A Good Thriller discussion

My first read for 2024 is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! What a great way to start the year. The Lawson Legacy by Janet Gover https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Four stars for Redwood Court

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A really intense, fast-paced Aussie thriller.

- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read Death in Hilo by Eric Redman It is a police procedural, set in Hawaii. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.02 rounded to 4 stars review of The Deceiving Look by Victor Methos:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Crime and legal thriller
Third book in the series
Overall, this tense, suspenseful, and tragic novel gripped me from the beginning. The author brings strong characters, a great plot, and fascinating relationships to the novel.

Here is my 3.95 rounded to 4 stars review of Northwoods by Amy Pease:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

!! This is my 500th review that I've written and submitted to NetGalley in just over 4 1/2 years.

Crime Thriller and Police Procedural
The author brings strong characters, a great plot, fascinating relationships, and excellent pacing to the novel.

I rec'd an email from Faith Matson, Oceanview Publishing, that they are leaving NetGalley and will be posting books only on Edelweiss.

First completed book of 2024. First ever book I've read by Anna Quindlen: After Annie


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read I Am Rome by Santiago Posteguillo It is an excellent historical fiction book about young Julius Caesar. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 3.09 rounded to 3 stars review of When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Romantic Comedy
Overall, this was a story that quickly drew me into Alfie and Mabel’s world and their journey together. It was an engaging and cute read with plenty of witty banter. The characterization was excellent and the descriptions gave readers an appreciation for their living conditions. However, at 60%, the book went steamy and spicy without advancing the story line much until the last 10%.

The Guests by Margot Hunt ⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 3.52 rounded to 4 stars review of Devils Island by Midge Raymond and John Yunker:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Mystery
Set in Marbury Island (fictional version of Maria Island) in Tasmania, Australia
Overall, this is an entertaining and informative mystery with a couple of surprising twists and turns. I loved the information about the island, its history, and the wildlife that is on it. There was a lot of tell versus show when it came to information about the characters. Some of the background information seemed unnecessary to the degree that was provided and this adversely affected the pacing.

THANKS to all the members who write out or link the titles of their books, since it's often impossible for some of us to read them on the bookcovers. I enjoy seeing the covers for the designs, but I like to know the title and the author's name.

The Spy Coast, by Tess Gerritsen, is a new ensemble piece about five spies who have tried to retire quietly to a small town but discover it's not that easy. The author was inspired by real life circumstances near her, which made it even more interesting to me.

My review of The Spy Coast

While historical fiction isn't my goto genre, I do enjoy a really good historical murder mystery sometimes as a break from all the contemporary stuff I typically read. She's not a Veronica Speedwell but Dr Julia is a smart, bold and sassy Victorian era doctor who is a really good MC. I look forward to more of Dr Julia.

-https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A fantastic read - The Dream Home by T.M. LoganTM Logan
Here's my 5* review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.05 rounded to 4 stars review of The Clinic by Cate Quinn:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Psychological thriller
Overall, this engrossing and unsettling thriller has great characterization and world-building and pulls on the heart strings.

Meadow Falls by Carolyn Brown ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review of Lethal Vengeance by Robert Bryndza:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Police Procedural
# 8 in the series
Gripping, Complex, Good characterization, Page-Turner

Another @$$kicking Orphan X installment. I. LOVE. THIS. SERIES!!!

- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A Breath of Fresh Air by Jessica Redland ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Kakistocracy


⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
Fantasy magical superpowered individual story
Lovely universe. @netgalley ARC

My review here - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review of The Good Dog by Simon Rowell

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline


Very fast and enjoyable read: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Blue Gum Camp by Leonie Kelsall ⭐⭐⭐.7
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I think readers of historical mysteries will enjoy this novel set in the time of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. In the aftermath, four strong and independent women must come together to find justice for a terrible crime.

The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang

review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 3.28 rounded to 3 stars review of Radiant Heat by Sarah-Jane Collins:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Atmospheric Mystery
Lake Bend, Victoria, Australia
Annoying Main Character
Great World-building

Flashbacks adversely affected the pacing for me despite their importance to the story line. There was little to no warning of the time changes and this became disconcerting at times.

Overall, this engrossing, dark, intense, and unsettling thriller has good characterization, even with a main character that wasn’t extremely likeable, and great world-building while pulling on the heart strings.

The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini ⭐⭐⭐⭐.4 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Edge: How competition for resources is pushing the world, and its climate, to the brink – and what we can do about it


⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
#non-fiction
#climatecrisis
Interesting take on #finite #resources #sustainability

My review here - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read. The Underground Library. by Jennifer Ryan
It is historical fiction, set in WWII London. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Mind of a Murderer
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished two books over the weekend. Heart of the River by Cheryl Adnams ⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and from my 2017 backlist Murder at an Irish Wedding by Carlene O'Connor ⭐⭐⭐⭐.2 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.22 rounded to 4 stars review of The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Police Procedural combined with Psychology
39th book in the series

I read All We Were Promised byAshton Lattimore
I liked this historical fiction book set in 1837 Philadelphia, Pa. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished two very different books yesterday , both excellent reads.
All Of Us Are Broken by Fiona Cummins ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and The Girls from Sandycove by Siân O'Gorman ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Life, Loss, and Puffins Note: publish date is May, 2024

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.16 rounded to 4 stars review of The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Fantasy Mystery
Good characterization
Great world-building
Entertaining and fun read

This second installment of Kelley Armstrong's Haven's Rock series finally has Haven's Rock on it's own two feet (so to speak) and breaking away from the shadow of Rockton. The ending has me looking forward to the next installment.

- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read The Cemetery of Untold Stories by. Julia Alvarez. It is literary fiction, set in the Dominican Republic and US. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A wonderfully touching 5⭐ read.
Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.18 rounded to 4 stars review of Murder by Lamplight by Patrice McDonough:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Historical Mystery
Victorian London November 1866
Overall, this dark, gritty, and engaging book has great characterization with likeable main characters, excellent worldbuilding, and a solid mystery.

Another exciting installment in the Michael Bennett series. I look forward to the direction that James O'Born takes the series in the next installment.

- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Memoir due out in April. Author is a groundbreaker! First Black, female ecologist. If you love animals, nature, civil rights....this book has something for you! Wild Life: Finding My Purpose in an Untamed World

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished the very surprising The Last Stars in the Sky by Kate Hewitt ⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read What Cannot Be Said by C.S. Harris It is a historical fiction mystery set in Regency England. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Another from my 2017 NetGalley backlist: Finding Claire Fletcher by Lisa Regan ⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 3.84 rounded to 4 stars review of The Deepest Kill by Lisa Black:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Crime Thriller
Overall, this was a story that demanded my attention throughout the book. Those who enjoy the analytical and scientific side of mysteries will likely enjoy this novel with its intriguing and engrossing mystery along with well-developed characters.

Here is my 4.61 rounded to 5 stars review of The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Haven's Rock series Bk 2
Highly Recommended
Well-written and entertaining with a solid mystery and complex characters.

Just finished The Venetian Masquerade by Philip Gwynne Jones
Great book
Here's my 5* review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I thought I would enjoy this mix of paranormal, horror and mystery by a popular author but it just didn't work for me. However, I may be an outlier as it has mostly 5★ reviews.

Her Lost Soul by Helen Phifer

review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...