Review: Gone for Good by Joanna Schaffhausen

Read this if…you like reading about serial killers and are prepared to read late into the night.

*This book contains violence and some graphic descriptions. Nothing overboard, but your typical thriller fare.*

It’s been twenty years since the Lovelorn Killer terrorized the people of Chicago. Responsible for the deaths of seven women, whom he tied up and strangled in a ritualistic way, this terrifying serial killer is no longer active. Many believe he’s dead or locked up for lesser crimes, but a small group of armchair detectives led by Grace Harper believe he’s still out there and can be caught. When Grace is found murdered in the same way as the Lovelorn Killer’s other victims, Detective Annalisa Vega gets her chance to solve the infamous case that has eluded the best law enforcement agencies, but at what cost?

WOW! I haven’t read a police procedural this good in a long time! It was suspenseful and spooky. I read mostly at night and there were a few times that I got up to close the blinds because I was just so creeped out by this story. This is my first time reading this author, but I plan on following more of Detective Vega’s adventures as they come out. I guessed the serial killer, so I took a star off for that, but then the ending just blew me away, so it earned the lost star back. If you’re a thriller fan, you’ll devour this one!

My Rating: ★★★★★

At the time of this post, this title is set to be released on August 10th, 2021.

*Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: Mummy’s Little Secret by M.A. Hunter

Read this if…your life has been overwhelming lately and you need to feel better about your circumstances by comparing yourself to someone who has it a lot worse. 

Trigger warning: This review and the book have themes that include stillbirth, postpartum depression, drug abuse, and domestic violence.

Let me introduce you to a character I have nicknamed “Hot Mess Jess.” Jess has a lot on her plate. Just 6 months prior, she got into a car accident that triggered her labor and resulted in the death of her unborn son and left her paralyzed from the waist down. Understandably, she’s having a rough time dealing with the loss of her baby and her mobility. One day while at the park with her daughter, Jess is approached by a little girl who tells her the woman she’s with isn’t her mother. Jess is concerned, but everyone she tells about the strange encounter  just tells her she’s being paranoid. So Jess starts doing her own digging into this woman. Fast forward a week and Jess is the prime suspect in a murder committed at this woman’s house.

I liked how this novel was set up. The chapters alternate between Jess and Morag (the mystery woman) from the time they meet up until the murder. At the same time, readers are presented with chapters in the present from the lead detective’s POV. This really kept me reading to try and see how this chance meeting at a park could result in so much chaos. 

That being said, Hot Mess Jess was just too much. Her character was so depressing and even with giving her the empathy she deserved, I found her to be unlikable. The twists and turns were there, but didn’t really surprise me. And I hated how it ended. So, it wasn’t a terrible read, but it could’ve been better in a lot of ways.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️//5

At the time of this review, this book is scheduled to be released on August 3, 2021.

Thanks to the author, Harper Collins UK, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review: For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing

Just a disclaimer: no teacher I know thinks or behaves the way teachers in this book do! Haha! 

Teddy is a teacher at a prestigious private school where the students are entitled and the parents are even worse. He puts up with all the nonsense because he believes it is his job to teach these kids how to be decent human beings. If their parents have shielded them from appropriate consequences, then Teddy steps in to show them how the real world works, even if that means being a tad unethical and petty at times. It’s all for the good of the students, after all. However, Teddy’s lessons aren’t solely focused on his students, which becomes clear when one of his pranks goes horribly wrong and leaves someone dead. Teddy doesn’t stop there though and the whole school is about to become known as #HomicideHigh.

I had previously read ‘My Lovely Wife’ by Samantha Downing and really enjoyed it. So when this one popped up on NetGalley, I put my request in right away. Being a teacher, I have to admit that Teddy couldn’t have been much farther from a teacher of the year with his warped sense of duty to his students. That being said, this novel was extremely enjoyable to read. Teddy is a true villain and there were a lot of twists and turns throughout the book to keep me reading. My only complaints were that the pacing slowed down quite a bit about 2/3 of the way through and while the ending was satisfying, it seemed a little subdued considering the huge buildup.

My Rating: ★★★★☆

At the time of this post, this title is set to be released on July 20, 2021.

*Thanks to the author, Berkley Publishing, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: Meditations for Psychic Development by Chandra Parkinson

If you are interested in learning more about how to strengthen your psychic abilities, Chandra Parkinson's book may be for you. Meditations for Psychic Development: Practical Exercises to Awaken Your Sixth Sense gives the reader an opportunity to learn more about their abilities and provides easy-to-implement meditation exercises to increase those abilities. The first section of the book covers the basics the author thinks the reader needs to know and understand in order to reach their fullest potential. There is a short introduction explaining how everyone is psychic to some degree and how to create a mindset that will nurture your psychic growth. The fundamentals of meditation and psychic work are also addressed, but only on a surface level. A quiz is provided to help readers determine how they best receive psychic information through one or more of the "clairs" (clairvoyance, clairsentience, clairaudience, and claircognizance). There are specific meditations that align with each of these clairs provided, as well as questions for journaling and reflecting on the reader's experiences. Then, the chakras are explained briefly and meditations for opening the third eye, enhancing your intuition, and grounding yourself for protection are included.

The next section of the book goes into more advanced forms of receiving and connecting with psychic messages. Meditations that address auras, spirit guides, mediumships, nature, and your higher self are included in this section. Like in the previous section, each meditation includes prompts for journaling and reflection.

Personally, to make these meditations work for me, I recorded myself reading them aloud and played them back as a guided meditation. Some people might be able to just read the meditations first and then go through the exercise on their own, but I was not successful using this book in that way. Of the meditations I did try, I felt the immediate benefits of a slower heartrate, and a calm, clear mind. It's too soon for me to say whether or not these exercises have increased my psychic abilities yet, but with continued practice, I'm hopeful. All of these meditations were easy to do and even those who have never meditated before should be able to complete them. I appreciated the addition of the journaling prompts because it allows me to track my progress as I do the meditations more and more.

Overall, this is a great beginner book for those interested in strengthening their psychic skills. I can't guarantee the exercises actually increase psychic ability, but I can say that I felt all the usual benefits from sitting down and meditating. So it's definitely not a waste of time and worth checking out if this is something that interests you.

My Rating: ★★★★☆

At the time of this post, this title is set to be released on August 8th, 2021.

*Thanks to the author, Llewellyn Worldwide, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter

With all the serial killer novels I’ve read, I’d like to think I’d have an inkling if my husband were sneaking around and murdering women, but maybe that’s what the protagonist in Alice Hunter’s latest novel, The Serial Killer’s Wife, thought too. Beth thinks she has the perfect family. She lives with her doting husband, Tom, and adorable three year-old daughter, Poppy. So you can imagine her shock when the police show up on her doorstep looking for Tom in relation to the disappearance and assumed murder of his former girlfriend. As the murder investigation begins to wreak havoc on her family, public perception of Beth takes a turn for the worse. Is she really just another innocent victim in her husband’s deadly games or does she know more than she’s letting on? 

This one is tricky. It definitely will appeal to fans of unreliable narrators. I won’t give any spoilers, but I will say that I had already decided about 60% in that this would be 3 stars at the highest. It started out right in the middle of the action with the police showing up at Beth’s door looking for her husband in relation to a murder inquiry, but I just couldn’t understand Beth’s behavior. A lot of that made more sense as some twists and turns were revealed, but I couldn’t stand her character. The only reason I’m giving this one an extra half star is because of the ending. It completely surprised me and ended the book on a high note.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫//5

Add this one to your TBR list if you think you’d like it. Pub day is August 3, 2021!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Avon Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens

Being addicted to ID Discovery shows about murder and mayhem, I was instantly intrigued by Chevy Stevens's newest novel, Dark Roads. I vaguely remember watching a special about a Canadian highway that was the last known location of a lot of missing women and is believed to be the hunting route of a serial killer. So when I read the synopsis of Dark Roads, about a similar stretch of highway through the dark Canadian wilderness where women from all walks of life, especially indigenous women, disappear never to be seen or heard from again, I knew I needed to add it to my TBR pile.

The story is narrated by two young women who experience first-hand the evil that can lurk in the dark. Hailey was recently orphaned when her father died in a tragic accident and now has to live with her aunt and uncle. Her Uncle Vaughn is referred to as "The Iceman" by the kids in town because of his strict demeanor. He is always nagging Hailey about not walking or biking at night along the Cold Creek Highway. An apparent control freak, Vaughn and Hailey do not get along well under the best of circumstances, so it's no surprise that things come to a head when Hailey discovers that Vaughn is keeping a dark and dangerous secret. Fearing for her safety, Hailey runs away to live off the grid in an attempt to free herself from Vaughn's control. It doesn't take long for the town to assume that Hailey too has become a victim of the Cold Creek Highway.

One year passes and the story picks up with Beth, a young woman who drops out of law school after her sister is found murdered in a ditch along the infamous highway. Beth is struggling to come to terms with her sister's death and the fact that the police don't seem to have answers about the monster who destroyed her family's lives. She decides to visit Cold Creek herself and steps into the life her sister lived, waitressing at the same restaurant and living out of a motel before deciding to set herself up at the local campground. When Beth accidentally crosses paths with Hailey, the two girls must work together to stay out of the clutches of a ruthless killer who is watching their every move.

This turned out to be a completely different story from what I had been expecting, but I still enjoyed it. Dark Roads started off really strong. I flew through the first part of the book where Hailey was the only narrator. Stevens did a wonderful job of developing characters and building the 'creep' factor. Her ability to create a realistic setting is quite impressive. Unfortunately, the novel really slowed when the narrator switched to Beth and took quite awhile to pick back up again. Having read the whole book now, I would say this is just a minor flaw considering the intensity takes back over for the last 20% of the book. There were times I considered not finishing it because I was bored of Beth's day to day life in Cold Creek, but I'm so glad I stuck with it because what followed was action-packed and exciting! There will be a few spots you'll have to trudge through in order to get to the thrilling ending, but it really is worth it! If that sounds like something you can handle, go check it out!

My Rating: ★★★★☆

At the time of this post, this title is set to be released on August 3rd, 2021.

*Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

One thing I love is a good scary movie from the 1980s, before horror movies became all about the gore and shock value. When I read the synopsis of Grady Hendrix's novel, The Final Girl Support Group, I knew it was something I would have to read. It follows the lives of several "final girls" decades after they each became the sole survivor in their own real-life horror movie. Many of these women's tales inspired hokey film franchises and tell-all books written by horror-obsessed fans. Lynette is one of these final girls and finds life after tragedy to be difficult, to put it mildly. Scared that she'll one day be the target of a psychotic killer again, she practically lives as a shut-in, literally behind a cage she's installed in her apartment. She has no one in her life, besides a plant she talks to and her fellow final girls, who meet monthly for a group therapy session in secret. All of Lynette's precautions prove inadequate though when the final girls become the target of someone who wants them all dead. She must face her fears of the outside world and put decades' worth of preparation into action if she wants to survive and save the only people who understand her.

This book was a fun read! It got a bit over-the-top with the gore and violence for me in a few bits, but I'm not going to hold that against the story because it is in the appropriate horror genre. It honestly felt like I was watching a modern-day horror movie. There were a lot of connections to famous horror films like Halloween, Friday the 13th, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Scream, just to name a few. I found myself spooked quite a few times while reading this late at night when I was the only one in the house awake. My biggest complaint is that the ending to the big scene at the end seemed a little rushed. I went back a few pages just to make sure I hadn't accidentally skipped over a big chunk because I couldn't really believe that was it. The build up to the scene was great and then it just deflated. There were also several instances throughout the novel where the characters were just too unbelievable or stared to annoy me. Lynette could be very repetitive and whiny. Also, there's no way the cops would have acted towards Lynette the way they did in the novel. I mean, they refuse her right to a lawyer, lock her up for days while taunting her with graphic material related to her traumatic past. Maybe a handful of cops would've been jerks, but an entire station psychologically abusing someone like that without repercussions just seems so far-fetched. 

Overall, The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix is worth your time, especially if you're a fan of classic horror movies. Despite some minor issues with the story, it is mostly fast-paced and suspenseful with some surprising twists and a lot of bad-ass female characters. 

My Rating: ★★★★☆

At the time of this post, this title is set to be released on July 13th, 2021.

*Thanks to the author, Berkley Publishing Group, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: The Therapist by B.A. Paris

I always forget how much I love B.A. Paris's writing until I start another one of her novels and then her talent is hard to ignore! I've loved some of her previous works, including Behind Closed Doors, The Break Down, and The Dilemma. She writes in the domestic suspense genre, which is important to know. I would not describe her novels as thrillers, but they keep me up reading late into the night regardless. If you're unfamiliar with her work, you should really check out some of her books. Her latest release, The Therapist, would be a great place to start!

Much like her previous work, The Therapist is a slow burn with a lot of character development and tension that builds with each page until an intense climax. The reader follows Alice, a woman who moves into a gated community in London with her boyfriend, Leo. Hoping that this will be the start of their happily-ever-after, Alice blissfully moves into one of the twelve homes in The Circle and immediately tries to make friends with the neighbors. It doesn't take long before Alice learns that the former owners of their new beautiful home met a tragic end in an apparent murder-suicide. The murdered woman shares the name of Alice's sister who, along with their parents, died a long time ago in a car accident. Because of this coincidence, Alice becomes obsessed with the details of the murder and is not ready to accept the murder-suicide label as fact. Enter a mysterious stranger who crashes a party within The Circle's gated community, which sets Alice off on what may or may not be a delusional trip down the rabbit hole.

If you've enjoyed B.A. Paris's previous work, you're sure to enjoy this latest novel as well. If you haven't read this author before, then you're in for a real treat!

My Rating: ★★★★★

At the time of this post, this title is set to be released on July 13th, 2021.

*Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: Fallen by Linda Castillo

Reading the next installment in the Kate Burkholder series has become a summer tradition for me. After the school year ends, I read the next short story in the series and then dive into the next novel as soon as it becomes available. I love this series and cannot wait to read about Kate's next adventure as a cop in Amish country and also check in on how her relationship with Tomasetti is progressing. 

I have no idea how she does it, but Linda Castillo has written another amazing thriller starring the ex-Amish Chief of Police. Fallen starts out with a bang as the opening scene details the murder of another formerly Amish woman who returned to Painters Mill only to be greeted by a murderer. The beginning is definitely graphic, which will bother some readers, but I didn't find it overly grotesque. It definitely gave the story an edge that has not always been present in previous Kate Burkholder novels. Kate feels connected to the victim because of her own experiences leaving the Amish fold and sets out to apprehend the killer before more victims show up. This novel is full of suspense and has twist after twist to keep you on your toes. All of the readers' favorite characters are there to support Kate as well.

I consistently give 4-star reviews to many of these books. I love the characters and the mysteries are always entertaining, but, as you probably already know, I'm stingy when it comes to giving out 5-star ratings. In fact, the last Burkholder novel I gave 5 stars to was #8, Among the Wicked. It has to be un-put-down-able (yes, I'm making a new word here) to earn such a high rating from me and I'm so happy to say that Fallen checked all the boxes. I devoured it in two sittings. It was so action-packed and suspenseful that the pages seemed to turn themselves. Kudos to Linda Castillo for being able to still write such fresh and exciting material thirteen novels in to a series. The only bummer here is that now I have to wait a whole year to read the next one!

My Rating: ★★★★★

At the time of this post, this title is set to be released on July 6, 2021.

*Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

Alex Michaelides's previous novel, The Silent Patient, got a ton of buzz when it was released and even won some readers' choice awards for its unique plot. Having read and enjoyed it immensely, I was excited to read Michaelides's next novel, The Maidens. I have to say that it exceeded my expectations and (in my opinion, of course) is better than The Silent Patient.

The Maidens follows Mariana Andros, a group therapist who is still dealing with her husband's tragic death a year later. The only person left in her family circle is Zoe, her niece who was left in Mariana's charge when her parents were killed in a car crash. While attending university, Zoe's best friend is found murdered, her throat slit and her body found in a way that makes her death seem almost sacrificial or ritualistic. Mariana immediately goes to Zoe and her mama bear claws come out as soon as she realizes that a young, handsome professor might be preying on his unsuspecting students. Determined to find the person responsible for the murder, Mariana gets herself into all kinds of trouble with the police. Her digging continues even as more bodies of young girls start to show up. The victims all have one thing in common-they were part of a secret group on campus called "The Maidens," which shows all the signs of being a cult run by the suspicious professor. The police don't seem to be putting two and two together, so Mariana sets off to find the killer and stop him before he can turn his sights to her beloved Zoe.

I loved this one! While I enjoyed The Silent Patient, I was worried The Maidens would fall victim to the same kind of ending where the reader is expected to suspend reality a bit to accept the resolution. This plot veered towards unbelievability for a moment, but righted itself in time. I did not see the big twist coming and there were plenty of red herrings that kept me guessing throughout. The pacing was quick and had I not been so end-of-the-year-teacher tired, I would have finished it in just a few sittings. I think those who liked The Silent Patient will definitely like this one, especially since there are some 'Easter egg' references to characters and places from that novel sprinkled into the Maidens. If you didn't love The Silent Patient, I still think there's a good chance you'd like this book as it doesn't have any of the same issues that I found with the other title.

My Rating: ★★★★★

*Thanks to the author, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for providing me with the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

At the time of this review, this title will be available to purchase on June 15th, 2021.

Review: Tarot by the Moon by Victoria Constantino

Tarot by the Moon by Victoria Constantino is so much more than just a book of tarot spreads. I am OBSESSED with this book and have already pre-ordered a physical copy of it as an early birthday gift to myself. The title promises to give you tarot spreads and spells for each month of the year (and it does), but it delivers so much more! 

Perfect for beginner practitioners of tarot and/or spell work, basic knowledge on a variety of topics is covered through the exploration of the 12 months of the year. There is information about tarot, of course, including card meanings, patterns, symbols, significators, how to shuffle, and how to cleanse your deck, just to name a few. I've been studying tarot seriously for a few years after having dabbled in it over a decade and I still found several nuggets of information that were new to me, so I think it can definitely be beneficial to readers of all experience levels. 

After a brief introduction, the book is split into the twelve months of the year. Some information is given about that particular month's moon and about 4-5 tarot spreads are provided that align with that moon's powers.  After the tarot spreads are roughly 2-3 detailed spells and rituals that connect to the themes of that month. I have yet to do any of the spells, but I've noted a few that I will be trying soon. Most of the spells seem simple and require just the most basic materials that readers are already likely to have on hand (candles, paper, matches, etc.). While the tarot spreads and spells are organized by moon to maximize their power, the author explains that they can really be done anytime during the year depending on what the reader needs. An index at the end of the book makes it easy to quickly find spreads and spells on particular topics (relationships, career, health, money, etc.).

I was very surprised at how much information was actually included. I've read and skimmed through many tarot spread and spell books, so I thought I had a good idea of what to expect with this one, but it goes above and beyond tarot and spells. Constantino provides information about meditation, crystals, journaling, spirit guides, affirmations, plant allies, numerology, and manifestation, all of which compliments tarot and the moon in some way. These aligned topics are sprinkled throughout the book on single pages so the extra information is never overwhelming and it never distracts the reader from the month's themes. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

My Rating: ★★★★★

*Thanks to the author, Llewellyn Publications, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

At the time of this review, this title will be available to purchase on August 8th, 2021.

Review: This Is Your Destiny by Aliza Kelly

This is Your Destiny by Aliza Kelly strives to link the science of astrology with manifestation so the reader can use the tools to cultivate their most abundant life. While I was very excited about this premise, I was disappointed with the delivery. There were no specifics that I could use to really connect my personal astrological signs to the various areas of life that the author covered. 

The book begins with an autobiographical account where Aliza Kelly details her life experiences and how she used astrology to manifest the life she has today. The book itself focuses on a handful of different areas in life where one can use astrology and manifestation, including money, relationships, jobs, trauma, healing, and psychic abilities. Each chapter includes an anecdote about a particular person who was struggling in that particular area. The author gives that person's birth stats (but unless you happen to have the exact same birth chart, that is really of little use) and explains how they were able to overcome their obstacles. The chapters end with two manifestations, one for the astral (internal) plane and one for the physical (external) plane. These manifestations are the best part of the book, in my opinion. In all honesty, a reader could just skip through each chapter and only read these exercises and still get as much out of the book as they would have had they read every single word. 

Perhaps my disappointment lies with misunderstanding what this book was offering, but I did not feel like I learned anything new about astrology or how I can implement it into my life. Most of the information I found valuable can be found in almost any article about intuition and manifestation. In fact, if you already practice manifesting on a regular basis, you might not find anything new here. Had there been more specifics that allowed me to apply astrological information to my own personal life, I would have rated this much higher.

My Rating: ★★★☆☆

*Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean

Jane lives a simple life as a farmer's wife. Each day blends into the next as she follows a mundane routine of cooking and cleaning. Her husband, Leonard, works all day in the fields and rules his home with an iron fist. He punishes Jane for any act of disobedience by burning her prized possessions, one by one. What makes this punishment all the more harsh is that Jane is a victim of human trafficking and hardly has anything to call her own other than some letters from her sister and an old copy of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. Leonard keeps her captive in the isolated farmhouse where she is monitored by security cameras that record her every move. After exhausting all attempts to escape in the first few years of her captivity and suffering a terrible injury to one of her ankles, Jane has more or less become resigned to her twisted role as Leonard's wife. That changes when Jane becomes pregnant.

Determined that her daughter will not grow up to be preyed upon by such a monster as Leonard, Jane again begins dreaming about escaping one day. Things get even more interesting when her husband kidnaps a local woman and keeps her in the cellar below the farmhouse where is forced to endure unspeakable horrors. Kidnapping and holding Jane against her will was easy enough since she was a Vietnamese woman who had been smuggled into the country illegally. There was no one looking for her when she went missing. It's an entirely different ball game with Cynthia, Leonard's latest victim, who is on the nightly news and has become the focus of local law enforcement. He's starting to feel the pressure and it's not long before Jane realizes that this situation might provide her with her one and only chance for freedom, if she's brave enough to risk everything and try.

When I first heard about this novel, it was being compared a lot to Room, which I read several years ago. I have to say that I enjoyed both novels, but The Last Thing to Burn was so much more engrossing to me. I practically devoured it in one sitting. Kudos to Will Dean for being able to write about such a mundane existence without actually boring the reader. There was always something going on to keep me turning the pages. While there were instances of abuse mentioned in the novel, I appreciated that they were more alluded to rather than described. I was already unsettled by Jane's situation and I think gratuitous descriptions of rape would have made this too much for me to stomach. If you are looking for a thrilling page-turner, look no further!

My Rating: ★★★★1/2

*Thanks to the author, Atria Books, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: Strongheart by Jim Fergus

My chest is heavy and I feel raw as I sit down to write my review for the final novel in the One Thousand White Women trilogy. I feel as if I've just said goodbye to dear friends, knowing I will never see them again. The journals of these remarkable ladies will stay with me for a long time. 

Strongheart continues to follow the native and white women characters that readers fell in love with in the first two books, including the beloved May Dodd (who did not die after the morning massacre on her village like we were led to believe).  Old favorites make their way back into the story and new characters are introduced (I can't tell you how much I loved Chance). The narrative alternatives between the past -through the journals of May and Molly, and the present- through J.W.'s relationship with Molly Standing Bear. I didn't want the say goodbye to these characters, so while the narratives were wrapped up very nicely, it was bittersweet.

The one downfall of historical fiction, I suppose, is that we already know how the big picture ends. The white settlers conquer the last of the native tribes and force them to assimilate into the white way of life or live on reservations in deplorable conditions. This reality is a heavy cloud over the future of those characters who choose to continue their fight against the U.S. government. While I didn't particularly connect with J.W.'s storyline as much as the women's, I appreciated that Fergus used Molly Standing Bear to share the realities of modern reservation life and crimes against native women. I don't think most people are aware of the statistics shared in the novel since it's not often focused on in the press. 

I think most readers will be satisfied with how Fergus ties everything together and ends this exceptional trilogy. It pains me to say this, but if I compare it to the other books in the series, this was my least favorite overall for a few reasons. First off, I would say that J.W. and Molly's relationship slowed down the pace of the novel quite a bit. While I liked their story, I think it detracted from what was going on with the other characters. The novel would have been just as good (if not better) with just the usual introduction and epilogue from J.W. like readers were used to in the first two books. My other complaint is that there is a lot of repetition between the two journals. I understand that Fergus might have done this to make the accounts seem more authentic having been written independently of each other, but it got tiresome rereading dozens of pages about the exact same event from the chapter before. In most of these instances, May's and Molly's perspectives weren't different enough to really warrant so much repetition.

Those small issues aside, Strongheart is the perfect ending to such a memorable story. Save it for a time when you can read uninterrupted for hours because you're not going to want to put this down! 

My Rating: ★★★★☆

*Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: The Savage Instinct by Marjorie DeLuca

If you're into domestic suspense and historical fiction, then The Savage Instinct by Marjorie DeLuca should be your next read! (Readers should be aware that the novel has themes involving miscarriage, stillbirth, and violence against the incapacitated.) Set in Victorian England, the story follows Clara, a young wife who is released from an asylum for experiencing a violent display of emotion after delivering a stillborn baby. Her husband is more concerned with Clara's inheritance than her well-being and having her committed is the easiest solution to his money woes. Clara has to tread carefully as her husband and his companions plot and scheme to have her declared insane and locked away forever. 

One of Clara's hobbies is to read scriptures to women at the local prison. She is especially attached to Mary Ann Cotton, a real historical person who has been hailed as England's first female serial killer. Mary Ann is being tried for the murders of her husbands and many children via arsenic poisoning. Mary Ann's impending trial and sentencing are the backdrop for the tumultuous events in Clara's life. The novel has a slow build and there's plenty of infuriating "man talk" about how fragile and pathetic the female sex is, but there is plenty of suspense at the end to make this a worthwhile read. The ironic ending was unexpected. I'm interested to learn a bit more about the real Mary Ann Cotton after reading this book. I think fans of suspenseful historical fiction will enjoy this one!

My Rating: ★★★★☆

*Thanks to the author, Inkshares, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: The Girl on the Missing Poster by Barbara Copperthwaite

 I first became aware of author Barbara Copperthwaite when I read and enjoyed Flowers for the Dead (read my review here). I just finished her latest novel, The Girl on the Missing Poster, and let me tell you-this was the first book in awhile that I actually sacrificed sleep for. I stayed up last night far past my bedtime just so I could see how it would all wrap up. Before getting too invested in this review, however, readers should know this novel includes descriptions of violence against women (rape) and animal abuse.

Stella is one of a pair. Her identical twin sister disappeared without a trace decades ago and Stella has never given up on getting the answers she so desperately needs to move on with her life. Every year on the anniversary of her sister's disappearance, she plasters the town with missing posters hoping someone might finally remember something that could reveal what happened on that rainy night. When Stella is approached by Netflix to make a crime docuseries about her sister, she instantly agrees, hoping the extra exposure will lead to a big break in her sister's case. All does not go as planned, however, as the TV show stirs up a lot of questions and old feelings by those who knew Stella and her sister. There are the usual suspects, including the boyfriends of both women at the time and even Stella herself. The break she's looking for finally comes in the form of an email sent from the supposed killer himself. Stella finds herself playing a deadly game with a madman in an effort to finally understand what happened to her other half all those years ago. How far is she willing to go to learn the truth?

Honestly, I loved the format of this novel. The chapters alternated between Stella and the documentary episode transcripts. Being a fan of the true crime series that Netflix has been churning out lately (just finished The Night Stalker, actually!), I was immediately drawn into the setup. My biggest- and really only- complaint is the novel's pacing. It was a slow build and then the climax hit and everything got wrapped up too quickly. I barely had time to even process what was happening. It was still a great ending, one I felt was pretty original for the genre, but I wish the author would have slowed it down a bit so I could appreciate it properly. Perhaps if the Mary storyline was edited out or reduced a bit, things would have flowed a little better. Either way, it's still an edge-of-your-seat thriller that you won't regret reading!

My Rating: ★★★★☆

*Thanks to the author, Bookouture, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

At the time of this review, this title will be available to purchase on February 23rd, 2021.

Review: Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson

I read three of Joshilyn Jackson's novels several years ago, and while I rated them all 3 or 4 stars, I was never quite blown away by her stories. They all started out so promisingly, but left me disappointed in one way or another. I was hesitant to give Mother May I a chance for this reason, but the synopsis made it seem like Jackson might have more success writing thrillers than the women's fiction she wrote early on in her career. Keeping in mind how prepared I was not to love another one of her books, I was pleasantly surprised by this one! I absolutely could not put it down. The story weaved every which way and the suspense and surprises just kept coming from beginning to end. I am so glad I gave this one a chance and I think fans of the mystery/thriller genre will enjoy it as well!

Bree Cabbat is the wife of a successful lawyer and the mother of three children-two teenage daughters and an infant son. Life is wonderful and problem-free until the morning Bree wakes up to see an old crone peering through her bedroom window. She can't shake the feeling that this witchy-woman was up to no good and her suspicions prove right when her son is kidnapped immediately after Bree spots the mystery woman a second time. A note is left behind instructing Bree to return home and tell no one what has happened. She does as she's told, desperate to get her son back. It turns out the woman has a plan for Bree and if she does not follow instructions to the letter, her son will be killed. The narrative continues as Bree fulfills these demands and tries to uncover why her family is being targeted by this woman. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the pages turning and the characters are well developed.

I want to go so much more in depth with this because there's a lot more to this story, but I don't want to spoil anything. As a mother, I found Bree easy to empathize with. Just imagining being in her shoes ramped up my anxiety. The themes of this story are very timely considering the way the world views and treats women. I feel like there was an important message underneath all of the drama and suspense, which I completely support and appreciate. Long story short, go read this book!

My Rating: ★★★★★ out of 5

*Thanks to the author, Harper Audio, and Netgalley for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!  

At the time of this review, this title will be available to purchase on April 6th, 2021.

Review: The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon

"There's something in the water." In Jennifer McMahon's latest novel about a hot springs that grants miracles, this is most definitely true. If you're familiar with McMahon's work, then you know she has perfected the creepy ghost story. Her novels are usually classified as mystery and sometimes get labeled as horror, but it's a very subtle sort of fear that she creates for her readers. I read The Winter People years ago and remember being unsettled down to my core after I finally finished it. I've never really been big into ghost stories, but McMahon writes in such a way that I never realize I've crossed into supernatural territory. Maybe that's what makes her stories so downright chilling.

In The Drowning Kind, people from all around the country travel to visit some mysterious springs that are said to cure ailments of every kind and grant miracles. The locals tell people to stay away and warn that the springs give, but they also take away. Readers follow the story of two women, Ethel and Jackie (aka Jax) and their experiences with the mystical water. Ethel's narrative takes place in flashbacks, back when a hotel that tried to profit from the springs met a tragic end. Ethel asked the springs to grant her deepest desire-a baby. The springs deliver on that request almost immediately, but it doesn't take long for Ethel to realize that along with every blessing, there is a curse to balance out the forces in the universe. 

Meanwhile in present day, Ethel's great-great-granddaughter Jax is mourning the death of her mentally ill sister, Lex, who drowned in the springs while living alone at the family estate. Lex had called Jax several times the night of her death, leaving manic messages for her sister about the water in the springs. Jax chose not to answer and now lives with the guilt of knowing she'll never get the chance to speak with her sister again. Her death makes no sense to Jax because Lex knew those springs like the back of her hand, having swam in them daily since she was a small child. Jax arrives to the property only to find the house in a peculiar state. All the light bulbs have been busted out of the sockets and every surface is covered with cryptic notes written in Lex's handwriting. Jars of water are scattered everywhere and upon further inspection, Jax realizes that Lex was investigating the springs when she died. Perhaps her sister had actually stumbled upon something during her investigation that could explain her untimely death? Jax decides to continue her sister's research, but it takes her down a dark road from which there may not be a way to turn back.

This was such an enjoyable book! I've been a fan of Jennifer McMahon's writing for awhile now, but even I was surprised how much I ended up liking this one. Like I said before, it didn't keep me up at night from fear, but it was scary in a much more nuanced way. I was starting to feel a little disappointed as I neared the end of the book, not really liking the way it was wrapping up and then WHAM! The story shifts just a tad and blows me away. I loved that ending! If you've ever read McMahon's other novels, you should definitely check this one out and if you haven't, then do yourself a favor and start reading one on a chilly, dark night. I guarantee you'll be spooked!

My Rating: ★★★★★ out of 5

*Thanks to the author, Gallery Books, and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!  

At the time of this review, this title will be available to purchase on April 6th, 2021.

Review: The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

When done well, historical fiction can be pure magic! I can't think of a title I've read recently that has
gripped my attention so firmly as The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. Everything about this novel is executed perfectly, from the authentic depictions of late 18th century London to the characterization of the three female protagonists. I've read that this is her novel debut and if that is true, Sarah Penner has quite a gift. Make this your next read and you will not be disappointed!

The storyline of Penner's tale seamlessly weaves together the lives of three remarkable women: Caroline, Nella, and Eliza. Caroline is a modern-day woman who discovers an old apothecary shop bottle while on a mudlarking tour in London. She's supposed to be enjoying a 10-year anniversary trip with her husband, but recent developments in their relationship resulted in this being a solo journey for Caroline. Researching the mysterious vial she's discovered serves to be the perfect distraction from dealing with the drama that has become her marriage. Her initial findings reveal a 200-year-old mystery surrounding an apothecary responsible for many poisoning deaths in the area. Determined to uncover as much information about this enigmatic woman as possible, Caroline soon makes another discovery that could possibly be the key to finally identifying London's first female serial killer.

The novel jumps back in time to tell Nella and Eliza's interconnected tale. Nella is the female apothecary who has a secret business on the side selling poisonous concoctions to women looking to get rid of the men in their lives. She conducts her business according to two simple rules: first, only men can be victims of her elixirs, never women and two, she must record every transaction in her registry. She writes down every transaction, including the names of the purchaser and the intended victim. One day, Eliza, a 12 year-old girl, shows up at Nella's shop looking to purchase a deadly remedy on her mistress's behalf. The intended recipient is the master of the house who has begun to cast his predatory eyes onto Eliza. Without knowing it, Nella and Eliza's paths will cross again, leading to an unexpected friendship and a cataclysmic event.

It's rare for me to like all the characters in a novel, but Penner created such a wonderful trio in Caroline, Nella, and Eliza that it was impossible not to love these women. I was rooting for Caroline to find her place in the world and even though the other two ladies passed away long ago, I still found myself hoping for them to have a happy ending. These characters will stay with me for a long time.

I was also delighted to find I learned a few new things while reading this novel. I had never heard of 'mudlarking' before and now I hope I can try it sometime because it sounds so fun! I'm sure I'll be disappointed at not finding a historical artifact right out of the gate like Caroline did, but either way, it sounds like a great experience. I also got a chance to learn some new vocabulary. Fun fact: the word 'apothecary' is used to refer to a person who sells medicines, much like a pharmacist or chemist today. I had always heard the term used to describe an old-timey pharmacy, but apparently it was more common to refer to a person as an apothecary and their place of business as an apothecary shop. Maybe that's already well-known, but I thought I'd share since it was news to me!

Overall, this was a fabulous read. I actually contemplated waking up EARLY after staying up late just so I could continue the story. I didn't end up doing that, but the fact I even seriously considered it should be a testament to how much I enjoyed this novel!

My Rating: ★★★★★ out of 5

*Thanks to the author, Harper Audio, and Netgalley for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!