I am always excited when I see that Linwood Barclay is releasing a new title! It's here - I Will Ruin You. Turn the first few pages -  I guarantee you won't be able to stop  reading! Richard Boyle is a teacher who finds himself front and center on the news, after a very serious incident on the school grounds. He's a hero to many, but there are others with a different opinion... This is one of the reasons I love Barclay's suspense. An ordinary guy dropped into a crazy, unbelievable situation. He can handle what's going on - right? Well you know what's going to happen don't you ..read more

A Bookworm's World is a stop on today's blog tour for Rebecca Alexander's new book - The Girl in the Cottage by the Sea.  While I enjoy my suspense reads, I also enjoy turning to gentle tales to take me away from it all. The Girl in the Cottage by the Sea is part of a series, but every book can be read as a stand alone. And it was exactly what I was looking for.  The setting is perfect - a small village on a small island where everyone knows you, your history, your family - and your business. And on that island is a wee cottage that needs that needs a lot of love.  The book ..read more

The Return of Ellie Black is Emiko Jean's newest novel.  The opening prologue is one that is sure to capture your attention. Ellie Black went missing two years ago. And in all of that time, the police haven't made any progress. Until...Ellie walks out of the forest. Detective Chelsey Calhoun is on the case. But... Oh, I knew this was going to be a great listen! I needed to know where Ellie had been for two years. Was it voluntary? Was she taken? And do much more.    Jean gives the listener partial answers to these and other questions by telling the story in a then and now ..read more

The Five Year Lie is Sarina Bowen's new novel.  Bowen's previous books are romantic fiction. But, with this new book, suspense takes the driver's seat. The romance is still a big part of the plot, but in a supporting role - not overpowering the suspense.  Ariel had a whirlwind affair with Drew - but he left her without a goodbye. That was five years ago, and she still doesn't know why. But a computer glitch sends her on a last chance hunt to find answers. And what she finds is frighteningly real. I'm not going to spoil what that is, but I'm sure it's already in place somewhere. I ..read more

Clare Mackintosh brings her take on reality game shows in her latest book - A Game of Lies. This is the second book in a series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone. Seven people are the chosen ones that will be vying for a prize of 100,000 pounds that will go to the last one standing. What they're expecting are physical challenges - but what they get is something completely different. The name of the game is 'Exposed' - and it's life changing... Mackintosh takes us back to a small village in Wales - the setting of the first book. The village is on the dividing line betw ..read more

Elly Griffiths is one of my favorite authors. And though I'll never stop missing the Ruth Galloway books, I have found some new favorites. You can meet some of them in Elly Griffiths' new book - The Last Word. DS Harbinder Kaur from The Postscript Murders is back - but in a supporting role this time around. Instead we're with the two owners of the K and F Detective Agency - eight four year old Edwin and Natalka, who also runs a carer business. Oh, and her boyfriend Benedict steps in when needed as well. Amateur sleuths? Yes - but they're very clever and dogged in their search for answers ..read more

I have no idea if anyone has coined a name for the genre of  'older amateur sleuths solving mysteries and pulling at your heartstrings at the same time. Not a cosy, but a heartfelt story running alongside of the body. Let me know if you have! Until then, I'll go with my long winded one. Oh - and I am really enjoying this style of storytelling. The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher is a perfect five star example.  Florrie Butterfield is eighty seven years old and now calls an assisted living facility home. When a serious event happens on the grounds of Babbington Hall, Flor ..read more

A Bookworm's World is a stop on today's blog tour for The Home Front Girls - the first book in Susanna Bavin's planned trilogy. If you enjoy WWII historical fiction, you're  going to want to add The Home Front Girls to your 'to read' list! I was hooked in the first chapter. Sally and her bestie, Deborah, work for the Food Office making sure that shop keepers are following the rules for ration books. But the latest 'sting' has repercussions for both Sally and the store clerk, Betty.   I thought Bavin's settings were wonderfully described. The book is set in 1940  Manchest ..read more

Anthony Horowitz is one of my favorite authors. I've been eagerly waiting for the fifth entry his Hawthorne and Horowitz series. It's here - Close to Death!  I can't recommend this series enough. It's clever in so many ways. The protagonist is the enigmatic Hawthorne, let go from the police force and now working as a P.I. Hawthorne is such a great character - a brilliant detective, but somewhat lacking in personal skills. I quite like him. And playing Watson to his Holmes? Anthony Horowitz. Uh huh - Horowitz has written himself in as a character in the series! He plays himself, writing ..read more

Daughter of Mine is Megan Miranda's new novel. Hazel Sharp hasn't been back to Mirror Lake for almost a decade. There are just too many memories there - especially the disappearance of her mother. Why didn't she take Hazel with her? It's the death of her father that brings her back to the family home in Mirror Lake. Old disagreements and resentments rear there ugly heads as Hazel and her two brothers argue over the will. And other secrets are exposed as the water level in the lake drops...My answer for whodunit changed frequently. Daughter of Mine is a bit of a slow burn in the beginning as ..read more