REVIEW: Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

Title: Archer’s Voice (Where Love Meets Destiny #1)
Author: Mia Sheridan
Narrator: Kris Koscheski, Emily Durante
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: August 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: When Bree Prescott arrives in the sleepy, lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she hopes against hope that this is the place where she will finally find the peace she so desperately seeks. On her first day there, her life collides with Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds a secret agony of his own. A man no one else sees.

Archer's Voice is the story of a woman chained to the memory of one horrifying night and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man who lives with an excruciating wound and the woman who helps him find his voice. It is the story of suffering, fate, and the transformative power of love.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this story about a woman who is trying to rebuild her life after her father is murdered and a man who has endured horrific torture at the hands of the people he should have received nothing but unconditional love. Bree and Archer are so damaged but yet manage to find each other and let down their walls so that love can come in.

After losing his parents as a child and nearly dying himself, Archer has spent his years unable to vocalize. He taught himself sign language but the majority of the residents in his hometown go out of their way to avoid him, never mind trying to communicate with him. That is, until Bree Prescott arrives in town. After a chance meeting, she is determined to get to know this quiet man and understand his situation, hoping that it will take her mind off the horror of seeing her father murdered at the hands of a man who almost murdered her.

I chose the audiobook format of this story and enjoyed the narration performed by Kris Koscheski and Emily Durante. They provide the perfect blend of emotion and tension so the reader is given a good understanding of who these characters are. I found it easy to like and relate to Bree and Archer and the supporting characters also add a good dynamic to the story.

Unfortunately, I didn’t love this story. I felt that almost two-thirds of the book was unnecessary filler that didn’t drive the story forward. Additionally, a major event occurs in the last thirty minutes that pulled me completely out of the story and had me so upset that I nearly put the book in the freezer. Fortunately, the story gets wrapped up in a satisfactory conclusion.

My Final Verdict: I think readers all have varying degrees of likes and dislikes when it comes to their choice of book, so even though this book wasn’t a favorite for me, I think it will appeal to some. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy passionate romances with heavy emotional baggage and damaged characters.

REVIEW: The House That Jack Built by Catherine Barry

Title: The House That Jack Built
Author: Catherine Barry
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Publication Date: October 2016
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: When life gives you a second chance…

At sixteen years old, Jack Joyce loses her virginity to her brother’s charming and charismatic friend, Matt. She finds the experience an unexpected disappointment and whilst her friends spend their twenties settling into their careers, Jack spends it partying, desperately trying to recreate the youth she felt she should have had.

More than a decade on — living in a tiny flat in Dublin, as a single mother and in a dead-end job — she still dreams of Matt, Thin Lizzy and those days of old. So, bumping into her first love at the point when her future seems its bleakest feels like destiny. Is this Jack’s second chance? Matt may be married, and have kids, but surely divine intervention must count for something? If only Jack can shift some weight and stop drinking, who knows what might happen.

When Matt invites her to join an evening class he's teaching, Jack’s fantasies soar to new heights. She soon finds that he has set her on the first step of a journey that will change her life forever. Only it isn’t quite the journey she had in mind…

My Thoughts: The House That Jack Built by new to me author Catherine Barry introduces the reader to Jacqueline “Jack” Joyce, a woman whose life isn’t going at all the way she had hoped. While her childhood friends have all grown up and settled down into careers and relationships, Jack seems to be on an ever-spiraling descent of hopeless dreams and missed opportunities. When she becomes pregnant, she moves back home to Dublin, but having the added responsibility of a child seems to feed Jack’s resentment.

This story is not all what I was expecting. I was expecting a cute chick-lit type story about a woman who has failed miserably in love, but somehow reconnects with the man she lost her virginity too and before you know it they ride off into the sunset. No, instead, this book gives the reader an in-depth look into the life of a woman who is holding on the glory days of the past and an unplanned pregnancy doesn’t seem to change her outlook. As resentment about the failures in her life increases, she begins over comforting herself with alcohol, a lot of alcohol. Parts of this story were disturbing to read as she takes out her anger and frustration on everyone around her, including her son, David. Growing up as a child of alcoholic parents, this book triggered me on several occasions to the point of tears. My heart broke for David and for the people in Jack’s life who are powerless to help her. My heart also broke for Jack and the pain she suffered in her life and her inability to love herself.

This book is powerful and raw with truth and emotion. Jack is forced to face the mess she has made of her life, admit she’s an alcoholic and that she needs help. The author does an amazing job of bringing Jack to life and the journey she is on is told with complete honesty, brutal at times, but full of the pain Jack is carrying, the reader can’t help but have empathy for her.

My Final Verdict: For a book that I was not expecting, I loved this story. Through the pain and tears I felt and shared with Jack, this story is so worthwhile as everyone is worthy of love and second chances are possible. I highly recommend this story to readers who like stories that give them strong connections to the characters and don’t mind when life isn’t always sunshine and daisies.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The House That Jack Built from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea

Title: Twenty Years Later
Author: Charlie Donlea
Narrator: Vivienne Leheny
Publisher: RB Media
Publication Date: December 2021
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Hiding her own dark past in plain sight, a TV reporter is determined to uncover the truth behind a gruesome murder decades after the investigation was abandoned. But TWENTY YEARS LATER, to understand the present, you need to listen to the past…

Avery Mason, host of American Events, knows the subjects that grab a TV audience’s attention. Her latest story—a murder mystery laced with kinky sex, tragedy, and betrayal—is guaranteed to be ratings gold. New DNA technology has allowed the New York medical examiner’s office to make its first successful identification of a 9/11 victim in years. The twist: the victim, Victoria Ford, had been accused of the gruesome murder of her married lover. In a chilling last phone call to her sister, Victoria begged her to prove her innocence.

Emma Kind has waited twenty years to put her sister to rest, but closure won’t be complete until she can clear Victoria’s name. Alone she’s had no luck, but she’s convinced that Avery’s connections and fame will help. Avery, hoping to negotiate a more lucrative network contract, goes into investigative overdrive. Victoria had been having an affair with a successful novelist, found hanging from the balcony of his Catskills mansion. The rope, the bedroom, and the entire crime scene was covered in Victoria’s DNA.

But the twisted puzzle of Victoria’s private life is just the beginning. And what Avery doesn't realize is that there are other players in the game who are interested in Avery’s own secret past—one she has kept hidden from both the network executives and her television audience. A secret she thought was dead and buried . . .

Accused of a brutal murder, Victoria Ford made a final chilling call from the North Tower on the morning of 9/11. Twenty years ago, no one listened. Today, you will.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book much more than the last one by this author. This tale delivers all the twisty, jaw-dropping suspense I look for with this genre. There are so many secrets hidden by many of the characters to be uncovered. The anticipation was keenly felt and I had to backtrack several times just to make sure I was hearing what I thought I heard. My inner monologue was in high gear with a lot of wait, what? and oh, no you didn’t which just added to my enjoyment.

The author does a very good job of balancing the numerous plots going on with these characters so that the reader doesn’t feel lost. The reader is given the details of the past with Victoria Ford and the death of her lover, her being charged with the crime, her death in the North Tower on 9/11 and the voicemail she left for her sister begging for her innocence to be proven, which was quite enthralling. Twenty years after 9/11, Avery Mason is working to feature this story on her news show while dealing with a father who is on the run from the feds for fraud and has reached out to her for help. As she changed her professional name years ago, not a lot of people know who she or her father are, or so she thinks.

This story moves at a great pace, keeping details fresh and concise with enough suspense to keep me engaged and eager for more. The switching between past and present was done smoothly and drove the story forward. The narration of this audiobook was expertly performed by Vivienne Leheny. Her ability to captivate the reader with the perfect blend of emotion and tension adds to the enjoyment of the story.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this book has reminded me that I may not enjoy every book an author writes, but I should always remain receptive to being surprised and this book delivers many surprises. I highly recommend this book to readers who like twisty suspense novels that culminate in shocks you didn’t expect.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Twenty Years Later from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Dragon in the Garden by Erika Gardner

Title: The Dragon in the Garden (The Watcher Rising Series #1)
Author: Erika Gardner
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Publication Date: February 2016
Genre: Fantasy
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: There is magic beneath the mundane and in The Dragon in the Garden, Siobhan Orsini witnesses it all. No lie can fool her, no glamour or illusion can cloud her Sight. She sees through them all and wishes she could close her eyes. Returning to face her past, Siobhan inherits her grandparents’ house in California’s wine country. She encounters a talking dragon, a hot fallen angel, a demon lord, a Valkyrie, and, oh yes, her ex-boyfriend. And that is just in the first twenty-four hours.

It’s time to find out why she has this power.

Siobhan seeks out the Oracle and learns that only her Sight can help mankind navigate the travails of an ancient war. Our world is the prize in a battle between the dragons, who would defend us, and Lucifer’s fallen angels, who seek to take the Earth for themselves. Using her gift, she will have to make a choice that will decide humanity’s future.

My Thoughts: So I am over here kicking myself in the posterior for waiting so long to read this book. I think I put it off so long because I kept getting a Lord of the Rings vibe and I just wasn’t feeling it. Let me assure you, there is no need to fear as this book was a refreshing breath of air.

Now, I must preface this review by saying I’m not a big fantasy genre reader, which is probably why the LOTR vibes I was getting was not motivating me. Instead, new to me author Erika Gardner delivers a story of a woman who has been gifted with the ability to see and hear the truth from anyone and after she meets a dragon in her grandmother’s garden as a child, everyone in Siobhan’s life with the exception of her brother, Alex and ex-boyfriend, Tim have steered way around her. Let’s face it, telling people you saw a dragon in your grandmother’s garden could see you ending up in a padded room and wearing a jacket that lets you hug yourself.

The reason why Siobhan has this gift and seeing this dragon, who Siobhan has named Daisy, is the bigger deal. Siobhan is the Watcher who was prophesied as the one in who’s hands the fate of humanity lies. Her choices and decisions will determine whether the Fallen angels and demons of Hell will be able to take over Earth and destroy every person. Obviously, Siobhan is going to need a lot of help. In addition to her brother and ex-boyfriend, Siobhan also joins forces with Daisy, Turel, an angel who was banished from Heaven for falling in love with a human woman and a Valkyrie named Nefta who appears to be less than impressed with humans, in general.

This book pulled me in quickly and it was hard for me to look away. The story moves at a quick pace and does a fantastic job of giving the reader a sense of the urgency and time running out before Siobhan and her crew have to face a battle that will have permanent consequences. Amongst the suspense and apprehension these characters are feeling, there are several tongue in cheek humorous moments that lightens the atmosphere and made me laugh.

As of this writing, there are supposed to be two more books in this series, but I cannot confirm if or when they will be available.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a story I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to read more by this talented author. I highly recommend this book to fans of the fantasy genre as well as readers who like to be amazed and entertained with otherworldly elements, epic battle scenes, laughter and even romance.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Dragon in the Garden from the author in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Missing Husband by Natasha Boydell

Title: The Missing Husband
Author: Natasha Boydell
Narrator: Rupert Degas, Penelope Rawlins
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Publication Date: September 2021
Genre: Thriller / Suspense
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Kate and Pete have been the perfect couple ever since they were teenagers. Fifteen years later they have two young daughters, live in a beautiful London townhouse and seem like they have it all. But one day, Pete leaves for work and never comes home.

In a note Kate discovers, he confesses that he’s been unhappy for a long time and that he’s met someone else.

Distraught, Kate later learns that he has left everything, including his mobile phone, behind and sets out to learn the truth about her husband’s disappearance.

But is she prepared for what she will learn?

When nothing is as it seems, who can you trust?

My Thoughts: So, yeah, my least favorite trope is at play here. Adultery… Pete the adulterer says to his wife that he didn’t go looking for it, but it just happened… How about just saying no, Pete? Guess that never occurred to you, did it? Obviously, not. You’ve been so unhappy and unsatisfied in your marriage for so long. I suppose it never occurred to you to talk to your wife and let her know if it’s something that can actually be resolved. You know, before you swan off to France with your little chippy to live that perfect life. Nope, not good ole Pete. Instead, his plan is to leave a note on the pillowcase and take off. No goodbyes, no explanations. How did it work out for the brilliant Pete? You have to read this book and find out.

Before we tie Pete to the stake and set him on fire, let me just say that Kate isn’t completely innocent in all of this either. She never bothered talking to Pete about the resentment and frustration building within her. Raising two small children, she feels like she has given up her whole life, while Pete gets to continue living his life and having no cares in the world. I understand that having children and being a first-time parent is a life-changing experience, a game changer. Feeling overwhelmed is a natural reaction to my way of thinking. Kate doesn’t ask for help and resists attempts for help for a long time.

So much anger, heartache and misery could have been avoided if they had just communicated and if they had just tried, any effort really. I saw zero effort being made on both of their parts.

I really wanted to despise the other woman, Claire and for the majority of the book I did. She didn’t cause the problems in Pete and Kate’s marriage, but she knew he was married and she should have nipped that right off the bat. It would be really difficult for Pete to enter into an affair with her if she isn’t entertaining his flirtatious behavior and encouraging his attentions.

So, the burning question is what happened to Pete? How does Kate pick up the pieces of her life and be the parent her daughters need and deserve?

I thought this story was riveting, though I absolutely hate adultery story lines. I believe there are some lines that one should never cross and this is one of them, but the author does a great job of drawing the reader in with just enough details to keep the reader engaged, sitting on pins and needles.

The chapters are broken up and narrated by the different points of view of Kate, Pete and Claire. Rupert Degas and Penelope Rawlins did a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life with the right amount of emotion that made their actions believable and kept the story progressing.

My Final Verdict: How can a reader expect a happy ending or any closure with a story like this? I had zero empathy for any of these characters. I found them all to be quite selfish and despicable in their own right. My compassion lay with the children, Lilly and Maggie. They are left to grow up without their father in their lives. He won’t be a part of all the milestones they will achieve.

There are no winners in this dynamic, just varying degrees of coping, moving on and survival. I highly recommend this story to fans of thrillers and suspense and books that surprise the reader.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Missing Husband from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole

Title: A Thousand Boy Kisses (A Thousand Boy Kisses #1)
Author: Tillie Cole
Narrator: P.J. Ochlan, Katie Schorr
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication Date: June 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Teen / Young Adult
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: One kiss lasts a moment. But a thousand kisses can last a lifetime. One boy. One girl. A bond that is forged in an instant and cherished for a decade. A bond that neither time nor distance can break. A bond that will last forever. Or so they believe.

When seventeen-year-old Rune Kristiansen returns from his native Norway to the sleepy town of Blossom Grove, Georgia, where he befriended Poppy Litchfield as a child, he has just one thing on his mind. Why did the girl who was one half of his soul, who promised to wait faithfully for his return, cut him off without a word of explanation? Rune's heart was broken two years ago when Poppy fell silent. When he discovers the truth, he finds that the greatest heartache is yet to come.

A stand-alone young adult tearjerker romance, recommended for ages fourteen and up.

My Thoughts: ”Life is fragile, yet in that fragility, there is strength. There is love. There is purpose. It reminds us that life is short, our breaths are numbered, and our destiny is fixed regardless of how hard we fight. It reminds us not to waste a single second. Live hard, love harder, chase dreams, seek adventures…” ~ Tillie Cole

The above quote, in a nutshell, sums up the message contained in this beautiful, heartbreaking story. At the age of five, Poppy and Rune meet for the first time after he moves in next door. They quickly become the best of friends and are each other’s shadow. Unfortunately, as life often does, circumstances separate them when they are fifteen and Rune and his family move back to Norway. Rune and Poppy are heartbroken, but vow to remain loyal and wait for one another. Two years later, Rune and his family return and he is determined to find out why Poppy cut him off without a word of explanation a few months after he left.

Buckle up, dear readers, you are in for a very intense ride. This book broke my heart, put it back together and then broke it all over again. I loved Rune and Poppy individually and as a couple. What really stands out for me is how Rune evolved from someone Poppy knew and loved to someone she barely recognized then back to the person she always loved. Obviously, this book’s primary focus is on relationships, but not just the relationship between Rune and Poppy. The relationships they have with their families and friends was also poignant.

I went with the audiobook and the performances of P.J. Ochlan and Katie Schorr just enhanced the complete experience. The depth of raw emotion infused the performance with an intensity that brought me to tears more readily than if I had read the printed book.

Despite the emotional roller coaster this book put me on and how much I loved this story, I absolutely hated the ending. The story could have allowed me the illusion that everything worked out in the end as it was meant to and ended it there. Unfortunately, it did not. It left me with more questions than answers. Ironically, as much as I am less than pleased with the ending, it fits. Life, love, joy and sadness all come full circle. I am now struggling with whether I want to read the next book in the series. I don’t know if my heart can take another beating, but I have so many unanswered questions with this book that I wonder if any of it will be resolved.

My Final Verdict: If you want a book that will make you feel all the feels, if you don’t mind a book that makes you cry, full-on ugly crying, snotting all over yourself with a pile of tissues next to you, this is the book for you.

REVIEW: Driving Me Wild by Maria Benson

Title: Driving Me Wild
Author: Maria Benson
Publisher: ATG Communications
Publication Date: August 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction

Description: In a dating scene full of well-educated, ambitious and attractive players, is the “terminally single” woman her own worst enemy?

That’s the accusation hurled at Aimee Chase, a young Chicago sports marketing executive who finds herself confronted with professions of love from Michael Blake, a handsome but bland high school classmate. When Aimee tries but fails to let him down easy, habitually nice Michael hits below the belt, implying she’s too damaged to appreciate a good man. Check, An insulted Aimee showers Michael in her glass of sweet-but-smoky Merlot.

Truth is, Michael's accusations drew blood. With a romantic history littered with cheaters and bad boys–including a married one with a very big job who is still in her life–Aimee fears that she has sabotaged her chances of ever finding the right guy. Months later, as her career implodes and she finds herself enveloped in a high-profile scandal, she’s not sure what to think when a suddenly captivating Michael reappears.

Thrilled to find that this “safe” guy now makes her weak in the knees, Aimee ultimately has her ecstasy interrupted by the revelation that Michael has transformed into a promiscuous, cold-hearted pick-up artist he thinks women like Aimee want. When he’s caught with related baggage but declares his fidelity, should Aimee toss aside a promising relationship, or just accept that “it’s complicated?”

My Thoughts: Can you see the dent in my forehead? I had high hopes this book would be witty and entertaining, but it fell way short of the mark and now I have to see a neurologist for the possible brain damage I have caused myself for beating my head against the wall. I should have DNF’d this book and saved myself the ultimate disappointment, but I kept hoping these characters would pull their heads out of their posteriors and grow the eff up!

Aimee Chase, a young, intelligent, ambitious person who works in the sports marketing arena could probably have any man she wants. When the nice guy from high school is all but proclaiming his love for her over dinner, what does she do? Stomp all over his emotions telling him he doesn’t “do it for her.” No, she would rather continue seeing the guy who cheated on her and ended up marrying the other woman. Where’s your self-respect, Aimee?

Michael Blake is a nice guy and has carried a torch for Aimee since they were in high school, but after Aimee’s scathing rejection, he enlists the help of his friends to teach him how to be a bad boy and leave a trail of one night stands behind him. Of course, now Aimee finds him interesting. Shame on you, Michael. A woman who doesn’t accept you for who you are isn’t worth knowing and changing yourself into someone you think Aimee will go for just makes you weak. Where is your self-respect, Michael?

I had a very difficult time mustering up any empathy for these characters but I kept going just to see how it all played out. There was some redemption with the characters at the end, but it was too little, too late. I suppose the one good thing to come out of Aimee’s train wreck of a life was the potential for reconciliation with her estranged father who was never there for her growing up.

My Final Verdict: Unfortunately, a book that I thought would be interesting, witty and entertaining was just OK. Fans of contemporary romances and women’s fiction will find more satisfying choices elsewhere.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Driving Me Wild from the author in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: You Can Never Tell by Sarah Warburton

Title: You Can Never Tell
Author: Sarah Warburton
Narrator: Jorjeana Marie
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Publication Date: August 2021
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Joshilyn Jackson, Sarah Warburton's chilling thriller, inspired by the Moors Murders, explores the twisted side of suburbia.

Framed for embezzlement by her best friend Aimee, museum curator Kacy Tremain and her husband Michael move from New Jersey to a charming Texas suburb to escape their past. Kacy quickly makes new friends--preppy, inscrutable Elizabeth, chatty yet evasive Rahmia, and red-headed, unapologetic Lena. But good friends aren't always what they seem.

As she navigates the unexpectedly cutthroat social scene of her new town, Kacy begins to receive taunting postcards--and worse, discovers cameras hidden in the wall of her home. Lena and her husband, Brady, reassure her that the cameras are just relics of the paranoid previous homeowner . Once the cameras are removed and Kacy's fears are quelled, Kacy and Michael make the happy discovery that they are going to be new parents.

Months after the birth of their daughter, Michael accidentally makes a shocking discovery about Brady's past. And when Lena suddenly goes missing, Kacy and Michael begin to uncover the truth about their neighbors--and it's more terrible than anyone could have imagined.

Interlaced with transcripts of a chilling true crime podcast that follow the tangled threads of the drama, You Can Never Tell is a taut and complex psychological thriller that never lets up until its breathless conclusion.

My Thoughts: New to me author Sarah Warburton offers up a twisted and dark tale about a woman who is reeling from the aftermath of being betrayed by her best friend, set up for a crime, fired from her job only to move to Texas to start over only to realize that it isn’t easier to trust people in a new place either, especially with serial killers in your midst.

A fresh start is what Kacy and Michael think they need to get past the trauma of the previous year in New Jersey. They relocate to Sugar Land, Texas, a suburb of Houston, buy a house in a charming subdivision and Kacy begins to make friends with some of the neighbors. Elizabeth, a Canadian transplant who appears to have the perfect life, Rahmia, a Middle Eastern woman who is overtly friendly but also evasive and Lena, who lives directly next door and is outspoken and blunt.

For the first time in a long time, Kacy begins to feel her life is finally getting back on track. She joins a charitable women’s group and learns she is pregnant, but their sense of safety quickly turns into one of horror when Lena goes missing several months after Kacy’s baby is born.

The way the story is told both from Kacy’s perspective and the interspersed transcripts of the podcast, the identity of the serial killers is revealed fairly quickly, but the reader is left with high anticipation of what the killers will do next, giving the reader a heightened sense of tension. It was also evident to me that the killers were possibly stalking Kacy and her husband, but that fell a little flat too. It’s assumed that they are potentially the next victims, but the reader doesn’t know for sure.

I enjoyed the story and thought Kacy’s actions, for the most part, were believable and realistic, but I wish the ending had a bit more bite for all the build-up the story gives. I came away after finishing feeling that the story lacked a final punch.

The audio narration by Jorjeana Marie was quite good. The performance drew me into the story with the right amount of emotion and personality so that I would connect to the characters and empathize with them

My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a good story that cautions us to be careful of who we trust and invite into our lives. You may have a serial killer in your inner circle. Fans of mysteries, thrillers and suspense novels will enjoy this, as well as fans of true crime podcasts.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of You Can Never Tell from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Bob Goes to Jail by Rob Sedgwick

Title: Bob Goes to Jail
Author: Rob Sedgwick
Narrator: Roger Wayne
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Publication Date: July 2021
Genre: Memoir
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Rob Sedgwick was born into one of America’s oldest families and Manhattan royalty. His sister is Kyra Sedgwick, the actress; his brother is painter Nikko Sedgwick; his brother-in-law is movie star Kevin Bacon, and his stepfather was renowned art dealer Ben Heller, who pioneered the careers of Jackson Pollack and Mark Rothko. So, to say Rob has struggled to stand out in a family of big personalities is a huge understatement. In his hilarious and touching memoir, Bob Goes to Jail, Rob relates his journey from lost little boy to hapless criminal with such honesty and heart that you can't help but root for him.

In Bob Goes to Jail, Sedgwick recounts how the DEA and the NYPD mistook him for a drug lord and arrested him. When his lawyer told him to get a steady job to show he was a contributing member of society, Sedgwick got a role playing a drug lord on One Life to Live.

Bob Goes to Jail is the story of a New York socialite with a price on his head from the Mexican mob. It's the story of a Hollywood actor who did New York soap operas because his parole wouldn't let him leave the isle of Manhattan. Full of self-examination, biting comedy, absurd situations, and very human feeling, Bob Goes to Jail is more than the memoir of a man: it is the story of the search for love, the yearning for acceptance, and the struggle to find oneself.

My Thoughts: Note from the publisher: Rob Sedgwick's memoir Bob Goes to Jail is one degree from Kevin Bacon.

Honestly, the fact that Kevin Bacon is Rob Sedgwick’s brother-in-law should be irrelevant, but the author went way out of his way to keep reminding me of it. This story, though entertaining and humorous in many ways just didn’t deliver. I found the telling to be a disorganized mind salad, the telling jumping all over the place between the past and the present. I had a difficult time finding the author relatable or empathetic. He comes across as a typical spoiled rich kid whose life is filled with the glitz and glamor most of us can only dream about. Instead of applying himself to be a productive member of society, he decides to allow his grandparent’s luxury apartment to be used as the main front of his drug operation. Getting busted and facing serious prison time was the best thing that could have happened to him.

I also didn’t like that he so glibly talks about strong arming his girlfriend to get an abortion and when she refuses, he takes off, virtually abandoning her or how many bedrooms his stepfather’s townhouse has. It began to sound like he was boasting and gloating, which was a real turn-off for me.

A major saving grace that kept me going with this story was the brilliant audio narration by Roger Wayne. His performance made Rob Sedgwick a bit more likable. I will happily listen to other audiobooks he narrates.

My Final Verdict: On the bright side, the author has turned his life around, gotten sober and is working on being a productive member of society, but the journey getting there isn’t something to be celebrated. Readers who enjoy memoirs and biographies may find this entertaining, but I don’t recommend it. I give the author points for the love he has for his dog.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Bob Goes to Jail from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Title: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Author: Betty Smith
Narrator: Kate Burton
Publisher: Caedmon
Publication Date: December 2004
Genre: General Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: The beloved American classic about a young girl's coming-of-age at the turn of the twentieth century.

From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for the often-harsh life of Williamsburg demanded fortitude, precocity, and strength of spirit. Often scorned by neighbors for her family’s erratic and eccentric behavior—such as her father Johnny’s taste for alcohol and Aunt Sissy’s habit of marrying serially without the formality of divorce—no one, least of all Francie, could say that the Nolans’ life lacked drama. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans’ daily experiences are tenderly threaded with family connectedness and raw with honesty.

Betty Smith has, in the pages of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life-from “junk day” on Saturdays, when the children of Francie’s neighborhood traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry. Betty Smith has artfully caught this sense of exciting life in a novel of childhood, replete with incredibly rich moments of universal experiences—a truly remarkable achievement for any writer.

My Thoughts: Originally published in 1943, this novel is an American classic coming of age story that follows Francine Nolan and her life in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn with her parents, Katie and Johnny and little brother, Neely. Francie has a vivid imagination, loves to read and thinks she will be a writer when she grows up. Francie and her family also live in abject poverty, barely making enough money to survive on.

The author does an excellent job of illustrating early twentieth century Brooklyn for the reader, which is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The adoration Francie feels for her father and her non-judgmental assessment of his drinking and lack of monetary success was sharply demonstrated throughout the book, as well as Francie’s realization that her mother cares more for her brother than for her. As we watch Francie grow, begin school, begin working and experience her first heartbreak, my admiration of her grew.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a story that I enjoyed quite a bit, but I didn’t love it. The majority of the story depicts the struggle to live and survive in a world marked by hardship, poverty and the first world war looming on the horizon. I enjoyed the author’s ability to bring Brooklyn to life with such skill that the reader feels transported there. I recommend this story to all readers for the lessons we need to learn about appreciating every opportunity we are blessed with as so many people, then and now, have it so much harder.

REVIEW: Beautiful Maids All in a Row by Jennifer Harlow

Title: Beautiful Maids All in a Row (Iris Ballard #1)
Author: Jennifer Harlow
Publisher: Random House Publishing
Publication Date: October 2016
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN

Description: Dr. Iris Ballard’s glory days are behind her, so when Luke Hudson, her former FBI partner and onetime lover, asks for help constructing a psychological profile of an elusive serial killer who murders single mothers and dumps their bodies in the woods, Iris turns him away. She just wants to be left alone with her infomercials, her German Shepherd, and her vodka. That is, until she gets a peek at the case files.

The media has dubbed him “the Woodsman.” But after Iris learns the sickening details held back from the press, and as she sets foot onto the scene of his latest crime, she assembles a portrait of a more complicated, enigmatic, meticulous man. Control is his motivation. He thrives on it. Soon he even tries to manipulate the investigation by contacting Iris, hoping to rattle the woman he considers an intellectual equal.

The game is on. Iris thinks she has a read on her target, enough to push his buttons, to make him lose control. But when the Woodsman gains the upper hand, Iris faces the most painful reckoning of all—with her own violent past.

My Thoughts: Beautiful Maids All in a Row by new to me author Jennifer Harlow introduces the reader to Iris Ballard, a former FBI profiler who now lives in self-isolation after her husband was murdered by a serial killer she helped arrest and who nearly killed her as well. The reader is also introduced to Iris’s former partner, Luke Hudson, who has contacted Iris to ask her for her assistance with another serial killer, The Woodsman.

This story moves at a pretty brisk pace while still allowing the reader to keep up with the details. I really liked Iris and felt equal parts empathy and admiration for this character and everything she has gone through. Her humanity is displayed very clearly for the reader to get an excellent idea of the anguish Iris has endured and the fallout she still lives with. Honestly, it was quite inspiring that she could get out of bed and form coherent sentences after witnessing her husband’s murder and her near death from the encounter. Iris is certainly not a fragile flower. She has a lot of thorns and isn’t afraid to speak her mind regardless of protocol or politics.

Luke is her mirror opposite. He is a by the book FBI agent. He and Iris have a lot of unresolved issues and she doesn’t react well when he shows up in her life again. I really enjoyed the chemistry he and Iris share and hope this continues into the next books.

This story is tightly woven with a lot of suspense and anticipation. Iris is very talented at her ability to profile her suspect. The villain in this story adds another dimension to the story as well. I found it very interesting that Iris shows no fear in her encounters with him which makes the reader wonder if Iris is deliberately provoking him because she, herself, has a death wish. This behavior by Iris heightens the tension sending the reader to the edge of their seat. At any rate, reckless or not, Iris’s behavior comes across as realistic and believable for the situations she is in.

My Final Verdict: This is the first book in a series and as of the writing of this review, there are only two books published, the last one in November 2017. I am unable to determine if this series will continue beyond the second book but I hope so. This story does a very good job of exploring what living with trauma looks like and how one woman can fight her demons and get past it to stop a maniacal killer. Readers who like their stories tense, where good wins over evil are in for a treat with this story.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Beautiful Maids All in a Row from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Whisper Network by Chandler Baker

Title: Whisper Network
Author: Chandler Baker
Narrator: Almarie Guerra
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: July 2019
Genre: Mystery / Thriller / Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Sloane, Ardie, Grace, and Rosalita have worked at Truviv, Inc. for years. The sudden death of Truviv’s CEO means their boss, Ames, will likely take over the entire company. Each of the women has a different relationship with Ames, who has always been surrounded by whispers about how he treats women. Those whispers have been ignored, swept under the rug, hidden away by those in charge.

But the world has changed, and the women are watching this promotion differently. This time, when they find out Ames is making an inappropriate move on a colleague, they aren’t willing to let it go. This time, they’ve decided enough is enough.

Sloane and her colleagues’ decision to take a stand sets in motion a catastrophic shift in the office. Lies will be uncovered. Secrets will be exposed. And not everyone will survive. All of their lives—as women, colleagues, mothers, wives, friends, even adversaries—will change dramatically as a result.

"If only you had listened to us,” they tell us on page one of Chandler Baker's Whisper Network, “none of this would have happened."

My Thoughts: Four women, all with different lives and backgrounds but share the common thread of working for the same company and having been subjected to varying degrees of sexual harassment, abuse or assault by the company’s general counsel, who is now the front-runner to fill the slot of CEO. It goes without saying that if this should happen, their lives will become more of a nightmare with this man at the helm.

Does this scenario sound familiar? It should be as the news is filled with these types of stories that cross numerous levels of the corporate world. This sinister behavior doesn’t recognize social, gender, race or affluence barriers. Nobody is off limits and in this case when the perpetrator is allowed to continually victimize those less powerful than he is, something has to give and it does. The women file a lawsuit, he takes a header off the eighteenth-floor balcony and now the women find themselves under investigation by the police, their company and facing a countersuit. Was his death a suicide? An accident or a murder? The death doesn’t come as a surprise as the reader is given that information right away, but the rest of the book took forever to come full circle. In fairness, I think I would not have felt this if I had not chosen the audiobook. I liked the narrator’s performance and understood the need for the pacing that was done, but it started to drive me batty. Though I acknowledge I lack patience, the author does a very good job of providing numerous details to the reader and then bringing it all together full circle at the end.

My Final Verdict: Overall, the story was well told, gripping and suspenseful. I had a lot of empathy for the women, some more than others and thought the villain was portrayed accurately, with the right amount of charm and likability to gain the women’s trust. I felt their actions were all believable and logical and had to pick my jaw up off the floor several times. I recommend this book to fans of mysteries, thrillers, suspense and women’s fiction.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Whisper Network from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Zeus by Kamery Solomon

Title: Zeus (The God Chronicles #1)
Author: Kamery Solomon
Publisher: Starlight Run Productions
Publication Date: February 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance / New Adult / Urban Fantasy
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN

Description: Sometimes, even the gods can't change their fate...

Vegas is not where Karly had imagined herself to be at this point in her life. She was supposed to be living in California, soaking up the sun and enjoying the life of an artist. Instead, she's just moving out of her parent's house and going to a school that could loosely be called her second choice. When she meets Zeus Drakos, owner of the new hit casino and resort in town, he seems just like every other jerk guy out there. How was she supposed to know who he really was?

My Thoughts: Decent story that took me ages to finally get around to, but I’m glad I did. As a fan of Greek mythology, I enjoyed this alternate take on the lives and activities of Zeus and his fellow gods and goddesses. This is the first book of the series and focuses on Zeus and his punishment for divorcing Hera. He’s stripped of his powers by the Fates and sent to live on Earth for nine years, to Las Vegas of all places. There he will remain until a mortal woman falls in love with him and he falls in love with her. Should be a piece of cake, right? I mean, he is Zeus, after all, and his prowess with the mortal ladies and his legions of offspring are well known to those who have read any Greek mythology.

It's not going to be as easy as Zeus assumes. Firstly, the woman he has his sights on thinks he’s a grade A pig and makes no bones about it when she meets him the first time at his Vegas resort, Tartarus (insert eye roll here, I know, but it really works). Secondly, his father Kronos manages to break out of his prison and is determined to destroy Mount Olympus this time and keep Zeus stuck on Earth. You remember Kronos right? He swallowed his children to include Zeus, Poseidon and Hades and if he hadn’t been stopped the first time would have likely destroyed all of humanity. Excellent villain casting here as he is a truly despicable character.

Though this book is quite predictable from the true identities of certain characters that Karly meets to her discovering the truth of who Zeus really is to the epic battle back on Olympus, it does prove to be entertaining. The author takes a few liberties with which I was OK.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this book is a good start to a series that consists of five books. I am unable to determine if this is a series that should be read in order, but if you are like me, you will want to read them in order to ensure any past references are not confusing. I recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance and fantasy genres.

REVIEW: Forgotten in Death by J.D. Robb

Title: Forgotten in Death (In Death #53)
Author: J.D. Robb
Narrator: Susan Ericksen
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: September 2021
Genre: Mystery / Thriller / Urban Fantasy
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: In the latest novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, homicide detective Eve Dallas sifts through the wreckage of the past to find a killer.

The body was left in a dumpster like so much trash, the victim a woman of no fixed address, known for offering paper flowers in return for spare change―and for keeping the cops informed of any infractions she witnessed on the street. But the notebook where she scribbled her intel on litterers and other such offenders is nowhere to be found.

Then Eve is summoned away to a nearby building site to view more remains―in this case decades old, adorned with gold jewelry and fine clothing―unearthed by recent construction work. She isn’t happy when she realizes that the scene of the crime belongs to her husband, Roarke―not that it should surprise her, since the Irish billionaire owns a good chunk of New York. Now Eve must enter a complex world of real estate development, family history, shady deals, and shocking secrets to find justice for two women whose lives were thrown away…

My Thoughts: This series is simply amazing! Forgotten in Death, the stellar fifty-third offering in the In Death series continues to impress, entertain and shock me. This series gives no indication that it is starting to wind down, which is excellent for the many fans of this series as we have not yet begun to get enough of Eve Dallas and the equally wonderful cast of characters. These characters are so well developed through this series that the reader feels a deep connection with them. The reader cannot help but care about what happens to them and time spent with them is always a joy.

After fifty-three installments of this futuristic series, one cannot help but think Eve has pretty much seen it all. Nothing should come as a surprise or shock to Eve. In the relatively short time she has been a homicide cop, she has been thrust into the underbelly of New York City. She has seen the worst humanity is capable of. I wouldn’t say this case is any different than those she has undertaken, but it serves as a reminder just how cruel, selfish and heartless mankind can be and, often, are.

While investigating the apparent random murder of a homeless woman, Eve is called to an excavation site at a nearby building where the skeletal remains of an adult and an infant are discovered. Adding to the issue is that her Irish hottie husband, Roarke owns this building doesn’t surprise Eve as he pretty much owns the planet, but it does create snags.

I loved the way Eve tackles both of these cases. Her determination to not only find the killer of the homeless woman, but she is also determined to lay some punishment on the ex-husband who brutally abused her years before. Eve is convinced that the acts of domestic abuse are what set this woman on a path that led to her eventual murder, so to Eve’s way of thinking, it’s connected. Additionally, the discovery of decades old remains don’t stop Eve in her tracks. Her methodical approach to uncovering not only the identity of the victims, but her ability to quickly analyze and piece together the forensic evidence is simply brilliant.

In addition to the characters, the reader can connect and empathize with, J.D. Robb creates a futuristic New York City, circa early 2060. I get such a kick out of what this world entails, including prisons that are off-planet, cars that fly, Pepsi that comes in a tube and full course meals delivered through a machine called an auto-chef. This time period is not too far away from the time period I live in. I can only hope that some of these amazing things will sprout from J.D. Robb’s imagination into reality.

With the exception of the first few books in this series, I have gone with the audiobook format narrated by Susan Ericksen. Her performance adds to the enjoyment of this series with the various voices and emotions displayed by the characters. The realism she gives to these characters gives the reader a sense of being in the room with these characters, witnessing first-hand the eyerolls, the body language and Jenkinson’s eye-blinding ties.

The best part of this series and this story in particular occurs when Eve goes in for the apprehension of the killers. Her tenacity and dogged determination make for a supremely satisfying conclusion to a hard-hitting story, leaving the reader excited for the next book.

My Final Verdict: An excellent series that I highly recommend to fans of the mystery, thriller, police procedural and urban fantasy genres that need to be read in order.

REVIEW: A Litter of Bones by J.D. Kirk

Title: A Litter of Bones (DCI Logan Crime Thrillers #1)
Author: J.D. Kirk
Narrator: Angus King
Publisher: Zertex Media Ltd.
Publication Date: July 2019
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Was the biggest case of his career the worst mistake he ever made?

Ten years ago, DCI Jack Logan stopped the serial child-killer dubbed 'Mister Whisper,' earning himself a commendation, a drinking problem, and a broken marriage in the process.

Now, he spends his days working in Glasgow's Major Incident Team, and his nights reliving the horrors of what he saw.

And what he did.

When another child disappears a hundred miles north in the Highlands, Jack is sent to lead the investigation and bring the boy home.

But as similarities between the two cases grow, could it be that Jack caught the wrong man all those years ago?

And, if so, is the real Mister Whisper about to claim his fourth victim?

A Litter of Bones is the explosive debut crime thriller novel from JD Kirk, an exciting new voice in Scottish crime fiction.

My Thoughts: In A Litter of Bones by new to me author J.D. Kirk, the reader is introduced to Detective Chief Inspector Jack Logan, a Scottish police investigator and, along with Jack, is drop-kicked into the Highlands to investigate a missing child case that bears a striking similarity to the case of the Mister Whisper case a decade ago. Jack knows this case all too well as he was the one who captured this despicable and vile man. Unfortunately for Jack, the whereabouts of Mister Whisper’s last victim, Dylan, were never resolved and it has haunted Jack all these years.

In addition to racing the clock to locate the newest missing child, Connor, Jack has to acquaint himself with a new team of investigators. I really liked Jack and though he carries a lot of turmoil and pain in his soul (who wouldn’t?), there were many moments the reader is given a glimpse of the humor, wit and charm lying below the surface. I look forward to getting to know Jack and this team of investigators better as I get further into the series.

J.D. Kirk’s writing is tightly woven and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. This story has numerous graphic descriptions of the horror the villain inflicts, but it is appropriate subject matter for this story. As horrifying as it was to listen to, it pulled me further into the story. The identity of the killer and the surrounding reasons completely knocked me off my feet in shock and surprise.

The narration was expertly performed by the very talented Angus King, complete with a beautiful Scottish accent. Readers who aren’t familiar with some of the terminology or have never experienced Scotland may find it easier to read the text. For me, the audiobook was amazing. The emotions are felt keenly and are appropriate for the characters in that moment. Additionally, I appreciated the humor and wit displayed by the characters more than I would if I had read a text copy.

My Final Verdict: There are currently nineteen books in this series so I highly recommend starting at the beginning and reading this series in order as I suspect character growth and development will evolve throughout the series. I am looking forward to more from this very talented author and will stick with the audiobook format.

REVIEW: Slaughterhouse by K.A. Lugo

Title: Slaughterhouse (Jack Slaughter Thrillers #3)
Author: K.A. Lugo
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Publication Date: December 2023
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN

Description: It's the anniversary of the date he lost his family and Jack doubts he'll ever find those responsible. Depression has taken hold, and he pulls out his Beretta for the last time. As he fingers the trigger, Ray shows up with the identity of the man who’d killed himself in Jack’s house weeks before, leaving a note simply saying, ”I’m sorry.”

Jack soon finds himself dragged into San Francisco's underbelly and his life threatened at the hands of the city's deadly Chinese gang, the Jade Dragons. When things become more dangerous, Jack must keep pushing forward, even knowing it could mean his death because the gang's leader, Li Zihao, may have the answers Jack’s looking for—who destroyed his family and what happened to Leah.

Is Jack ready for the truth?

My Thoughts: I have been looking forward to my Jack Slaughter fix for a while and K.A. Lugo packs a punch right from the start! Chapter 1 pulled no punches and I thought I was going to have to put this book in the freezer. Thankfully for my Kindle, no freezer action was required as Ray shows up with news that Jack has been waiting to hear for the last four years.

My heart breaks for the pain and agony Jack is experiencing. His daughter and family dog are brutally murdered and his wife’s whereabouts are unknown. Her body has never been found. Jack often wonders if she is still alive or if she is the one responsible even for this devastation. I can completely empathize with what Jack is going through and understand why he wants to end it and be with his family again. Being told that the man who committed suicide in his home may have been involved in his family’s murder lights a fire under Jack as he knows in his gut it goes much deeper than a random homicide.

Not only was it great to be back in Jack’s world again, but it was also wonderful to see Ray. I love the relationship these two brothers from another mother share. They will always have each other’s six, but it goes beyond the badge. They are family and Ray proves it over and over again even when Jack keeps pushing him away. Their verbal sparring is so enjoyable to witness and even when they are angry with one another, it doesn’t last long. Of course, Jack gives Ray plenty to be angry with him about.

This story proceeds at a very fast pace, full of tense moments but also moments of laughter and moments of tears. The characters are so well developed, they feel real and are people the reader will care about. The city of San Francisco and surrounding area is a character in this series as well. The locales are expertly researched and described so vividly, the reader will get a keen sense of being able to visualize what Jack and Ray see.

My Final Verdict: Slaughterhouse is an excellent read, but you must read the series in order. K.A. Lugo has created a world and characters that the reader can grow with and get to know better with each book. I highly recommend this book and the whole series to fans of mysteries, thrillers, police procedurals and action stories. Thank you, K.A. Lugo for giving me so many hours of reading enjoyment.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Slaughterhouse from the author in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: A Quiet Retreat by Kiersten Modglin

Title: A Quiet Retreat
Author: Kiersten Modglin
Narrator: Carly Robins
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Publication Date: January 2023
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: You are cordially invited to visit the new Black Hills Manor Writing Retreat.

That’s how it all begins—with a simple invitation.

For five authors, it’s meant to be the start of a restful week, filled with free food, drinks, and likeminded company.

But shortly after their arrival, things take an unsettling turn.

Broken property, missing items, and strange noises are just some of the odd occurrences that have each member questioning their companions. As suspicions mount, the authors are pitted against each other.

Whom can they trust in a house full of strangers?

With tensions rising, the writers find themselves in the middle of their own mystery. Death, terror, and despair are common elements in their books, but at Black Hills Manor, the murders being plotted are their own.

My Thoughts: Good premise that holds a lot of promise, beautiful cover and a good narration that keeps the story moving and the tension high. There were a few moments when I felt I was on the edge of my seat, but they were few and far between. I honestly expected much better from such a prolific author.

Let’s break it down, shall we? The premise of five mystery authors all receiving an anonymous invitation to this beautiful and secluded retreat to knuckle down and write is what initially grabbed me, of course, after I saw the cover. Sounds like an author’s dream. Escape the daily distractions to eat, drink, mingle, network and write.

When personal items of the guests begin to disappear, I rubbed my hands together in anticipation. Honestly, it was such a disappointment that it took practically to the end of the book for anybody to vanish. Way too much build-up and the delivery fell flat. It would have been better if a couple of the author guests disappeared sooner.

There’s a definite Hitchcock feeling here as the group decides they need to split up when they discover all their cell phones are missing and the tires on their vehicles have all been slashed. It’s never a clever idea to split up, but this is where the story kicked it up a notch for me.

I didn’t mind the dual storyline from the past as I knew it would be connected to the current events, but it was never wrapped up cohesively and instead left me with more questions and confusion.

The author does a good job of giving us plenty of suspects to choose from and I was way off base with my picks, but the big reveal was a bit of a let-down for me as the motives behind everything was just plain juvenile and petty.

The narration performance by Carly Robins was very good. She kept the story moving at a good pace with the right amount of emotion and tension in the characters to make them more believable.

My Final Verdict: Overall, die-hard fans of mysteries and thrillers will enjoy this offering, even if they don’t love it. This was not my favorite, but there are so many more in my pile from this author, I’m sure I will find others that are more enjoyable.