Bad Things by Nancy Bush

Bad Things

by Nancy Bush

Paperback, 416 pages

Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Zebra

Goodreads synopsis:

Some mistakes you have to live with . . .

One victim succumbs to an overdose. Another is brutally bludgeoned to death. Each, in turn, will pay. Because you never forget the friends you make in high school--or the enemies . . .

And others . . .

In the wake of her stepbrother Nick's death, Kerry Monaghan is visiting Edwards Bay. Kerry has just returned to the small town overlooking an arm of Puget Sound that she left before high school, though not before falling hard and fast for Cole Sheffield, now with the local PD. But Nick's death may be more than an accident. And soon there are others--all former teenage friends, linked by a dark obsession.

You will die for . . .

With Cole's help, Kerry sets out to learn the truth about what happened to Nick. But within Edwards Bay is a shocking legacy built on envy and lust--and a secret that has unleashed a killer's unstoppable fury . . .

***

5 Stars

Wow! This was amazing. What a thrill-ride! I couldn’t put this book down!

It seems almost too simple when they come upon the dead body of Nick. The first assumption is suicide. But it all just seems so wrong. He was so perfect. He had nothing to die for. But when he came back to Edwards Bay he did have something troubling on his mind. Then after Nick’s funeral and much speculation about what might have happened another person in their close knit group labeled the A Team dies. And then another. Why are they being targeted and what does a decades old Top Conquest List have to do with it all?

I truly enjoyed this book. It made me remember when I used to read a lot more of Nancy Bush’s previous work and she has only gotten better with age. This was complex, thrilling and suspenseful. I had no idea who could have done it or what was even going on. So many secrets are buried in this book. I marvel at how an author can tie all the mysterious threads together so perfectly.

My highest recommendation.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Paranoid by Lisa Jackson

Paranoid

by Lisa Jackson

Hardcover, first, 480 pages

Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Kensington

Goodreads synopsis:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson comes a new novel of nerve-jangling suspense as a woman haunted by guilt realizes that nothing can be trusted—not even her own memory …

There are people in Edgewater, Oregon, who think that twenty years ago, Rachel Gaston got away with murder.

Rachel still has no idea how a foolish teenaged game turned deadly—or who replaced her soft pellet air gun with a real weapon. When a figure leapt out at her from the darkness, she fired without thinking. Too late, she recognized her half-brother, Luke, and saw blood blooming around his chest.

Despite counseling, Rachel’s horrifying dreams about that night continue. Her anxiety contributed to her divorce from Detective Cade Ryder, though he blames himself too. But as Rachel’s high school reunion nears, she feels her imagination playing tricks, convincing her that objects in her house have moved. That there’s a hint of unfamiliar cologne in the air. That someone is tailing her car. Watching her home.

She’s right to be scared. And as connections surface between a new string of murders and Luke’s death, Rachel realizes there’s no escaping the past, and the truth may be darker than her worst fears …

***

5 Stars

This book was called Paranoid but I think a better title would have been: THEY SHOULD ALL HAVE BEEN MORE PARANOID.

The entire concept of this book was amazing. Rachel Gaston believed her whole life that she killed her half brother, Luke at the old fish cannery. It was supposed to be a game. A stupid game. The guns weren’t supposed to be real but someone still ended up dead.

I don’t want to get too much into this complex plot because the search through all the clues and motives is what makes this book so thrilling. Just when you think you know whodunit, you realize there is more to the story. That revelation came two different times for me. Jackson really took me on such a roller-coaster ride. I couldn’t put this book down. I was completely invested in figuring out what had happened not only now but back in the past too.

Geez, woman. You sure know how to write a thriller. Lisa Jackson’s sister (Nancy Bush, Bad Things) is also writing a book that comes out June 25 and they both decided to write scenes where a character is talking to a psychologist. The last reveal is who the patient really is. Wow, mind blowing. I mean, really mind-blowing.

My highest recommendation.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

In the Darkness (Zoe Bentley Mystery #2) by Mike Omer

In the Darkness

(Zoe Bentley Mystery #2)

by Mike Omer

Kindle Edition

Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Thomas & Mercer

Goodreads synopsis:

A forensic psychologist fights a mental war against two serial killers in this disturbing thriller from Mike Omer, Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestselling author of A Killer’s Mind.

An online video of a girl clawing at the ceiling of her own grave could be the worst thing FBI forensic psychologist Zoe Bentley has ever seen. Perhaps even more disturbing is the implication of the video’s title: “Experiment Number One.”

Zoe and her partner, Special Agent Tatum Gray, work as fast as they can to find the monster behind the shocking video, but soon another one shows up online, and another girl turns up dead. Meanwhile, a different murderer is on Zoe’s mind. Rod Glover has been tormenting her since childhood, and his latest attack is a threatening photo of himself with Zoe’s sister. As Glover’s threats creep toward action, Zoe’s torn between family and duty.

Zoe must think fast to prevent another murder. With her own family’s safety on the line, Zoe feels she’s never been in more danger. And while she’s always known her job could send her to an early grave, she always assumed she’d be dead first.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the second book in the Zoe Bentley mystery series.

This book was pretty thrilling and exciting. The whole concept was fascinating. At first the police didn’t think the first death they discovered was the work of a serial killer but slowly Zoe made them believe and realize this truth. The kill was too advanced and organized to be his first.

A girl was found dead in a box created by a monster. She had been buried alive and put on live video so the killer could get his rocks off thinking he was becoming famous. She had been titled Experiment Number One but she wasn’t his first. As they discover more women disappearing and found in boxes buried alive, the closer they get to the killer but the madman seems to always know what they are thinking when they search. He evades them.

There is a pretty significant twist at the end of this that I don’t think anyone will see coming. Quite a roller-coaster ride. Excellent story. I highly recommend it. This is one of those books you just don’t want to put down. You will rush to the end with your own theories. My ideas kept changing from chapter to chapter. And I had no clue whodunit. You probably won’t either. The author really had me snowed.

Great flow, pacing and suspense off the charts. I am surprised I had not heard of Omer before. I will be definitely be checking out other books by him in the future.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

The Safe House (Black Market series #2) by Kiki Swinson

The Safe House

(Black Market series #2) 

by Kiki Swinson 

Kindle Edition, 256 pages

Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Dafina

Goodreads synopsis:

Run for cover

It was supposed to be easy money. A few exchanges for cash, one big payoff, and then life would be better than ever with bills all paid and money in her pocket. But the plan fell apart and now she’s made an enemy. He’s a drug cartel leader out to destroy any competition—and get payback by any means necessary . . .

Play for time

Under federal protection, she’s only steps ahead as the cartel leader starts killing off her family and friends. When he kidnaps a relative and demands her in exchange, she and a desperate DEA agent work a bold switch to nail him. But the fallout is disastrous—and deadly . . .

Do anything to survive

Now the local police are closing in on her as the prime suspect in her abusive boyfriend’s disappearance. She’s got no choice but to ditch the feds and take down her merciless pursuer on her own. But with no options, no help, and the clock running down, this not-so-innocent victim’s only shot may be the one risk that takes her out for good . . .

***

3.5 Stars

This is the second book in the Black Market series by Kiki Swinson. It is a gritty urban fiction novel. I don’t usually read books like this and so if you love this genre take this review with a grain of salt. I am certain you probably need to to start reading this series at book #1 titled Black Market  to get the full picture. It would make more sense to the reader.

Misty was looking for a big payoff, easy money, but it turned out to be more complicated once all the chips started falling around her. I can’t really give too much away by way of plot since this book is number two in a series. Lots of fallout here. Lots of action and deadly consequences. This will not be a happily ever after type of book.

I wanted to root for the main character but given the genre I am not sure I wad supposed to. I like to follow the mystery, figure it out and feel like justice was served. Not really possible here. 

If you love urban fiction, read this. It is thrilling in its own way. It makes a mark when you read it. It is compelling. Just not my jam. It might be yours.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Strangled Eggs and Ham (Country Store Mysteries #6) by Maddie Day

Strangled Eggs and Ham

(Country Store Mysteries #6)

by Maddie Day 

Paperback, 295 pages

Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Goodreads synopsis:

Robbie Jordan’s rustic country store is growing in popularity. But when a dead body appears, it turns out that Robbie’s home-style cooking attracts hungry customers—and murder!

While Robbie scrambles through breakfast orders for her expanding clientele at Pans ‘N Pancakes, tempers run as high as the sticky August heat in South Lick, Indiana. Real-estate developer Fiona Closs plans to build a towering luxury resort at one of the most scenic hilltops in Brown County, and not everyone can see the sunny side of the imposing proposition—including Robbie’s furious Aunt Adele, who doesn’t waste a minute concocting protests and road blockades. When tensions boil over and a vocal protester is silenced forever at the resort site, Robbie ditches the griddle to catch the killer. But if slashed tires are any indication, she’ll need to crack this case before her own aunt gets served something deadly next . . .

***

3 Stars

This is the sixth book in the  Country Store Mysteries by Maddie Day. It is the first book I have read in the series and it was not hard to get into like some are after entering a series late. This is also a new author for me and I was getting used to her tone and writing style while reading this.

I have been reading a lot of pretty thrilling series lately and so this one seemed to pale in comparison. If I had been reading it any other time, I might have rated it higher. The mystery was good. It kept me interested and I found the lead character compelling and not snooze-worthy. This has all the building blocks for a great book and I am not certain what it was exactly that made me come to the “it’s just okay” conclusion.

I felt a little standoffish as a reader, as if I was standing on the side-lines watching the action instead of being involved in the action. Maybe I would have resonated with it more if Aunt Adele was the main character instead of Robbie. I don’t know.

I am sure that if you are a hard core cozy mystery reader, this will definitely be your jam. It has all the elements we look for in a good book. I feel like I just read it at the wrong time and after a few particularly thrilling books which threw off my rating. Decide for yourself. Definitely worth the read.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Down in Flames by Cheryl Hollon

Down in Flames

(A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery #6)

by Cheryl Hollon

Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Goodreads synopsis:

A fatal hit-and-run in front of Savannah Webb's glass shop proves to be no accident . . .

A highlight of Savannah's new glass bead workshop is a technique called flame-working, which requires the careful wielding of acetylene torches. Understandably, safety is a top priority. But as Savannah is ensuring her students' safety inside, a hit-and-run driver strikes down a pedestrian outside her shop.

The victim is Nicole Borawski, the bartender/manager at the Queen's Head Pub, owned by Savannah's boyfriend Edward. It quickly becomes clear that this was no random act of vehicular manslaughter. Now the glass shop owner is all fired up to get a bead on the driver--before someone else meets a dead end . . .

***

4.5 Stars

This is the sixth book in the Web Glass Shop Mystery series by Cheryl Hollon.

I am not sure why I feel like this is not a normal cozy mystery. Maybe it is the police-procedural version of a cozy mystery.  At least, that is how I feel. This starts out with a hit and run accident out front of Webb’s  Glass Shop. Turns out someone deliberately hit Nicole, the manager of the Queen’s Head Pub owned by Savannah’s boyfriend, Edward.

Between giving a how to make glass beads workshop and trying to find some snuggle time with Edward, Savannah tries to solve the mystery of who could have run down her friend in cold blood. The actual mystery solving seemed a bit blasé and not the normal caliber I am used to in a Webb’s Glass Shop book.

There were quite a number of emotional scenes in this book that effected many characters and I wondered if Hollon might have had a somewhat similar experience in her life while she was writing this book and just channelled her emotions into the pages herein.

It has been a few years since I’ve read a Webb’s Glass Shop mystery. I think it was one of the first books I read to review for NetGalley. It is nice that I found such a keeper of a series right from the start. For me, this is just super interesting. My great-uncle used to do a lot of stained glass crafting and I thought that was pretty neat. There isn’t as much stained glass stuff in this as I remember there being in past books but that doesn’t bother me. This is more about the mystery than the craft, more about character building and overall arc of series building than anything else. This book is just a work of character art. So many themes came forward if only momentarily. I found it all endearing, sad sometimes and thrilling other times.

This series is a cozy mystery lovers dream. Definitely check it out soon if you dig series like that.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Toxic Toffee (Amish Candy Shop Mystery #4) by Amanda Flower

Toxic Toffee

(Amish Candy Shop Mystery #4)

by Amanda Flower

Kindle Edition, 304 pages

Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Kensington (first published June 2019)

Goodreads synopsis:

A sweet tooth for murder . . .  

Bailey King’s in New York wrapping up a six-week shoot on her first cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets, when she gets a call from her Ohio town’s resident busybody. With Easter around the corner, Bailey’s been recruited to create a giant toffee bunny for the weeklong springtime festival that will also feature live white rabbits. But back home in Harvest, death becomes the main attraction when Stephen Raber keels over from an apparent heart attack—with Bailey and Raber’s pet bunny as witnesses.

. 

Except it wasn’t Raber’s heart that suddenly gave out—a lethal dose of lily of the valley was mixed into a tasty piece of toffee. Who’d want to poison a jovial rabbit farmer who reminded Bailey of an Amish Santa Claus? To solve the murder, she and her sheriff deputy boyfriend Aiden must uncover a twenty-year-old secret. She’ll need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to keep a healthy distance from toxic people, including one venomous killer . . .

***

3.5 Stars

This is the first book in the Amish Candy Shop Mysteries by Amanda Flower.

This book was just okay for me. I think the whole Amish scene was a bit too tame for my action adventure covert ops missions taste. I am not saying the mystery wasn’t good or compelling. This was just a more wholesome cozy mystery than many I have read lately. The setting and Amish life characters almost force this to be a bit more of a backwards read.

There is more visiting and chocolate candy making than actual mystery solving. I am more about the mystery. I guess I am just a whodunit girl. I blame Nancy Drew. It’s all her fault.

When the deputy shot the head off of Bailey’s toffee rabbit, I think that was the most exciting thing that happened besides the actual murder. Most of the story is about a land dispute between three farms, The man with the middle farm has the phone shed on the outskirts of his property. This is where the murder occurred. The two properties beyond him have youngsters they plan to have marry and thus making these two farms one. Having a property between them might prove to be a bit difficult.

The plot was a roller-coaster ride and you will have to pay attention to the clues. There is quite a plot twist before all is discovered. I didn’t know whodunit until nearly the end.

Definitely pick this up if you are a cozy mystery lover.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.