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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Crime and Parchment in Books

Oct 3, 2024 (Updated Oct 3, 2024)  
Crime and Parchment
Crime and Parchment
Daphne Silver | 2023 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Family and Lost Books
Rare books librarian Juniper Blume is surprised when she gets a message from her ex-brother-in-law claiming he has found a clue to where the covers for the Book of Kells might be. She’s even more surprised to see he thinks they are in the small Maryland town of Rose Mallow. But Juniper is also intrigued, so she returns, even if it means dealing with some complicated family relationships. But when she goes to the meeting, she finds a dead body. Can she figure out what is going on?

This book received lots of praise when it came out, and I can see why. There’s a lot packed into the beginning, but I was able to follow it, and it pulled me into the story. It did make the book feel a little slower later, but maybe that was just my expectations. I was definitely intrigued the entire way through, and the ending answered my questions. I also appreciated that the author did a good job of making us believe that the treasure hunt Juniper found herself on was believable. The characters were good, and the subplot involving Juniper and her family felt realistic. I liked how that played out. I’m looking forward to seeing what is next for these characters soon.
  
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Malicious ( The Whitethorn Society 1)
Rinna Ford | 2024
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
60 of 220
Kindle
Malicious ( The Whitethorn Society 1)
By Rinna Ford
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

On the outside, people see Viv as a spoiled little rich girl who lives for designer clothing and wild parties, not the strong, capable woman she tries so hard to be. But money and power don’t buy love and acceptance, and Viv has definitely learned that the hard way.

College was a taste of freedom from that life, but then, that freedom ends up being stripped away when Viv is expected to go back to the family she hates to embrace a destiny she doesn’t want. Only, she believes that her destiny is to slave away for her family business, not join an ancient society of magical beings that shouldn’t even be real. Secrets and danger lie around every corner, but so do answers and love that she so desperately craves.

With old friends and new, one seriously annoying brother, and an ex that won’t go away, not that she really wants him to, Viv has to face new challenges and become the Whitethorn she was born to be.

She is the key. Whatever that means.

This was really good. A concept I haven’t yet read It was really interesting and I’m looking forward to reading more. I do like this author though and it was a light enjoyable book.
  
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ClareR (5879 KP) rated The Hungry Dark in Books

May 28, 2025  
The Hungry Dark
The Hungry Dark
Jen Williams | 2024 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Horror, Paranormal, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Hungry Dark definitely has a spooky undercurrent - although I have to admit that I actually thought that it was going to be about a scam psychic. I was half right. The MC, Ashley, CAN see dead people, but I don’t think they give her anything useful to go by (not easily understood, anyway).

Ashley’s ghosts, the Heedful Ones, have a history of letting her know when something bad is going to happen, but they’ve been quiet/ not visible in recent times. But that’s about to change.

I did have to keep reminding myself that Ashley was a 30 year old and not a child, but her father is extremely controlling and coercive. He’s thoroughly unpleasant. Her brother makes himself unavailable, and has escaped to some degree, and her mother is clearly damaged in some way. My favourite character is probably Ashley’s best friend, and that only developed as the story went on and her true colours started to show.

This is enjoyably spooky, frustrating and takes some unexpected turns! The flashbacks are helpful in developing the story, and explain a lot of Ashley’s reasons for doing what she does. And an eerie, big old house will always be a winning addition to a ghost story! If you like thrillers with a side order of ghosts, then this will definitely appeal to you.