Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a perfect day.

I've been easing into the topic of moving with hubby.  As I have made very clear, I dislike hurricanes.  We have lost lots of trees on our lot, lost parts of our house, been without power for weeks and yet we are the lucky ones.  Many people have experienced much worse.  Hubby has been fairly agreeable to moving. We have a large historic home.  Beautiful and so well built but is getting to be too much for us.  Too much to heat, cool and most definitely clean! This is a great house for a family or people that like to entertain.  

We've been considering where to move, looking for a distance from the ocean...obviously.  Also considering weather, taxes, living costs, traffic.  All the boring, I mean good stuff. A few years ago one of my sisters moved into, hmmm, how shall I say it without offending an entire group of people.  She moved to a semi-southern interior state.  If you are reading this from a conservative country, please close your eyes.  To be honest, my sister moved to the butt crack of nowhere.  To hillbilly hell.  Okay, uncover eyes.  The strange thing is she loves it.  Yes, she grew up in New York.  But she loves the lack of traffic.  The slower pace, neighbors knowing each other.  Politically not everyone agrees, but she recognizes it is a gift to disagree and question. My sister and her family are really happy.  Now they are trying to get us to move over there.  Hold on to your hats, we are actually considering it.  I know, it makes me clutch my pearls and throw my head back dramatically to even admit it.  When I was a kid, I wanted so badly to live near the coast, after many years of do so I am tired of sand and storms.  I guess the grass is always greener.  We'll see, but a move is in our future. and I'm trying to read some of my extensive collection of back list books.

I recently read Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier.  This is the story of a married couple, Marin and Derek.  One day while out shopping, their son, Sebastian, wanders away.  Unable to find him they review store cameras and find he was taken by someone dressed as Santa.  A year later, still without any results from the authorities, their son remains missing.  Marin hires a private investigator who does not find the son but some disturbing information about Derek.  This story turns you every which way, having you feel for the characters but dislike them as well.  You trust them, then wonder what terrible things they have done in the past.  This carefully written story will keep you guessing.

I likely this book but found it a bit slow and lengthy.  I think the ideas could have been conveyed in a shorter story. A fun mystery but not a heart pounding thriller. A cautionary tale and a worthwhile read.

Killing Me Softly by Sandie Jones

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a great day.

Well, despite some life altering issues here, we are finding a new normal.  Some wonderful, some not so great.  Everyone has issues so I'll spare you.  Oh, on the wonderful list is that my husband, Steve, has decided to start writing his own reviews.  He has for some time but I've been introducing him....basically alerting you to the fact that the far better writing wasn't AI but hubby...since clearly it wasn't mine.  (No comments from the peanut gallery.)  A few years ago my husband didn't read at all, saying he had way too much reading to do for work, news, etc.  One thriller was all it took.  When I was shocked that the author tricked me into missing major plot twists, Steve had to see if he could figure it out.  That was all it took, he was hooked.  Hopefully we can get more books reviewed.

I recently read Killing Me Softly by Sandie Jones. I've read several of her books and enjoyed them all. It took me forever to read this story. For some reason, I just couldn't settle into this book. I have long been a fan of Sandie Jones' style and find her to be an easy to read and very dependable author. To be fair, I think the issue was actually me, not the book. Do yourself a huge favor, don't be like I was, read on and quickly, as you will be richly rewarded with thrillery goodness!

This is the story of a married couple, Charlie and Freya. Charlie is a talented chef and Freya works for a children's charity. They seem to have a wonderful life, until something is overheard at a party. That sets a chain of events into play that will change everything and bring doubt and questions to all areas of their lives. As the world tilts back and forth and we struggle to decide what is really going on, the pacing becomes ever faster. This leads to a calamitous and satisfying ending.

Sandie Jones and Killing Me Softly got me out of my "reading funk" with this great thriller. The construction is so careful, along with the increasing pacing making the reveals perfectly timed. Rich with twists, this is typical Sandie Jones, making her a favorite for many, including me! Do not miss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the early copy. It was a pleasure.

 

It's Not Her by Mary Kubica

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a good day.

I recently read It's Not Her by Mary Kubica.  This is about two families that go on vacation together.  The women of both families are sisters.  They rent homes at a secluded lakeside resort.  One morning, Courtney discovers that her sister and brother-in-law have been brutally murdered.  Courtney and family are quick to take in her niece and nephew but can't leave the resort.  One of her nieces is missing.  The police are frantically looking for the killer and the missing teenager.

I really don't want to give you my thoughts on this book.  I will but realize nothing is for everybody.  Books people love I don't like; also books I love others dislike.  This is a good thing, it gives us variety.  For me, I didn't like this book.  It was too dark.  Not in a thriller kind of way, in a gloomy way.  The story was not exciting enough and did not move fast enough.  Then I found the ending unsatisfying.  I've read one other book by Mary Kubica and didn't like that one either.  I am afraid this author just isn't for me.  Thankfully, lots of people adore her so the books will likely keep on coming.  While her style isn't for me, I am so happy she has a wonderful writing career and a loyal following.  

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

 

Hello everyone.  I hope you are well.  This book isn't my norm.  My sister and brother-in-law read it out loud while they drove here for a quick visit.  I read it while they were here.  I am not sure if that is a good thing or not.

I recently read Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica.  This book follows Marco, who runs a slaughter house.  As bad as that may be, it is worse.  The world has had a virus that infected all animals.  Fearing this virus would pass to humans they killed all the animals, in unnecessarily grotesque ways.  Being left with not enough protein to nourish the world's population, humans are bread to be slaughtered for food.  Oh yes, you read that correctly.  Any cook out there, may have an odd experience reading about cuts of meat that you recognize only this book is referencing that cut in human meat.  This novel published in 2020 held my interest but after reading every last word I have never been closer to being a vegetarian.  Think of this as the movie Soylent Green on steroids.  Interesting, will make you think about how we treat and eat animals, but read on an empty stomach.

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney

Hello everyone.  Long time, no see.  Sorry, problems here...life altering problems.  No, hubby and I are not having marital problems.   Anyway, the stress is high, sleep is little and now I am way behind of posts.  So, no stories.  I won't complain about grocery prices or tell you any tales about my charming (ahem, cough cough) sisters.  I know, you are crushed.  Other than your now impending sadness, I hope you are well.

I recently read My Husbands Wife by Alice Feeney.  This is the story of an artist, Eden Fox.  She goes for a run and when she arrives home goes to open her front door with her key and it doesn't fit.  The door opens from the inside and there is HER husband with HIS wife...not her, but this is her husband and her house.  What on earth is going on?  Is there something sinister afoot or is Eden just bananas?  This story will keep you guessing.  Add in a weird house surprise inheritance, some dark tech issues and you've got yourself a great thriller.  I gasped so many times hubby refused to let me tell hm about it.  He is reading it for himself.  Seriously, it is interesting and has great pacing.  What else could you want?  Nothing for me, except more.  Just glancing at Amazon it has over 22,000 ratings and is 4.3 so I guess I am not the only fan of this book.  If you are a thriller lover this book is for you.

The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a great day.

Well, now that the New Year has passed, we are in what my husband calls the "armpit of the year."  He has a way with words, doesn't he?  You ought to hear him when he is mad, he combines his wordsmithery with cussing that makes a drunk sailor sound like Captain Kangaroo.  One good thing about this time of year is no hurricanes.  During the summer I am constantly watching the weather.  I've practically become a junior meteorologist, learning to recognize developing low pressures and incoming fronts.  It is absolutely terrifying.  I'll never forget the sound of trees slicing through my next-door neighbor's house and waiting for one to hit ours.

I recently read The Storm by Rachel Hawkins. I have read all her books so was anxious to see what this story had to offer.  The Storm is about a town in St. Medard's Bay, Alabama.  Geneva Corliss owns the Rosalie Inn, a beautiful 100-year-old hotel on the beach.  Geneva discovers that a writer is coming to town to research a scandal from St. Medard's Bay's past, the death of the popular Landon Fitzroy and Lo Bailey, the local girl accused of killing him.  Despite the years that have passed, Geneva is not only surprised that the writer is staying at her inn, but he is bringing none other than Lo Bailey herself.  As the death of Landon Fitzroy is unraveled a hurricane approaches, just like when Fitzroy was murdered years ago.

This book was engaging from the beginning.  It was so atmospheric, you can feel the humidity building as the hurricane approaches.  The story told in past and present, is clear and easy reading, holding the readers interest throughout.  Despite reading lots of thrillers and mysteries, I didn't guess the ending.  Very fun.  Would make a great winter escape or a fun summer beach read...just not with an impending hurricane.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy.

The Viper by Brad Meltzer

Hello everyone. I hope you are having a great day.

I hope you had a pleasant Thanksgiving, if you are in the US, a joyous Christmas, if you celebrate it, and happy New Year.  I feel like I need to put a lot of "ifs" in.  I guess because the world is such a varied place with so many beliefs and customs.  Seems like a good thing, keeps us interesting, especially when we all want the same things. Happiness, health, family, love, those things remain constant no matter where you are or what you believe.  So....Merry....Happy...everything! 

The book today comes out on January 6th.  I don't want you to miss it.  I have the standard "review" below but want to tell you about Brad Meltzer in case you are unfamiliar with him.  First of all, he is nice, always a plus.  Next, he is not only a great writer but a fantastic teacher with a flair for history.  He writes children's books that begin "I am" "Abraham Lincoln" or "Martin Luther King" or "Sally Ride" and more.  Teaching kids about history, even books about kindness.  Then he writes history books.  If he had been my history teacher in school, I would have learned a lot more.  He writes books for adults about Lincoln, Washington, and JFK.  I remember reading the book about JFK.  It was told like a thriller but was factual.  It was about the secret service agent Clint Hill, who was Jackie Kennedy's agent.  In that terrible home movie where you see the actual assassination, Clint Hill is the man that runs up to the Presidents car and jumps on the back.  I was learning but it had obscure facts and an actual storyline.  I could not flip the pages fast enough.  Now that is a history lesson I can love.  Then Mr. Meltzer writes thrillers.  They usually have some historic base, again all well researched, but now the story is pure fiction.  Still the pages flip quickly.  If you are a history lover, his books are heaven.  If you don't like history, "You will"...read with Yoda's voice. He has even made a reader out of my husband!

The current books have been a series based on characters Zig and Nola.  Zig works on bodies of dead soldiers that come into Dover Airforce base.  Naturally, the information in the books came right from the author's extensive research.  Sounds like a gross job, but it doesn't really go into gory details but is more about respect.  Nola, is a younger girl, often troubled, who was Zig's daughter's friend. All is explained in the first book in the series, The Escape Artist.  The second is The Lightning Rod.

I recently read The Viper by Brad Meltzer. I have read many of his books including history, standalone, and the Nola Series. While The Viper is book three in the Zig and Nola series, it can easily be read and enjoyed without ever having read any other books featuring these characters. For those that are fans of the series, it is like catching up with old friends, familiar and comfortable. In this story, we begin by following an ill man, Andrew Fechmeier, known as Fetch. Fetch has been living a hidden life because he knows a secret and has proof, something others would kill to recover. Realizing his time may be limited, Fetch comes out of hiding to plan his funeral. He takes his suit to be buried in, to the funeral home, to be held until needed. It is the perfect place to conceal his proof of the secret he discovered sewn into the lining in his suit coat. Fetch doesn't get time to deal with his illness as he is murdered shortly after his funeral parlor visit. Zig, who has just returned work at Dover Air Force Base, is contacted by Roddy for help in investigating the homicide. The story becomes an intense thriller, with characters old and new being introduced, as we try to solve the mystery.

This story, like all by Brad Meltzer, is well written. It is smooth writing with shorter chapters, most ending with a revelation, pushing the reader forward. The characters are well defined, sincerely flawed yet beloved by fans of the series. The story gives you just enough information without spending time on things that don't matter or repeating itself. I suspect this pacing is thanks to both great writing and perhaps careful editing. It works, giving you just enough to fly through the story and leaving you wanting more. This is the best yet of the Zig and Nola books.

By the way, the writing isn't just pleasant because of the smooth, easy reading, but it is funny and often sarcastic. It left me singing "Conjunction Junction" until I tried to clear it from my head with "I'm Just a Bill." When that song didn't work, I resorted to "Gilligan's Island", although I am now calling everyone "little buddy" and blaming Brad Meltzer!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow publishing. Not only is William Morrow generous but their books never disappoint.

Again, The Viper will be released on January 6th and is available for pre-order.