
✨ Jane Austen continuations done right
✨ Cozy mysteries with heart and humor
✨ Smart, observant heroines
✨ Mysteries centered on family secrets 

This was another delight to read after Murder in Highbury! Perfect for Austen fans and cozy mystery lovers. The author always captures the wit and spark of Jane Austen in these books while keeping you invested in the whodunit storyline. 

Emma and her husband George host a holiday celebration at the Hartfield estate but things get wild when her father announces him and Mrs. Bates are engaged to be married! Emma's lady's maid Prudence Parr is found dead and Emma's instincts tell her something more happened here....once again, her and Mr. Knightley have to figure out what happened....

Overall, I just really enjoy my time in this series. I haven't read Emma myself, but it makes me want to next year!

Highly recommend.

Content: mentions of death, murder, generally clean with maybe 1 swear word but more so a natural word used during that time. I have no concerns with content overall.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7837036983
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rA7hYx

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Tempest at Annnabel's Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright

 Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright

4 Stars

Another great autumnal read from Jaime Jo Wright! A very haunting book starting out on the shores of Lake Superior into a dual timeline mystery to present day......a very emotionally charged book. The ending TOOK ME OUT. I did NOT see that coming. We follow Rebecca who is a battered woman in 1874 who wakes up with no idea of her past. Then we follow Shea in modern day who is an author seeking refuge from her crumbling marriage. Both women find themselves drawn to the isolated lighthouse with a lingering presence of Annabel.

This had a theme of gothic suspense because you have a tie in with Edgar Allen Poe as it's inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's haunting poem of Annabel Lee. I loved that because I knew nothing of Edgar Allen Poe and it caused me to research a bit about the history of that poem.

I can't say a ton because I don't want to spoil anything, but wow, what an ending. 

Trigger warning: suicide mentions, harassment, semi-detailed violence, abuse and death.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7160984537
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qX9a0T
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764243790_tempest-at-annabels-lighthouse

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright

 Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright

3.5 - 4 Stars (4 on Goodreads)

I have read so many Jaime Jo Wright books! She is known for her haunting, Gothic dual-timeline mysteries/suspense style with good Christian content, combating the supernatural with the reality of the Christian faith. She usually has a good romantic sub-plot too. This one is set in 1901 and present day for our timelines. 

Jaime Jo weaves together the lives of Effie James and Norah Richman, two women connected by tragedy, secrets, and an eerie house at 322 Predicament Avenue.

I think my favorite timeline was the present day because of the crime podcast stuff. 

My favorite part of this book is honestly the atmosphere and the strong writing I’ve come to expect from Jaime Jo. I do struggle to stay fully invested this time but honestly, I listened to the audio and think I just wasn't as invested because the timelines and mysteries felt a bit too similar at points, and I found myself having to stop and remember which story I was in and who we were talking about. It’s totally a ME thing. I’m also struggling to connect with stories right now for some reason so I probably forced reading when I should have taken a break. 

Even still, this is one that if you love a good gothic mystery, check this out. The ending reallllly surprised me!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7160979239
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42KOmiN
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764241451_night-falls-on-predicament-avenue 

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright

Book Review: Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright

3.5 to 4 Stars - 4 stars for the entertainment factor 

This is a love inspired Christian romantic suspense and I enjoyed it. Look at Jaime Jo with the ROMANCE haha. 

We follow Montana park ranger Aaliyah Terrence and she finds a serial killer's burial ground. She ends up getting attacked right after finding it. The burial ground is tied to an old cold case that detective Wade Marlowe comes into town about. He explains to Aaliyah that her birth mother was the murderer's first victim and it becomes clear that Aaliyah is in the eyes of the killer as the next target. 

I liked it pretty good. While the romance wasn't exactly my favorite, the plot was very interesting. I love the adoption storyline and how they were trying to track everything down. Overall a quick read, good pallet cleanse. As one of my other friends mentioned though, Wade not having a gun but having bear spray gave me the WHAT YOU DOIN SIR without your weapon LOL *kidding only a little bit* haha

My favorite bits were seeing her dog, Peaches, them figuring out the mystery bits and the questions getting answered about her family.

One I would recommend if you want a quick read with fast romance and suspense.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7875061098
Amazon: https://amzn.to/45Zuo4A

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly

 

Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly 

4 Stars 

Felt like this one was a good, classic mystery! Reminded me of like an Agatha Christie style mystery. Although I haven’t read Emma by Jane Austen and can’t personally compare how closely this aligns with it, I still found this to be an excellent read. From what I’ve gathered from others, it stays true to Austen’s style by going into themes of class, marriage, and social status. I could definitely recognize those elements myself, having read Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey.

A year into her marriage to Mr. Knightley, Emma is working through things with her family estate, social engagements and whatnot, when things get crazy after she finds Mrs. Augusta Elton, the vicar's wife, has been murdered. Emma and Mr. Knightley become the newlywed sleuthing duo, trying to figure out who really murdered Mrs. Elton. 

I think readers who enjoy a good classic mystery will enjoy this book as I did! Sometimes the pacing was a bit slower with drawn-out scenes, but overall I really enjoyed the story. I listened to the audiobook over the course of 2 weeks here and there and the narration is chef's kiss! Really pulls you in. 

As far as content, this is close to cozy but a smidge more details about the murder then you usually see in a cozy mystery. Nothing graphic or offensive in my opinion, some occasional mild swearing but very few words, and more so like swearing "of the times" of a book written by Jane Austen, so not very explicit to me. The violence or murder details in my opinion were brief with mentions of blood, body on the steps, bludgeoned with the murder weapon explained, so its a bit more than a cozy mystery but nothing very explicit either in my opinion. etc.

Overall, I think this is a delightful regency mystery that will be perfect for Jane Austen fans, if you are good with reading about actual Jane Austen characters from her books. I feel like Vanessa captured the essence of what I know from Jane's writing and I look forward to her next book soon!

PS I actually picked out the killer from the beginning for once, yay!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6695423473
Amazon: https://amzn.to/41q9B92

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Things We Keep Hidden by Jill Lynn

 Book Review: Things We Keep Hidden by Jill Lynn 

4 Stars

Jill sure does know how to tell contemporary women's fiction stories with real life struggles, issues and characters with depth. This book follows 3 friends - they have swore not to talk about the night their friend CeCe took her life, but with them and their husbands back together at Isley's vacation home, there is a note left by a stranger that says "Tell The Truth or I Will." and they all think it has something to do with the circumstances surrounding their friend CeCe's death many years ago when they were young. Who is the message referring to? 

We see this friend group, Isley, Payton and Clara being together again and working through real life problems with their marriages and children, as well as revisiting memories of the past together.

I really enjoyed the story and how Jill brought these real life struggles to the forefront - we see some hard topics discussed such as suicide, grief, drug addiction, rehab, marriage issues, domestic violence etc. and Jill really reminds us all that we all go through hard things and we all make mistakes or do things we wish we hadn't but at the end of the day, those things do not define us. 

The end with the twists and explanations made me cry and while I wasn't as emotionally attached for all of the sisters collectively, the story is one that provides growth, emotions and relatability for readers.

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content warning: suicide, grief, domestic violence, drug addiction, rehab, marriage issues, infidelity mentioned.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7753400821
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4lf0oYd

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry  

4 Stars 

What a beautiful book of mothers, daughters and the magic of storytelling. I really enjoyed this one. Patti sure does know how to engage you in a book and keep you there needing to know what happens up until the end. I loved Flora Lea and this did not disappoint.

We follow Clara - a daughter still haunted by the loss of her mother, Bronwyn. Her mother was a child prodigy and literary sensation who vanished off the South Carolina Coast in 1927. Cut to 1950s when Clara is now a mother herself and gets a call from a man in London, Charlie, who says he found her mothers dictionary of invented language, stories and a letter for her that brings her from America to London on a journey through grief, motherhood and discovery....all set against the 1952 Great Smog of London.

Overall, this was a really layered story with lots explored - loved Clara's daughter Wynnie, she added so much to the story. Seeing the circumstances around the Great Smog of London was also interesting to get more details and added higher stakes to the plot. 

My only issues I had with this was I wasn't in love with the ending with the aftermath once things were revealed, I would have liked a bit more exploration there with the ending. It felt like it was wrapped up too soon after things were solved and that things went "back to normal" almost too quickly for the family. Also, I was not a fan of Charlie and Clara's relationship - there is a "fade to black" scene with them, while not explicit, there is mention of them sleeping together all the time and they had only known each other a couple of weeks, so it did not really add anything to the story for me personally. That was very brief mentions though and doesn't necessarily take away much enjoyment from the story for me, I still really liked it. I think if Charlie and Clara had more developing feelings for each other vs outright sleeping together all the time so quickly, that would have been better and made more sense for the story.

Really liked the last chapter from Wynnie's POV - that added a lot to the end and the author's note where she explained all the real life story tie ins was nice. 

Reading this with my friend Melissa was also a wonderful experience! Looking forward to reading more books by Patti! 

Content: few mild curse words like H*ll, D*mn, fade to black bedroom scene before marriage, parental abandonment feelings, asthmas attacks, grief explored

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7351842278

Amazon: https://amzn.to/44FAB4Z

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham

 The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham 
Book 4 in the Freddie and Grace Mystery Series 
4 Stars 

Pepper delivers another delightful blend of mystery, romance and adventure in The Highland Heist, book 4 in the Freddie and Grace series. We are back with our main characters into another nail-biting quest....involving family secrets, a missing sister, haunted castle and a legacy buried deep in the Scottish Highlands.

As always, Freddie and Grace are a joy to journey with. Their banter is endearing, their devotion to one another shines through, and their knack for solving mysteries is AWESOME. We see Grace's sister Lillias back who is entangled in a murder investigation that Freddie and Grace work to solve.

Loved the Scotland setting and the crumbling castle - very eerie and lots of twists and turns! Highly recommend this one. I always love being back with these characters. Very cozy stories.

If you have loved the previous Freddie and Grace books, this one will be another hit in the series! Lots of humor, romance and Scottish charm. 

Thank you to Barbour Publishing for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7673104496
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EOcUPj
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/615158

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano

 

Book Review: The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano 
4.5 Stars 

Wow, I really just need to read all of Joanna's books at this point - this was SO good! 

Read if you enjoy:

🛠️✨Steampunk Elements

🛠️✨Christian Fiction

🛠️✨Gothic Settings

🛠️✨Invention and Mystery

🛠️✨Pirate Elements

🛠️✨Bookish Engineer FMC

🛠️✨Mysterious House

🛠️✨1901 Historical Fiction

🛠️✨Inheritance Plot

🛠️✨Light Romance Thread

🛠️✨Faith Elements

🛠️✨Hidden Family Secrets

🛠️✨Strong Female Protagonist 

This was a very good blend of classic mystery meets whimsical invention! 

We follow Sydney Forrester in 1901 who is a clockmaker that inherits Blakely House, an estate of an estranged uncle she has never met. He left behind lots of inventions and many of his family members and workers on the estate do not want Sydney there. They are all convinced she had something to do with his death, turning this into a mystery of who killed him....Sydney finds an ally in the estate's butler, who is an ex-adventurer from the island. A mysterious man shows up and puts a "cog in the wheel" so to say.....Sydney has to prove so much in these high stakes moments.

I really enjoyed this atmospheric setting! Blakely House becomes its own character - creaky halls, strange contraptions, automatons, inventions, and haunting beauty in its own way. It's very gothic in nature. 

Also loved Sydney, she was a very unique character. She's innovative, inventive, independent, sharp - a real refreshing thing to see. She had a faith thread I think we was really well done too. It was a natural point in the story, she was skeptical and finds the Lord through this journey. 

The mystery was so interesting to me, we really got to follow her throughout the house and island and try to figure out what happened. 

My favorite part is the ending - loved how it was wrapped up and everything was revealed. The only thing keeping it from full 5 stars was some of the steampunk elements were hard for me to understand, as I am not normally a steampunk girly, but I really enjoyed it overall.

Highly recommend!! Thank you to Revell for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7171469609

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/598759

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4iS27CN

 

Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

🦋Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright🦋
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5 BIG STARS

I am working my way through Jaime's books in my goal to read her to zero this year and Specters in the Glass House is now my 7th Jaime read -- and a NEW FAVORITE. She once again skillfully weaves two timelines that is bound to keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat! 

🦋Atmospheric Setting
🦋Butterflies
🦋Focus on Mental Health
🦋Gothic Style
🦋Greenhouse
🦋Beautiful Faith Thread
🦋Dual Timeline 1920s and Present Day
🦋Romantic Subplot 
🦋Quick Read

Set in 1921, the historical timeline follows Marian Arnold, an heiress struggling with the weight of her family's brewing empire as Prohibition threatens its future. She is isolated in her Wisconsin estate’s glass butterfly house and she becomes plagued by visions and a series of murders marked by dead butterflies.....a chilling signature of a serial killer. She turns to her childhood friend, Felix. He is a war veteran battling his own ghosts...but he helps Marian in unraveling the darkness that haunts her home.

Then we cut to present day with Remy Shaw, who is investigating Marian's life and the long-unsolved murders tied to her family's estate. She meets Marian's great-great grandson and they discover the truth beneath the glass house. 

I loved this book so much. It's filled with atmospheric suspense, emotional layers and some great faith based reflections all of us can related to. This was  a very immersive reading experience. Both timelines keep you engaged the entire time and she tied this storyline together so well. I always love how Jaime can tell a multi-generational family story as well, with the family looking back at the past and trying to learn their stories, and how it's shaped them today.

Additionally, I appreciate Jaime's discussion on mental health here. I don't want to the specifics as I feel like it is a spoiler for the book, but Jaime sensitively addresses psychological struggles, adding such emotional depth to the story. It was very well done. (scroll to the bottom if need to know trigger)

Overall, another great Jaime Jo read and I highly recommend it!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6737927863
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/579798
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FXq38H

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

*trigger for schizophrenia 

Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl

🏚️🔍Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl🏚️🔍
4 Stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is probably my 9th or 10th Nancy Mehl read, and every time she just brings such great suspense and faith content to the table! Nancy delivers an intense and gripping read in this first book of the Erin Delaney Mystery Series! We have psychological depth and small town intrigue that will keep you on the edge of your seat reading!

Set in Tennessee at a cabin in the Smoky Mountains, Mehl sets the stage with an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. The isolated cabin, chilling cries in the night and the looming presences of a ruthless serial killer create QUITE the spooky environment! 

Our main character, Erin Delaney, is finding solace at the cabin with her friend Kaely Quinn as she confronts the ghosts of her past. Erin is a best selling author who writes mysteries & a former police officer who has been through a lot, so taking a break is much needed for her. The town of Sanctuary turns out to be filled with chaos as police chief Adrian Nightengale requests Erin and Kaely's help in finding their unsub in a murder case. Story kicks off from here as we ensue a high stakes investigation with our characters.

My favorite part of this was seeing Kaely Quinn back in action. A great friendship story between Erin and Kaely was shown here as well, which led to some much needed healing and case solving. Kaely shows Erin, who is not a believer, how good God is and how He can provide the ultimate healing she seeks. I also loved the Tennessee setting here, as a TN girl myself! 

Lots of twists and turns in this one, as always with Nancy's stories! Highly recommend for fans of psychological thrillers, gripping mysteries and books with just the right amount of eerie tension.  🕵️‍♀️🔦

🔥Excited to read the next one in the series later this year! Thank you to Bethany House for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7414263304
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/598730
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gXUV62

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

Dead End by Nancy Mehl

 

Dead End by Nancy Mehl - Book 3 in the Kaely Quinn Profiler Series 
4.5 Stars

Great conclusion to the series! I love Nancy's writing - she can write a suspense like no other. We follow Kaely Quinn from events in books 1 & 2 and learn more about her father's past and the copy cat killer who is repeating her father's crimes. Kaely went into her role as a behavior analyst because of what her father's crimes were and now we have someone copying them. Her and Noah are back together figuring things out together, talking to her father directly and by the end, you will be satisfied with how things wrap up. Nice to see a little romance with them finally wrap up too. 

Not much to say here since its book 3 of the series, but I highly recommend it for the good faith elements, suspense and light romance thread. People who aren't crazy about romance in books would love this series because the main focus is the suspense/mystery. 

4.5/5 Stars

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/38551

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hjXS0N

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Aggie Morton Mystery Queen - Peril at Owl Park by Marthe Jocelyn

  Aggie Morton Mystery Queen - Peril at Owl Park by Marthe Jocelyn

3 Stars 
Second Book in the Aggie Morton Mystery Queen Series

This is a pretty fun middle grade series! This would be great for 12-13 year olds who enjoy mysteries, historical settings and smart, curious characters. While this is a very age-appropriate for middle grade readers, there are a few sentences or moments that might teeter the line for sensitive readers. Since it is a mystery, there are discussions of crimes, descriptions of blood, along with suspicions about characters and death. However, there is no graphic violence, nothing too scary in a horror sense and no inappropriate language or themes in my opinion. The tone stays light and adventurous, in line with classic detective stories like Nancy Drew. As with any book though, parents might want to read through this series a little first to see if it aligns with their comfort level for their child. 

All of that said, I have enjoyed being back with Aggie and Hector in another fun mystery. We have a charming historical setting, as always and classic mystery elements as you would in an Agatha Christie style mystery book. I do feel some of the pacing is a bit slow though for me and sometimes I found myself tuning out a little or not as engaged as I was in the first book.

In this installment, we are at Christmastime with our characters where a holiday gathering quickly turns for the worst when someone is found murdered in the library. It's one of the traveling actors there dressed in their pirate costume. We have people missing, jewel theft and lots of adventure. Aggie is 12 years old and goes to Owl Park, her sister Marjorie's new home. Hector, Aggie's friend, goes with her, along with Grannie Jane. We also see their cousin Lucy along with them. 

Overall, this series is atmospheric and has a cozy feel to it but I wasn't always connected as I wanted to be. Either way, I am looking forward to continuing it.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6294834862
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4i2Ehn5

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

 Book Review: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon - 5 Stars

I have already filmed my Winter Book Recommendations video, but if I hadn't, this would be the NUMBER 1 REC I HAVE! WOW. This book is a great blend of historical fiction and gripping mystery, shining a light on the remarkable life of Martha Ballard, an 18-century midwife whose diary remains one of the most detailed records of early American life. This story plunges you into the icy, Maine winter of 1789 and explores themes of justice, resilience and the power of a woman's voice in a time when society preferred it silent. 

The story kicks off with a chilling discovery: a man's body encased in the frozen Kennebec River. Martha, whose skills as a midwife and healer extend to forensic observation, is called there to determine the cause of death in her own opinion and skill. From this point, we move into the personal and political narrative as there is a trial to determine what happened to the man in the ice. The man in the ice turns out to be a terrible person who has sexually assaulted a woman locally so things turn into more of a mystery as the story progresses.....

Honestly, the strength of this book is the portrayal of Martha herself. Knowing she is was a real person and how the author wrote her as a strong woman, who is both deeply human and heroic in her role as a midwife. This book makes me want to do a deep dive in to the real Martha Ballard. The story’s tension is heightened as she seeks to prove the man's cause of death and investigating the assaults' made.

The author does not shy away from the brutal realities of this time, particularly the vulnerabilities of women in a male-dominated legal and social system. I found this to honestly be very real to the time from what I have seen depicted. 

I love that the author showed us a beautiful marriage between Martha and her husband. He was such a great character and seeing everything they went through personally was heartbreaking but also inspiring to how they handled things together. 

Martha's diary entries woven into the story add authenticity and depth, making Martha’s voice feel very compelling. I really enjoyed the details about Martha as a midwife - it was very interesting to learn about during that time what it would have been like and all the women and children she saved in her time. Also, as an Autism Mama I loved seeing the portrayal of her mute son - how she loved him and supported him no matter what - beautiful.

The Frozen River is more than just a historical mystery, I think this is truly a tribute to such an extraordinary woman whose contributions to history have often been overlooked. 

Highly recommend. ** Please see content / trigger warnings below. **

Trigger Warnings: Sexual assault is a major focus in the story. A woman goes on trial and explains what happened to her, there are multiple birth scenes (with difficult births presented too), murder, physical altercations, miscarriage, etc. However, I feel like the author handled these topics with grace and did not go to far. Sexual content was not explicit - the married couple of Martha and her husbands had some romantic bits, but it wasn't detailed to bother me. Language was minimal.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6251729098
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CU2KuO

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.