The Guest by B.A. Paris

Hello everyone.  I hope your day is perfection.

Have you ever had company that stayed too long?  Frankly, I would have no problem telling my sisters it was time to leave.  What is the movie line, after a while they start to stink "like yesterday's diapers?"  That has never happened.  Despite them being total brats, even as adults, I still can't get them to stay for long enough when they visit. I know, it is crazy. I'm begging for trouble. Speaking of people overstaying their welcome, my husband is always amused by a restaurant name.  On the Outer Banks, in Kill Devil Hills, there is a restaurant named "Eat and Get the Hell Out."  I don't know, sounds like the kind of place that would charge you for a napkin. In reality it is supposed to be very good. If you are there on vacation, I'm sure they would treat you right, just don't stay too long.

I recently read The Guest by B.A. Paris.  I've read many books from this author and have enjoyed them.  The Guest is the story of a married couple, Iris and Gabriel.  They come home from a trip to discover their friend, Laure, living in their house.  She has had a falling out with her husband, Pierre, who is also their good friend. Pierre has confessed to Laure that he had an affair that resulted in a child.  This betrayal adds additional sting because Laure wanted to have children, but Pierre did not.  Naturally, this fills Laure with rage, resentment and questions about their future.  Iris and Gabriel do their best to be good hosts but as Laure's stay wears on, stress abounds and questions mount.

This book somehow feels different from Paris' others.  The story is complicated, yet simple.  She is excellent at misdirection, guiding us through one situation to the next.  Characters are well developed and likeable, leaving just enough room for a bit of suspicion.  I became entrenched in the twists and turns which last until the satisfying end.  A very fun read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this early copy of The Guest and supporting my B.A. Paris addiction.

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

 

Hello everyone.  I hope you're staying cool in all this hot weather.

Do you enjoy your birthday?  I don't.  Not only do I lament getting older, but each year seems to bring a catastrophe during that time.  There were hurricanes, one so bad we actually moved because of it.  There has been illness.  Work issues surfaced during that period, cancelling a birthday trip.  Oh, and we had to put one of our dogs down on my birthday...like on the day. Now I tend to dread it.  My birthday wasn't always like that.  I used to love that day, not only because as a child I received presents and cake, but I shared my Aunt Mary's birthday.  She was a great aunt and an amazing woman.  Even though she didn't have any crafting classes, that I know of, if she saw something she wanted for her home she could and would make it.  Her creations were indistinguishable from that of pros.  Want a wooden valence?  No problem, she'd buy the wood, cut it into a shape she liked, upholster it, hang it, etc.  If she wanted a wing back chair reupholstered, she'd do it herself. Somehow, she figured out how to do all these things on her own, with spectacular results.  She also built doll houses, so fun. In addition, she was super ladylike and very kind. We used to go out to a swanky local restaurant when I was a kid, on birthday night, we'd find my aunt and family at the same eatery.  They kind of had a formal, slightly Tudor atmosphere with a huge stone fireplace and chargers and goblets made of pewter.  Sounds like nail on a chalkboard for my teeth now, but as a kid it was so cool. Such special memories.

I recently read None of This is True by Lisa Jewell.  I've read many Lisa Jewell books and enjoyed them all.  In this story, we are following two families, mostly the two women who are wives and mothers.  Alix and Josie meet at a restaurant where they are to celebrate their birthdays.  Not only are they born on the same day and year, but in the same hospital.  They are birthday twins. As the story unfolds, we learn that Alix has a popular inspirational podcast about women who have survived difficult times. After a chance meeting, Josie tells Alix that she has an idea for her podcast, to tell the story of a woman as she is doing through that "difficulty" and indeed, significant life changes.  To document Josie's life, as it happens.  To start this project, the women start by recording Josie's past, so they can have some sort of context for what is to come in the future. As is often true with psychological thrillers, all is not what it seems.  Josie and her family are hiding dark, terrible secrets.  As Alix tries to figure out what she has gotten herself into, Josie wiggles her way into Alix's life and home.  Quickly it becomes clear that someone in Josie's family is lying and someone is very dangerous.

This book is my new favorite Lisa Jewell.  The story line is a bit unusual and keeps the reader guessing.  The pacing is well done, allowing enough time for characters to be developed but still propelling the story forward from not only the plot but short chapters. This book becomes one of those where it is so easy to say, "I'll just read a tiny bit of the upcoming chapter," soon it's over and your eyes peek at a few words from the next.  It becomes simple to consume a chapter or two during tv commercials, on hold at some annoying company after yelling "agent" 45 times, or nonchalantly while your spouse is talking...remember to nod and say um-hum.  No matter how you sneak in those short, addicting chapters you'll be happy you did.  None of This is True is a very fun read.

First Born by Will Dean

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

I've mentioned way too many times that my sisters are triplets.  You know what would have been nice growing up? A brother, especially one with hot, available friends.  Now that I'm more...ahem...mature, hot is a man that is comfortable in his skin.  Someone who can buy female hygiene products without the least bit of embarrassment.  A man who despite his size and dominance is so sweet with a little dog.  When you're a teen though, the male ideal is somewhat different. While my knees are not happy for maturity, my opinion of men is far better.  Anyway, I was left without a beloved brother and instead got three bratty sisters.  They all have similar personalities, but two look nearly identical.  Yes, they look "different" to me (read that sarcastically), but a stranger would think they are twins. I think they were one egg that split, and the other triplet was her own egg, or quite possibly had her own twin that she no doubt strangled in a game of umbilical cord jump rope, just so she could have all the attention. Did you know that twins occur naturally in one in 250 pregnancies, but triplets are only one in 10,000.  Figures, one simple brother, was that too much to ask? No, I had to have the one chance in 10,000 to get Satan's spawn for siblings (joking, don't write me).  

I recently read First Born by Will Dean.  This is the story of twins, Molly and Katie Raven.  Katie has been found dead in her apartment in NYC where she lives far away from her family in England.  When twin, Molly, discovers that Katie has been murdered she vows to find out who killed the sister she loved so much.  Molly finds that Katie's life was much different than she thought, despite being a college student, she was into things that seem to be much darker.  As with most fiction, you must accept things that aren't likely or practical, but it is fiction, a story, an escape from the everyday. 

This psychological thriller is an easy, quick read.  The fast pacing is full of twists that you'll never see coming.  For thriller readers, this has everything including loads of suspense and constant questions that need urgent answers.  The author supplies answers and an ending that will leave you smiling and satisfied.  Get some snacks and a big cup of coffee, once you start reading First Born, you won't stop.

If only my sisters were as clever as this book. I can hear the phone calls now!

The Blame Game by Sandie Jones

Hello everyone. I hope you're having a great day.

I can't think of any story that has anything to do with today's book, so I'll just have to rant.  Eggs are now $4.50 for 18.  That is insane, I didn't want to buy the chicken, her house, and 20 of her closest friends just a couple of eggs.  Also, hubby keeps leaving things off the grocery list that he maintains we don't need but are actually desperately short of.  This requires extra grocery buying visits and, of course, you never just buy what you need.  I end up buying eggs for the price that should be enough to feed my whole street omelets for a month!  Okay, enough housewifery.

I recently read The Blame Game by Sandie Jones.  I have read and enjoyed all her books; this is no exception. This is the story of a psychologist, Naomi, who specializes in domestic violence.  Naomi is currently treating Jacob who is mistreated by his wife.  Jacob is afraid of what she might do to him and of snapping himself and hurting her in return.  After letting Jacob stay in her rental property when he decides to leave his wife, he goes missing.  Strange things start happening as the police believe he is in grave danger and the evidence points to Naomi as a possible suspect.

This book was fantastic.  First of all, it's short, 244 pages.  This means that the author has no time to waste.  Most descriptions and connecting information are omitted to leave room for action.  This story races through the plot like it's on fire and running for its life.  I literally had to go back and reread sections as two words like "she imagined" changes everything.  You know how I hate bric-a-brac in books, this is devoid of everything but exactly what you need to know, so you better pay attention.  I wish all thrillers were written like this!

This book would be a great way to start you day, perhaps with your breakfast.  Given the cost at the grocery store, the book might be the cheapest thing.

Insomnia by Sarah Pinborough

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

Am I having a fantastic day? Oh gosh, thanks for asking, it's okay.  I'm tired.  I'm always tired. Why?  Because I am a bad sleeper.  There is one person to blame for that and it's not me, it is my mother.  Oh yes, my mother was a saint in most ways except when it came to naps...she insisted on them when I was a kid.  I was the only one of all my friends who had to come inside from playing to take a nap.  I would be over at Laurie's house, playing jump rope with several of the neighborhood girls and my mother would open the door and start yelling, "April, come home, it's time for your nap."  First of all, when you are eight, nothing gets you labeled faster than being called home for any reason other than dinner.  Secondly, I missed out.  Not only did I have to slunk home but I was forced to lie in bed. With the windows open on the glorious play outside kind of day, I had to listen to all my friends continue to have a blast...without me.  It was torture.  Whenever my husband says anything about a nap, to this day, I shoot him a dirty look.  In addition, now I'm a bad sleeper at night.  I hate sleeping and have seen every TV show on at 3 or 4 AM, in fact, I have most of them memorized.  All because of being called home for naps.  

I recently read Insomnia by Sarah Pinborough.  This book was so good, I don't even want to waste the time to tell you what it's about, just go buy it. If you enjoyed Behind Her Eyes, this is even better. Okay, for those wanting a bit more, this is the story of Emma.  Emma is a divorce attorney up for partnership at her firm.  She supports her family, her husband stays home taking care of the house and kids.  Emma is counting down the days to her fortieth birthday, because that's when her mother went mad.  Not just a little crazy, like I'll eat my chicken nuggets with no barbeque sauce crazy, but locked away crazy.  Mom's break with reality started when she couldn't sleep just prior to her birthday, now Emma can't sleep.  No matter what she tries, tea, pills, sleep eludes her.  As the days tick by Emma doubts her sanity, is she sleep deprived or worse.  After all, her mother always told Emma they were exactly alike.

I just don't want to tell you about this book.  It is so good and I would be crushed if I ruined it for you.  In fact, I've got it set aside for hubby to read and it's driving me crazy not talking about it.  Just trust me, if you like thrillers, boy are you in for a wild ride.  This book will keep you up all night in the best way (reading....I mean reading). Let's be honest, you can only watch Frasier reruns so many times.

The Therapist by B.A. Paris

Hello everyone.  I hope your day is going well.

Suppose you went through the whole process of selling your house, getting a mortgage, packing, moving, getting the utilities turned on, sending out your cute little "we've mooved cards with the cow standing in front of a house" because you found your dream house.  But what would you do if you moved in and something didn't feel right?  You just have that, hair standing up on your arms, feeling that something is off.  It's just in your imagination right, because this is a great house.  Isn't it?

I've discussed several times that years ago (three houses) we had a haunted house.  It started when we purchased the large Victorian which was still divided into apartments.  We were living on the first floor that had been vacant for years.  When we woke up sometimes we would smell vanilla or lemon.  Later we found out we were sleeping in the original kitchen.  A few weeks later our dog would start barking at the ceiling, just in one particular area.  She would walk in circles, staring at the ceiling, growling and barking.  Very odd for a dog that never met anyone she didn't absolutely adore. 

Our neighbors had weird experiences too.  While not so spiritual, still odd.  One time the lady across the street had sent her kids to school and was making coffee, she turned around and there, silently, out of the blue, was standing a man she'd never seen before.  Seems she'd left her kitchen door open with the screen door letting in a pleasant breeze.  Some passerby apparently decided he was a pleasant breeze and wanted to come in for some coffee and a chat.  Not to worry, he left immediately after her request but she must have been terrified. 

I didn't hear your declare yet, what you would do if it was your house.  Would you stick it out?  Are you that brave?  Maybe you would investigate the house's history or just change the locks.  Perhaps you'd invite a medium or burn sage.  Or is it possible that you are just overly tired?

I recently read The Therapist by B.A. Paris.  Alice and Leo find a house in an exclusive, gated neighborhood.  The house is a bargain, something they couldn't usually afford.  They jump at the chance to live in The Circle, the snazzy community their new house is in.  But as Alice gets to know the neighbors she discovers some are nicer than others and when she tries to ask simple questions she finds herself quickly shut down.  Something is going on, and it most definitely concerns her new home.  Then as Leo starts traveling for business, it feels like someone is in the house. Maybe it is her imagination, then again, maybe not. When Alice finds out that something bad happened to Nina, the previous resident and therapist, she becomes obsessed with discovering what The Circle seems to be hiding.

This is a classic psychological thriller.  The tense story leaves the reader wondering who the evil person is and how many people know exactly what is going on.  The book is not too long, just over three hundred pages and uses it's space efficiently, no meandering off the plot.  This shoots straight through so quickly you'll wonder where your day went and how you've flipped so many pages.  This suspenseful read will have you confident you know the ending only to surprise the most seasoned reader.  Fun the whole way.  One of my favorites by Paris.

I dare you to read this and not check your locks before going to bed!

Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

Hello everyone.

I hope you are having a good week.  How open are you to things we can't explain?  Ghosts are a topic often covered in books, I haven't read a good ghost story recently but there are lots out there. Do you believe in something you can't see? Just think about things like the ocean, scientists say we've only explored a tiny amount so who knows what beings exist in places we haven't been. Giant squid used to be mythical until they were actually discovered. What about something drier that requires no bottom scrunching wet suit, like ghosts. For ghosts not to exist, then every person who ever experienced something ghostly would have to be lying or nuts. Don't write to me about how that doesn't figure into religion, I know, I have no answers. Frankly, I doubt I would want to know all life's secrets, a bit of mystery is good. The Victorian house we restored was haunted. Yes, I can hear you laughing from here. Someday I'll tell you about it. Anyway, I ask you about an open mind because of a book. Yes, I realize everything in my life involves cooking a chicken, cleaning a toilet or reading a book....obviously that is why I'm here to talk about a book (to avoid cooking and cleaning).

I recently read Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough. This is a psychological thriller about a secretary, Louise, who meets a man in a bar and they have instant chemistry. She is hopeful that this is the beginning of something wonderful. Later, Louise is shocked when she arrives at work only to discover her dream man is her new boss and he is very married. Amidst undeniable sexual tension between Louise and her new boss, David, they come to terms with his being married and continue on as employer/employee. While taking her son to school one day, Louise meets Adele, David's wife, by accident. She soon discovers that all is not as rosy as has been painted. The story moves quickly changing from each person's perspective. The reading is fun and easy and the story propels the reader forward without any effort. As the reader gets close to the end we are presented with a situation that requires having an open mind. you must be able to believe in something that can't be proven. No spoilers but if you cannot have an open mind in that way, you will not enjoy this book. However, if you can make that leap of faith, you will find the ending shockingly twisty.

Well I must run, I have lots of research to do with my open mind. I heard Elvis is alive and well and cleaning carpets in Sheboygan.

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

Hello everyone.

I hope you are having a great week. Have you seen the pictures of Australia? The news about the fire is absolutely terrifying, I can't imagine watching the place you love burn. Heartbreaking. Over here in the States things are...odd.  I've never seen things happen nationally and internationally concerning the USA as they have lately. Makes you ask what the heck is going on?  Never putting any politics on this blog, just reminding everyone (yes, again) that the people living in a country and that country's government are two very different things. It is sad that humans have been on this planet for such a long time and still can't figure out that love is nicer than hate. We each only have so much time why not spend it on having fun, with love and blissful happiness? Wow, that got kind of deep. Way too much for a book/lazy housewife blog.

To lighten things up and to mention things that don't matter to anyone, I will report that our roofer finally reappeared to collect the last of his belongings and trailer full of our old roof. Took him three months but he was great at his job and local tradesmen are hard to find. Ummm, housewife wise all appliances are working well (knock on wood) and I still hate to clean. One thing that definitely needs attention around here is my stack of to be read books (tbr). I have received quite a few advanced copies from publishers lately and HAD to take advantage of holiday book sales. I keep telling myself that not buying books during a sale is like losing money.  Hubby would disagree. He better get ready because there are a lot of great books set to be released this year. I was up all last night reading one of the last novels of 2019.

I just read The Wives by Tarryn Fisher. While the book jacket says Ms. Fisher is the author of nine books, this is the first I've read. This is one of those books where you casually flip to the first page just wondering if you'll like the writing style and before you know it you're asking your husband either fix dinner himself or order takeout. I honestly don't know what happened, I opened The Wives and suddenly I was twenty-seven pages from the end. Now that is engrossing writing! As the story begins the reader learns about a triangle of women and one man, taking part in a pluralistic marriage. Each of the women is known as the day of the week she enjoys the company of her husband, we follow Thursday. She is a nurse, an independent woman, yet devoted to her part-time husband, Seth. She tries to make things perfect, setting a beautiful table, keeping a well stocked refrigerator able to make his favorite foods from scratch on a moments notice. Things appear idyllic...well...for the one day she gets her spouse.

While getting his clothing ready to launder, after one of his visits, Thursday finds a slip of paper in his pocket. She has agreed to know nothing about the other wives, so Thursday is quite surprised when she sees a name on that bit of paper. The internet beckons, a quick search can't hurt...right? Pretty soon, Thursday is trying to unmask her husband's other wives. She becomes entangled in their lives, how she compares, wondering what Seth sees in herself. As Thursday struggles with her own place in this three-way relationship, she discovers things may not be as her beloved husband said, in fact, things maybe very wrong.

This novel is quick read, dark and twisty, letting you think you've figured it out only to be proven wrong. This is a well put together psychological thriller from first page to last. Be warned, before you open The Wives, set aside enough time to finish it.