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ClareR (5996 KP) rated The Castaways in Books

Mar 7, 2021  
The Castaways
The Castaways
Lucy Clarke | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Thriller
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Castaways was a tense, riveting read - and not a great advert for one of those smaller passenger planes!
Lori and Erin, sisters, go on holiday to Fiji - a treat paid for by Lori. The night before their flight to a small island, the sisters have a terrible argument and Erin disappears. She doesn’t turn up at the airport for their connecting flight either. So Lori boards the plane and it disappears en route to the island.
Two years later, Erin is still trying to find out where the plane crashed and what exactly happened. She’s a journalist, so has some experience of researching information. When the pilot of the plane suddenly appears and is taken to hospital in Fiji, Erin knows that she has to go and speak to him. He’s the only one that knows what happened to her sister. Her employers pay for her to go, under the proviso that she’ll write an article about it.
What I really liked about this, is that the chapters alternated between Erin going to Fiji to see the pilot, and the flashbacks to Lori, the crash and it’s aftermath. If I’d had the book in front of me instead of just a stave (an instalment) to read each day, I probably would have read it in one sitting. Except that I have to go to work!
And for the record, it’s a good job that I have no intention of flying anywhere anytime soon, because the crash scene is frankly terrifying!
Many thanks to the Pigeonhole for helping me with my NetGalley reading (again!), and to Lucy Clarke for reading along with us.
  
    OXENFREE

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    Games

    8.5 (2 Ratings) Rate It

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Nine Lives and Alibis
Nine Lives and Alibis
Cate Conte | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder Old and New Haunts This Halloween
This October, Daybreak Island is trying to put on a Halloween festival to extend tourist season, and Maddie James has been roped into helping with it. The main draw is going to be celebrity psychic Balfour, who was raised on the island but hasn't been back since he made it big. Some are hoping he can solve a pair of forty year old cases, but Maddie doesn't put much stock into psychics. Then a murder happens. Are there modern motives for the murder? Or do the past crimes have to do with the modern killing?

Those looking for a quick murder will be disappointed here. Yes, I did feel there were some pacing issues, but for the most part, I found the book did a good job of introducing suspects and motives before the murder happened. I did figure one thing out early, but the rest was still a surprise. I didn't appreciate the emphasis on psychics in the book, but the rest of the Halloween events in the book were fun, making it perfect for this time of year. (And yes, I do realize that issue is all mine.) Fans of the author's Full Moon Mysteries will enjoy seeing a couple of those characters show up here. As a series fan, I definitely enjoyed seeing the characters again, and want to see how some new beginnings impact the next book in the series. There's still time to add this book to your October reading list, and if you enjoy Halloween set cozies, you'll be glad you did.
  
TT
The Tale of Halcyon Crane
Wendy Webb | 2010
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE TALE OF HALCYON CRANE is an interesting, easy Gothic read. It wasn't a book that held my interest in one sitting, but was enjoyable whenever I picked it up. A bit slow to start, it didn't really pick up until halfway, maybe two-thirds of the way through. The end was a bit anti-climatic but it fit the book, so that's fine. The author has a wonderful imagination and usually brought that through life, mainly through the island setting and the Hill history, which was enthralling. I loved the inclusion of two Alaskan Malamutes, which are one of my favorite dogs. So, if you like Gothics, and like a more modern setting with a heroine who isn't helpless, give it a go. It's a good book that's very easy to read.
3.5 stars
  
Bea Cartwright is facing stiff competition from twins who have set up a bed and breakfast on South Bass Island themed after Gone with the Wind. While she figured out how to get customers back – any customers at all – a local relator is murdered and Bea’s friend Chandra starts acting suspicious. Can Bea clear her?

I love the characters in this series, so it’s always a delight to visit them. This book is no exception. The pace appears to lag at times, but it also picks back up again soon. I certainly always had a hard time putting it down.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-gone-with-twins-by-kylie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.