Ghost Island by Max Seeck (#4 – Jessica Niemi)

 

Ghost Island by Max Seeck

Published:  February 27, 2024 by Berkley

 

 

Reason I chose to Read this Book:  I was happy to receive a widget for this book, as I have been enjoying the others in the series.  The protagonist in this series is a little different.

 

Previous Book in the Series: #3 – The Last Grudge

 

Ghost Island by Max Seeck is the fourth in the Detective Jessica Niemi series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Berkley Publishing (and in particular Kaila Mundell-Hill for sending me a widget),  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 – Contains spoilers from previous books) Detective Jessica Jessica Niemi has suffered a lot of loss in her life.  She was the only survivor of a car crash when she was six, where her parents and brother died.  Her mother was responsible. Then she lost her foster parents.  Jessica works for the Helsinki Violent Crimes Unit of the Police Department. Recently her boss/mentor and father figure, Erne Mikson, passed away from cancer.  She is still having nightmares and hallucinations about her mother.   Jessica is a very private person, and until recently, only Erne was aware of how wealthy she really is.   She and her new boss – Helena Lappi – have recently come to an uneasy “agreement”, to keep part of Jessica’s past secret.   The rest of her team includes Yusuf Pepple, Rasmus Susikoski,  and Nina Ruska.  

 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions):
Jessica is on a forced vacation after assaulting a man.  Although she was defending herself, it made some unflattering headlines.   So she is on a remote island, and renting a room at a small inn.  She had been seeing a psychiatrist to help with both her emotions, and her fears of following in her mother’s illness.  Her hallucinations are reminiscent of her mother’s schizophrenia.  Jessica is just trying to find peace, and hopes this remote location will help.

But peace cannot be found on this island, which  has a history.  A children’s home, now closed for many years,  once housed orphans from WWII, and has been at the forefront of a few strange deaths over the years.  Every year the remaining “children” of the home, all now quite elderly, return to the island for a reunion.  This year, there are only three remaining.  When of them dies, in the exact spot as others,  the legend of Maije, a girl in a blue coat, resurfaces.   But Maijje has been gone for many years.

The policeman investigating the crime wants no help from Jessica, but she is, of course, going to look into it anyway.  Unfortunately, Jessica’s own problems are stopping her from seeing the truth from the fiction.

 

My Opinions:
I usually complain that the books in this series seem long, but that is not the case with this one.  Although it was almost 400 pages, it seemed to go very fast.  

The plot was really good, the characters well-developed.  I like how the author told the story in multiple time-lines, so that we had an idea of the struggles Maije endured.

I definitely recommend that these books be read in order, as it will be the only way you will understand where Jessica comes from, and understand some of her actions.  Sometimes I think she has a God complex….I don’t know how many times she thought “I should call the police”, and didn’t.  She never seems to need/want any help.  I would like to see her and Yusuf get together, but now that Jessica has another issue to deal with, she will probably want to handle it on her own.

I have learned to disregard the unfamiliar names in this series.  This is just what happens when a Canadian reads Nordic crime.

Overall, it was a rather sad and emotional read.  It dealt with abuse and bullying, as well as obsession and murder.  Then there was the mental illness angle.  It also dealt with family, and loneliness.  The children and their carers at that orphanage just got to me. It was quite haunting.

I will definitely be watching for the next one.

 

Read: February, 2024

 

About The Author: Max Seeck (1985 – ) is a Finnish author who writes in his native language, but is fluent in English and German.  A couple of his novels are slated to be made into movies. His background is in sales & marketing, but it looks like he may be devoting more of his time to writing now.   He lives with his wife and children near Helsinki.    *** Photo Taken from Goodreads   Check him out:

• • • • • Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/maxseeck
        • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxseeck/
        • Twitter:  https://twitter.com/maxseeck
        • Website: https://www.maxseeck.com/

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5915686041

 

  Have you read it?  Do you plan to?  Tell me your thoughts…do you agree or disagree with my assessment?  These are only my opinions – and it would be a boring world if we all thought the same.  Either way, I’d love to know.        

 

 

 

Three Drowned Girls by Emily Shiner (#1 – Freya Sinclair)

 

Three Drowned Girls by Emily Shiner

 Publishing:  April 22, 2024 by Bookouture

 

 

Reason I chose to Read this Book: This is a new author for me, and I’m getting in on the ground floor of what looks to be a good series!  Okay, I admit that I don’t need another series, but….that never seems to stop me.

 

Three Drowned Girls by Emily Shiner  is the first in the Detective Freya Sinclair series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture 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 Information: 
Captain Freya Sinclair became a detective in North Carolina, so that she could bring serial killers (like her parents) to justice. She has recently returned home to Fawn Lake to where it all began, and to Esther, who raised her as if she was her own.   It’s been five years, but she’s re-joining the town’s police force. Freya’s partner and old friend is Detective Candy Ettinger, and they get help from Officer Brad Williams.  The Coroner in town is Lance Jones.  Her boss is Chief Callahan.

 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions):
Freya has barely started her fist day back on the force in her home town, and she’s thrust into a case.  The body of a young girl has been pulled from the river, but trying to identify her will prove to be difficult.  No one has been reported missing.

However, it isn’t long before a different girl is reported missing by a distraught father.  Then another girl is found drowned.  But trying to find a connection between the girls, and even their identities continues to baffle Freya.  How could mothers not know their little girls are missing?

Meanwhile, the front window of Esther’s bakery is smashed, and Freya is fairly certain that the town is targeting Esther because of Freya.

 

My Opinions:
First, I loved the characters, in particular Candy and Brad.  I am hoping their back-stories will be fleshed out a little more in future books.  Freya is a passionate and driven leader, and I think her team members will respond in kind.  However, I did not always like Freya.  I felt that as driven as she is, I also felt that some of her actions were bullying.  As well, she seems to be a rather angry driver, always speeding.  Her background was also a little sparse.

The actual plot was really good, and very different.  It was also a little dark. That was all fine, but sometimes I wondered about the police work, and evidence processing.  Bu that didn’t detract from the actual storyline.

Overall, it was a fast and entertaining read.  This was a good start to the series, and I will be looking forward to the next in line.

 

 Read: April, 2024 

 

 

About The Author: Emily Shiner is an American author, and lives in North Carolina with her husband, daughter, two dogs, menagerie of chickens, and tens of thousands of bees. When not writing, she’s reading, hiking, or drinking copious amounts of tea while daydreaming about fall. *** Photo Taken From GoodReads

Check her out:

• • • • • • Website: https://authoremilyshiner.com/
          • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoremilyshiner
          • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoremilyshiner

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:   https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6416001428

 

Have you read it?  Do you plan to?  Tell me your thoughts…do you agree or disagree with my assessment?  These are only my opinions – and it would be a boring world if we all thought the same.  Either way, I’d love to know.

 

 

 

 

 

A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh (#2 – Ffion Morgan)

 

A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh

Published:  April 23, 2024 by Sourcebooks Landmark

 

 

Reason I chose to Read this Book:  I enjoyed the first in the series.  I really liked the main character, Ffion.  So, when I was sent a widget, I jumped.

 

Previous Book in the Series:  #1 – The Last Party

 

A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh is the second in the DC Ffion Morgan police procedural, taking place on the border between Wales and England.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark (in particular Cristina Arreola for sending me a widget,   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)
DC Ffion Morgan works out of her home-town of Cwm Coed, on the Welsh-English border. Her boss is DI Malek.  She doesn’t always do things by the book. She is recently divorced, but it’s a small town, so she sees him a lot, as well as her mom Elen and younger sister Seren (who is actually Ffion’s daughter).  She has adopted a rescue dog called Dave, who suffers from separation anxiety.  In her last case, she ran into Detective Leo Brady, who was supposed to be a one-night fling. Feelings are lingering.

   

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions):
Seven reality show contestants find themselves stuck on a mountain, and discover that the show is not exactly what they signed up for.  Each has a secret that they do not want revealed, but the whole show is set up so that those secrets will be discovered on air, live for all to see….much to the detriment of the contestant.   Although Ffion has never watched the show, she finds her interest increasing when she realizes her drinking buddy, Ceri, (the local postal worker) is part of the show.

When one of the contestant’s disappears, Ffion is called in to find him.  But soon it is more than a disappearance that will be front and center.  There is a murderer she will have to find.  She has a new partner to work with, DC Georgina Kent, but finds her rather cold.

Meanwhile, she is working with Leo again, and it isn’t going so smoothly this time.

 

My Opinions:
I found this one dragged.  It was another seemingly long book (the first one in the series had a slow pace as well).  The plot was good, if somewhat predictable.

Again, there were a lot of suspects, but I  didn’t really care who the killer was.  Never a good thing in a crime novel.  The story was told from multiple perspectives, and this worked quite well (it didn’t in the last book).

The book is about lies and secrets, as well as reality tv.  Not a fan of any of them.  It is also about mental health issues, and that was handled very well.

I still love Ffion…and Dave was a great addition (yes, I’m a dog lover).  I also liked George. I had been hoping that Leo would return, and he did, but it was somewhat predictable.  So, I am a fan of the characters, which gain depth with each book.

Overall, even though I found it a little long and predictable, I still think it was a good book, and will be reading the next one!

Read: April, 2024

 

Favorite Quotes from A Game of Lies:

“Farting’s for blokes,” he adds.  “It’s not ladylike”  Ffion contemplates trying to squeeze one out, just to be contrary.

“Besides, beneath the bad beath and the flatulence, Dave has some redeeming qualities, she’s sure of it.  She just hasn’t found them yet.”

 

About The Author:  Clare Mackintosh is an award-winning British author, who lives in North Wales with her husband and three children.  She used to be a police officer.  She is a patron of the Silver Star Society, a charity which supports parents experiencing high-risk or difficult pregnancies. Her books have been published in over 40 countries.    *** Photo Taken from GoodReads

 

Check her out:

• • • • • • Website: https://claremackintosh.com/
          • Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ClareMackWrites/
          • Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/claremackwrites/
          • Twitter:  https://twitter.com/claremackint0sh

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6438118523

 

Have you read it?  Do you plan to?  Tell me your thoughts…do you agree or disagree with my assessment?  These are only my opinions – and it would be a boring world if we all thought the same.  Either way, I’d love to know.

 

 

 

 

The Patient’s Secret by S.A. Falk

 

The Patient’s Secret by S.A. Falk

 Publishing:  February 5, 2024 by Storm Publishing

 

 

Reason I chose to Read this Book:  The premise of this looked really interesting. 

 

The Patient’s Secret by S.A. Falk  is a psychological thriller about a doctor who thinks her new patient may have killed her daughter.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Storm Publishing 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:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Dr. Sharon Stevenson is a forensic psychiatrist, hired to determine whether Kevin Blackford is sane enough to stand trial for murdering twenty-eight people.

Something is wrong with Kevin, she knows that.  But even though she is sure that he is guilty, she is not convinced the death penalty is the answer.  A life-long move to a mental facility would be better.

In the back of her mind, the good doctor wonders if Kevin also killed her own daughter, who ran away from at 17, and hasn’t been seen since.

It soon becomes evident that her career of over 30 years will be questioned, as she fights for the fate of both Blackford, and herself.  Is she willing to risk everything over her obsession with this case?  Is she being duped by Kevin Blackford….and is she allowing herself to be duped?

 

My Opinions:
First, I’ve never been one of those people who have to check the last chapter to see who did it….and I really don’t want to start now.  That’s why I was somewhat disappointed when the first chapter told us how the story would end.  I think that took away from the suspense.  However, this was not at all what it looked like.  The twist was really good (although it became obvious a few chapters before it happened).

Among other things, the book looks at the criminal justice system, and how it deals with mental illness.  It is also about murder, obsession, and a woman’s determination to find the truth.

As a debut novel, I was very impressed.  The writing was good, and the characters intriguing.  I didn’t particularly like many of them (including Sharon at times)…but I liked Kevin (go figure).  I felt the ending was a little rushed, but overall the book was quite good.  I will watch for more from this author!

 

Read:  February, 2024

 

 

About The Author: S.A. Falk is an American author.  He has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and neuroscience as well as a Masters in Secondary education.   He has studied criminology, and has worked as a mental health counsellor, and teaches high school English.   *** Photo Taken From Storm Publishing site.

 

Check him out:

• • • • • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAFALKauthor
        • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safalkauthor/

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:   https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6043934279

 

Have you read it?  Do you plan to?  Tell me your thoughts…do you agree or disagree with my assessment?  These are only my opinions – and it would be a boring world if we all thought the same.  Either way, I’d love to know. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor

 

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor

 Publishing: April 9, 2024 by Penguin Random House

 

 

Reason I chose to Read this Book: I read a number of this author’s books, and found them really good.  I jumped at the chance when I was offered this one.

 

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor  is a horror novel, set in Alaska, about “vampyres”.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher 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:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Detective Barbara Atkins is a doctor of Forensic Vampyr Anthropology as well as a homicide detective, based out of New York.  She is called to the rural town of Deadhart Alaska to investigate the death of a boy who was found with his throat cut out.  The town, as well as the Chief of Police (Nicholls), are sure it is the responsibility of one of the Colony, a group of vampyres who recently returned to the area.  They want to cull the group.  Barbara is not so sure, and only she can authorize the cull.  Then there is another death.

Barbara enlists the help of the old Sheriff, Jenson Tucker, who almost lost his life 25 years ago when he investigated a similar murder.  Since then, Jenson has favoured a more solitary life.  But he feels guilty, and both sides want him to get involved.

Some of the Colony want to be attacked, which gives them the legal right to fight back.  Needless to say, the humans have more to lose.

As anger rises, Barbara and Tucker are both wondering if the deaths are really the responsibility of someone in the Colony, or do they just have a human psychopath on their hands.

But the town of Deadhart has a history, and some never forget.

 

My Opinions:
CJ Tudor has another blockbuster on her hands!  This was really good.  Part murder mystery, part horror novel, the book was filled with both gore and intrigue!

I loved the characters.  Both sides had their good and bad  (maybe a few more bad on the human side of things). Tudor’s imagination shone through as she created a rather different vampyr scenario, where there are some who will tolerate their existence.

The overall plot was really good, and the dialogue was spot on.

It looks like their may be another book in this series….and will be first in line to read it!

 

Read:  April, 2024

 

Favorite Quote from The Gathering:

“Deadhart, Alaska. 873. Living.”

“Barbara started to jog after him and then stopped, breathing heavily. Who the hell was she kidding? She was an overweight, fifty-one- year-old in snow boots.”

“When I was a little girl, I used to say,  ‘Mommy when I grow up, I want to work in a shit bar that stores bodies in the freezer. Just like every princess.’ ”

 

About the Author:  C. J. Tudor (1972 – )was born in Salisbury and grew up in Nottingham, where she still lives with her partner and young daughter.  While writing the Chalk Man she ran a dog-walking business, walking over twenty dogs a week as well as looking after her little girl.  Everyone calls her Caz (I know I want to). *** Photo Taken from GoodReads

 

Check her out:

• • • • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CJTudorOfficial/
      • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjtudorauthor/
      • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cjtudor

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:   https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6414728332

 

Have you read it?  Do you plan to?  Tell me your thoughts…do you agree or disagree with my assessment?  These are only my opinions – and it would be a boring world if we all thought the same.  Either way, I’d love to know.

 

 

 

The 13th Girl by N.V. Peacock

 

 

The 13th Girl by N.V. Peacock

 Publishing:  February 1, 2023 by Hera

 

 

Reason I chose to Read this Book: Although this author is not new, she is to me.  The premise looked really good.

 

The 13th Girl by N.V. Peacock  is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Hera 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:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Dee (Dinah) has spent decades in a mental health hospital, and although she is really trying to fit in, she knows that most people find her creepy.

Thanks to her psychiatrist, she has been working, but no one at the firm likes her, and they either laugh at her or put her down.  She loses her job when one of the other girls accuses her of sending out incorrect invoices, and she gets no real chance to stand up for herself.

Everyone seems to know that she was the rather reluctant star of a documentary that resulted in her years in the asylum.  But that’s okay, she’s going to do her own documentary.  A number of girls have gone missing, and three days after their abduction, they are found mutilated.  A serial killer calling himself The Righteous Wraith is claiming responsibility, and Dee has selected this topic for her documentary.  Can she save the next one?

 

My Opinions:
Okay… I admit to struggling with this book.  Early on, I felt sure we must be dealing with an unreliable narrator, because I could not see so many people being so rude and behave so unkindly to a young woman who was struggling with a mental illness.  I thought she may be making this up.  Then I wondered if she could possibly be this naive, and have this many awful acquaintances.  Either way, this truly bothered me.

Unfortunately, I didn’t like any of the characters.  I didn’t even like Dee.  Most were repulsive in the way they treated Dee.  I definitely disliked her parents, who seemed to ignore what they had put her through.  Yes, THEY had put her through.  Her mother in particular rankled.   I didn’t really trust anyone, which is probably what the author intended.  There were far too many suspects that fit the bill of the serial killer, that it became mind numbing.  After a while, I didn’t care who was doing the killing.

Now, around the 70% mark, I actually started enjoying it.  Unfortunately, that ended too abruptly.  By the 75% mark, I was back to dislike.

I am not saying the writing was bad…it wasn’t.  The premise too, was good.   It was a really unique take on the serial killer theme.  Those are the reasons I gave it 2 stars.

Bottom line, others will probably enjoy this.  I didn’t.

 

Read:  January, 2024

 

 About The Author: N.V. Peacock (Nicky) is a British author, who writes YA, horror and thrillers.  She has a degree in creative writing, and runs a local writers group.  *** Photo Taken From Twitter

Check her out:

• • • Website: https://nvpeacockthrillers.wordpress.com/
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickyP_author

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:   https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6270066437

 

Have you read it?  Do you plan to?  Tell me your thoughts…do you agree or disagree with my assessment?  These are only my opinions – and it would be a boring world if we all thought the same.  Either way, I’d love to know.

 

 

 

 

The Therapy Room by Sam Baron (#1 – Susan Parker)

 

The Therapy Room by Sam Baron

 Published: February 23, 2024 by Storm Publishing

 

Reason I chose to Read this Book: It’s a debut novel, the start of a series (which I don’t really need), and the premise looked interesting.

 

The Therapy Room by Sam Baron  is the first in the FBI Agent Susan Parker series. 

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Storm Publishing 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 Information:
FBI Agent Susan Parker has been with the bureau over 10 years.  Her team consists of Special agents Ramon Diaz, Kayla Regis, and David Moskovitch, with Trainee agent Brine Thomas.  Their boss is Deputy Director Connor Gentry.  They work with Chief Evidence Investigator Marisol Mancini.  Susan is a single mother to 7 year-old Natalie, and they are living with her sister-in-law Lata, who stepped up after Susan’s husband died.

 

 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions):
Susan has been on leave for most of the last year.  Her husband Amit had committed suicide, and Susan went a little crazy and attacked a psychiatrist, who she thought was a serial killer called Splinter.  Dr. Keller is still on her radar.  The serial killer, who targeted psychiatrists and their families, is still at large.

When the body of Dr. Magnusson, a psychiatrist,  is found in the farmhouse he was renting, with twelve therapy rooms below him, it looked like he may have been the serial killer.  Eleven of those rooms were still  occupied, and all the residents are rescued and taken to the hospital.  There was a post-it-note on the door with Susan’s name and phone number.

But Susan is not convinced that Splinter is dead.  This is a different situation.   Detective Naved Seth from the local police will become her partner in this investigation.

 

My Opinions:
For a debut novel, and the start of a series, I was impressed. 

I was quickly captivated by the characters and the plot.  I didn’t think that Susan always made the right decisions, but her heart is in the right place.  I also like her team, and hope that includes Naved.

I think my only problem with the characters may be that the author tried to combine too many  diversities.  Talk about all-inclusive.  We have a single Indian mother raising a deaf daughter with the help of her ex-marine gay sister-in-law, a mother-in-law from hell, as well as a boss who seems to hate everyone.  Susan, of course, is obsessed with her job, and trying to find out the truth about her husband’s death, while dealing with everything else.  If it hadn’t worked so well, It might be a little much.

As well, it was somewhat repetitious and the dialogue a little strange occasionally, but neither of these things were a detriment to me enjoying the book.  I always give a new author the benefit of the doubt, and hope to see improvements as we go along.

It was a fairly fast and easy read, and although the culprit was obvious, there were definitely a few twists.

Anyway, I will be looking forward to the next one.

 

Read:  March, 2024

 

 

About The Author: Sam Baron is an American author, living in California with his family, including dogs and cats.  Apparently he’s trying to keep a low profile.

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:   https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6274422174

 

Have you read it?  Do you plan to?  Tell me your thoughts…do you agree or disagree with my assessment?  These are only my opinions – and it would be a boring world if we all thought the same.  Either way, I’d love to know. 

 

 

Dark Truth by C.D. Steele (#2 – Joe Wilde)

 

Dark Truth by C.D. Steele

 Published:  November 15, 2023

 

 

Reason I chose to Read this Book:  The author approached me, the series sounded interesting, and the first book (a debut), was okay.  I also like the fact that there will only be 3 in the series.

Previous Book in the Series: #1 – False Truth

 

Dark Truth by C.D. Steele is the 2nd in a trilogy starring PI Joe Wilde.

First, let me thank 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)
Joe Wilde is a former MI6 agent, now a Private Investigator.  His secretary is Jackie, a 62 year old widow.  Joe has formed an allegiance with DI Carl Whatmore from the Metropolitan police.  As well, his friend Mark Thompson, a former MI6 Data Technician often helps him out.

 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Tom and Marie Archer hire Joe to find their six-year old daughter Laura, who has been missing for 3 weeks.  The police have made no headway.

Jack Riley hires Joe to prove that he was being framed, and that he was not cheating on his fiancé Claire.

Claire Brooks wants Joe to find out who has been tormenting her.  She is sure it is Jack Riley.

Joe is going to put his life on the line to figure out what is going on with his clients.

 

My Opinions:
Well, I struggled with the beginning of the first book, and found I struggled with this one too. 

The writing is a little lengthy.  A little too detailed.  As well, I found the dialogue very stilted.  I felt the author was writing to an audience of teenagers, as the explanations and repetitiveness was exhausting.

However, the plot(s) were really good, and kept me interested from start to finish.  The characters were all despicable, and in that way, the reader understood no one could be trusted.  But it was an interesting journey to find out how Joe was going to tie up all the loose ends.  I like the fact that Joe is a little unorthodox, and willing to do whatever it takes to find the culprit.

Despite the short-comings, I am looking forward to reading the final episode in this trilogy.

 

Read:  March, 2024

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:   https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6398737803

 

About The Author: Christopher Steele is an Irish author.  He currently works as an Executive Officer in the Civil Service, has a degree in Recreation Management.  

 

 

Have you read it?  Do you plan to?  Tell me your thoughts…do you agree or disagree with my assessment?  These are only my opinions – and it would be a boring world if we all thought the same.  Either way, I’d love to know.

 

 

 

 

 

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness (#2 – All Souls)

 

 

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

 Published: July, 2012

 

 

Reason I chose to Read this Book: I have wanted to read this series when the first (A Discovery of Witches) appeared in 2011.  Once I finally read that one, the second was a no brainer!

 

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness  is the second in the All Souls Series.  This is a fantasy series about witches, vampires, daemons and magic.  It may also be a little more romance than I had anticipated.

 

Series Background: (Warning – Contains spoilers from previous books)
There are four types of creatures in the world. Humans, daemons, vampires, and witches. Diana Bishop is a powerful witch who was spell-bound by her parents before they died, so her magic is almost non-existent.  She became a historian, who found an old manuscript (Ashmole 742) which was bewitched.  All the creatures want this book, which Diana re-shelved, and cannot seem to re-call.   Diana met Matthew Clairmont, a 1500 year old scholar and vampire  in the library at the same time.  Their love, although forbidden, has grown.  She and Matthew are being hunted by The Congregation, who want this union ended, and they want the manuscript for their own purposes.

 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Using three items from the period (an earring, a chess piece and a book), Diana and Matthew have time-travelled to 1590 Elizabethan London, where they hope to find the original Ashmole 782 manuscript.  They also need to find a teacher for Diana, who must learn to control and implement her many talents.  Finding a teacher will become as dangerous as finding the manuscript.

They have left Diana’s remaining family (Sarah and Em) in the care of Matthew’s mother Ysabeau and servant Marthe.  Although witches and vampires are not usually friends, the love they share for Diana and Matthew will suffice.  Ysabeau has become a staunch supporter of Diana.  They are building a “Conventicle”, a mixture of vampires, daemons and witches.  This is how they will fight the Congregation.

In the 1590’s,  Diana will meet Matthew’s father, a very powerful vampire, but one that is not alive in current times, and that is part of the problem between Philippe and Matthew.  But Philippe will come to love Diana as much as Matthew does, and do whatever he can to protect them both.

Although witches are being hunted throughout the world, some are willing to turn a blind eye to both witches and vampires.  These are the people Matthew and Diana must find.  Finding a witch in London may be possible, but they will have to travel to Prague to find the manuscript.

 

My Opinions:
Again, the book was read by Jennifer Ikeda, and she is truly amazing.  I quickly learned the different voices she used for the characters, thereby making the book very easy to follow.

This second book was researched as well as the first, and I learned a lot about Elizabethan England, and some characters from that time.  Although a few liberties were taken, Shakespeare, Walter Raleigh, Thomas Harriot, Christopher Marlowe, and  Queen Elizabeth (among others) all took center stage. Science and history come together in this epic series.

I continue to enjoy learning more about the characters, all with attributes befitting their species, but all with very human traits. This book continued with the love theme between Diana and Matthew, but it also looked more deeply into familial relationships and friendships.

I felt this book (as was the first), a little long, and a little overly descriptive.  Although I don’t think this was quite as good as the first, it was still very entertaining.  I think having the audiobook was the right way to go with this one.  Yes, I occasionally got distracted with the snow falling outside my window, but never for too long!

Anyway, I enjoyed re-connecting with the characters, and already have the third book lined up!

 

Read:  February,  2023

 

Favorite Quotes from Shadow of Night:

“The most terrifying monsters always look just like ordinary men.”

“You tell me that magic is just desire made real. Maybe spells are nothing more than words that you believe with all your heart,”

“With knot of one, the spell’s begun…With knot of two, the spell be true…With knot of three, the spell is free….With knot of four, the power is stored….With knot of five, the spell with thrive…..With knot of six, this spell I fix.”

 

About The Author:   Deborah Harkness is an American author.  She is a historian of science and medicine.  She is currently a professor at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she teaches European history and the history of science.   *** Photo Taken From GoodReads

Check her out:

• • • • Website:  https://deborahharkness.com/
      • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeborahHarkness/
      • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debharkness/
      • Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebHarkness

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:   https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1432494501

 

Have you read it?  Do you plan to?  Tell me your thoughts…do you agree or disagree with my assessment?  These are only my opinions – and it would be a boring world if we all thought the same.  Either way, I’d love to know.

 

 

 

 

My Monday Reviews for April, 2024

 

My Monday Reviews for April, 2024

 

I can hardly believe we are into the 4th month of the year!  Hope yours is going well.  Personally, I’m looking forward to spring after a rather strange winter (weather-related strange).

 

Okay, so lets jump into the books.  Mondays in April will showcase authors of a few different nationalities, as well as two within a series.

 

As always,  you’ll have to check out my reviews throughout the month to determine whether or not I liked them, and how much….or how little  (You may be surprised).  But remember, these are my opinions only, and yours may be different!

 

Just a reminder that my blog has many more reviews, and if you’d like a recommendation, feel free to ask! Remember, #keepreading and #staysafe.

 

Here’s hoping your next read is 5 stars…but always Keep Reading!!!

 

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Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness (Published 2012)

The second in the All Souls fantasy series about witches, vampires, daemons, and humans has Diana & Matthew travelling back in time to Elizabethan England in search of a tutor for Diana, and the manuscript.

Deborah Harkness is an American author.

 

 

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The 13th Girl by N.V. Peacock (Published February 2024)

A young woman who has spent years in a mental hospital tries to prove herself by finding a serial killer.

N.V. Peacock (Nicky) is a British author.

 

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The Patient’s Secret by S.A. Falk. (Published February 2024)

Dr. Sharon Stevenson becomes obsessed with the case of a serial killer who is on death row.  She will put her career and her life in jeopardy.

S.A. Falk is an American author.

 

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Ghost Island by Max Seeck (Published February, 2024)

The 4th in the Detective Jessica Niemi series has her taking a short-lived break on a remote island when a murder occurs.

Max Seeck is a Finnish author.

 

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The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller (Publ. Feb, 2024)

A disgraced antique hunter tries to redeem herself with the help of her aunt, when her mentor dies.

C.L. Miller is a British author.

 

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The above are just a small sampling of what I will/have read in the month.  If something appeals to you, please check out the full review on my blog, where you will find many other books, perhaps something that will peak your interest.

 

I’d appreciate your comments…..Have you read any of  these?  Is there a book you would recommend that I read?