Tag: murder mysteries

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Last Time I Saw You, by Liv Constantine

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

Estranged best friends Kate and Blair are reunited after Kate’s mother is found murdered. When Kate starts receiving threatening messages, she finds herself leaning more and more on Blair for support. But is Blair hiding something?

My impressions:

As usual, Liv Constantine blew me away. It’s rare that I find myself rooting for characters who are doing objectively bad things, but every character in this book is so compelling, I couldn’t help but root for all of them, if only to see where their actions would lead. I particularly enjoyed the way the book explored themes of friendship and codependency, and how those lines can get blurred. I love the way Constantine writes such memorable characters, each with their own complex motivations and often fascinatingly messed up moral codes.

Fans of Gillian Flynn and Lisa Jewell are bound to enjoy this author’s work as well, and while I can’t say too much without spoiling the plot, I highly recommend this book as a good starting point on Constantine’s writing. If you’re looking for one last phenomenal beach read this summer, this is the book for you!

-Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Stranger in the Lake, by Kimberly Belle

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

Rumors swirl about wealthy widower Paul after the death of his wife, but his new wife Charlotte disregards the town’s suspicions as nothing more than hurtful gossip. When another body shows up in the same lake Paul’s wife drowned in, Charlotte is forced to wonder if maybe her husband is not so innocent after all.

My impressions:

I’m personally a huge fan of this kind of fish out of water story wherein a character from a humble background gets swept up in a world of wealth, only to discover that the wealthy are hiding dark secrets. It’s an entire subgenre of mystery, and this book falls solidly into that category. Charlotte is an outsider among Paul’s wealthy friends and neighbors, and this gives her a unique perspective as she uncovers the dark underbelly of her husband’s past.

One of my favorite things about this author’s writing style is the way she makes the setting come alive. The whole time I was reading I felt like I could practically see the action playing out in front of me. The cold lake, the fog, all of it felt so immediate, and it really leant itself to the atmosphere of the mystery. If you’re looking to escape the summer heat, this might be just the book to escape into, because it’s sure to give you chills!

Fans of The Girl on the Train and The Good Sister will likely enjoy this snappy and engrossing thriller. I highly recommend this book as a perfect summer escape!

-Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Perfect Guests, by Emma Rous

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

In 1988, young Beth goes to stay with the wealthy family at Raven Hall as a companion for their little girl. In 2019 an actress named Sadie is hired to participate in a Clue-like mystery night party at Raven Hall. Over the course of their alternating perspectives, the connections between the two girls are slowly revealed, as well as the dark secrets Raven Hall has kept hidden all these years.

My impressions:

This book was about as tailored to my tastes as it gets!

The combination of alternating timelines and semi-reliable narration make for an unsettling read in the best way. I really loved the fractured feeling of the narrative, tension hyping up in one timeline only to leave you hanging for a while when the narrative leaps back to the other timeline.

With a glamorous backdrop and secretive cast of characters, this book felt like an invitation to a murder mystery dinner party, just like the one Sadie attends. As each new twist surfaces, the sense that there’s something we’re not being told grows more intense. When the pieces all finally fall into place and the twists are all out in the open, that unsettling feeling becomes surprise and horror and half a dozen other reactions as the characters react to the secrets that have, for better or worse, been revealed.

What really struck me about this book was that I didn’t find myself actively rooting against any of the characters, even once their dirty secrets started coming out. I don’t know that I was rooting for them either, but I was fascinated by the whole cast of characters, and I wanted to know everything they were hiding.

I highly recommend this book for fans of The Haunting series on Netflix, or for anyone who enjoys games like Clue and Betrayal.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: Dial A For Aunties, by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

Meddelin Chan is no murderer, but there is a body in her car. When she panics and involves her family, her mother and aunties leap into action to protect her. What follows is a near-slapstick series of near misses as they try to hide the body while carrying on with their wedding planning business’s biggest event yet.

My impressions:

I wouldn’t have expected to laugh myself breathless while reading something so high stakes, but that’s exactly what happened. Full-blown, doubled over shrieking laughing. If you need an absolutely riotous dark comedy, this is the book for you.

Where I think this book shines the most is in the personalities of the characters. They were so fleshed out, they felt like real people. I couldn’t help but root for them all even as they spent most of the book lugging around and concealing a dead body. By the end, the main character and her family felt like old friends, in a way that most standalone books can’t quite achieve. This novel is without a doubt one of the best things I’ve read all year.

I highly recommend this as a fun beach read for the summer, and to anyone who needs a good hearty laugh. The author’s sense of humor and timing is truly impressive, and the sheer quality of the craft in this book make it a can’t-miss read.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Diabolical Bones, by Bella Ellis

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

Bella Ellis is back with a second mystery novel featuring the Bronte sisters as investigators. This time, it’s the case of a child’s bones found in a neighboring home. Despite the grisly nature of the discovery, the Brontes are practically bubbling with excitement to solve a new case.

My impressions:

Have you ever thought to yourself, “wow, I wish there was a historical novel with the same vibe as Veronica Mars,” or wondered what it would be like if the famous Bronte sisters had been plucky lady detectives? If so, this is the book and series for you!

I was definitely not expecting this book to be quite as dark as it was, given the writing style, which felt almost reminiscent of old school Nancy Drew novels. However, I will say, I think the darkness complements the style perfectly, creating just enough contrast to really highlight the suspense in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I’ll say this: if you’re sensitive about children being hurt or killed, you may want to skip this. I don’t have any kids of my own, and parts of this still make me a little queasy, so if you’re a parent, this may really upset you. It’s not the worst I’ve seen, and most of the violence is implied and off screen, but any murder mystery involving the remains of a child is bound to be disturbing.

All that said, if you’re a fan of classic mystery series like Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes, this will definitely scratch the same itch. The protagonists are endearing and relatable, and it’s impossible not to root for them as they peel back the layers of this twisty mysteries. I highly recommend this book, as well as the previous book in the series, and anything else the authors write next. Personally, I can’t wait to see what mystery the sisters will solve next!

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: If I Disappear, by Eliza Jane Brazier

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

When true crime podcaster Rachel goes missing, her avid fan, a woman named Sera, becomes obsessed with finding her. As she embroils herself in the unsettling dynamics of Rachel’s family and hometown, she finds herself on a slippery slope into darker and darker secrets. And Rachel, it seems, is not the first woman who has gone missing there.

My impressions:

This book actually made me queasy. I promise that’s a compliment, in this context anyway. The author creates such an oppressive feeling of dread, it clings to the reader like humidity. By the end of the book, you’re bound to find yourself sweating under the pressure, struggling not to yell to the characters to watch out.

If you enjoy trying to untangle what’s going on, only to figure things out just enough before the protagonist does to be filled with dread as she puts herself in increasingly more danger, this is the book for you. I seriously think I may have actually yelped out loud a few times while reading it, and I’m already tempted to re read and look for any clues I missed.

I highly recommend this thrilling read for mystery fans and anyone who enjoyed “Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” or “Sadie” as this is very much in the same vein.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: Finlay Donovan is Killing It, by Elle Cosimano

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

A struggling mystery novelist is mistaken for a hit woman by a would-be client who wants her husband killed. Before she knows it, Finlay Donovan is in over her head, embroiled in a very non-fictional murder case.

My impressions:

Holy cats you guys… This might actually be the best book I’ve read all year. Not only did the suspense keep me on the edge of my seat, the humor had me periodically doubling over with giggle fits. The writing voice was incredibly fun, bringing Finlay to life on the page so much so that I already can’t wait to hear more from this character. If there’s no sequel, my heart might actually break.

Finlay is an endearing character, relatable if slightly unbelievably good at getting out of tight spots. From the first page, I wanted to see her succeed, and I found myself even more thoroughly on her side than I am with most protagonists. I would happily read an entire series revolving around Finlay and the cast of characters in her orbit.

If you’re looking for an engrossing read with characters you’ll find yourself immediately attached to, I highly recommend this book. Fans of Dial A for Aunties and Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts are bound to enjoy this compulsive read.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

A struggling dog walker named Jane is swept up into a whirlwind romance with the enigmatic and wealthy widower Eddie Rochester. Both of them have secrets, both of them have hidden agendas, but are either of them dangerous? You’ll have to read to find out.

My impressions:

I may be biased because I have a major sweet tooth for retellings of Jane Eyre, but oh my goodness, this book is going straight in my list of favorites. The characters were complex and interesting, shying away from straightforward likeability and falling solidly in the zone of characters you root for out of fascination. No one is completely morally upright, and that’s the book’s main strength: because no one is overly trustworthy or sympathetic, it’s easier to find yourself unsure what you hope happens next, much less predict how this thriller will end.

Whether you’ve read Jane Eyre or not, this book is worth the read. It will keep you on the edge of your seat even after you believe you’ve figured out the ending- and your first or even second guess may not be correct!

Before I say too much and accidentally spoil something, I’ll leave it at this: if you want a thoroughly fun read with plenty of suspense, I highly recommend this book.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: You Don’t Own Me (Under Suspicion #6)

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

A woman accused of killing her husband pleads with Laurie Moran to clear her name. Newly engaged true crime aficionado Laurie takes on the case, perhaps placing herself in danger as she tries to find the truth.

My impressions:

This was perhaps my favorite Under Suspicion novel. It had all the elements that I’d come to love about the series by this point: memorable suspects, compelling interpersonal drama, and a twisty mystery case full of bombshell revelations about the victim and suspects.

Without spoiling anything I can absolutely say that the resolution of this book kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put it down, and I mean that. I don’t think I got anything done all day the day I read this book. There are multiple threads of intrigue that come together in surprising and interesting ways, and the whole thing was executed with the crisp, tightly plotted accuracy I’ve come to expect from the co-authors Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke.

It’s hard to gush more without risking spoiling important plot points so I’ll just say this: whether or not you plan to read the whole Under Suspicion series, this book alone is a knockout. I highly recommend it as a beach read or just a little something to keep you from sleeping tonight.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: Every Breath You Take (Under Suspicion #5)

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

A murder at the Met Gala turns into a cold case. The glamorous suspects become the next subjects of Laurie Moran’s (fictional) true crime series Under Suspicion.

My impressions:

This was a really fun entry in the Under Suspicion series. It’s full of twists and revelations to keep readers on edge, and the crisp storytelling style flows with fantastic pacing. I was relieved to see that the characters were basically back to acting like themselves again, especially Laurie, who was back to her usual fiery self.

The interpersonal stakes felt more important than the mystery in this one, which makes sense, as (minor spoiler alert) Laurie and Alex are at a turning point in their relationship this time around. The characterization was a lot neater this time around, and I suspect that the messiness of the previous book may have been the result of trying to shoehorn in some conflict in the B-plot of the characters personal lives. Regardless, this time around we get a healthy dose of character drama paired with the glitzy glamour of the murder plot.

I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say I listened to the end of the audiobook with wide eyes, on the edge of my seat. I absolutely recommend this entry in the popular “Under Suspicion” series. Alafair Burke and Mary Higgins Clark make an excellent co-writing duo that is a can’t-miss.

Happy reading!