Unspoken Fear by Hunter Morgan

I read two books by Hunter Morgan earlier this year and really enjoyed them, so when looking over my shelves, I decided to pick this one up. I enjoyed it and give it a B+.

Back cover:
Vineyard manager Rachel Gibson's once-blissful marriage crashed to an end with the imprisonment of her husband following a series of senseless tragedies that peaked one night on a bloody stretch of Delaware highway. Five years later, Noah's coming home, and Rachel wonders if he'll be able to piece together some kind of life, with or without her help...
But the Noah who returns is a virtual stranger, a mere shadow of the man Rachel once loved. And he may be more changed that she realizes. People around town are dying- grisly, torturous deaths- and the hands of someone making them "pay" for their secret sins. And who better to know the victims' deepest secrets than their local clergyman... the former Reverend Noah Gibson?
As body after body is discovered, Rachel can't let go of a sickening snense that the killer's twisted path is pointing in her direction. And to stop the next slaying before it begins, Rachel will have to face her worst nightmare- a terror born of the darkest power of all...

While this book is classified as a romantic suspense, I wouldn't really call it that. There are a few little romance subplots running through the story, but none of the usual cliches that bother me and not whole chapters of the romance taking over the story. It was perfectly done if you ask me. There were several red herrings thrown out throughout the story which I always enjoy and there were a lot of suspects that I kept going back and forth with. The murderer was a surprise, but once I started thinking about it, the more it made sense to me. Hunter Morgan hits another win with me, and I will continue to read more books by the author.

I am pretty sure I have finished the RYOB challenge, in which I said I wanted to read 50 books I owned. I need to count up my final tally, but I know it's over 50 and there are still slightly less than 2 weeks left in 2009. I don't think I am going to be entering any official challenges this upcoming year because I really didn't do a good job of reporting updates, but I think I will do my own little mini-challenges including reading 50 of my own books again and 50 library books. I doubt I will hit my goal of reading 135 books this year (I'm at 128 right now, so I guess it's possible, but unlikely) but I am going to shoot for that again next year. I am officially on break now, and almost have all my Christmas shopping done so bring on the books! Happy Reading everyone!

Support Your Local Library Challenge Wrap-Up

I finished the Support Your Local Library Challenge! I am so happy to have finished two of the four challenges I signed up for already! Here are the books I read:

1. Innocence by Karen Novak
2. Close to You by Mary Jane Clark
3. Testimony by Anita Shreve
4. Sleep Softly by Gwen Hunter
5. Black Out by Lisa Unger
6. In the Woods by Tana French
7. Bust by Ken Bruen and Jason Star
8. No One You Know by Michelle Richmond
9. Telling Lies to Alice by Laura Wilson
10. A Wicked Snow by Gregg Olsen
11. Married to a Stranger by Patricia MacDonald
12. The Likeness by Tana French
13. Three Weeks to Say Goodbye by C.J. Box
14. Never Tell a Lie by Hallie Ephron
15. Old Flames by Jack Ketchum
16. Little Face by Sophie Hannah
17. Breakneck by Erica Spindler
18. The Dirty Secrets Club by Meg Gardiner
19. Safer by Sean Doolittle
20. Where Are You Now by Mary Higgins Clark
21. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
22. Third Degree by Greg Iles
23. Angel's Tip by Alafair Burke
24.Sleepwalking in Daylight by Elizabeth Flock
25. Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

This was a wonderful challenge and perfect for me since I love using my library. I saved a ton of money but checking out these books and not waiting for the fantastic books to come out in paperback! Thanks J. Kaye for hosting such a wonderful event!

Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

I absolutely adore Lisa Lutz's Spellman books, and I was so happy that I was able to pick this book up from the library so quickly! I read Revenge of the Spellmans most of yesterday and finished this afternoon and had several laughing out loud moments. I give it an A-.

Back cover:
Private investigator Isabel Spellman is back on the case and back on the couch- in court-ordered therapy after getting a little too close to the previous subject. As the book opens, Izzy in on hiatus from Spellman Inc. But when her boss, Milo, simultaneously cuts her bartending hours and introduces her to a "friend" looking for a private eye, Izzy reluctantly finds herself with a new client. She assures herself that the case- a suspicious husband who wants his wife tailed- will be short and sweet, and will involve nothing more that the most boring of PI rituals:surveillance. But with each passing hour, Izzy finds herself with more questions than hard evidence.
Meanwhile, Spellmania continues. Izzy's brother, David, the family's most upright member, has adopted an uncharacteristically unkempt apperance and attitude toward work, life, and Izzy. And the wayward youngest sister, Rae, a historic academic underachiever, aces the PSATS and subsequently offends her study partner and object of obsession, Detective Henry Stone, to the point of excommunication. The only unsurprising behavior comes from her parents, whose visits to Milo's bar amount to thinly veiled surveillance and artful attempts at getting Izzy to return to the Spellman Inc. fold.
As the case of the wayward wife continues to vex her, Izzy's personal life-and mental health- seem to be disintegrating. Facing a housing crisis, she can't sleep, she can't remember where she parked her car, and despite her shrinks persistence, she can't seem to break through in her appointments. SHe certainly can't explain why she forgets dates with her lawyer's grandson or fails to see the come-ons issued in an Irish brogue by Milo's new bartender. Nor can she explain how she feels about Detective Henry Stone and his plans to move in with his new Assistant DA girlfriend...

This book has it all... romance, mystery, drama, and humor. I love Ms. Spellman's writing and her voice. The footnotes and appendix just add to the humor and make things more interesting. Izzy is such a likeable character, as is all of her wacky family members. I also like that though the family members are wacky and crazy, they are still believable. I can see a lot of the things actually happening in real life, which is somewhat unlike Janet Evanovich's books. I truly hope that Ms. Lutz continues to write this loveable series that is such a break from the everyday, heavier suspense books I read normally. This was a wonderful way to end the Library Book Challenge held by J.Kaye.

Up next is a Lisa Jackson book to kick off the Lisa Jackson Read-a-thon. I am not sure which one I am going to read because I have to look at her list and decide which ones I have and where they fall in a series. I have the remainder of the day off, save for some tutoring appointments, and I want to get some cleaning in and possibly a nap as well. I am exhausted and had a lock down with Kindergartens (which is not fun) and has added to my exhaustion but I want to get some reading in. I have a full time job tomorrow and have to work Saturday as well. Happy Reading everyone!

Sleepwalking in Daylight by Elizabeth Flock

I enjoyed Ms. Flock's other book I read, Me and Emma, so when I saw some of the reviews for Sleepwalking in Daylight, I knew it was something I would want to read. I placed it on hold and picked up this weekend from the library. I have mixed feelings on this book and am not sure what I want to rate it, but I think for now I will give it a B+.

Back cover:
Once defined by her career and independence, stay-at-home mom Samantha Friedman realizes her days have been reduced to errands, car pools, and suburban gossip. It's a role she always assumed she wanted to play, but now Sam has a nagging awarenessthat this may be all there is. Today she deals with a husband who shows up for dinner but is too preoccupied for coversation, and a daughter swathed in black clothing and Goth makeup who won't talk at all.

Believing she's an adopted mistake, seventeen-year-old Cammy has fallen into sex and drugs, and pours herself into a journal filled with poetry and pain. On parallel paths, mother and daughter indulge in desperate, furtive escapism- for Sam, a burgeoning relationship with her supposed soul mate, fueled by clandestine coffee dates and the desire to feel something; for Cammy, a secretive search for her birth mother punctuated by pills, pot and the need to feel absolutely nothing.

This book touched on so many different emotions for me. The story was beautifully written and was raw... and my insides were just turning and twisting when I read this. It was gripping and I had a hard time putting the book down. I had a hard time feeling sorry for Sam and felt like she was incredibly selfish. All she does in complain and whine about her life and how she hates it. I felt like screaming at her at times and saying now is not the time to be selfish... you are losing your daughter and you have two 8 year old twins to worry about. Sam also feels like if she gets a divorce, the kids will be fine. I wanted to scream NO THEY WON'T!!! My parents got divorced right after I got married and it was hard on me, nevermind if I had been a little kid. I just wish parents wouldn't be so blase about divorce and the impact it has on kids. Anyways... it was a good book with a sad but realistic ending that I have come to expect from Elizabeth Flock. Grab the box of Kleenex when you read it though...

Up next is the latest Spellman Files book by Lisa Lutz. I just picked it up from the library and am anxious to jump right back in to the crazy Spellman family. After that it will be a Lisa Jackson novel for the beginning of the read-a-thon. Happy Reading everyone!

Angel's Tip by Alafair Burke

The last time I was out browsing at the library, I ran across Ms. Burke's latest novel in her Ellie Hatcher series. I read the first one last year some time, and remembering enjoying it but not loving it. Angel's Tip sounded reallly interesting, so I decided to pick it up and give it a try. Angel's Tip was an enjoyable read, though nothing I was over the moon about. I give it a B.

From Amazon:
In a city full of victims . . . it's hard to choose just one.
Fresh-faced Indiana college student Chelsea Hart is so excited to spend the final hours of her spring break in the VIP room of an elite New York City club that she remains behind when her girlfriends call it a night. The next morning, as her concerned friends anxiously pace their hotel lobby, joggers find Chelsea's body in East River Park, her wavy blond hair brutally hacked off.
NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher catches the case and homes in on the group of privileged men who were last seen plying Chelsea with free-flowing alcohol. But before she can even gather the preliminary evidence, the gruesome murder is grabbing headlines and drawing unwanted media attention to the department. So when Ellie builds a tight case against Jake Myers, a young hedge fund manager, the department brass and the district attorney's office are elated: the case will soon be cleared, the media will tout the department's quick work, and Ellie will be a dream witness at the trial against Myers.
But Ellie has her doubts. Chelsea's murder is eerily similar to three other deaths that occurred nearly a decade ago: the victims were young, female, and in each case, the killer had taken her hair as a souvenir.
Ellie's investigation pulls her into a late-night world of exclusive clubs, conspicuous wealth, and hedonistic consumption. And her search for the truth not only pits her against her fellow cops but also places her under the watchful eye of a psychopath eager to add the prideful young female detective to his list.

I thought I had this book all figured out. About halfway through, I was positive I knew who the killer was and why he was doing the things he was. Even with only about 15 pages left, I was still sure I knew who the killer was even though it was pretty apparent that he couldn't be the one committing the crimes. I enjoyed the fact that I was wrong... it added to the mystery and I was pleasantly surprised that there were so many red herrings thrown in. Nowadays, it seems like the more mystery books I read, the less I am being "mystified". Ellie is a likeable character and at times I was cheering for her to show up all of the guys who thought that she wouldn't make a great detective, just because she was a girl. However, this book had more "cozy mystery" aspects than "thriller" aspects, and I was a bit disappointed. All around a good read, just nothing that will stick with me for the long term.

Up next is the last library book I have checked out for right now and it is one that I have looked at several times before. It is called Sinners and Saints and is by Eileen Dreyer. I was positive I owned the book but checked it out anyways, and was surprised to see when I got home that I didn't own it. The book just looks really, really familar to me so I have probably picked it up a dozen times at the bookstore but just never bought it for some reason. I hope that isn't a clue about how the book will be. Well, I am off to finish a bit of work and then plan on finishing the word day reading! Have a great weekend everyone and Happy Reading!

Third Degree by Greg Iles

I have been a fan of Greg Iles since I first read him late last year. When I went to the library to pick up another book on hold, I saw this one and remembered I had started to listen to this on audio last year but for some reason didn't finish it. I grabbed it and decided to read it after finishing Plum Spooky. I raced through it and couldn't put it down. I give Third Degree an A-.

From Amazon:
Sometimes the gravest dangers -- and the darkest souls -- live right beside us....
In the span of twenty-four hours, every-thing Laurel Shields believes about her life and her marriage to a prominent doctor will be shattered -- if she survives a terrifying ordeal. The day begins with the jarring discovery that, soon after ending an affair, Laurel is pregnant. But when she returns home to find her husband ashen, unkempt, and on the brink of violence, a nightmare quickly unfolds. In the heart of an idyllic Mississippi town, behind the walls of her perfect house, Laurel finds herself locked in a volatile standoff with a husband she barely recognizes. Confronted with evidence of her betrayal, she must tread a deadly path between truth and deception while a ring of armed police prepares a dangerous rescue. But Laurel's greatest fear -- and her only hope -- lies with her former lover, a brave man whom fate has granted the power to save both Laurel and her children -- if she can protect his identity long enough....

Third Degree takes place in the span of one day and the thrills never stop. Right from the opening chapter when Laurel discovers that she is pregnant the reader is hooked and can't stop turning the pages. Just when you think you have something figured out, Mr. Iles takes you on a wild turn and you are thrown through another loop. Even when I thought the book was over and the final pages were wrapping things up, another surprise was thrown my way. I will definitely be checking out more of Mr. Iles' books and if you haven't read one of them yet, run to your nearest bookstore or library and pick one of them up.

I am going to have cut this short. I just heard some terrible news about a horrible accident that killed four local teens. Apparently, a woman in her 40s decided that her right to drink and drive was more important than that of everyone else's right and slammed into a stopped car carrying 4 teenagers going to the mall. She killed all four of them and she walked away without a scratch, except for a hangover from hell since she was more than three times over the legal limit. I am truly sickened by this and emotional, so I am going to say Happy Reading.

Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

I always enjoy the Stephanie Plum books, but I refuse to pay for them. $28.00 for something that takes me a couple of hours to read is not worth it, especially when I don't reread them. So after waiting awhile for the book to come in from the library, I finally picked it up yesterday and jumped right in. It was a fun book, and I give it a B+.

From Amazon:
Turn on all the lights and check under your bed. Things are about to get spooky in Trenton, New Jersey. According to legend, the Jersey Devil prowls the Pine Barrens and soars above the treetops in the dark of night. As eerie as this might seem, there are things in the Barrens that are even more frightening and dangerous. And there are monkeys. Lots of monkeys. Wulf Grimoire is a world wanderer and an opportunist who can kill without remorse and disappear like smoke. He’s chosen Martin Munch, boy genius, as his new business partner, and he’s chosen the Barrens as his new playground. Munch received his doctorate degree in quantum physics when he was twenty-two. He’s now twenty-four, and while his brain is large, his body hasn’t made it out of the boys’ department at Macy’s. Anyone who says good things come in small packages hasn’t met Munch. Wulf Grimoire is looking for world domination. Martin Munch would be happy if he could just get a woman naked and tied to a tree. Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has Munch on her most-wanted list for failure to appear in court. Plum is the all-American girl stuck in an uncomfortable job, succeeding on luck and tenacity. Usually she gets her man. This time she gets a monkey. She also gets a big guy named Diesel. Diesel pops in and out of Plum’s life like birthday cake – delicious to look at and taste, not especially healthy as a steady diet, gone by the end of the week if not sooner. He’s an über bounty hunter with special skills when it comes to tracking men and pleasing women. He’s after Grimoire, and now he’s also after Munch. And if truth were told, he wouldn’t mind setting Stephanie Plum in his crosshairs. Diesel and Plum hunt down Munch and Grimoire, following them into the Barrens, surviving cranberry bogs, the Jersey Devil, a hair-raising experience, sand in their underwear, and, of course . . . monkeys.

My favorite character, Grandma Mazur only makes a small apperance in this book, but there is plenty of Lula and hot guys all over. Stephanie is up to all of her old tricks and has a fun, cute monkey along for the ride. I am always amazed at the trouble Stephanie gets into and love the comments her mom makes about her career. In this book, Mrs. Plum asks why Stephanie can't have a nice job at the bank like someone's daughter and that just totally seems like something a mother would say. There were plenty of smiles and chuckles while reading this book and it was the perfect one to read between tutoring jobs. I only wish for more Morelli since I seriously love him and wish Stephanie would just choose him. I guess the Plum books wouldn't be the same if Stephanie did choose, and I have to admit that it probably is a bit fun to "be" Stephanie and have all of these men chasing after her and wanting to protect her. With all of that being said, I do look forward to "Finger Licking Fifteen" being released in June and plan on placing my hold as soon as it is released in my library's catalogue.

I am not sure what I am going to read next. I have three more library books to choose from, but I may just choose one of my own. Since I am on a reading streak, I think I can sneak in one of my own and not hold up the library books for too long. Right now is time for bed, right after I get the last load of laundry out and pick out my clothes for tomorrow. I don't have a job yet, but I am sure I will get a lovely wake up call around 5:3o a.m. to come in. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!

Where Are You Now by Mary Higgins Clark

I always enjoy read Ms. Clark's books as they are a quick read and entertaining. While searching my library's database, I noticed that there were several of Ms. Clark's newer books that I had missed. I headed over there and picked up Where Are You Now, and true to form read it very quickly. It was a pleasant read and I rate it a B.

From Amazon:
It has been ten years since twenty-one-year-old Charles MacKenzie Jr. ("Mack") went missing. A Columbia University senior, about to graduate and already accepted at Duke University Law School, he walked out of his apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side without a word to his college roommates and has never been seen again. However, he does make one ritual phone call to his mother every year: on Mother's Day. Each time, he assures her he is fine, refuses to answer her frantic questions, then hangs up. Even the death of his father, a corporate lawyer, in the tragedy of 9/11 does not bring him home or break the pattern of his calls.
Mack's sister, Carolyn, is now twenty-six, a law school graduate, and has just finished her clerkship for a civil court judge in Manhattan. She has endured two family tragedies, yet she realizes that she will never be able to have closure and get on with her life until she finds her brother. She resolves to discover what happened to Mack and why he has found it necessary to hide from them. So this year when Mack makes his annual Mother's Day call, Carolyn interrupts to announce her intention to track him down, no matter what it takes. The next morning after Mass, her uncle, Monsignor Devon MacKenzie, receives a scrawled message left in the collection basket: "Uncle Devon, tell Carolyn she must not look for me."
Mack's cryptic warning does nothing to deter his sister from taking up the search, despite the angry reaction of her mother, Olivia, and the polite disapproval of Elliott Wallace, Carolyn's honorary uncle, who is clearly in love with Olivia.
Carolyn's pursuit of the truth about Mack's disappearance swiftly plunges her into a world of unexpected danger and unanswered questions. What is the secret that Gus and Lil Kramer, the superintendents of the building in which Mack was living, have to hide? What do Mack's old roommates, the charismatic club owner Nick DeMarco and the cold and wealthy real estate tycoon Bruce Galbraith, know about Mack's disappearance? Is Nick connected to the disappearance of Leesey Andrews, who had last been seen in his trendy club? Can the police possibly believe that Mack is not only alive, but a serial killer, a shadowy predator of young women? Was Mack also guilty of the brutal murder of his drama teacher and the theft of his taped sessions with her?
Carolyn's passionate search for the truth about her brother -- and for her brother himself -- leads her into a deadly confrontation with someone close to her whose secret he cannot allow her to reveal.

Where Are You Now is classic Mary Higgins Clark. I always enjoy books set in NYC and most of hers are. I was intrigued by the fact that Carolyn's father died on 9/11 and was wondering if that may play some role in the story though it did not. I also enjoy reading about the wealthy and Ms. Clark always gives her characters the impression that while they may be better off financially than most, they are not better people because of it. I did think that some of these characters came across a bit flat, though, and did not really come to care about any of them or what happened. Though Carolyn is the main character, I felt like I reall did not know much about her. I also have to say that I had a good part of the mystery figured out, but that is because I feel like I know Ms. Clark's formula and she seems to not stray from it too much. I think this may be the reason why I haven't picked up some of Ms. Clark's most recent novels. That being said, I am not sorry I read this book, it just isn't one that will be near the top of any of my lists.

I am not sure what I am going to read next. I have a couple of library books to read, but I think I am going to grab one off of my shelves. I hope everyone is having a great day and Happy Reading!

Safer by Sean Doolittle

I heard about Safer through Romantic Times magazine and have since seen it reviewed on several blogs. This sounded like something right up my alley... nice, safe, suburban life turned completely upside down and having you look twice at all of your neighbors. I was right and loved this book, and I give it an A-.

From Amazon:
For Paul Callaway and his wife, Sara, moving from the East Coast to a quiet midwestern town was a major adjustment. But right from the start, Paul has tried to fit in. He’s played golf with the guys. He’s even joined the Neighborhood Patrol, grabbing a flashlight and a walkie-talkie to make these neatly tended streets even safer. Then Paul makes one mistake—and now they want him gone. But nothing could have prepared Paul and Sara for the quarrel that has erupted between Paul and a neighbor—the self-appointed leader of the Neighborhood Patrol. Or for the next outrage, as police arrest Paul for a sordid crime he didn’t commit. Suddenly Paul’s life, university career, and marriage are at risk, as he finds himself locked in a desperate fight with an angry man, a dark conspiracy, and a secret that began with a child’s disappearance ten years before.

This was such a good book. There were tons of twists and turns and had my mind constantly thinking and trying to decide what exactly is going on. Safer also sends shivers up your spine as those who you are supposed to be able to trust and depend on, your neighbors, turn out to be the ones you need to protect yourself from. Mr. Doolittle provides little clues for you to be able to try and figure out some of what is exactly going on and I definitely plan on looking for more books by this great author.

This book also added extra chills to me. About 2 years ago, we had some serious problems with our next door neighbors. Now before I tell this story, I should say that while I live in the Detroit area, I am in the suburbs where crime is still relatively low. Chris and I bought our house the year before we got married and I moved in about 3 months before our wedding. Chris is pretty shy and we do tend to stay pretty much to ourselves but our friendly with our neighbors. One summer night while I was reading in my family room with the windows open I heard a huge fight next door. Turns out the wife got addicted to pain killers and to support her habit, began selling drugs. I had suspected something was going on because of all the traffic in and out, but couldn't believe that it could be happening. This was a couple in their 40's with kids. Well the husband kicked the wife out and got a divorce. The wife shacks up with some loser boyfriend who on a Friday afternoon right after school got out in early September, these losers come back, break into the house and start a fight with the roommate in my front lawn. We call the police and eventually they take off, nearly hitting some kids with their car. Well the ex-wife must have decided that enough was enough and breaks up with the loser. The loser believes it is because she wants to get back together with the ex-husband, my neighbor, and decides to get him out of the picture. He proceeds to do a drive-by shooting, missing my neighbor by inches. Police arrest the guy but it doesn't stop there... he hires a hit-man from jail. The hit-man starts stalking my neighbor, but eventually goes to the police. They actually faked my neighbor's death to get the payoff and now charge the guy with another attempted murder charge. My neighbor decides that this is enough and he moves. The house stays empty for quite awhile, and I all I keep thinking is what if this guy decides I have nothing to lose, I am facing life in prison and hires another hit-man who gets our houses mixed up... or a stray bullet hits my house? Needless to say, this led to depression on my part along with a huge anxiety problem that I am just now finally getting a handle on. I have a doctor's appointment on Monday to be taken off of my meds after two years and can finally start to try and have a baby. So while I have given you way more than you probably ever wanted to know about me, it feels good to be able to talk about this without being freaked out and reading a book like Safer with having a panic attack.

Whew.... well dinner is ready and I am starving. I got some new books today thanks to a gift certificate and plan on jumping in as soon as dinner is done. Have a great weekend and Happy Reading!

The Dirty Secrets Club by Meg Gardiner

As I mentioned in a previous post, for awhile I have wanted to try a book by Meg Gardiner. I have read so much about her and the rave reviews her books get. I picked up one of her books, but it was part of a series and I really felt like I was missing out on a lot by not reading the first in the series. On one of my library runs, I decided to get The Dirty Secrets Club, a stand alone thriller by Ms. Gardiner. It was a good, quick read and I enjoyed it. I give it a B+.

From Amazon:
An ongoing string of high-profile and very public murder-suicides has San Francisco even more rattled than a string of recent earthquakes: A flamboyant fashion designer burns to death, clutching the body of his murdered lover. A superstar 49er jumps off the Golden Gate Bridge. And most shocking of all, a U.S. attorney launches her BMW off a highway overpass, killing herself and three others.Enter forensic psychiatrist Jo Beckett, hired by the SFPD to cut open not the victim’s body but the victim’s life. Jo’s job is to complete the psychological autopsy, shedding light on the circumstances of any equivocal death. Soon she makes a shocking discovery: All the suicides belonged to something called the Dirty Secrets Club, a group of A-listers with nothing but money and plenty to hide. As the deaths continue, Jo delves into the disturbing motives behind this shadowy group—until she receives a letter containing a dark secret Jo thought she’d left deep in her past, and ending with the most chilling words of all: “Welcome to the Dirty Secrets Club.”

Psychological suspenses are probably my favorite of the suspense genre and this book, with a forensic psychiatrist as the heroine seemed like something straight up my alley. I loved Jo as a main character, and one of the reasons why is because she wasn't afraid to be afraid. Sometimes there are characters who are so "tough" and always brush aside everything and it was refreshing to see a character who was affected by the things happening to her, but not so much that she was a wimp. I also loved the idea of the Dirty Secrets Club and can almost imagine something like that being formed in real life. There are a lot of twisted people out there who get into the thrill of confessing and bragging about the things that they do. The reader knows for the most part who the bad guys are, but there were a few twists and turns who keep you on the edge of your seat. Add in some earthquakes that frightened me, a Michigan girl who has never experienced one, and you have the makings of a great suspense book that is one not to be passed by!

With that being said, I have no more library books checked out! I am almost excited by this fact because I really need to start reading some of my own. I went to another library book sale and picked up 20 books for $4.00 so my collection keeps growing while the books keep sitting there. I hope to have a bit more free time this weekend, so I think I am going to grab a Greg Iles book. I have a few of them and really enjoyed the first one I read by him but sometimes the pure size of the book is a bit daunting. With some free time opening up in the next couple of days, I think I can put a good dent in one. I am also sick right now, which sucks, but I think almost everyone is. What better of an excuse than laying around and reading while sneaking in a few hours here and there at my online job? I hope everyone has a great weekend and Happy Reading!

Breakneck by Erica Spindler

I have always enjoyed Erica Spindler's books, so when I realized she had a new one out I had to place it on hold from my library. It came in quickly using my trick of placing the Large Type on hold though it took me awhile to read it. I started it on Friday and just finished it now. I felt this book wasn't as good as other Spindler books and was a bit disappointed. I give it a B.

From Amazon:
A remorseless killer. A string of innocent, clean-cut victims. Detectives M.C. Riggio and Kitt Lundgren must race against a cold-blooded predator who moves at breakneck speed in this heart-pounding thriller from New York Times bestselling author Erica Spindler.
Hot on the heels of their last case, partners Mary Catherine (M.C.) Riggio and Kitt Lundgren, detectives in the police department's Violent Crimes Bureau in industrial, blue-collar Rockford, Illinois, are called out to a college student’s apartment where a young man with no criminal record, not even a noise complaint from his neighbors, appears to have been murdered in his sleep.
The trail seems cold, until another victim turns up, and then another… each one striking closer to home for M.C. The growing list of seemingly emotionless kills leaves M.C. and Kitt little to follow—like the first victim, all the targets are young adults, kid-next-door types who’ve never taken a step outside the law. Meanwhile, the case starts to take its toll on M.C.’s personal life, setting her on edge with her partner and putting their hard-earned friendship in jeopardy. As M.C. and Kitt hunt a faceless killer, they are led deep into the cyberuniverse, where no one is who he seems and you never know who's watching. At the heart of this mesmerizing thriller is the relationship between two headstrong women as they struggle to balance their dual roles, to learn to trust, and to walk the fine line between upholding the law—and taking it into their own hands.

The main character, M.C., kind of grated on my nerves. Some of her decisions she made where so foolish, especially for a hard-nosed police officer. I guess part of it helps build the suspense, but I thought it could have been handled differently. I think part of the reason why I may not have enjoyed this book more if I had more time to read more of the book in one sitting. There was also so much killing in this book that it almost seemed like overkill (no pun intended). It seemed like a lot of coincidence that all of those that are killed were so close to each other. That being said, the premise of this book was compelling since identify theft is such a hot button topic nowadays, especially with the way the economy is. It is kind of scary to think about how vulnerable our identity is and all of the problems that can be caused by it. I recently was sent a letter from my local credit union telling me that my debit and credit card numbers were compromised. It is quite scary and this book covers the topic well.

I really need to squeeze some more time in for reading. This month's reading has been so slow and low and it is something that I enjoy so much so I need to find the time. I continue to be busy, but even if I fit in a half an hour a night, I think it would really benefit my mental health and my mood. I hope everyone is finding more time for reading than I am and that you are surrounded by great books! Happy Reading!

Little Face by Sophie Hannah

Little Face was another book I read about from Mystery Scene. Sophie Hannah, the author, is a British author who is well established across the pond and Little Face was her first book published in the US. I really enjoyed it, and give it a B+.

From Amazon:
When Alice Fancourt leaves her newborn daughter at home with her husband for the first time since becoming a new mother, she comes home to a horrifying discovery: her child has been swapped with another baby. I n near hysterics, Alice rushes to call the police, but soon discovers that no one—not even her husband, David—believes her. When the police are called in, Detective Simon Waterhouse is drawn to the lovely Alice but doubts her story and suspects that she is suffering from postpartum depression. Meanwhile, David is growing increasingly hostile and Alice begins to fear that her baby’s disappearance may be linked to his previous wife’s untimely death.

Little Face was filled with twists and turns and was told alternating between the first week when Florence is reported missing and a week later. This is one messed up family that Alice has gotten herself mixed up in and parts of the book was just unbelieveable. It is hard to say much more than that without spoiling it for anyone, but if you enjoy a good psychological suspense, then I would highly recommend you run out to your local bookstore or library and pick up Little Face. I do believe that it was released in trade paperback this past December and while looking at Amazon, I did see another one of Ms. Hannah's books being published here in the States. I think I will be on the look out for it.

Up next is Breakneck by Erica Spindler. I got it from the library last week and am now just getting around to it. I love Ms. Spindler's books and hope this one is just as good. I have little time to read this month and I believe it is effecting my mood a bit. I am getting a little cranky not having the ability to escape in other worlds for a bit. Hopefully I will get in a better routine soon and have more time for reading. I hope everyone else is enjoying their reads... Happy Reading!

Old Flames by Jack Ketchum

After reading some old Mystery Scene magazines, I cam across a review for Old Flames by Jack Ketchum. He was a new-to-me author but this book sounded like just my type of book... an obsessive woman tries to shatter the perfect suburban life, so I placed it on hold through my library. I started this late last night and finished it today. Two novellas are told in this story with Old Flames being the first one and Right to Life being the second one. I give Old Flames an A- and Right to Life a B.

Back cover:
Burned again. Men never treated Dora well. This latest cheated on her and dumped her. The last decent guy she knew was her old high school boyfriend, Jim. He'd said that he loved her. Maybe he did. So with the help of Flame Finders, Dora's found him again. Turns out he's married with two kids. But Dora isn't about to let that stand in her way...

Old Flames comes in at about 140 pages and while I normally shy away from novellas and short stories, this story was fantastic. It had suspense and even though the writing was different, it didn't bother me. There were a lot of short, choppy sentences but it just seemed to fit the book. There was even one part of the story that I was talking to the book. That rarely happens.

When I finished Old Flames, I really wasn't going to read Right to Life. I could tell from looking at the first pages that it dealed with abortion and I wasn't sure if I wanted to read about abortion. I am glad I ended up turning the pages, though, because it really wasn't about abortion but about some twisted people that kidnap a woman who happens to be going for an abortion appointment. The reason why I marked down the story a bit is the book was very graphic... especially in describing some of the rape scenes. Normally I am not too squeamish, but it was graphic. I wasn't forewarned and by the time some of it happened, I was already sucked into the story. That being said, I will be looking for more of Mr. Ketchum's other books. Stephen King stated that he was an excellent horror writer and I was expecting supernatural horror but it was all of the man-made kind of horror that is much more horrifying if you ask me.

Up next is Little Face by Sophie Hannah. This is another book that I saw in reading one of the Mystery Scene magazines. It is set in England, but with reading the books by Tana French I seem to be expanding my reading locations and traveling across the pond. I hope that it is good because Old Flames has really gotten my reading mojo back. Happy Reading!

Never Tell a Lie by Hallie Ephron

I read so much about this book and all of the great reviews, so I had really high hopes for this book. I was expecting this out of this world thriller, and maybe my expectations were just too high, but I was disappointed. I give Never Tell a Lie a B-.

From Amazon:
It all started with the yard sale. Ivy was eight months and one week pregnant when she insisted that she and her husband, David, clean out the junk they'd inherited with the old Victorian house they'd bought three years before. Call it nesting, call it nerves—she just wanted it all gone: the old electrical fixtures, the boxes of National Geographics from the 1960s, the four black wool greatcoats.
Neither she nor David recognized the woman at first. But it turned out that the customer asking about the lime-green glass swan dish—the woman who looks just about as pregnant as Ivy—was none other than Melinda White, a former high school classmate of David and Ivy's. When Melinda was a child she used to play in their new house, she explained. It looked like they'd been doing some work. Would it be all right if she took a look around? David took Melinda inside. And she never came out.
Now David's under police suspicion, and Ivy finds herself digging deep into the past to clear his name. But David's history, she begins to discover, is not necessarily the history she remembers, and before long Ivy has uncovered a twisted web of deceit, betrayal, and lies, both the ones we tell those we love and the ones we tell ourselves. . . .

I had the mystery figured out about halfway through the book, so of course that is always a disappointment. I felt there were not enough red herrings thrown in to really confuse the reader or add suspense at that kind of bummed me out. I also felt like the writing was a little to weak and it seemed like the book almost jumped from first to third person writing. I have previously read books by G.H. Ephron, which Ms. Ephron is one part of the two part writing team and loved those books, so I was a bit let down. With all of that being said, it was a good book and I would recommend this to those who enjoy a good suburban mystery. I always enjoy that subgenre of thrillers... when bad things happen to those who live nice, clean, safe lives.

This is the last of my big influx of library books, but wouldn't you know when I dropped off books I picked up one other one. I did end up picking on of my own off of my shelves to start reading today though, because I need to start reading more of my own. I think I am going to try and at least alternate between one of mine and then a library book, reading more of my own when I don't have a huge stack from the library. I am not going to say I am going to stop going to the library because I am not buying new books and browsing really does satisfy my need to buy new books. Happy Reading!

Three Weeks to Say Goodbye by C.J. Box

I started reading a book by Meg Gardiner, but I put it down because it seemed like I was missing a lot of backstory and I didn't want to ruin the previous books. I decided to pick up Three Weeks to Say Goodbye, instead and am glad I did. Even though I was super busy and tired, I stayed up way too late to finish it and can grade it a A-.

From Amazon:
Jack and Melissa McGuane have spent years trying to have a baby. Finally their dream has come true with the adoption of their daughter, Angelina. But nine months after bringing her home, they receive a devastating phone call from the adoption agency: Angelina’s birth father, a teenager, never signed away his parental rights, and he wants her back. Worse, his father, a powerful Denver judge, wants him to own up to this responsibility and will use every advantage his position of power affords him to make sure it happens. When Jack and Melissa attempt to handle the situation rationally by meeting face-to-face with the father and son, it is immediately apparent that there’s something sinister about both of them and that love for Angelina is not the motivation for their actions.
As Angelina’s safety hangs in the balance, Jack and Melissa will stop at nothing to protect their child. A horrifying game of intimidation and double crosses begins that quickly becomes a death spiral where absolutely no one is safe.
How far would you go to save someone you love?

This book really tugged at my heart while having it race at the same time. It took me awhile to get into the book, but I really think it is because I worked all weekend and had only minutes here and there to sneak in a few pages. Once I finished work last night, I sat down and finished it in one sitting. I loved the way the book was written from Jack's point of view and showed the extreme that he would go to protect his wife and family. Mr. Box did a fantastic job with the suspense and I couldn't figure out where the story was going. There were plenty of twists and turns and the ending was something that was believable. I have picked up other of Mr. Box's books, but always put them down because the description didn't sound like something I would like, but I am definitely going to rethink that decision.

This book also allowed me to finish J. Kaye's Suspense and Thriller Challenge! This book qualifies for the Amateur Detective thriller and is my 12th and final book for the challenge. I loved this challenge and will always hold it close to me as it was my first challenge! Thanks J. Kaye for sponsoring such a fun challenge!!!!

Today at school I started Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy. It seems kind of weird right now, but I am only 60 pages in. I have to work tonight until 8:30, but when I get home I think I am going to cuddle up and just read. I relax so much when I read and right now I am wound up tight! Happy Reading!

The Likeness by Tana French

After loving In The Woods, I quickly placed The Likeness on hold from my library. It came in last week and I started it on Sunday. I finally finished it and give it a B.

From Amazon:
Six months after the events of In the Woods, Detective Cassie Maddox is still trying to recover. She’s transferred out of the murder squad and started a relationship with Detective Sam O’Neill, but she’s too badly shaken to make a commitment to him or to her career. Then Sam calls her to the scene of his new case: a young woman found stabbed to death in a small town outside Dublin. The dead girl’s ID says her name is Lexie Madison—the identity Cassie used years ago as an undercover detective—and she looks exactly like Cassie.With no leads, no suspects, and no clue to Lexie’s real identity, Cassie’s old undercover boss, Frank Mackey, spots the opportunity of a lifetime. They can say that the stab wound wasn’t fatal and send Cassie undercover in her place to find out information that the police never would and to tempt the killer out of hiding. At first Cassie thinks the idea is crazy, but she is seduced by the prospect of working on a murder investigation again and by the idea of assuming the victim’s identity as a graduate student with a cozy group of friends.As she is drawn into Lexie’s world, Cassie realizes that the girl’s secrets run deeper than anyone imagined. Her friends are becoming suspicious, Sam has discovered a generations-old feud involving the old house the students live in, and Frank is starting to suspect that Cassie’s growing emotional involvement could put the whole investigation at risk.

This book wasn't as great as In the Woods. Part of the reason I believe, is because the reader has to suspend some belief that this story could even happen. I find it hard to believe that Cassie can look so much like Lexie that she is able to move in to her old house, live with her friends who are more like a family, and basically take over her life. I also felt that this book was about 100 pages too long. There were some descriptions and events in the book that felt somewhat like a filler to me. It took me awhile to read this, partly because I have been working 11+ hour days but also because there were some dry spots in the story. That all being said, it was a good book and a good police procedural. I would recommend this book, but I would advise people that it doesn't hold up to the great work of In the Woods. This book qualifies for the Library Challenge and Suspense challenge in the murder mystery category.

Up next is a book by Meg Gardnier. I am not sure what the title is and it is in another room and I am way too lazy right now to get up and get it. Right now I am working at subbing, my online job, and working at my mom's office. I am pooped and getting a bit frustrated because I feel like all I am doing is working and going to bed only to repeat in the morning. Oh well... I am not going to complain too much, in this economy I need to take everything and anything I can take. Happy Reading!

Married to a Stranger by Patricia MacDonald

I picked up Married to a Stranger when I was browsing at the library. It sounded like a good romantic suspense and something that would fit in to the Suspense and Thriller Challenge. This was a quick, easy read that held my attention. I rate it a B.

From Amazon:
Twenty-six-year-old Emma Hollis has it all -- a fortune she inherited from her father, a job she loves as a counselor at an adolescent crisis center, good friends, and a boyfriend who is crazy about her. Emma met sexy freelance journalist David Webster at a dinner party. Romantic, free-spirited, and a perfect lover, David sweeps Emma off her feet. Now a baby is on the way. Emma expects David to say goodbye, but David enjoys surprises. At their beautiful, impromptu wedding at a historic inn, Emma and David promise to love and cherish each other for the rest of their lives. The only shadow over Emma's happiness is cast by her stepfather, who is furious that David failed to sign a prenuptial agreement. As the newlyweds set off for their honeymoon at an idyllic cabin in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Emma has no idea that her life is about to turn into a wife's worst nightmare.

While reading about this book on Amazon, I saw that Ms. MacDonald got the idea for this book from the Laci Peterson story. I followed that case like a hawk and I can see some of the connections to this story. I also enjoy the type of story that is told from a woman's point of view sometimes and this book fit the bill. It reminds me a lot of Mary Higgins Clark, so if you are a fan of hers, you would probably enjoy Ms. MacDonald. That being said, I felt that the reader was not given enough clues to try and solve the mystery and the ending left me a little upset. Without giving away details or spoilers, it is hard to explain but it would suffice to say that I think more could have been done. There are red herrings thrown in that do make the suspense better.

Up next is another library book, though I am not sure which one. I just picked up three more this week, so I know I have quite a few that I want to try and get through quickly. I have an incredibly busy week coming up, so this weekend I plan on relaxing and getting lots of reading in! I do need to make it to the grocery store, though I am leaning towards going this evening or tomorrow evening during the Super Bowl. I love sports but for some reason can't get into the hype of the Super Bowl. I did get some squares so I will be checking the scores, but I figure a lot of people won't be at the grocery store when the game is on. I despise going when it is super busy! Well enough rambling from me... have a great weekend and Happy Reading!

A Wicked Snow by Gregg Olsen

As I mentioned in my previous post, the last time I was at the library I saw A Wicked Snow and remembered all of the great reviews about this book. J. Kaye even named it one of her top books of 2008! I read Mr. Olsen's second book, A Cold Dark Place, last summer and didn't love it, but I had to give A Wicked Snow a try. It was a good read and I give it a B+.

From Amazon:
Hannah Griffin was a girl when tragedy struck on her family's farm. She still remembers the flames reflected against the newly fallen snow and the bodies the police dug up one of them her mother's. It was the nation's worst murder scene in decades and the killer was never found! Twenty years later Hannah is a talented CSI investigating a case of child abuse when the past comes hurtling back. Years of buried questions are brought to life. A killer with unfinished business is on the hunt. And an anonymous message turns Hannah's blood cold: Your Mom called...

I started reading this Monday and stayed up too late last night finishing it. I loved the premise of this book and the idea that the bad guy was someone that normally isn't. Even though the reader knows who the bad guy through most of the book, the suspense was still there. I did have a couple of small problems with the book though. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed and there were some questions that were left unanswered. I guess the reader can kind of surmise what happens, but sometimes I like things spelled out for me especially in a suspense book. I also really didn't feel a connection with Hannah. I'm not sure why as there was no reason for me to not like her, but I guess I felt she came across kind of flat. With all of that being said, I still enjoyed the book and am glad I read it. I will be looking for Mr. Olsen's next book when it is released, probably sometime this fall.

A Wicked Snow was read as part of the library and Suspense Challenge. A Wicked Snow falls under the category of serial killer suspense. My next read, which is also another library book, is called Married to a Stranger and is by Patricia MacDonald. This one will fall under the romantic suspense category. If I keep going at this rate I will have my first ever challenge completed within the month! Happy Reading!

Telling Lies to Alice by Laura Wilson

Telling Lies to Alice is another book I got from the library when I went last week. The back cover sounded so good and I was really hoping I found a new author to love. Unfortunely, I am not even sure why I finished this book. I give it a D.

From Amazon:
The entertainment world is stunned when famous comic Lenny Maxted commits suicide on an earl’s estate. Lenny’s fiancée, cocktail waitress Alice Conway, makes front-page headlines when she discovers his body. Traumatized by his inexplicable suicide and by her ill-considered marriage to a philandering photographer, Alice knows she must flee — to a place where the past can’t hurt her and where nobody dies.That is the first lie. Because there is no safe haven for Alice, who now lives on an isolated farm in Oxfordshire, haunted by vivid dreams of Lenny’s corpse. Seven years after his death, an anonymous envelope arrives containing a newspaper article detailing the grisly discovery of human remains found in a car recently fished out of the bottom of a lake. Alice thinks she knows who the dead woman is. And then, out of the blue, Jack Flowers, the other half of the legendary Maxted and Flowers comedy team, shows up on her doorstep. Alice has not seen Jack since Lenny’s funeral, but her surprise and pleasure turn to unease when she realizes that he is distressed, drinking heavily, and hiding her mail. Then she receives another anonymous clipping.… Someone is telling lies to Alice, playing with her mind until it is impossible to distinguish fact from falsehood. Someone who knows the truth about what really happened on a night six years ago...a monstrous secret that links a time, a place, and a group of friends and lovers. A secret that will put Alice in mortal danger.

This book just left so much to be desired. I didn't care about the characters and I could not get into the story. For starters, the book takes place during the 1960's London. I had no idea the book was a "historical" or that it was British. That in itself would not be a reason for me to dislike a book, but I think with everything else, it just irritated me. The writing style was very stream of consciousness and that doesn't work well with me. There was a serious lack of punctuation and a lot of telling and not showing. I don't even know why I finished the book. There was a serious amount of skimming going on and I think I just finished it because I didn't want to have a DNF on my list. I won't be doing that anymore... there simply isn't enough time to read bad books.

Up next is A Wicked Snow by Gregg Olsen. I read another one of Mr. Olsen's books, and while I didn't love it, I enjoyed it. I have read several reviews about A Wicked Snow that were outstanding and I believe that J. Kaye even rated it one of her top books of 2008. I saw it at the library and remembering all of those reviews, decided to pick it up. I hope it lives up to all of the great reviews! I hope everyone had a great weekend and Happy Reading!

No One You Know by Michelle Richmond

Towards the end of last year, probably in November or December, I read The Year of Fog by Ms. Richmond after reading a ton of reviews about it. Last week during one of my trips to the library I saw No One You Know and decided to try it. It was o.k. and I rate it a B-.

From Amazon:
All her life Ellie Enderlin had been known as Lila’s sister. Until one day, without warning, the shape of their family changed forever. Twenty years ago, Lila, a top math student at Stanford, was murdered in a crime that was never solved. In the aftermath of her sister’s death, Ellie entrusted her most intimate feelings to a man who turned the story into a bestselling true crime book—a book that both devastated her family and identified one of Lila’s professors as the killer.Decades later, two Americans meet in a remote village in Nicaragua. Ellie is now a professional coffee buyer, an inveterate traveler and incapable of trust. Peter is a ruined academic. And their meeting is not by chance. As rain beats down on the steaming rooftops of the village, Peter leaves Ellie with a gift—the notebook that Lila carried everywhere, a piece of evidence not found with her body. Stunned, Ellie will return home to San Francisco to explore the mysteries of Lila’s notebook, filled with mathematical equations, and begin a search that has been waiting for her all these years. It will lead her to a hundred-year-old mathematical puzzle, to a lover no one knew Lila had, to the motives and fate of the man who profited from their family’s anguish—and to the deepest secrets even sisters keep from each other. As she connects with people whose lives unknowingly swirled around her own, Ellie will confront a series of startling revelations—from the eloquent truths of numbers to confessions of love, pain and loss.

At times while reading this book I was smiling to myself. While Lila was obsessed with her math, Ellie was much more interested in being immersed in a book. I thought that sounds like a perfect mix of me... I am a math major, yet always have my nose in a book. Besides that, the book was sort of ho-hum and a little slow to me. It was an easy book to read, or maybe it just seemed like that to me because perhaps I was skimming a bit. I didn't really get all that engrossed in the book but I think it was me and my mood wanting something a bit more meaty. I did come across something that I noticed in The Year of Fog as well, and that was I really didn't form a connection with any of the characters. I just really didn't care all that much about what happened to them and I am sure that impacted my grade.

Up next is yet another library book. I went yesterday as well because one of my holds came in. In addition to the books I picked up on Tuesday, I know have The Likeness by Tana French and a Meg Gardiner book. I have heard a lot about Meg Gardiner and when I saw this one the shelves I decided to pick it up. I also got an email notice telling me that another hold has come in, so I better sign off and get started reading! Have a great weekend and Happy Reading!