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Don't Even Breathe
Don't Even Breathe
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
From the bestselling author of Crash comes a riveting thriller rife with murder, misdirection, and ghosts from the past.
Florida homicide detective Maggie Novak has seen hundreds of brutal murder cases, but when she is called out to investigate the charred remains of a young woman, in what appears to be a Halloween prank gone wrong, she is confronted with a twenty-year-old secret. The body is formally identified as that of school counselor Dana Cullen, but a distinguishing mark makes Maggie look again. She believes it is the body of her school friend Rita, who perished in a fire twenty years ago.
Maggie’s hunt for the truth behind the murder takes her back to a cruel high school trick she’s desperate to forget. And when another body turns up, Maggie realizes she too may be the target of a sinister plot creeping toward its final act.
Maggie needs emotional distance to do her job, but she’s so close to this case that she can’t even breathe. Will Maggie be able to uncover the truth of who wanted Rita dead? Or will her past mistakes catch up with her first?

Don't Even Breathe is a great thriller with lots of twists.
You are thrown straight into action from the beginning.
Lots of suspense and twists that keep you gripped until those final pages.
Love the new characters and can't wait to see how they develop and evolve.
Looking forward to more of this series.
Recommend reading.

I would like to thank the author, Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley for the ARC.
  
Buttercream Betrayal
Buttercream Betrayal
Kim Davis | 2022
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder Goes to the Dogs
In an attempt to train her woefully misbehaving dogs, Emory Martinez has signed them up for a dog obedience class run by Shawn Parker. The class has gotten rave reviews online, but Emory finds that it has done little for her two dogs, as evidenced by their misbehavior at the graduation potluck. It’s also at this potluck that Emory begins to hear gripes and grumblings not only about Shawn but his mother, Eloise, who is President of the condo association where most of Emory’s fellow students live. A few hours later, Emory stumbles over the dead body of Eloise in the condo’s community center. With the rumors that Emory has heard, can she sort out who killed Eloise?

I enjoy this series, so it was wonderful to see what Emory and the rest of the cast is up to. Once again, they were a delight to spend time with. The suspects could have been a little stronger, but they worked for their role in the story. The pacing of the plot could have been a little better as well, but it did keep me engaged as I was reading. I also enjoy the Southern California setting of the stories. The book uses its September setting to introduce lots of apple themed treats, and the recipes at the end made me drool. By necessity, this book spoils some past events, so if you want to read them unspoiled, I recommend you go back to the beginning. As a fan of the series, that would be my recommendation anyway. Fans will be anxious to dive into this book, and they’ll be well rewarded.
  
You're the One - Single by Big Gigantic
You're the One - Single by Big Gigantic
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Big Gigantic is an electronic outfit based in Boulder, Colorado. Not too long ago, they released a melodic electronic tune, entitled, “You’re the One”, featuring topline sensation Nevve.

“‘You’re the One’ is about reminding yourself that you’re unique and special in your own way and that the path to something greater lies within you. Loving one another is important, but it all begins with loving yourself. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. We are so inspired by each and every one of you and the stories of resilience, grace, and strength you have shared with us are truly moving. You are ALL the ones.” – Big Gigantic

‘You’re the One’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who is on a mission to succeed. In the dead of the night, he gets a feeling inside telling him that he’s the one.

‘You’re the One’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and horn-filled instrumentation flavored with a positive vibe.

“We’re so excited to start this next phase of Big Gigantic. We’re starting the process of looking directly inward with our song ‘You’re The One’. The theme of the song is loving yourself, which in this day is something we could all do more of. We put so much pressure on ourselves to succeed, do the best we can, be the best we can, and keep up with others around us. That pressure can easily turn from something positive and motivating, into something negative and uninspiring. It can lead to some dark places so it’s important to take a step back and remember to take time to love yourself.” – Big Gigantic

Big Gigantic consists of Dominic Lalli (saxophonist, producer) and Jeremy Salken (drummer).

They are known for their epic live show, which has been showcased at major festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, ACL, Ultra, Outside Lands, Hangout, HARD, Governors Ball, Electric Forest and more.

Also, they’ve sold out their own headlining festival, Rowdytown, at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, with (10k+ tickets) every year since 2012.
  
Before I Let Go
Before I Let Go
Marieke Nijkamp | 2018 | Mystery, Young Adult (YA)
8
6.7 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Corey and her best friend Kyra have lived their whole lives in Lost Creek, Alaska. They have been inseparable from the start. But when Corey's mom gets a new job hundreds of miles away, Corey and Kyra will be separated. Will they both be able to survive? Even though Kyra writes to Corey, Corey is unable to write back. She can't bring herself to tell Kyra how happy she is now that she has left Lost. When Corey learns of a tragic accident that lives Kyra dead, she returns home to a place she doesn't recognize. It's no longer the place she called home. Determine to find out why Kyra didn't get the help she desperately needed. Corey has 6 days to find out what has happened to this town and her best friend in the few months she's been gone.

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks-Fire for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The first book I read by Marieke Nijkamp was This Is Where It Ends about a school shooting. I really enjoyed the book and Ms. Nijkamps writing and I enjoyed this book as well. I gave the book 4 stars because there was a part of it that was a little strange to me, where the town of Lost Creek seemed like a cult.

I don't know what I would do if I moved away and a few month later found out my best friend was dead and no one who was around her could explain what happened and why. No one would allow her to live her life. Kyra was bi-polar and when she and Corey were together they talked about Kyra getting help with her manic episodes. She hated the way she felt. Corey felt bad about not keeping in touch with Kyra the way she should have. Kyra said she would wait for Corey, but what happened to her that she felt death was a better option. This book had me in tears toward the end and several times it left my heart racing.
  
The Dead Zone (1983)
The Dead Zone (1983)
1983 | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A Chilling and Thoughtful Thriller
David Cronenberg’s The Dead Zone (1983) is a film that quietly lingers with you long after the credits roll. Adapted from Stephen King’s novel, it’s a rare blend of psychological horror, heartfelt drama, and supernatural thriller that doesn’t rely on cheap scares to grip its audience. Instead, it uses its haunting premise, a strong central performance by Christopher Walken, and Cronenberg’s understated direction to craft a deeply unsettling exploration of fate, morality, and the burden of knowing the future.

The story follows Johnny Smith (Walken), an ordinary schoolteacher whose life is upended when a car accident leaves him in a coma for five years. When he awakens, he discovers he has gained the ability to see people’s pasts and futures through physical contact—a gift that feels more like a curse. What begins as an attempt to understand and use this newfound power for good spirals into a dark moral dilemma when Johnny foresees a catastrophic future involving a rising politician, Greg Stillson (Martin Sheen).

Christopher Walken is the emotional core of the film, delivering one of his most human and vulnerable performances. He masterfully conveys Johnny’s pain, loneliness, and reluctant heroism, making his character deeply sympathetic. Walken’s portrayal grounds the supernatural elements of the story, ensuring they never feel far-fetched. Martin Sheen is equally compelling as the menacing and unhinged Stillson, a character whose ambition and ruthlessness are frighteningly plausible.

Cronenberg, known for his visceral body horror, takes a restrained approach here, focusing on mood and atmosphere over gore. This subtlety works to the film’s advantage, allowing the tension to simmer until its gripping climax. The muted color palette and moody score by Michael Kamen add to the sense of dread, perfectly capturing the eerie small-town setting.

However, The Dead Zone isn’t without its flaws. The pacing occasionally drags, and some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped. Additionally, the episodic structure—though true to the novel—can make the narrative feel uneven.

Despite these minor issues, The Dead Zone is an intelligent and emotionally resonant thriller that explores heavy themes with nuance. It may not be as flashy as other Stephen King adaptations, but its quiet power and moral complexity make it a standout. A solid 8/10.