Tag: Netgalley Reviews

Things in Jars by Jess Kidd

 

Things in Jars

THE BLURB:

In the dark underbelly of Victorian London, a formidable female sleuth is pulled into the macabre world of fanatical anatomists and crooked surgeons while investigating the kidnapping of an extraordinary child in this gothic mystery—perfect for fans of The Essex Serpent and The Book of Speculation.

Historical Fiction with a mystery, a missing child with odd looks and powers, taking place in the underbelly of Victorian London.

Bridie Devine is a surprising and delightful character, along with her housemaid, Cora, who happens to be about 7 feet tall and was one of my favorite characters.

In this London, there has been a kidnapping. And no one wants the police involved for reasons unknown at first. The child is supposedly the secret daughter of Sir Edmund Athelstan Berwick. Her name is Christabel and to say she was a bit odd would be an understatement.

Her unique appearance and abilities have attracted attention from some seriously unscrupulous fanatics of the unexplainable and odd. They have no qualms killing anyone in there way. So how is Bridie going to find and rescue this child? Along with Cora and a very lovely ghost with moving tattoos, and maybe an assist from her mysterious apothecary.

The author has such a unique way of writing. I was hooked by the prologue! You would think that any historical fiction in Victorian London would be dour, but you would be wrong. Her style is so different and relatable, just when things are looking grave, boom! you’re laughing.

Of course, underneath all of this danger, there is a very good look at what we consider human. Sometimes the monsters are the ones living in fine homes and not the ones under the water.

I hope we see more of this particular character!

Well Done!

NetGalley/ February 4th, 2020 by Atria Books

 

 

 

 

The Family Next Door by Fiona Cummins

The Family Next Door

For Sale: Lovely family home, ready for your updates. Friendly neighborhood setting close to park; secluded.

Garrick and Olivia are making a fresh start out of London. The house is lovely and architect Garrick is already full of ideas to make it better. They could never have afforded such a house, but then no one is exactly clamoring to purchase Number 25 The Avenue. Maybe it has something to do with the murders in the park behind the house.

The day they move in they see a body being removed. Not a good omen for a couple whose marriage is on the rocks and one of them is still hiding a secret!

Their children aren’t thrilled with the move but the daughter is a teenager and not happy about anything. Their son who is nine is curious about the old treehouse at the back of their property and what he finds there will put his own life in danger.

Someone doesn’t want Garrick digging around the cellar. And killing again won’t bother them in the least.

This was a really well-done mystery/thriller. I was absolutely sure I knew who did the deeds. I was wrong. On both guesses! Wow! I did not see that ending coming!

Well Done!

NetGalley/January 28th, 2020 by Pinnacle Books/ Kensington

 

 

Under a Firefly Moon by Donna Kauffman

Under a Firefly Moon

Blue Hollow Falls may be a small Blue Ridge Mountain town, but it’s big on love—and second chances . . .

We are back at Lavender Blue Farm! A place for healing, hope and as many chances as you need to find your way home.

This is number four in the series. The women who own the farm are like family to each other and they have all suffered in their lives. But here they have found safety and their own inner strength and are all following their dreams.

This is Chey’s turn. The former barrel racer has worked hard to forget the pain of her past and what she lost. She has found healing at Lavender Blue and is perfectly content. She let her shot at love go willingly and regretted it instantly. She misses her two besties from her life growing up on the rodeo circuit. Wyatt Reed left the rodeo after she put him in the friend zone. Her other BFF, Tory, did as well.

This is the story of what happens when Tory pokes her little nose into the lives of her friends. She finds Wyatt’s horse in very bad shape and who does she know that rehabs horses? Yes! Chey. Chey is happy to take Buttercup but when Tory shows up to stay, she brings Wyatt Reed right smack into Chey’s life. But not the same Wyatt. A different, calmer and gentler Wyatt.

Will, she let him walk away again? Or will they fall in love under the firefly moon?

What did I like about this one? All of it. This series is a powerful look at what women can do when they support each other. These are stories of hope and a reminder to all of us that we can get back up and change our reality.

Kauffman is the Queen of all the Feels!

NetGalley/January 28th, 2020 by Zebra

 

 

The Look-Alike by Erica Spindler

The Look-Alike

Thriller, Psychological Drama, and Mental Illness. It sounds like a recipe for staying up past your bedtime!

Erica Spindler is a master at twisty, mental thrillers.

Ten years ago Sienna Scott was taking a shortcut from the library at college. Wearing a white coat with the hood pulled low, she could barely see for all of the snow coming down. Until she sees the red that shouldn’t be there, and a dead girl wearing the same coat as Sienna.

Sienna’s mother has had mental health issues since shortly after Sienna’s birth. Paranoid delusions, fear of someone hurting her child. She has been locked up in her own house since Sienna left and is getting worse. But what if they really are out to get you? Are you still paranoid?

Sienna is still dealing with the thoughts she has that the girl’s death was meant for her. She just can’t shake that feeling and when her mother agrees with her, the seed is planted.

Shortly after the murder, she was sent to London to live with her aunt. Her father afraid she would turn out like her mother, asked her half-brother to look after her after his death. Since Sienna has been gone so long, he has mainly been taking care of her mother, but now he needs help and Sienna returns.

This was one crazy ride! I suspected everyone at some point. Compulsively readable, a cast of great characters and a great ending!

Well Done!

NetGalley/ January 28th, 2020 by St. Martin’s Press

 

 

 

A FIELD GUIDE TO HOMICIDE by Lynn Cahoon

A Field Guide to Homicide (Cat Latimer Mystery #6)

Cat Latimer Mystery #6

Cat is hosting a different type of writer’s retreat this time. Couples. 2 couples, 1 odd college student and Uncle Pete’s girlfriend, Shirley. It seems like everyone and his brother are jumping on the writing bandwagon!

Seth is overwhelmed with planning an outing for the group, doing airport runs and prepping for his military unit’s reunion.

Hiking local Colorado mountains and venturing into mining claims turns into finding a dead body and not just anybody, but a friend of Seth’s from the military. The one who died in the war. Chance had been living off the grid for all these years and no one knew. Or did they? And why did he fake his death?

Everyone is acting odd at this retreat. Including Seth and Shauna. And of course, our Cat is going to stick her pert little nose into this mystery and find out what her man is hiding and who killed his friend.

This is my favorite book so far. The characters are well-formed and are continually growing and evolving. There are really tough topics tucked in these mysteries and I always learn something new while being thoroughly entertained. With Ms. Cahoon that is a given.

NetGalley/January 28th, 2020 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

 

 

The BOOK OF CANDLELIGHT by Ellery Adams

The Book of Candlelight (Secret, Book, & Scone Society, #3)

A Secret, Bone, and Scone Society Novel #3

Nora Pennington is beginning to wonder if this rain is ever going to end. Owner of Miracle Books, Nora isn’t complaining about the business packing the towns inns and her bookstore but it would be nice to have a dry day here and there. 

Along with the new shoppers, she makes a new friend. Sheldon is like a fairy godmother who swoops in and makes everything interesting and as long as he is stranded at the inn, Nora intends to make full use of his talents!

And rain or not she needs some things for the shop so it’s off to the flea market. Nora finds local artisan, Danny, and falls in love with one of his bowls she believes her sweetie would love.

When the next day finds rain and floods and a body, Nora smells a mystery! When she believes she has found a clue in of all places The Inn of Mist and Roses. What does Danny have to do with the legend of the inn?

And now there is a second body and Nora knows it’s time to call on the Secret, Bone and Scone Society to help find out who did what and why!
Another hit for Ellery!

 

NetGalley/ January 28th, 2020 by Kensington

 

 

 

CARTIER’S HOPE by MJ ROSE

 

Cartier's Hope

It’s 1910 in New York and wealthy socialite, Vera Garland is determined to make it as a reporter. Not the society page, but real, honest and investigative reporting.

Going undercover as Vee Swan, she uncovers the abysmal conditions in the tenements on the Lower East Side. And almost loses her life in the process. Recovering from her injuries and dealing with her father’s sudden death so soon after her Uncle Percy, she is taking a break from both of her identities.

While working on the mystery of her father’s death as well as marching for equal rights and pay for women, she hears that the Hope Diamond is in New York at Cartier’s! The rumors surrounding the stone are legendary. But how much is just hype to entice a better price?

Vera is intent on proving the bad luck theory or disproving it. It doesn’t hurt that it has brought her to an obnoxious magazine publisher who is also a blackmailer and could be responsible for her fathers’ death. 

For her plans to all come together she will need help. When she goes to Cartier’s to visit Pierre’s Russian jeweler for assistance, she finds out there is even more intrigue to come and she may not come out of this with the story she wants nor the man.

First, let’s talk about this cover! Absolutely stunning. The story was so real, with all of the ugliness of the women’s rights movements and the men who were violent and did their best to keep the women where they belonged. Allegedly. This is a historical fiction book that speaks to many of the same issues today. Still no equality across the board. But there will always be a Vera out there pulling us along and shouting until our voices are heard.

I loved all of the historical bits about Cartier and the Hope Diamond. It has a long and well-documented history.

Very Well Done!

NetGalley/ January 28th, 2020 by Atria Books