The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion

Updated my reviews for my re-reads of the Slough House series by Mick Herron


Slow Horses

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

Dead Lions

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

Agatha Christie fans should know that she had published 6 novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. I've read one of them - while not a mystery, I can see some of her mystery writing tactics.

The Rose and the Yew Tree was her psychological story of redemption.

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

The current FBI stories have reminded me of the Bureau's connection with First Nations Peoples, whose treatment around the world is also much in the news.

David Grann of 'The New Yorker' wrote Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. I am still furious about this case, as I'm sure most readers would be.

5★ My review with a couple of photos

Here is my 3.78 rounded to 4 stars review of Suburban Hell by Maureen Kilmer:

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

This is what I would call "lite" horror with some dark humor. Overall, this was a well-plotted, moving, and clever story that built momentum, moved well (after the first 3 chapters, created a few startling moments, and built suspense as it moved to its dynamic conclusion and an epilogue that makes one think there will possibly be a second book.

My 4.05 rounded to 4 stars review of Dark Memories: A Thrilling Romantic Mystery by Charlene Tess and Judi Thompson:

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

I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. It's a romantic suspense novel with plenty of danger, suspense and romance woven into the story. Overall, it had exciting scenes, compelling, but flawed characters, and some suspenseful moments.

Here is my 4.12 rounded to 4 stars review of A Trip with Trouble: The Mountain Lodge Mysteries by Diane Kelly:

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

The setting was perfect for this novel and Ms. Kelly does a great job of transporting readers to the mountains of North Carolina. The story captivated me from the beginning with a good plot, great world-building details, and characters that are emotionally rich.

Here is my 4.72 rounded to 5 stars review of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna:

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

Sangu Mandanna brings warmth, diversity, and humor to a magical realism novel with romance, danger, and suspense. This is a wonderfully executed story with extraordinary and diverse characters and a setting that came alive. My only quibble is that I wanted more suspense in the novel.

Here is my 3.66 rounded to 4 stars review of Requiem by David Hodges:

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

Requiem by David Hodges has since been retitled Revenge on the Levels. It is the second book in the Kate Hamblin Mystery Series. This police procedural is well-done and the author’s experience as a former superintendent with the Thames Valley Police gives it authenticity and results in a realistic read. The plot is dynamic, with lots of suspense incorporated into the police investigation.

currently rereading The Virgin Widow by Anne O'Brien a war of the roses era novel

I was excited to re-read Persuasion by Jane Austen with several group reads. New readers are discovering it because of the latest adaptation of Persuasion. It's still my favorite Austen novel.

My review - www.Goodreads.com/review/show/2977446491

Here is my 3.56 rounded to 4 stars review of Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert:

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

This is a steamy / spicy reverse harem paranormal romance that tackles some deeper themes if one reads it in its entirety.

Antarctica: Life on the Frozen Continent by Conor Kilgallon was a pretty thorough pictorial essay about the Great White Continent. I liked it a lot because it revived my memories of my visit there.

My review -

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

Currently reading Piranesi which I almost quit before I got into it too far but now I'm hooked. What a unique little book.

When I remember I have it checked out I'll open up Kiki's Delivery Service. Enjoyed the movie years ago so thought I would give the book a go.

Listening to Leviathan Falls, one of my all time favorite space operas.

I just finished reading Hook Line and Sinker by Tessa Bailey and I’m currently reading The Last Dress From Paris by Jade Beer and Married By Morning by Lisa Kleypas.

I recently enjoyed a famous, creepy old story, The Yellow Wallpaper with the Short Story Group. Very 'Twilight Zone' and good fun ... or is it?
4★ My review

Just finished How We Disappear: Novella & Stories. Each of these stories is interesting and unique, with memorable characters in settings all over the world. Tara Lynn Masih is an author worth watching.
4.5★ My review

I've finally gotten around to The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. If I wasn't doing it on audio I don't know how happy I would be right now. Trip after trip back and forth in time is one reason why i wasn't impressed by The Midnight Library which everyone but me seemed to love. Anyway, I am reading a really good ARC of Die Around Sundown by Mark Pryor which is now on sale. It's a mystery that takes place in Paris during the occupation. Good book.

I needed a change of pace so I read Mia P. Manansala's debut novel - a multicultural cosy mystery with a focus that would please foodies -
Arsenic and Adobo


My review - www.Goodreads.com/review/show/4938679486

I just finished The Neighborhood . I thought it was really good, but teetered between 3 and 4 stars. I think it would make a great movie.

my The Neighborhood review


I'm going to start The Island .

I finished my 66th book

I've just read and loved The Queen of Dirt Island by one of my favourite authors, Donal Ryan, who captures the sound and cadence of Irish speech better than anyone I can think of. His writing is the best!
5★ My review

Finished Die Around Sundown which was good and had a few surprises at the end but I do question the title of the book because it was sort of explained at the very end but didn't really have anything to do with the story.

I've started reading The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan for my FTF BC. It reminds me a little of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by the same author and I loved that book so I'm ready to love this one.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

I started listening to C.J. Box's Open Season which is the first in the Joe Pickett series.

Here is my 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review of A Burning Obsession by Mike Omer:

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

This is the third and final book in the Abby Mullen crime thriller series. The author knows how to build suspense, develop characters, add action and atmosphere, and keep readers on the edge of their seats.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
The Happiest Man on Earth
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I finished my 67th book

Here is my 3.41 rounded to 3 stars review of Moving Target by Maggie Clare:

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

This is the fourth book in the Tactical Solutions International Romantic Suspense series. It is entertaining with some suspense and action, a great start, and a good ending. However, after the first chapter, the pacing slowed significantly for five or so chapters.

Started reading The Forgotten Kingdom: A Novel by Signe Pike I have been looking forward to reading this.

This novel isn't among Georgette Heyer's most popular but it greatly fascinated me. A Civil Contract adds to the sense vs sensibility debate.

My review - www.Goodreads.com/review/show/4951756033

I just read The Thing Around Your Neck, a collection of short stories by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Her people and settings range from the United States to both cities and traditional villages in Nigeria.
4★ My review

I have also read an old, but still hair-raising, short story about four men in a small dinghy on the high seas! The Open Boat by Stephen Crane is excellent. I have added links to the story and other info in my review.
5★ My review

Listening to The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman which is the sequel to Practical Magic.

I'm reading The Bad Angel Brothers by Paul Theroux.

Here is my 4.19 rounded to 4 stars review of Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn.

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

Deanna Raybourn brings friendship, humor, danger, and action to this suspenseful thriller featuring four assassins who worked for an international clandestine organization for forty years. They're ready to retire and the company has given hem an all-expenses paid cruise to celebrate. Naturally, things don't go as planned. This story captivated me from the first page with extraordinary characters, travel, brilliant world-building, and exciting scenes interspersed with wit and humor.

I’m reading Six of Crows rn and it was really slow for me at the start then it got better then it got slow again then good again now it’s a little bit confusing but still very good. I also absolutely love the characters soo so much they are the absolute best

I’m reading The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown and am trying to decide on a fiction book to begin.

I'm listening to Call the Midwife: A True Story of the East End in the 1950s by Jennifer Worth and indulging my not so secret thing for shapeshifters with Cowboy Wolf Trouble by Kait Ballenger.

rereading before donating Reckless by Shannon Drake

Here is my 4.84 rounded to 5 stars review of Desperation in Death by J.D. Robb:

My review

This is the fifty-fifth book in the In Death Eve Dallas series and I have read all of them up to this point. J. D. Robb (pseudonym for Nora Roberts) brings murder, suspense, and anguish to a well-written futuristic police procedural set in New York City during the spring of 2061. Overall, this novel was heartwrenching as well as darker and grittier than usual.

Here is my 3.69 rounded to 4 stars review of Rules of Engagement by Stacey Abrams writing as Selena Montgomery.

My Review

This romantic suspense / spy thriller is creative and complex, and it will keep readers guessing. High stakes and an all-too-real situation kept me engaged throughout the story. The final chapter takes place four months later and wraps up the loose ends. However, it felt tacked on rather than a smooth continuation of the story.

A cozy mystery Pawsitively Poisonous by Melissa Erin Jackson

The Partisan has everything: hot war, cold war, spies, assassins, history, and real people who fight, love, and care. It's hard to believe it's Patrick Worrall's debut novel. A great story about a dark time in Europe.
5★ My review

Heard a lot of good things about Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson... I'm excited to get stuck in and give it a try!

I finished my 68th book

I just finished Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. Absolutely adored it!

I also finished A Slow Fire Burning. Great twists and turns from the start.

I'm continuing to listen to Leviathan Falls but have just checked out The Dirt on Ninth Grave because I'm in the mood for some fun.

And my before bed read is now Aunt Dimity's Death.

Homicide and Halo-Halo

Author Mia P. Manansala improved with her sequel in the cosy with ethnic food mysteries.

My review - www.Goodreads.com/review/show/4969622641

Listening to the final book in the Mortal Instruments series (started it so long ago) City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare. I'm almost done reading The Recipe for Hope by Fiona Valpy.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My brain hurts in the best way possible!

This pair of authors never let me down!
My review of Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews

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

Rereading Philippa byBertrice Small