Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

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

My mother loved the holidays, one of the reasons is that the family was around.  She loved the pandemonium of all her kids and their spouses being home.  I think maybe she felt surrounded by love.  Gosh, that's a happy thought.  A few years ago, my sister, her husband and two charming children came here for Christmas.  They had a bit more time off than usual and were going to be able to stay for three or four days.  I, like my mother, was in all my glory. We had the decorations ready, the cookies, food for days, and loads of games to play.  Then my dream happened.  In coastal North Carolina we had a Christmas snowstorm, a doozy.  Snow here is rare, on a holiday, rarer still, then you add I had a house full of family, the fireplace going, tree lights sparkling and snow falling that amounted to NINE inches, it was absolute perfection.  That being said family visits aren't so wonderful for all families.  You know there is that saying about company stinking in a few days, like fish.  I feel sorry for those people.

I recently read Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney.  I loved Rock, Paper, Scissors so I was very excited for this new book.  Daisy Darker does not disappoint.  This is the story of Daisy Darker, who goes home to her family's gothic house that sits, crumbling, on an island only reachable when the tide is out.  I know, I know, I was willing to buy the book for the location alone!  The entire Darker family is gathering to celebrate the birthday of Nana, who is turning 80.  Unfortunately, this family gathering is not pleasant as they do not get along.  The tide comes in, and they are stuck there...getting Agatha Christie vibes yet?  The clock strikes midnight and they find poor old Nana dead.  She is not the last, the bodies start piling up like firewood.  Who could possibly be responsible and why?  

This fast-paced read is filled with twist and turns. Despite having quite a few characters, they are easy to keep straight especially as the story gives the reader glimpses into the past and what made this family so hateful. The setting, though limited to one house, adds an immeasurable amount to this book.

This would be the perfect fall read, perhaps out on your porch with a slight chill in the air.  When you go back inside, you may find yourself giving your family a second look.....you never know.

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.

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

Hello everyone. I hope your week is going well so far.

One gets to be a housewife by being a wife.  My husband is the kindest person you'd ever meet but upon getting married he did have some things I had to get used to...male things.  First there is the air that comes from places that I didn't know exist, frankly I think the male body has more openings than the female.  Next, despite being evolved, smart, and truly nice, at times he will still objectify women.  If he is talking about some woman we don't know by name, the first thing he uses to describe her is her chest size.  Then there is the snoring.  Certainly lots of people snore, but my husband has it down to a fine science...just ask our neighbor three doors down!  He usually goes to sleep before me, as I've stated before I am a bad sleeper.  I will try, try being the optimal word there, to watch TV.  I find it impossible to hear the dialog over his snoring.  I've even recorded it and played to back for him, showing him that he really does possess a world class talent.  Not only am I wide awake if he's snoring, it's been going on for so much of my life, now I think there is something wrong if he sleeps peacefully.  Yep, I'm awake either way.

I recently read Stay Awake by Megan Goldin.  This is the story of Liv Reese, who wakes up in the back of a taxi in New York City.  She doesn't know how she got there or why there is this bizarre writing on the back of her hand telling her to stay awake.  What is even odder is that she discovers not only doesn't she know what happened the night that landed her in the taxi asleep, but she doesn't remember the last two years.  While trying to figure out what is going on she finds out that someone has been murdered and the murderer has written, in blood on the window, a message about remaining awake.  Could she have done something terrible?

Holy cow does this book move.  Honestly, don't start this unless you can finish it.  The story boasts short chapters, often ending with terrifying revelations, bouncing between two years ago and the present day.  This suspenseful thriller fills the reader with the urgent need to know what has happened to Liv.   I don't want to give anything away but turn on Netflix for your kids, order take out, and clear your schedule, this one is wild.

By the way, hubby wants to read this book.  Finally, I have something to keep him awake!

The Big Dark Sky by Dean Koontz

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

You would think living near the North Carolina coast, where millions of people flock to for their annual vacations, that I would think of nothing else.  No, I always have to be the oddball.  I have been incredibly homesick lately.  Hubby and I have even considered moving there.  Unfortunately, although he was willing, the property taxes and school taxes for upstate New York are terrifying! I don't mean cute little kid dressed as any political figure on Halloween scary.  I mean a girl, usually with big boobs, in baby doll pajamas (for no reason) and high heels, in a haunted house with a serial killer chasing her, with all phone lines cut, and the lights go out... terrifying.  Hubby was surprisingly into the idea of fall spent wandering the pumpkin farms, the cider mill, high school football games and stunning leaves.  I even had him primed for snow filled Christmases.  Darn, I don't think I can convince him to drive ten hours to pick apples and see fall leaves.

I recently read The Big Dark Sky by Dean Koontz.  This is the story of Joanna Chase who grew up on a ranch in Montana.  She starts getting bizarre phone calls and tv broadcasts telling her to go to her childhood home, the theme of returning home invades her dreams as well.  Unable to resist, Joanna heads home determined to see a childhood friend still in the area and find out what is going on.  However, Joanna isn't the only one going to Montana as several other people have been implored for one reason or another to converge at her childhood home. All find themselves in danger as there is a madman nearby, determined to clean the planet by killing everyone, beginning with them.

I don't know why but I never look forward to a Dean Koontz book like I do others.  I really should though, as I can't remember ever being let down by one of his stories.  Koontz books are rarely about what I think they will be, are usually a bit kooky, always feature great writing, and never fail to keep me entertained.  What else could you want?  The Big Dark Sky will have you mesmerized until the end. 

Oh, one more thing.  Amazon currently has this book rated 4.5 stars.  I tell you that so you'll know and NOT be tempted to read any of the reviews.  Many of them mention topics revealed in the book, making them spoilers for the many twists.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

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

I am guessing, since you're reading this, you are a book lover.  I come from a long line of readers, okay well it's more like a dash but it's there.  My maternal grandparents were big readers so was my mom.  They would often trade books back and forth.  Sometimes they would tuck a note inside for each other.  It was all fun and games until they went off the deep end and started seeing who could write the most creative note, well not write but use the most unusual paper.  When they got down to toilet paper and a leaf, I stopped watching.  They read good stuff. I remember my mom reading Coma by Robin Cook and the always fascinating Jaws.  Who hasn't put "You're gonna need a bigger boat" in their "great sayings" rotation?  Just think without the book Jaws, there would be no movie, no saying, no fantastic score by John Williams and, let's be honest, how else would you see Robert Shaw take out his front tooth?  Books!

I recently read Book Lovers by Emily Henry.  This is the story of a literary agent, Nora, who goes to a small North Carolina town with her sister for a vacation.  Despite the odds Nora bumps into someone she knows from NYC, Charlie, an infuriating editor.  In this romantic comedy their interactions continue as they share their book business talents.

This is a cute, fun story that will transport you to Carolina and melt all your stress.  After liking but not loving Henry's first book, Beach Read, I said I was going to follow her.  So glad I did, as each subsequent book I've liked better than the one before.  This is a bit long at 400 pages but a fun read.  Great for a summer vacation, real or in your head to a small town in North Carolina.

Gum wrapper!  I've been trying to come up with something I'd write a note on if my mom and grandparents were still around.  I'd definitely write on a gum wrapper, not a good kind like Wrigley's or Juicy Fruit (look it up youngsters), but something small like Dentyne or Trident!

The It Girl by Ruth Ware

Hello everyone.  I hope you are doing well in the heat wave that is hitting much of the planet.

There are a few things I have a love-hate relationship with, pancake batter for example.  Oh yes, pancakes and waffles do make their very own delightful food group, absorbing all the sticky goodness of maple syrup.  Ever try and clean dried batter off your counter tops?  I'll make it short, you have two options, move or dynamite.  Disney World is another topic drawing great passion.  While I'm there under their possibly subliminal spell, I'll hand over all my money.  All I care about is one more time on Pirates of the Caribbean, hearing the Yo Ho song and seeing that little guy sitting on the door frame hanging his hairy leg down...you know the one.  Perhaps it's the "ghost host" or hearing the "Welcome to the Walt Disney World monorail" fellow.  I am putty in their hands, poor putty.  I get home and realize I just spent the equivalent of an addition to my house on some moving dolls in a warehouse with a fake front on it.  What about the time I taught my niece how to create a vacuum in her drink straw and dump the contents on the table, but then my sister yelled her head off?  No, sorry, that doesn't work, not love-hate, still totally worth it.

I recently read The IT Girl by Ruth Ware.  I have a love-hate relationship with Ruth Ware's books.  In general, I have loved all her books, with my all-time favorite being The Death of Mrs. Westaway.  However, I really disliked (mom said don't say hate) One by One.  I knew who "did it" in the first ten minutes and the descriptions of snow almost drove me to the booby hatch.  The It Girl, I really enjoyed.  It is the story of a bunch of kids at Oxford and one of them, April, is murdered.  In a dual timeline, we also follow the kids years later. Hannah and Will are expecting their first child.  Hannah was the key witness in convicting Neville of April's murder.  After learning that he has died in prison, she is contacted by a reporter who believes that Neville was innocent.  Hannah becomes obsessed with wonder.  Could she have made a mistake?  She must find out.  This is the story of what happened in the past and Hannah's present-day discovery of the startling truth.

I have heard this called a thriller, fast paced, a quick read.  I don't think it's any of those.  For me, this is a mystery.  There is not much heart pounding, page flipping here.  However, this book is loaded with character development.  You really get to know each person, because of that, the book kept calling me back.  I'd put it down and find myself picking it up just five minutes later, I couldn't resist.  While it could have been a bit shorter than it's more than 400 pages, it somehow is an engrossing read.  If you are a mystery lover, this is a must.  My faith in Ruth Ware restored, I am certainly all in for the next.

Darn, now I want pancakes.

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

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

In the US we are celebrating July 4th.  It's a holiday that often extends around the actual date and has become a popular vacation and family visit time. When I was a kid, we would spend the morning of the 4th watching the men's finals at Wimbledon, which was always held that day.  Then we'd go to my Aunt Mary and Uncle Don's house.  My uncle was on the beach at Normandy on D-Day.  My aunt was amazingly creative. She would decide to reupholster her winged back chair. While I don't think she had any sewing experience, her chair would look like a pro did it.  When she wanted window boxes, she got out the wood and made them herself. She also had amazing doll houses. My aunt and uncle had a big picnic in a great driveway-garage set up, with a makeshift baseball field behind and later a pool.  Okay, it might "sound" weird, but it was summer holiday perfection.  The whole family came, allowing us a day of getting to play with all our cousins.  So fun. Always topped off with sparklers, something my parents would have never allowed.  It was a major part of our summer vacation and I miss it and my aunt and uncle terribly.

I recently read The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager.  This is the story of Casey, who is a popular actress.  She has lost her husband and her grief has driven her to drink.  Her drinking caused her to lose her job, starring in a Broadway show. Casey tries to escape the gossip mill by taking an extended summer vacation at a beautiful lake in Vermont. At her waterfront home, she spends most of her time on the back porch, drinking bourbon and watching people through her binoculars. Specifically, she is watching the fancy house with loads of glass, owned by supermodel Katherine and her tech savvy husband, Tom.  Casey's spying losses it's attraction when Katherine goes missing and she suspects Tom.

This book is quick moving and a true thriller.  This has that, hold your breath, something is about to happen any second feeling.  It is very successful at raising your pulse. It's really amazing the story that Sager weaves with a limited cast and setting.  I think you'll be surprised by the numerous twists.  The author is masterful at making you think you have the story figured out only to slap the back of your hand with a twist that says, "guess again."

A word of warning.  There have been quite a few reviewers either talking the book down or rating it poorly because they don't like the main character.  The issue seems to be they feel that Riley Sager doesn't represent women well, making them drunk, stupid, or gullible.  I almost passed on this book because of those discussions.  Please, PLEASE, don't be led, decide for yourself.  If you are in doubt, don't buy the book but get it from your library.  There are only two sexes, and an unreliable narrator has to be unreliable for a reason. Just do me a favor, forget reviews, judge for yourself.  As a thriller, this ticks all the boxes.

The funny thing about American independence is that now, most Americans feel a respectful link to Great Britian and great affection for the people.