The Suspect by Fiona Barton (#3 – Kate Waters)

The Suspect by Fiona Barton

 Publishing: January 22, 2019

 

Previous Book in the Series: #2 – The Child

The Suspect by Fiona Barton is the third in a series starring Reporter Kate Waters.

First, let me thank Edelweiss, the publisher Berkley/Penguin Random House, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Synopsis:
Kate Waters is a tenacious reporter. But she soon ends up on the wrong side of the pen.

Two girls go missing on a trip to Thailand, and their parents raise the alarm. Kate gives them the publicity they need, and when the bodies of Alex and Rosie are found in a burned hostel, she travels with the parents to bring back their daughters. So do a lot of other reporters. So everyone is there when it turns out that Kate’s son Jake was also at that hostel, and is now missing. First called a hero, Jake Waters becomes a suspect when the reporters start investigating his past.

Kate and her family are totally unprepared. They had no idea where their son was. He had taken a year off from university to travel, and communication was sparse. Unfortunately, the little communication they had, turned out to be lies on Jake’s part. So the information coming at them now is unexpected, and heartbreaking. But it doesn’t matter, because Kate is going to stick by her son.

Meanwhile the parents of the girls are also finding out some disturbing news about their daughters. There was a lot going on that they didn’t know.

Although his wife can no longer battle the cancer raging through her and has little time left, she insists that her husband, Detective Inspector Bob Sparkes, continue his investigation into the girls deaths. The Thailand police did a bad job, and this must be corrected. His only problem will be dealing with his friend, Kate Waters.

My Opinions:
First, although I have read the previous two books, I am just now realizing that this is a series. Yes, they all have Kate Waters, but they don’t have a continuing story-line, so can easily be read as stand-alone novels thus far.

Secondly, the books are getting better as Barton fine-tunes her writing skills. This is the best so far.

The book tackled the subject of missing children, and shows how parents don’t really know their children. It’s a little scary. Most kids lie, but some more than others. Even when confronted with the truth, different parents react differently.

The characters felt real, their emotions raw, and the dialog felt right. The plot was good, with enough twists to keep you turning the pages. I like how the story is told from different perspectives.

Looking forward to more.

 

Read: January 2019

 

Favorite Quote from the The Suspect:

“My dad used to say we spoiled him. We argued about it. Horrible word, “spoil.” Sounds so childish, but it means harm or destroy. I lie there thinking, Did we? Did we spoil our son?”

 

About the Author:  Fiona Barton has worked as a  journalist – senior writer at the Daily Mail, news editor at the Daily Telegraph, and chief reporter at The Mail on Sunday, where she won Reporter of the Year at the National Press Awards.  She gave up her job to volunteer in Sri Lanka and since 2008, has trained and worked with exiled and threatened journalists all over the world.  Now she is writing best-selling novels.  She lives in south-west France with her husband. 

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2646645245

 

 

 

Next Victim by Helen H. Durrant (#1 – Rachel King)

 

Next Victim by Helen H. Durrant

 Publishing: January 17, 2019

 

Next Victim by Helen H Durrant is the first in the Detective Rachel King series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Series Background:  (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DCI Rachel King is with the serious crime squad for east Manchester. Her team consists of: DS Elwyn Pryce, her long-time colleague and friend; DC Jonny Farrell, the newest member of the team, and still a little green; and DC Amy Metcalfe, who shows potential, but is often careless, and would love to dig up dirt on her boss. Rachel went through a somewhat amicable divorce and her husband bought the house next door in order to help raise their two teenage daughters. Although Rachel knows she cannot have a relationship with Jed McAteer, due to his criminal background, it doesn’t mean she can ignore her first love. She just has to make sure no one finds out she even knows him.

My Synopsis:
When the tortured body of a gay man shows up in the canal, the trail leads to a nearby warehouse run by Paul Greyson. There is video showing the young man arguing with Greyson, even though he denies knowing him.

As the bodies pile up, the killer is leaving the police a false trail to follow. He has one target in mind, and the others are just practice, and fodder for the police.

Enter Jed McAteer, front and center, and Rachel fears he may be involved in this case. She also fears her secret may be exposed, and her career over.

Meanwhile, it turns out the girl down the street from Rachel knew the first victim, and was seen attacking him with a knife. She has some issues that Rachel plans to check out.

As if she isn’t having enough problems at work, her daughters are acting like 5 year olds. Mind you, she’s rarely home, and that could be the reason. But things are about to take a turn for the worse.

My Opinions:
For the first in the series, it shows promise. Of course this is not the only series by this author, so she has had some practice. However, this is the first of her books that I have read, and she’s now on my to-read list.

It was a fast-paced read, so it didn’t take long to finish. I liked getting the story from different perspectives, including that of the killer. I also liked most of the characters, and hope they are fleshed out a little more in future books. I am still not sure about Rachel. I think her parenting skills suck, and her secrets are harming everyone. For 39, in a responsible position, you’d think she should have it more together.

I did guess the killer and motive too soon, so was rather disappointed in that. I guess I expected more from this talented author.

There was an interesting appendix at the back of the book showing a list of British slang.

Overall, it was only an okay read, but it was intriguing enough that I really want to see what happens next.

 

Read: January, 2019

 

 About the Author:  Helen H. Durrant is a British Author.  She started writing full-time when she retired from working in a local further education college.  Her other series include the ‘Calladine & Bayliss’ series. the ‘DI Greco’ series, and the DI Matt Brindle series.  She has  a grown-up family and five grandchildren. 

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2667657556

 

 

 

Rattle by Fiona Cummins (#1 – The Bone Collector/Etta Fitzroy)

Rattle by Fiona Cummins

 Published: 2017

 

 

 

Rattle by Fiona Cummins is the first in the Bone Collector series starring Detective Sergeant Etta Fitzroy.

My Synopsis:
Etta Fitzroy has been struggling…Everything seems to be striking at once. She loves her job, but a recent incident has her boss wary. Etta’s temper has a way of erupting. She longs for a child, but is barely hanging onto her husband. Her younger sister just gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and Etta’s jealousy is keeping her away. No matter what Etta does, even follow in her father’s footsteps, it has never been enough. She still hears his condescending voice. So Etta does what she does best…throws herself into her job.

DS Fitzroy is called when 5 year-old Clara goes missing. It quickly becomes apparent that she has been taken, and although her father has no alibi and is a bit of a sleaze, Etta is hesitant to think he is the perpetrator. Her intuition says there’s something else, but she isn’t sure what. It’s reminiscent of her last missing child case, and that ended badly. When she finds the skeleton of a rabbit with a note attached, she fears the kidnapper is taunting her, and another memory surfaces.

Meanwhile, 6 year-old Jake is next on The Bone Collector’s List. His rare disease makes him a perfect specimen.

My Opinions:
WOW. Amazing debut novel. The author didn’t shy away from the dark, gruesome side of humanity – a psychopathic serial killer who targets those with bone deformities. This one is not for the squeamish. I, of course, loved it.

The story is told from different perspectives, and this way we got a real feel for the characters.

This book showed the struggles and fears in families both before and after a child goes missing. How some stand up to the challenge, and some fall apart. How hope can be renewed, and courage found.

Although the overall premise of the book was a bit morbid, the characters were strong and the writing was good. I am definitely looking forward to the next in this series…although I am wondering how much longer a 70 year old serial killer with arthritis is going to last!  I’m thinking it should have been The Etta Fitzroy series, not The Bone Collector series.

 

Read: December 2018

 

Favorite Quote from Rattle:

“Because the judgement of others did not matter. She would judge herself. Because she wanted a life free from the burdens of conscience. Because it wasn’t about her at all.”

 

About The Author: Fiona Cummins is an award-winning former Daily Mirror show-business journalist and a graduate of the Faber Academy of Writing a Novel. She lives in Essex with her family. Rattle is her first novel.

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2664615532

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where Secrets Lie by D.S. Butler (#2 Karen Hart)

Where Secrets Lie by D.S. Butler 

 Publishing: January 10. 2019

 

 

 

Previous Book in the Series: #1 –  Bring Them Home

 

Where Secrets Lie by DS Butler is the 2nd in the Detective Karen Hart Series

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Series Background (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books):
DS Karen Hart lost her husband Josh and her daughter Tilly in a car accident. Years later, she struggles to move on, living in the same large house, afraid to move lest her memories of them weaken. She pours her energy into her work. Hart, who relies heavily on her instincts and hunches, has a new boss, DI Scott Morgan, who takes a very logical/fact-based approach to the job (and his life), leaving little room for emotional thoughts. Hart is trying to keep her own emotions in line, while also trying to keep her constables reigned in. DC Sophie Jones is fairly new, and ambitious. DC Rick Cooper is more experienced but dealing with an aging mother. The two constables are constantly bickering.

My Synopsis:
When elderly Albert Johnson takes a fall in his home, the police find, in an upstairs bedroom, the skeletal remains of a body in a suitcase. It is quickly determined that the bones belong to the missing Oliver Fox. He has not been seen for 30 years.

Fox’s family are not exactly forthcoming with information, and his brother is making things worse. Attempting to solve this cold case is further complicated by the fact that the witnesses the team try to interview keep turning up dead. This is no longer a cold case but an active murder investigation.

Meanwhile, Karen’s sister tries to set her up on a blind date, Sophie is thinking about a career change, Rick is trying to understand his mother’s dementia, and DI Morgan’s past is about to become public knowledge.

My Opinions:
This series is getting very good. These books are an easy read, and although I thought the last book moved slowly, this one did not. The pace was good, and there was enough going on that you were never bored.

The characters are getting deeper as we learn their pasts, and we see that they are now becoming a team. The author is slowly building a family of the four detectives, and she is doing a good job.

I m looking forward to the next book!

 

Read: January 2019

 

Favorite Quote from Where Secrets Lie:

‘Sometimes he was very glad he was only a detective inspector.  It seemed the higher you got in the police, the more you had to say the right thing at the right time to the right people. He wouldn’t be very good at that.”

 

 

About the Author:  D.S. Butler was born in the U.S., but currently lives in the U.K.. Danica writes police procedurals and psychological thrillers, as well as other mysteries under the names Dani Oakley and Danica Britton.  She has a PhD in Bio-chemistry.

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2665133939

 

 

 

 

Bring Them Home by D.S. Butler (#1 Karen Hart)

Bring Them Home by D.S. Butler

 Published October 2018

 

 
Bring Them Home by D.S. Butler is the 1st in the Detective Karen Hart series.

My Synopsis:
5 years ago, DS Karen Hart lost her husband Josh and her daughter Tilly in a car accident. She struggles to move on, living in the same large house, afraid to move lest her memories of them weaken. She pours her energy into her work.

Hart, who relies heavily on her instincts and hunches, has a new boss, DI Scott Morgan, who takes a very logical approach to the job (and his life), leaving little room for emotional thoughts. Hart is trying to keep her own emotions in line, while also trying to reign in the enthusiasm of her new constable Sophie Jones and understand the unusual behaviour of her more experienced constable Rick Cooper. The two constables are constantly bickering.

But they will all have to pull together if they hope to find two missing 10-year old girls. There seem to be no good leads. Every investigation leads to a dead end. Although Karen is insistent that the Palmer family play a role in the abduction, even she admits she may have tunnel vision where that family is concerned. She was sure they were responsible when 19-year old Amy Fisher went missing, but no proof ever surfaced.

As days pass, the chance of finding the girls alive shrinks.

My Opinions:
Although I had guessed the identity of the kidnapper, it did not detract from the story, which was very well laid out. As well, Butler created a number of interesting suspects to choose from. I also think her writing style was clear and concise.

My only criticism was that it somehow moved slowly, and lacked a little excitement. Not sure why. Maybe I just have to get used to DS Hart, as I didn’t really connect with her.

I still enjoyed it, and am looking forward to the second in the series.

 

Read: December 2018

 

 

 About the Author:  D.S. Butler was born in the U.S., but currently lived in the U.K.. Danica writes police procedurals and psychological thrillers, as well as other mysteries under the names Dani Oakley and Danica Britton.  She has a PhD in Bio-chemistry.

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:   https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2637164176

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elevation by Stephen King

Elevation by Stephen King

 Published October, 2018 by Scribner

 

 

Elevation by Stephen King is a novella. I do not consider this horror, although it is not standard fiction either. It is simply a great story. Of course it is a Stephen King story, so you know there is going to be some kind of twist.

My Synopsis:
Scott Carey is losing weight. For a big man, that’s okay. On the other hand, he is still eating the same amount, and not doing any extra activity. Now that sounds strange. He’s losing 1-2 pounds a day. That may be a bit much. Stranger still, is that he weighs the same amount with or without clothing, no matter how heavy the clothing. Okay, that’s just not right. Apparently his scale is accurate. But then why is his weight decreasing, yet his rather robust figure not changing. He looks the same as he did when he was 40 lbs heavier. That’s just not fair! At least he feels good. He does tend to wonder what will happen if this weight loss continues.

Yes, this weight thing is a bit troublesome. So is his relationship with the married lesbians up the street. He doesn’t have a problem with their sexuality, just the fact that their dogs relieve themselves on his lawn, and they refuse to acknowledge this. Well, one of them does. When he finds out their new restaurant is on the brink of closure because the town won’t accept their married status, Scott tries to befriend them. Easier said than done!

 
My Opinions:
As always, an entertaining read from this legendary author. Although rather short, this book shows the talent that Mr. King has – yes he is the Master of Horror, but in this one he shows he is the Master of Storytelling.

It is a story of friendship and understanding, of people helping people, and acceptance.

Be warned…this is much more The Green Mile than it is Cujo.

Loved this book!

 

Read: December 2018

 

Favorite Quotes from Elevation:

“Everything leads to this, he thought. To this elevation. If it’s how dying feels, everyone should be glad to go.”

“His outlook remained optimistic, and he slept through the night. Those were the things he cared about.”

“Everyone should have this, he thought, and perhaps, at the end, everyone does. Perhaps in their time of dying, everyone rises.” 

 

 

About the Author: Stephen Edwin King (Sept 21, 1947 – ).  If you don’t know him by now….I am sorry for your loss.

 

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2416685094

 

 

 

 

 

The Sandman by Lars Keplar (#4 Joona Linna)

The Sandman by Lars Keplar

 Published March 2018 by Knopf Publishing Group                         (Originally Published in 2011)

 

Previous Book in the Series: #3 – The Fire Witness

 

The Sandman by Lars Kepler is the 4th In the Detective Joona Linna series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Series Background  (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books):
Homicide Detective Joona Linna works for the National Criminal Investigation Department in Sweden.  He is highly trained in mixed close combat, innovative weaponry, and urban guerrilla warfare. He is respected by his peers, and somewhat envied, but considered stubborn, and somewhat aloof. His need to be “right” is a strange quirk. His crime solve rate is high, probably because of his empathy. He can understand, but not condone, the criminal mind, and anticipates the perpetrators moves. He is driven, driven to keep going until the crime is solved.  He has lost his wife and daughter.

My Synopsis:
13 years ago 11-year old Mikael Kohler-Frost and his 8-year old sister Felicia went missing, assumed drowned, although no bodies were found. Their mother, in a state of depression, moved out and ended up committing suicide. Their father, afraid of doing the same, surrounded himself with people. But it was six years before he declared his children dead, and he still has not moved on.

Only Joona Linna refused to accept that the children drowned. Instead he thought they were the victims of serial killer Jurek Walter and an accomplice. Jurek is currently in a Secure Criminal psychiatric Hospital, where his restrictions are extreme. Joona and his partner Samuel Mendel were responsible for Jurek’s incarceration. They figured out a killer was targeting families, and eventually found the man outside Roseanna Kohler’s house.  After following him, and having seen Jurek pushing a woman into a shallow grave, he was arrested. At the trial, Jurek stated that Samuel’s family will be next, and Samuel will commit suicide. Joona’s family will follow. When Jurek’s first threat comes true, and no one believes his theory about an accomplice, Joona has no choice. He sends his wife and daughter away, and fakes their death.

13 years pass, and 24-year old Mikael is found, alive, and the hunt for Jurek’s accomplice is suddenly urgent. Saga Bauer agrees to go undercover as a patient, to trick Jurek into talking. This may be harder than she thinks. Joona on the other hand needs to find that accomplice…it’s the only way he can ever be re-united with his wife and daughter.
My Opinions:
I love this series. Joona is an amazing character and we now know how much he has sacrificed, and I am learning to admire Saga. I must find time for her series.

As predicted in the last book, we found out a lot more about Joona’s past, and it looks like it will continue in the next. The ending was great!

This book had a really fast pace, full of action, jumping from one rather suspenseful moment to the next. The authors don’t shy away from blood and gore, so be warned. Overall, it was spell-binding.

 

Read: December 2018

 

Favorite Quotes from The Sandman:

“…it wasn’t the people who were buried who were being punished, but those left behind.”

“Mikael stands up in the darkness when the Sandman blows his terrible dust into the room. He’s learned that there’s no point holding your breath. Because when the Sandman wants the children to sleep, they fall asleep.”

 

About the Authors: Lars Kepler is a pseudonym for the husband and wife team Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril (b. 1966) and Alexander Ahndoril (b. 1967), best known for the Detective Joona Linna series which has sold over 12 million copies in 40 countries.  They  married in 1994 and have three daughters together. They live in central Stockholm. The name Lars is a homage to the great Swedish author Stieg Larsson, and Kepler from the German scientist Johannes Kepler.

 

 I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2648388518

 

 

Grayson Manor Haunting by Cheryl Bradshaw (#1 Addison Lockhart)

Grayson Manor Haunting by Cheryl Bradshaw

  Published: 2013

 

 

Grayson Manor Haunting by Cheryl Bradshaw is the 1st in the Addison Lockhart series.

My Synopsis:
When Addison Lockhart was a child, she saw her best friend fall off a swing and die….before it actually happened. No one believed her, and her parents sent her to a psychiatrist. Although she continued to see visions, she learned to lie. Eventually, she lied so well, she no longer believed herself, and the visions stopped.

That is, until she inherited Grayson Manor, the house where her mother was born. Upon touching an old dress found in a trunk, the vision of a woman appears to Addison. The woman is in a room with a calendar stating the year is 1952. She is begging for her life. A gun appears, and she is shot twice. Addison is intent on finding out who this woman was, and if possible, find her killer. Perhaps then this spirit can find peace.

She will get some unexpected help.

My Opinions:
This is an intriguing ghost story, with a likable protagonist and a cast of interesting characters, but it is lacking any real depth.

On the other hand, it is a fast, light read….and we can all use one of those every now and then. And although I am not a romance reader, the bit in this one worked.

I am looking forward to the next one.

Read December 2018

 

About the Author:  Cheryl Bradshaw was raised in Southern California, and currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author writing in the genres of mystery, thriller, romantic suspense, paranormal suspense, and women’s contemporary fiction.  Cheryl writes the bestselling Sloane Monroe mystery series, based on a sassy, OCD-challenged PI.

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2639800850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watching You by Lisa Jewell

Watching You by Lisa Jewell

 Publishing December 26, 2018 by Atria Books

 

 

Watching You by Lisa Jewell is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Atria Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Synopsis:
The people in Melville Heights watch each other. They see everything. Secrets are kept, but when someone is murdered, many things are revealed.

Tom Fitzwilliam is the Principal of the local school. He and his family move from school to school, while he “fixes” their problems. He is an attractive man, fawned over by many, and seems squeaky clean. But is he?

Some of Tom’s neighbours are interested in the answers.

Jenna, a student at Tom’s school is beginning to wonder about her principal. Jenna’s mom Frances, thinks Tom is one of many who are stalking her. Although mentally unwell, Frances remembers witnessing an altercation Tom had with a woman when they were away on a holiday. Although Jenna realizes her mom is paranoid, she does believe that Mr. Fitzwilliam was that man. She is also starting to see some strange behaviour from her principal.

Jenna’s friend Bess has a major crush on Mr. Fitzwilliam. This is creating friction between Bess and Jenna.

Joey (Josephine) is newly married to Alfie, and currently living with her brother and his wife (who has her own secrets), a few doors away from Tom Fitzwilliam. Joey also has a crush on Tom.

Nicola, Tom’s younger wife, seems oblivious, but is she?

Freddy, Tom’s 14-year old genius son who plans to work for MI5 as a spy, is a bit of a voyeur. He is never without his binoculars or camera, and has just discovered girls. Someone is hacking into his computer.
My Opinions:
A bit of a slow start on this one, with a lot of characters, and a plot that took a while to take off. However, the last 25% was good, really good.

The story ended up with a fairly major “creep” factor, thanks to all the “watching” going on. The story is told by different perspectives (mainly Jenna, Joey, and Freddy). Through the police interviews of a few characters, we are aware of a “heinous crime” being committed, but it is a ways in before we find out what happened, and a lot further in until the culprit is found. I liked the ending.

Read December 2018

 

About the Author:  Lisa Jewell (1968 – )wa s born and raised in north London, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. She is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of over a dozen novels.

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2622015788

 

 

 

Hunting Annabelle by Wendy Heard

Hunting Annabelle by Wendy Heard

 Published: December  2018 by Harlequin – MIRA

 

 

Hunting Annabelle by Wendy Heard is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Harlequin – MIRA, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Synopsis:
23-year old Sean Suh is generally heavily medicated. He has served his time in a psychiatric prison, and is now living with his Mom (a neurosurgeon) in Texas.

He sees his psychiatrist twice a week, and she keeps trying to get him to talk to others.

Little does she know that Sean, during his daily trip to a theme park where he draws the people and their auras, has met someone. Annabelle was visiting the park to spread the ashes of her crazy grandmother. Annabelle is beautiful, and to Sean, her aura is copper. They actually hit it off, and Sean is determined to keep his urges under control. He will NOT hurt Annabelle. When he sees her kidnapped, Sean immediately informs the police. Their reaction is disbelief, especially when his mother tells them he is mentally ill. With no one believing him, Sean decides to find Annabelle himself. Unfortunately, with every step he takes, he seems to get deeper into trouble. The police seriously believe he harmed Annabelle and Sean is beginning to wonder himself.

My Opinions:
WOW. This was simply an amazing book. I can’t believe this was the author’s debut novel. Wendy Heard tackled a few tough subjects in this one including mental illness, violence against women, police brutality…some of which just left you shocked. Of course, remembering that this was set in the 1980’s helps a little.

I loved Sean. The author created a hero who has touches of both good and evil, and it worked. A hero that was both loving and scary, sane yet insane, often violent, and a rather unreliable narrator. His thought processes often had me laughing, when I wasn’t wondering what he was going to do next!

The pace was fast, and the twists just kept coming. This book was hard to put down. It was just so different. It was a really wild and fun ride!

Beware, it is not for the squeamish….I loved it, and I thought the ending was perfect!

I can’t wait for her next book!

 

Read December 2018

 

Favorite Quotes from Hunting Annabelle:

“I’m doped up on antipsychotics” is not something I plan on confessing to a beautiful woman no matter how out of practice I am.”

“I’m like the ash. Every day I feel like I’ve lost another grain of myself, like I’m a mist settling over the ground and getting burned off by it. How much more of me is left?”

“As I turn to leave, I realize she’s flirting with me. I guess I don’t smell like vomit after all.”

 

 

 About the Author:  Wendy Heard is an American author based in California.  When not writing, she haunts local bookstores and hikes.