Mystery – Page 4 – Feed The Bookworm

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.

Overkill: By Sandra Brown

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️/5

🌶🌶🌶/5

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I’m not going to lie, when I got approval email from NetGalley for the new Sandra Brown book, I did a squeal and a happy dance around my kitchen. She introduced me to the romantic thriller genre, and I quickly devoured her books.

Overkill hits all of the best things I’ve come to expect from a Sandra Brown book:

⚫️ Rugged hero who prefers a hermit’s life, is wealthy and has a past claim to fame ✅

⚫️Pretty, smart heroine who is ballsy and confident ✅

⚫️A good mystery and driven story ✅

Zach Bridger was a former NFL Super Bowl hero, before an attack on his ex-wife, Rebecca, and the subsequent fall out jettisoned his career. He got his life in track, retired to a mountain side and hiked every day. It would have been happily ever after had his wife’s attacker not gotten out of jail early thanks to his daddy’s connections. Enter Kate Lennon, a up and coming star state prosecutor. She comes up with a way to put the slimy Eban away for good. Too bad it means Bridger facing the decision and confrontation he’s been avoiding for years.

This book is everything I want in a romantic thriller. Intriguing, full of suspense and a red-hot romance all in one.

Overkill is on sale August 16th, get your copy here

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.

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

Sandra Brown: Thick as Thieves

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The Rundown: Twenty years ago, 4 people got away with a half million dollar heist. By the end of the night, one is dead, one is in the hospital, one is in jail and the last is missing, along with the money. The old crime comes back into the present when Arden Maxwell returns home.

Written by Sandra Brown, Published 2021

All hail Sandy B, the queen of twists. I’m a huge Sandra Brown fan, and I’ve read pretty much all of her books by this point. I was underwhelmed by her last two books, so when I picked this one I didn’t expect too much. Boy, was I wrong. This one felt like a throw back to her books of old.

Single and pregnant, Arden Maxwell moves back to her home town to raise her baby. When tragedy strikes and her plans fall apart, Arden makes new plans that revolve around renovating her old family home. She seeks out a number of different contractors, but eventually lands on Ledge Burnet. Ledge has his own reasons for wanting to stay close to Arden and the Maxwell home. 20 years ago, he was involved in the heist. He’s now a reformed, respected war hero.

Then you have the creeptastic Rusty, the ringleader of the robbery who has somehow made it to the position of District Attorney. He keeps popping up where he’s least wanted and most annoying. Not to mention the DA uses his power for evil, not for good.

Insert Arden’s meddling, well meaning, loaded sister Lisa, Ledge’s old girlfriend Crystal, her new flame, and you have all the makings for a sexy and twisted thriller. So buckle up your seatbelts for a wild ride to Payton, Texas. This book is a face paced, romantic thriller that will keep you guessing, and ends with a twist I didn’t see coming.

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

James Patterson: The Black Book

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The Rundown: Chicago police officer Billy Harney is on a mission to clear his name. Too bad he can’t remember what happened.

Written by James Patterson, David Ellis Published 2017

Ah, Mr. Patterson. Bravo. This book is classic James Patterson. The Black Book is packed with quick chapters so the book moves along at quite the clip. The only downside of this is that I didn’t feel a connection with the characters until about half way into the book.

Billy Harney wakes up in the hospital after taking a bullet to the brain. His former twice time lover and his current partner Kate Fenton, is dead, and so is his new girlfriend, state’s attorney Amy Lentini. Sucks for everyone, especially Billy, that he can’t remember a thing that happened that night. In fact, he can’t remember anything in the two weeks leading up to the event. This proves to be pivotal, as the scene appears to be set up. Little do we know, there are higher powers pulling the strings.

In this book, you distrust everyone. Billy, Kate and Amy, not to mention all of the supporting characters, all have ulterior motives. In fact, as unreliable as Billy is due to his memory, he’s the only one I even semi-trusted. But even he does a good job convincing you he may not be as shiny as his star. Billy has a past that pops up here and there, especially when Kate goes bananas. Sorry to spoil anything, but yeah, Kate loses it.

Also, kind of plot hole? There is a part where we hear about Kate getting a make over and showing up in a fancy new sports car, but we never learn where she gets the money for that. Perhaps we’ll get some answers in the sequel that just came out, The Red Book.

In an effort not to spoil too much for anyone, this book is highly recommended if you have a day or so to kill, because you won’t want to put it down. It isn’t because I was overly attached to the characters, but because I just HAD to know who the dirty cop was. I’m excited for a sequel, because I want to see more Billy. Too bad I liked Amy, but she’s dead. That isn’t a spoiler, she dies in the first chapter. But keep a close eye on details, because someone mundane details are important later.