Mystery – Page 4 – Feed The Bookworm

Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️/5

🌶🌶/5

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OMG, with my love of witchy cozy’s/romcoms, how have I not read any books by @mollyharperauth before?! This book was the ideal segue from the non-fiction I’ve been reading lately and just in time for Fall/Halloween. I’m not one for scary tales, so the witchy romances all over the shelves this season are right up my alley.

Riley receives a summons to Starfall Point by her late mother’s hitherto unknown sister, Nora. Her arrival on the island is far from grand, leading to her first encounter with the town librarian, Edison Held. Soon, she finds herself amidst chaos, eclectic ghosts, and a buzzing nanna grape-vine gossip network, while falling in love and finding her coven.

I adored this book! The magical world-building is phenomenal, the characters compelling, and the writing brims with wit and sharpness. I also appreciate the twist with Edison as a small-town librarian escaping his past, a part typically reserved for female leads. The paranormal mystery threads through well-devised plots, even if it leads to a somewhat foreseeable twist. My only quibble is that Edison and Riley’s relationship isn’t as fleshed out as Riley’s ties with the coven, lending the narrative a slightly rushed tone.

Nonetheless, it’s an amazing concoction of magic, cozy romance with a dash of spice, and paranormal mystery. I’m already devouring Caroline’s story (the 2nd book) and can hardly wait for Alice’s. Looks like I’ll be binging on Molly Harper’s backlog for the remainder of the weekend 😉.

Bonus – it’s available as an Audible original included for audible members. You can get your copy here. Or if you prefer the kindle version: here.

Tropes hit: Enemies to lovers, small town romance, found family, long lost relative, opposites attract.

The Exchange By: John Grisham

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️/5

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Abby and Mitch are back, and the stakes are higher than ever. The Exchange picks up 15 years after the ending of The Firm. Mitch and Abby, out of hiding, are enjoying life in NYC: Mitch works for a high-end international law firm, and Abby edits cookbooks.

Once again, the McDeere family finds themselves in the thick of a nefarious plot, but this time, the bad guys zero in on Abby. As Mitch frequently reminds her, “They picked you.” The book takes readers back to Memphis for a spell, bouncing us around the world from London to Italy, Morocco, and beyond, with a cameo of a familiar but not so friendly face from Mitch’s previous life.

While some might argue that the pace of The Firm was on the slower side, the opposite could be said for The Exchange. I found The Exchange to be extremely fast-paced. If I had one criticism, it would be that the ending kind of snuck up on me and felt rushed. Overall, this was a solid legal thriller, and the international aspect added a good spin. It’s a quick read that you won’t want to put down.

Grisham is one of my all-time favorite, auto-buy authors. This book most certainly lived up to its predecessors.

One sale now, you can grab your copy here.

Behold The Monster By Jillian Lauren

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5 (3.5)

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“Behold the Monster” by Jillian Lauren is a chilling and comprehensive account of the life of Samuel Little, touted as the most prolific serial killer in history. As an avid reader of true crime literature and a regular listener of true crime podcasts, I was taken aback by my unfamiliarity with Sam Hill, a testament to Lauren’s extensive research and deft storytelling.

Lauren skillfully weaves together various narratives, including her conversations with Sam Hill during his incarceration, trial transcripts, and deeply emotional interviews with the victims’ family members. These diverse narrative threads form a haunting tapestry that offers readers a glimpse into the lives of Little’s victims and their tragic last moments.

“Behold the Monster” delves into disturbing territories as it unfurls the life of Sam Little. From his shocking birth and unsettling upbringing to his harrowing reunion with his biological mother, every aspect of his life seems steeped in horror. These unnerving details might make the book a difficult read for some. For me, it was an overwhelming journey through the macabre details of his heinous acts.

The strength of the book lies in its empathetic storytelling. Lauren gives voices to the victims, interviewing their family members to ensure that their memories endure. It’s heartening to witness the resilience of the four women who escaped Little’s clutches, their stories forming a ray of hope in this dark narrative.

I hardly ever put trigger warnings on my reviews especially true crime books. More than likely if you’re reading a true crime book, you know that you’re going to read some messed up stuff. However, readers should be forewarned that the book contains graphic descriptions that might trigger sensitivities. From violence to deep-seated trauma, if there’s a potential trigger, it’s likely present in this book. Despite its disturbing content, the book is informative, engaging, and at times it is as difficult to put down as it is to read.

In comparison to other true crime books like “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark” which detail the exhaustive hunt for the criminal, “Behold the Monster” might come off as excessive in its detailing of Little’s gruesome crimes. Personally, I would have appreciated more insight into the trial proceedings and the evidentiary process.

Jillian Lauren’s “Behold the Monster” is a definitive account of Samuel Little’s life, making it a must-read for true crime aficionados. However, its graphic content makes it a tough read at times. I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5. I was hoping for more courtroom drama and investigative details and less graphic depiction of his horrific deeds.

For those interested in the history, mystery, and thriller genres or in historical biographies and memoirs, this book is a crucial addition to the true crime non-fiction landscape. But proceed with caution: this book pulls no punches when it comes to the brutal reality of Samuel Little’s crimes.

As always, I encourage you to read this book and form your own opinions and thoughts as I have mine.

One sale now, you can grab your copy here.

The Maid: By Nita Prose

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

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So I honestly feel like I owe this book an apology. I picked it up and put it down so many times. I just couldn’t get into it. Everyone said “Oh if you like popular book xyz then you’ll love this one!” Well, I didn’t love it, it was a DNF for me. So I though this one would be too. So in a last ditch effort, I put it on hold at my library. It was a 20+ week hold. These people all must know something I didn’t. Boy, were they right. I was wrong.

This book is delightful! Turns out, it was one of those books I did better listening to then reading. It was a bit of a romance, a big mystery, with a few dramatic twists and turns. I fell in love with Molly the Maid, and her beloved cast of found family. Molly has had to figure out the world without her beloved Gran. You see, Molly sees things differently than most people. While this makes her susceptible to unkindness, it also doesn’t allow her to see the kindness of people right under her nose.

I love Molly’s snark and wit, and I would love to have a book of the quotes she spews from her Gran. I feel like I know Gran, even though she wasn’t present for the events that transpired between the pages.

On sale now, you can grab your copy here

A big hank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC copy of this book.

The Recovery Agent: By Janet Evanovich

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

JE is one of my all time favorite authors, and Stephanie Plum is one of my favorite characters. Her other series, also phenomenal. So when I got the chance to read an early copy of the first book of her new series, I will admit, I did a fan girl dance around my living room.

This series reacquaints us with Gabriella Rose, who we met in another book already. It also introduces her ex husband Rafer, assistant Marcella, and a wonderful supporting cast of characters. It takes us on a river rapid ride through jungles and cities alike. A quick, funny and satisfying read, I cannot wait to read more from this series.

I will note, it’s hard not to make comparisons. Maybe because we first met Gabs in a Stephanie Plum book, but she’s the exact opposite of Steph. Literally, on every sense of the word. The same can be said for Rafer (still bad ass) but so much more laid back than Ranger, and for Marcella, who seems to be everything Lula is not (competent, organized, dependable). Both women manage to step in 💩 frequently, but luckily Gabs has bullets in her gun and knows how to use it!

Thank you to the author @janetevanovich @netgalley and @atriabooks for the advanced copy of this book!

One Of Us Is Dead: By Jeneva Rose

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

After a months long binge into romance and going down some crazy rabbit holes (more on that later), I needed a palate cleanser and One Of Us Is Dead was the perfect choice.

“I always belived there was another option on the table- forgive, forget or ****** never let it go.”

The ladies of Buckhead are absolutely ruthless, and they’re in the middle of a power struggle. As someone who can quote Mean Girls on cue, this books is basically Mean Girls meets Desperate Housewives. And I absolutely devoured it. This was a one day binge read for me.

While this book would be considered a thriller, it was wickedly funny and sassy and keeping me on the edge of my seat while laughing at all the snark.

Join the ladies, grab a glass of bubbly and dive in, I assure you, you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to the author @jenevaroseauthor @netgalley and @blackstonepublishing for the advanced copy of both the ebook and audiobook

The Golden Couple: By Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

Oh wow. I needed a minute after finishing this audiobook to process. It’s a roller coaster my friends. Holy cow. This is another one of those books where everyone is lying, and behind every truth there is another slew of lies. Who can you trust? Who’s intentions are good and who’s are nefarious? There are red herrings abound here, reminiscent of classic whodunnit’s.

Avery gives me major Kinsey Millhone vibes. I just love her and I am going to hold out hope for another book featuring her. Or better yet, a series. This was a binge worthy listen, I started it this morning and basically couldn’t put it down.

I was excited to read this book when I heard it was a BOTM pick, and was even more excited to receive an ALC copy. Thank you so much to the authors @greerhendricks & @sarahpekkanen @macmillan.audio and @stmartinspress for the advanced copy of this book.

Darynda Jones: A Bad Day For Sunshine

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The Rundown: Sunshine Vicram is duped by her meddling parents into becoming the sheriff of her small hometown. Her first day on the job is a doozy and leads to revelations about her abduction 15 years ago.

Written by Darynda Jones, Published April 2020

Oh my gawd, stop what you’re reading right this minute, and go order this book. I’m not kidding. So Oh my gawd, stop what you’re reading right this minute, and go order this book. I’m not kidding. So I’ve had Darynda Jones’ other series on my tbr list for, well, forever. Then I got an ARC copy of the 2nd book in her new series, so of course, I had to go back and read the first one before I read that one. Did that make sense? I hope so.

Anyway, if you’re a fan of Stephanie Plum, you’re going to poop your pants over Sunshine Blaze Vicram. Sunshine and her daughter Auri have just moved back to Sun’s hometown of Del Sol, New Mexico after her parent’s somehow managed to get her elected as the new town Sheriff. Even though she left Del Sol in the rearview mirror years ago. Lucky for her, her best friend Quincy is a Sheriff’s Deputy, so it’s old friends back together again.

Her first day on the job brings a missing teenager who has been predicting her death and abduction since she was six. Sybil St. Aubin had made friends with Sunshine’s daughter, Auri, that summer at the lake, and has left behind a series of clues that don’t seem to add up.
The day also brings Little Miss Sunshine straight back into the orbit of the only man she’s ever loved. The boy she fell in love with as a teen, and the man she could never forget, Levi Ravinder. Levi has taken his family’s “corn whiskey” aka, moonshine, business legit and is doing well for himself. But he seems to have no use for our heroine, although as long lost memories come back, he seems to be at the center of Sun’s abduction and the aftermath. Oh, and a stolen rooster named Puff Daddy, whose owner seems to be causing more problems than necessary. And there are magic muffins that predict a really bad day.

Things don’t get much better when Levi’s nephew Jimmy goes missing as well. Jimmy happens to be the son of Sunshine’s arch nemesis Hailey. Sun is hopeful that the kids are together and it’s all some sort of misunderstanding. With Levi’s tracking skills, it becomes apparent that Jimmy isn’t with Sybil, however, they do make a shocking discovery on the snowy mountain (did you know it snowed in New Mexico?) that brings Sun’s kidnapping back into the forefront.

This book has an amazing cast of characters from Sunshine’s conniving parents, to her crackerjack police team to the Ravinder clan (who may or may not be all that bad), and the various odd inhabitants of Del Sol.

So, that probably wasn’t the most concise summary of a book. The bottom line, I couldn’t put this book down. If you’re looking for a tough, funny, independent, kick-ass heroine, this book is for you. It’s full of wit and sarcasm and made me laugh out loud. Of note: I listened to the audio version, and it is hard not to compare it to the Stephanie Plum series, especially because it’s the same narrator. But I’ll refrain from doing so since I’m desperately holding out hope that by book 28 (I think?) my girl Steph will finally learn to put some bullets in her gun. But I digress.

I can only hope that this series continues because I can’t get enough Sunshine. Stay tuned for my review on A Good Day For Chardonnay, the 2nd book in the Sunshine Vicram series.

This audiobook was listened to on the Scribd app.

Dan Fesperman: The Cover Wife

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The Rundown: The Rundown: After a blown up and a dalliance with her boss, CIA agent Claire Saylor is back in the game. She’s going undercover to protect a professor from radical religious terrorists.

Written by Dan Fesperman, published 2021

We have 3 plot lines running here in this story. Our first is Claire Saylor, a CIA agent who was involved in a failed operation that tarnished her reputation. It also put the breaks on whatever relationship she was having with her boss Paul Bridger. But now, she’s been assigned to act as the wife of Professor Winston Armitage. The professor has written a controversial book that claims that Muslim martyrs will not be given 72 virgins, but 72 raisins. This enrages the radial Muslim cells that were prevalent around 1999 when the book is set. While “the professor” and Claire are under the impression that he is on a book tour to promote his book, sponsored by a think tank, it turns out that it is a ploy to draw out the radial Muslims associated with Al Queda. I’ll use quotes around the professor because the dorky Mr. Armitage isn’t all he seems. But I won’t spoil that surprise for you.

Our second plotline revolves around Mahmoud Yassin, a recent immigrant, who is trying to prove himself to the group of men, in his new mosque. The group leader, Amir, gives him tasks to prove himself, including dropping off a getaway car and getting rid of Esme, the troublesome wife of one of his brothers. Trouble is, Mahmoud seems a little too drawn to the alluring Esme. She represents the life he left behind, and the temptations he must resist.

Our last POV is from Ken Donlan of the FBI, who is also in Germany to keep an eye on Mahmoud and the men he’s associated with. Agent Donlan almost blows the whole operation when he takes a picture of the group of men, which then gets back to the FBI and CIA, and jeopardizes a whole other mission that Claire knows nothing about.

The photo turns out to be the crux of the matter, and when certain facts finally came to light, I yelled out “I KNEW IT!” as I was listening to the book. These events lead to Claire, once again, defying her superiors and going rogue to save a fellow agent.

I’m going to give this book a solid 3 stars. Maybe 3.5 if pushed. And here’s why. I thought this was going to be a romantic thriller. It isn’t. It’s a thriller for sure, but no romance. It’s the perfect setup, a disgraced CIA agent forced to share a bed with a dorknozzle professor who is all too eager, considering he’s married. Anf Mahmoud and his infatuation with Esme. But then, the violence starts and all thoughts of romance are gone. The book has very Tom Clancy vibes, mixing fact and fiction to create a story that culminated in the terror attack on the twin towers on 9/11. But even though it’s a thriller, the book dragged a bit for me. The action really picked up in the last 1/4 of the book, but I wish that it had persisted through the whole book.

Final thoughts- Other reviewers seemed to like this book a whole lot more than I did. So give it a chance for yourself.

This Audiobook was provided by NetGalley and Dreamscape Media in exchange for an honest review.

Laura Dave: The Last Thing He Told Me

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The Rundown: Owen Michaels disappears, leaving his wife and daughter questioning everything they thought they knew.

Written by Laura Dave, Published 2021

Owen Michaels and his wife Hannah had it all. Or, almost all. There’s the small fact that Owen’s daughter, Bailey won’t give Hannah the time of day. But in an instant, that all changes. On the day our story starts, Hannah and Bailey both get a note from Owen. Hannah’s simply reads “protect her”. Bailey also finds a cash stash in her locker.

Now, Hannah and Bailey don’t get along. Hannah doesn’t know how much she can or can’t do when it comes to raising Bailey and Bailey doesn’t have faith in Hannah. What follows is a journey of two women, drawn together through extreme circumstances. In an unfamiliar city and unsure of who to trust, Hannah and Bailey must both confront the fact they that have both been lied to. Bailey must question her entire life, and the person she though she was. Hannah questions the man she thought she loved.

My favorite character in this book, beyond a doubt is Grady. He isn’t a major character, but he plays his part so well. I didn’t really know what to make of him at first, and I won’t give too much away on him because it would ruin the story, but you’ll like him too. I also liked that you get to know Owen through Hannah’s flashbacks to happier times. But you doubt him and his motives for about half way through the book.

I loved this book. If I could, I would give it 4.5 stars (but I’ll up it to 5), only because I HATED the ending. I understood it, but I hated it. I think because I’ve been reading a lot of romance novels, where everything is tidied up nice and neat at the end of the book. And don’t get me wrong, the ending fits, and there isn’t any other way it could have ended. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

All and all, a solid book. It’s a page turner for sure, with short, action packed chapters. I finished this book over 2 days, so it’s a quick one.

This book was borrowed from my local library using the Libby App