All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, June 2016

Genre: Fiction

Pages: eBook, 384 pages

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary (from goodreads.com):

It’s been ten years since Nicolette Farrell left her rural hometown after her best friend, Corinne, disappeared from Cooley Ridge without a trace. Back again to tie up loose ends and care for her ailing father, Nic is soon plunged into a shocking drama that reawakens Corinne’s case and breaks open old wounds long since stitched.

The decade-old investigation focused on Nic, her brother Daniel, boyfriend Tyler, and Corinne’s boyfriend Jackson. Since then, only Nic has left Cooley Ridge. Daniel and his wife, Laura, are expecting a baby; Jackson works at the town bar; and Tyler is dating Annaleise Carter, Nic’s younger neighbor and the group’s alibi the night Corinne disappeared. Then, within days of Nic’s return, Annaleise goes missing.

Told backwards—Day 15 to Day 1—from the time Annaleise goes missing, Nic works to unravel the truth about her younger neighbor’s disappearance, revealing shocking truths about her friends, her family, and what really happened to Corinne that night ten years ago.

Review:

This book had me feeling one of two ways... either loving every second, or wishing it would be over (read: wanting to put it down).

My biggest issue with this book was the format in which it was written. I did not like reading the story backwards, and while I fully realize that by the end of the book, it made complete sense to read the story that way, at the time I found it confusing, annoying and kinda boring. There were many points during those two weeks (of the story) that I seriously considered marking this as a DNF because I was frustrated at not knowing what was happening... reading about the aftermath of something before I even knew what has happened, only to read about it happening in the next chapter. I can't say for sure whether the book would have read better moving forward but I can for sure say that this was not a reading style I enjoyed.

As for the characters, they were okay... not anything that will stick with me, yet also enjoyable in the story as I was reading. If I am being honest, the characters and their backstory reminded me 100% of Sweet Home Alabama... the hillbilly girl runs away from her life (and boyfriend), meets a big city guy and gets engaged, ends up back home where the hillbilly boyfriend is still in love with her... come on now... I can't be the only one who felt this way!!

Overall, while the ending totally saved this book, I don't have any major feelings either way and am finding it hard to review. I can't believe that there is a #2 in the All the Missing Girls series and can't say that I will rush to pick it up... but, it's on the TBR, for now.

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press, April 2016

Genre: Fiction

Pages: Paperback, 352 pages

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary (from goodreads.com):

Sometimes the only thing to fear…is yourself.

When reclusive writer Leonora is invited to the English countryside for a weekend away, she reluctantly agrees to make the trip. But as the first night falls, revelations unfold among friends old and new, an unnerving memory shatters Leonora’s reserve, and a haunting realization creeps in: the party is not alone in the woods.

Review:

I would have given this book a full 5-stars but felt like there was a bit of an issue with pacing... just some parts that were either a bit too slow or maybe had more detail than necessary. However, WOW... what a ride!!

Have you ever picked up a book because it was either blurbed by someone you really like (either another author, an actor or perhaps a magazine)? That's how I stumbled across In a Dark Dark Wood... it was blurbed by Reese Witherspoon, whom I love, so I felt as though I HAD to read it. When I first started it, I was a little worried that I had fallen victim to the hype and it took about 80 pages before I can honestly say that I was completely, 100%, hooked!

What I found most appealing about this story was the way that it was told. Going from the present, where you know something horrible has happened, back to the past, where you are getting the 'bigger' picture, was brilliant. I found that I was devouring the pages as I yearned to learn more... wanted to know what happened... NEEDED to understand.

The characters were... okay. I didn't love any of them but found Nora a great lead to follow. However, she's an extremely unreliable narrator so if that's not your thing, be warned! I, personally, really enjoy that type of story so found it part of the appeal of the story.

Overall, this was a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat thriller that I would recommend to anyone who doesn't mind missing out on sleep! You will be up reading until the very last page.

Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens

Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens

Publisher: St. Martin's Press, March 2016

Genre: Fiction

Pages: Paperback, 384 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from goodreads.com):

Eleven years ago, Lindsey Nash escaped into the night with her young daughter and left an abusive relationship. Her ex-husband was sent to jail and she started over with a new life. Now, Lindsey is older and wiser, with a teenage daughter who needs her more than ever. When her ex-husband is finally released, Lindsey believes she’s cut all ties. But she gets the sense that someone is watching her. Her new boyfriend is threatened. Her home is invaded, and her daughter is shadowed. Lindsey is convinced it’s her ex-husband, even though he claims he’s a different person. But can he really change? Is the one who wants her dead closer to home than she thought?

Review:

** A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No compensations were made and all opinions are my own **

Have you ever read a Chevy Stevens book? I have read every single one, including her novella, and each one gets better than the last. It's hard for me to say that Never Let You Go is her best to date because I still remember my first read by her and I get chills... in fact, all of her books leave me with chills!

Chevy Stevens is a writer of thriller/suspense novels and one of the best part about her writing is how she makes you crave more. I don't think a single one of her books has every taken me more than a couple of days to read because, once you start, you cannot stop. Fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat suspense will leave you sleepless.

One of the things that I love about Chevy's books are her characters. They are so real, so relatable and developed to feel like you would see them on the street or in the local coffee shop. The characters in Never Let You Go were no different. I loved Lindsey (I mean, her name alone) and felt that her story, her strength and her love for her daughter was so real that I understood why she did what she had to to get away from a dangerous situation. A mother's love is no joke... they will bring out the bear when needed. Sophie was another great character. Full of the typical teenage angst and trouble that you never know if you love them or hate them. As for the other, supporting, characters, every single one fit the story so well and worked to advance the story exactly as they should have!

When you are an avid reader of mystery books, you tend to learn to expect the unexpected (any Big Brother fans out there) and start to look at the most unlikely character to be the 'bad guy' but, once again, my jaw dropped when everything comes together at the end.. I love that feeling. It's rare and i takes some serious talent to be able to have the reader constantly second-guessing 'who dun it?' BRAVO!!

Overall, a stunner of a book and one that you MUST read. I can't say enough about Chevy Stevens, she is the queen of mystery and at the top of my must-read author list... perfection in a book!!

Fractured by Catherine McKenzie

Fractured by Catherine McKenzie

Publisher: Lake Union, October 2016

Genre: Fiction

Pages: Paperback, 360 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from goodreads.com):

Julie Prentice and her family move across the country to the idyllic Mount Adams district of Cincinnati, hoping to evade the stalker who’s been terrorizing them ever since the publication of her bestselling novel, The Murder Game. Since Julie doesn’t know anyone in her new town, when she meets her neighbor John Dunbar, their instant connection brings measured hope for a new beginning. But she never imagines that a simple, benign conversation with him could set her life spinning so far off course.

After a series of misunderstandings, Julie and her family become the target of increasingly unsettling harassment. Has Julie’s stalker found her, or are her neighbors out to get her, too? As tension in the neighborhood rises, new friends turn into enemies, and the results are deadly.

Review:

Can you give a book more than 5 stars? If you can... this would be the one I would do it for! YOU GUYS, I was riveted... so into this book that I gave up an entire day of the first long weekend of the year to do nothing but read.

I first heard about Catherine McKenzie from a fellow Canadian blogger, Kaley (Books, etc.), and knew when I read her first book that she would be an author who lives on my 'must read' list. Her ability to pull you into a story is unlike most authors out there and this book was no different. When I sat down to read, I had no idea what the book was about but knew that it was a mystery-type story... little did I know that it was an edge-of-your-seat, nail-biter of a book... one of those that you refuse to put down because you MUST know what happens.

The characters in Fractured were extremely well developed... even though the story was told from two points of view, I felt as though I could understand the story, and the atmosphere that surrounded everything, from many of the neighbours of whom played a roll in the book. Both Julia and John were great characters to read the story through and provided very different looks into how things happened... the back story that led up to the big mystery. Living in a 'community' neighbourhood myself, I definitely understand the dynamics that exist when you live on a street where there is always someone watching... trying to see who is doing what and reporting those who don't follow the rules to a 't'. I felt for Julia... moving away from a horrible experience and ending up in an even worse one.

Overall, this book was amazing... one that I think everyone needs to read! If you like a good mystery, this is a book that will satisfy every single desire that you crave when you pick up a book! LOOOOOVE!

What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan

What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks, December 2015

Genre: Fiction

Pages: Paperback, 512 pages

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary (from goodreads.com):

In a heartbeat, everything changes…

Rachel Jenner is walking in a Bristol park with her eight-year-old son, Ben, when he asks if he can run ahead. It’s an ordinary request on an ordinary Sunday afternoon, and Rachel has no reason to worry—until Ben vanishes.

Police are called, search parties go out, and Rachel, already insecure after her recent divorce, feels herself coming undone. As hours and then days pass without a sign of Ben, everyone who knew him is called into question, from Rachel’s newly married ex-husband to her mother-of-the-year sister. Inevitably, media attention focuses on Rachel too, and the public’s attitude toward her begins to shift from sympathy to suspicion.

As she desperately pieces together the threadbare clues, Rachel realizes that nothing is quite as she imagined it to be, not even her own judgment. And the greatest dangers may lie not in the anonymous strangers of every parent’s nightmares, but behind the familiar smiles of those she trusts the most.

Where is Ben? The clock is ticking...

Review:

As with all books, especially mystery themed ones, I picked up this book only knowing the hype surrounding it an not really knowing what the plot actually was. When I found out that it was about the abduction of an 8-year-old boy, I was hit a little to close to home as I have a 9-year-old and because of that, I found that I was distracted and also a little uncomfortable reading it. However, even with that said, I found myself gripping the pages to find out what exactly happened and who dun it!!

This was my first go with author Gilly Macmillan and I really found her writing style to be right up my alley. I loved the fact that, while having many characters throughout the story, she focused the points of view on only two (or three if you count the psychologist). For some reason, I think that books with alternate points of view to be perfect when reading mysteries, yet if you have too many, it gets confusing... so two is perfect. Not only does it give you a different perspective with which to hear what's happening but it makes you read that much faster... the need to find out what's happening is real.

Now, even though I like the fact that the book was written from different characters perspectives, I didn't love them both equally. I really did feel for Rachel and was insanely disappointed with the way the public treated her... I mean what parent doesn't loosen the leash on their child a little as they get older?? Was she a fantastic character? No, but she was definitely relatable and I can see myself, or any other mother, being exactly as she was should they ever find myself in that same position - god forbid. Jim, on the other hand ... actually the entire of the police force... I could not stand. Why was he so affected with the outcome of the trial? I am still baffled by this. I was also extremely disappointed with the way each of the officers treated Rachel every time she called or came by. I would hope that, in real life, the police would treat the family of the victim with more class and dignity.

Overall, I found this story very well written, the characters well developed and it really kept me guessing to the very last second. As an avid mystery fan, I love when an author can leave me thinking I know how it's going to turn out only to pull the rug out from under me at the last minute.

Far From True by Linwood Barclay

Far From True by Linwood Barclay

Publisher: Doubleday Canada, March 2016

Genre: Fiction

Pages: eBook, 480 pages

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

After the screen of a run-down drive-in movie theater collapses and kills four people, the daughter of one of the victims asks private investigator Cal Weaver to look into a break-in at her father's house. Cal discovers a hidden room where salacious activities have taken place—as well as evidence of missing DVDs. But it may not be the discs the thief was interested in.

Meanwhile, Detective Barry Duckworth is still trying to solve two murders he believes are connected, since each featured a similar distinctive wound. And when yet another murder happens, Cal and Barry are both driven to pursue their investigations, no matter where they lead. But where they lead may be more horrific than either man can imagine.

Review:

** spoiler alert **

This is the second book in a series (listed as a trilogy, but there is another book with the same characters so I am not sure how that fits in). I have opted to hide the review on the off chance that it ends up spoiling something... even though that is never my intention.

Okay, I am going to say that I liked this book but not nearly as much as I assumed I would based on how much I enjoy Linwood Barclay's writing style. I can't say whether it was me or the story but it just felt like there was too much going on, too many side stories that I didn't see the point of, too many characters to keep straight. With that said, it was still a good book in the sense that you wanted to read further to see what was happening and how the whole story would weave itself back together but be prepared to sift through the unnecessary stuff.

The characters all seemed to carry over (with the exception of a few more obvious ones) from the previous book and while I tend to appreciate when authors don't dwell on mundane details that have already been explained, I could have done with a little more. With so many characters to keep straight, I would have liked just a little more backstory for each person so I could link them easily with the previous book/story... again, it could have been just me. As for the characters themselves, I liked them all for the most part with my favourite being Cam... I don't know, he just seems like a good guy that I would want on my side. The 'bad guys' were deplorable and while I kinda found myself enjoying their stories (who doesn't like a bad guy?)... I was pleased with how their stories panned out!

Overall, a decent second book in the trilogy (is there ever a good one?) and I will definitely continue on with the third.

Little Lies by Heather Gudenkauf

Little Lies by Heather Gudenkauf

Publisher: Mira, May 2014

Genre: Fiction

Pages: eBook, 45 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

When the body of a woman is discovered in a local park-with her bewildered four-year-old son sitting beside her-veteran social worker Ellen Moore is called in to assist in the police investigation. Positioned beneath a statue of Leto, the goddess of motherhood, the crime is weighted with meaning and, Ellen discovers, remarkably similar to one from a decade past. Ellen's professional duty is to protect the child, but she's not equipped to contend with a killer. As she races to connect the dots, she knows her time is running out. And the stakes are high: if she fails, another mother is sure to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Review:

When I found out this was a short story/prequel, I decided to download the ebook from my library and blow through it in an afternoon. I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did but WOW, what a roller coaster ride of pure adventure.

Heather Gudenkauf is an author that I have picked up here and there over the years but not someone that I continually pay attention to and I have to wonder why that is. This is likely the third book of hers that I have read and can honestly say that I loved all of them. It's taking everything in me NOT to order up the book 'Little Mercies' that this book is the prequel to because I have that MUST READ MORE feeling.

Now, with short stories/prequels, I have always read the actual book they are based on before it so I am not sure how exactly Ellen (and family) and Joe are connected in the main story. Whether it is based around the original crime from 13-years ago or if the crimes of 'Little Lies' have nothing to do with it but either way, I am excited about the potential of reading more of these characters. I liked both Ellen and Joe and think there is definitely 'more to the story' of their relationship.

Overall, a very worthwhile read for those who enjoy quick, fast-faced, stories.

I See You by Clare Mackintosh

I See You by Clare Mackintosh

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group, November 2016

Genre: Fiction, Mystery/Suspense

Pages: Paperback, 384 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

Every morning and evening, Zoe Walker takes the same route to the train station, waits at a certain place on the platform, finds her favorite spot in the car, never suspecting that someone is watching her...

It all starts with a classified ad. During her commute home one night, while glancing through her local paper, Zoe sees her own face staring back at her; a grainy photo along with a phone number and a listing for a website called FindTheOne.com.

Other women begin appearing in the same ad, a different one every day, and Zoe realizes they’ve become the victims of increasingly violent crimes—including murder. With the help of a determined cop, she uncovers the ad’s twisted purpose...A discovery that turns her paranoia into full-blown panic. Zoe is sure that someone close to her has set her up as the next target.

And now that man on the train—the one smiling at Zoe from across the car—could be more than just a friendly stranger. He could be someone who has deliberately chosen her and is ready to make his next move…

Review:

Well, I can now happily say that Clare Mackintosh is, in fact, a stellar storyteller. Hey, it happens... an author's debut novel is a brilliant one and then, well, the follow ups aren't up to par. However, after reading 'I Let You Go', I knew that as soon as Clare's next book, 'I See You', was released, I would be picking it up and man, am I ever glad that I did because it was just as good, if not better than her debut novel.

While you can classify both of Clare Mackintosh's novels along the same genre, suspense/mystery/thriller... 'I See You' had an extra spine-tingling factor to it in that you had no idea who was behind the crimes and the fact that there could be someone watching your every move is just super creepy. This was definitely an on the edge of your seat type of book and one that I could see many people enjoying in the fall, as things start to get a little dark and mysterious out.

As for the characters, I like both Kelly and Zoe and while they can be classified as 'unreliable narrators', I have come to realize that I quite like that and enjoy not really knowing what's going on. The fact that Zoe is so innocent and couldn't see anyone is her life as a prime suspect made me feel like everyone was. Kelly, being the toughen cop with a mysterious past, made for a very enjoyable, fly by the seat of your pants, character.

Overall, an amazing book and one that I will definitely be recommending to all my friends. Clare Mackintosh is up there with my favourite suspense author, Chevy Stevens, and I cannot wait for her next book to come out.

The Grownup by Gillian Flynn

The Grownup by Gillian Flynn

Publisher: Crown/Archetype, November 2015

Genre: Fiction, Short Story/Novella

Pages: eBook, 64 pages

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

A canny young woman is struggling to survive by perpetrating various levels of mostly harmless fraud. On a rainy April morning, she is reading auras at Spiritual Palms when Susan Burke walks in. A keen observer of human behavior, our unnamed narrator immediately diagnoses beautiful, rich Susan as an unhappy woman eager to give her lovely life a drama injection. However, when the "psychic" visits the eerie Victorian home that has been the source of Susan’s terror and grief, she realizes she may not have to pretend to believe in ghosts anymore. Miles, Susan’s teenage stepson, doesn’t help matters with his disturbing manner and grisly imagination. The three are soon locked in a chilling battle to discover where the evil truly lurks and what, if anything, can be done to escape it.

Review:

I really enjoy Gillian Flynn's book and have read all of them so when I saw that she had a short story out, I picked it up from the local library but I feel very conflicted.

While the middle section of the story was amazing, a page-turner that I couldn't stop reading, both the beginning and end were boring. In fact, I almost stopped reading about 3-4 pages before it got interesting and then when it ended, I felt a little like "what the heck just happened... did it actually end that way?". I was left feeling disappointed and unfulfilled... is that possible when you are reading a 'book' that has less than 100 pages? I don't know but if you end a story with a sour taste, it really doesn't make you want to recommend it to others and this is a really cool 'supernatural' story that I think had the bones to be an awesome full-length book.

So, taking all that in, I would say it IS worth the read because of how quick you will get through it but will warn you to be prepared for an ending that may leave you wanting something more.

Holiday Reads | The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans

The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, November 2014

Genre: Fiction, Christmas

Pages: eBook, 203 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

Elise Dutton dreads the arrival of another holiday season. Three years earlier, her husband cheated on her with her best friend, resulting in a bitter divorce that left her alone, broken, and distrustful.

Then, one November day, a stranger approaches Elise in the mall food court. Though she recognizes the man from her building, Elise has never formally met him. Tired of spending the holidays alone, the man offers her a proposition. For the next eight weeks—until the evening of December 24—he suggests that they pretend to be a couple. He draws up a contract with four rules:

1. No deep, probing personal questions
2. No drama
3. No telling anyone the truth about the relationship
4. The contract is void on Christmas Day

The lonely Elise surprises herself by agreeing to the idea. As the charade progresses, the safety of her fake relationship begins to mend her badly broken heart. But just as she begins to find joy again, her long-held secret threatens to unravel the emerging relationship. But she might not be the only one with secrets.

Review:

Richard Paul Evans was one of those go-to Christmas authors that I read back when I was reviewing books... now that I am back at it, I feel it's only fitting that in the first Christmas season back, I revisit his work.

The Mistletoe Promise is the first book in a trilogy and it adds the romance and happiness that you expect in a Christmas story but it also has an element of mystery and suspense that I wasn't expecting. As mystery/suspense/thriller is my favourite genre, it was a very welcome surprise.

The story centres around Elise, a depressed, divorced woman with a past that haunts her and Nicholas, a man who seems too good to be true but you know there is something beneath the surface... it's just a matter of when and where their stories will come out and how much it will affect the relationship they are working to build. I really enjoyed these characters and found myself wanting to learn more and more about them and while I don't know that their story continues through books 2 and 3, I am hoping they at least make an appearance.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have already requested The Mistletoe Inn from the library... hoping I can get it in before Christmas. Such a good read!

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group, May 2016

Genre: Fiction

Pages: Paperback, 384 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

On a rainy afternoon, a mother's life is shattered as her son slips from her grip and runs into the street…

I Let You Go follows Jenna Gray as she moves to a ramshackle cottage on the remote Welsh coast, trying to escape the memory of the car accident that plays again and again in her mind, desperate to heal from the loss of her child and the rest of her painful past.

At the same time, the novel tracks the pair of Bristol police investigators trying to get to the bottom of this hit-and-run. As they chase down one hopeless lead after another, they find themselves as drawn to each other as they are to the frustrating, twist-filled case before them.

Review:

Yet another book review that I am starting with a giant WOW! What an amazing debut novel for Clare Mackintosh... a story that grabs you from the first page and keeps you guessing right up to the last page.  You know the type of book that leaves you hungry for more?  That is exactly what I Let You Go does!!

While I found the start of the story insane, it slowed off just a little to the point that I started thinking that this book wasn't going to live up to it's hype.  However, I hit the halfway point and  the book took a sudden turn that made you go from thinking it's 'just okay' to 'this book is crazy good'.  It became that page turner that I was expecting and I fell in love with Clare's ability to build a story.  Her characters were lovable and relateable ... people who made mistakes and now have to spend a lifetime dealing with the consequences.

I am so excited to read Clare's next book because if this is any indication... I will be a forever fan!