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Because You're Mine
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An “insidious, suspenseful tale” (J.T. Ellison) with a “shocker of an ending you won’t see...
Shelle Perry (66 KP) rated The Question Is Murder in Books
Aug 19, 2021
Should a journalist be impartial or should they do the right thing, even if it means compromising their source?
Should a journalist be impartial and just tell the story, or should they do the right thing, even if it means compromising their source? This is the question posed by columnist/ college lecturer Sam Turner when he receives an email that could lead to murder.
When a young woman is being stalked by an untouchable powerful man, she considers that killing him may be her only way out. However when he turns up dead, it may be that she is not the only person who wanted him gone. This is a wonderfully suspenseful mystery told from the perspectives of three different main characters that offer interesting insight into mindset of murder. It is set against a political backdrop that is pulled from the headlines but not at all cliche.
Though the murder needs solving, and Sam Turner, an ethics advice columnist and throw back to traditional journalist, does a fantastic job of chasing down the story and the facts, it is simply the vehicle to get inside Sam’s life which is where the true meat of the story lies. His struggle with ethics of his decisions and the changing circumstances of both his career and personal life made for great reading. I would very much enjoy seeing more books about Sam and people he is close to.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When a young woman is being stalked by an untouchable powerful man, she considers that killing him may be her only way out. However when he turns up dead, it may be that she is not the only person who wanted him gone. This is a wonderfully suspenseful mystery told from the perspectives of three different main characters that offer interesting insight into mindset of murder. It is set against a political backdrop that is pulled from the headlines but not at all cliche.
Though the murder needs solving, and Sam Turner, an ethics advice columnist and throw back to traditional journalist, does a fantastic job of chasing down the story and the facts, it is simply the vehicle to get inside Sam’s life which is where the true meat of the story lies. His struggle with ethics of his decisions and the changing circumstances of both his career and personal life made for great reading. I would very much enjoy seeing more books about Sam and people he is close to.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Gone for Good
9.0
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Gone For Good is the first in a new mystery series from award-winning author Joanna Schaffhausen,...
She Who Became The Sun
8.5
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Book
Mulan meets The Song of Achilles in Shelley Parker-Chan's She Who Became the Sun, a bold, queer, and...
Merissa (13989 KP) rated Sticks and Stones (The Wish Makers #1) in Books
Apr 10, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
The premise of this book is unusual which immediately grabbed my interest. It isn't the same formula re-worded. However, I was still unsure, even after reading the synopsis, about what I would be getting.
What I got was an interesting, rich and fully detailed book covering not just our main female character but Lexi and the Wish Mistress too. There is enough background on the other characters that they all slot in perfectly together and you know that you are getting a complete story. There are no big chunks missed out of this one.
Mandy's birthday wish was a rare one - it was her soul wish. And it is not just granted without a thought. The wish is the start of a journey that she can choose whether to take or not. And therein lies a brilliant story. It starts off quite light but soon gets darker (in a YA-friendly way). The secret that Mandy was hiding was heartbreaking in its childlike simplicity. It is easy to forget how literal children are with what you say to them and how long it can stay with them. During the conversation with Mandy and her mum, it brought tears to my eyes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will be reading Break My Bones, the second in this series.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 12, 2016
What I got was an interesting, rich and fully detailed book covering not just our main female character but Lexi and the Wish Mistress too. There is enough background on the other characters that they all slot in perfectly together and you know that you are getting a complete story. There are no big chunks missed out of this one.
Mandy's birthday wish was a rare one - it was her soul wish. And it is not just granted without a thought. The wish is the start of a journey that she can choose whether to take or not. And therein lies a brilliant story. It starts off quite light but soon gets darker (in a YA-friendly way). The secret that Mandy was hiding was heartbreaking in its childlike simplicity. It is easy to forget how literal children are with what you say to them and how long it can stay with them. During the conversation with Mandy and her mum, it brought tears to my eyes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will be reading Break My Bones, the second in this series.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 12, 2016
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Life She Wants in Books
Nov 21, 2021
I am a fan of Mel Sherratt's work and always look forward to reading her books but, I have to say, never have I been so confused as I was with this one.
Now, whilst at first this might seem to be a negative, let me reassure you that if you stick with it, everything falls into place very nicely and the confusion was well worth it in the end.
Told from different perspectives over different timelines, this is a complex storyline which deals with various unsavoury but important and contemporary themes; coercive control, domestic abuse and loss. These are hard-hitting subjects but Mel deals with them with respect.
There are a number of characters and all have a part to play but I found I didn't really focus on them that much as I was more interested in the story and how it was going to play out. That's not to say they weren't great characters, far from it, it's just that the story was so engrossing that they felt secondary to me somehow.
Full of secrets, lies and manipulation, this is a book that makes you angry and sympathetic all at the same time. It's definitely one that kept me totally engrossed and I couldn't read fast enough.
With atmosphere, suspense and tension aplenty, this is a book that I would definitely recommend to lovers of psychological thrillers and I have to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Now, whilst at first this might seem to be a negative, let me reassure you that if you stick with it, everything falls into place very nicely and the confusion was well worth it in the end.
Told from different perspectives over different timelines, this is a complex storyline which deals with various unsavoury but important and contemporary themes; coercive control, domestic abuse and loss. These are hard-hitting subjects but Mel deals with them with respect.
There are a number of characters and all have a part to play but I found I didn't really focus on them that much as I was more interested in the story and how it was going to play out. That's not to say they weren't great characters, far from it, it's just that the story was so engrossing that they felt secondary to me somehow.
Full of secrets, lies and manipulation, this is a book that makes you angry and sympathetic all at the same time. It's definitely one that kept me totally engrossed and I couldn't read fast enough.
With atmosphere, suspense and tension aplenty, this is a book that I would definitely recommend to lovers of psychological thrillers and I have to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
The Paper Place
10.0
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Before anyone else is awake, on a perfect August morning, Elle Bishop heads out for a swim in the...
Literary Fiction Trigger warning: Child Abuse
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2554 KP) rated Murder in the Bowery in Books
Apr 11, 2022 (Updated Apr 11, 2022)
Death of a Newsie
Frank Malloy thinks his latest client has offered him a chance for a case with a happy ending. Will Bert is trying to reconnect with his younger brother, Freddie, after they were separated when both of them were sent west on an orphan train. Almost as soon as Frank starts his investigation, he finds questions about Will’s story. Then he finds Freddie, only to have him run away and then turn up dead hours later. Can Frank figure out what is really happening?
Freddie is a newsie, and this book takes place during the newsies’ strike of 1899, made famous by the Disney musical. This book is more historically accurate than the musical, however. Still, I found that part of the setup fun, and the historical details about what their lives were really like was interesting. It is quickly clear that the motive for Freddie’s murder lies outside of his life as a newsie, however. In fact, this book turns pretty dark with some adult discussions. This series is more serious and does dip into those waters every few books. They are handled delicately, but know that in mind going into the story. Even though I figured out parts of the plot early, I didn’t have the killer pegged until we reached the end. The supporting players are all here and are all fun to spend time with. And yes, Sarah does still play a large part in the story as always. Fans will be glad to catch up with their friends in this book.
Freddie is a newsie, and this book takes place during the newsies’ strike of 1899, made famous by the Disney musical. This book is more historically accurate than the musical, however. Still, I found that part of the setup fun, and the historical details about what their lives were really like was interesting. It is quickly clear that the motive for Freddie’s murder lies outside of his life as a newsie, however. In fact, this book turns pretty dark with some adult discussions. This series is more serious and does dip into those waters every few books. They are handled delicately, but know that in mind going into the story. Even though I figured out parts of the plot early, I didn’t have the killer pegged until we reached the end. The supporting players are all here and are all fun to spend time with. And yes, Sarah does still play a large part in the story as always. Fans will be glad to catch up with their friends in this book.
Jenelyn's Journey: The Werewolf of Wittlich
8.0
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Read the intriguing first book in the Jenelyn's Journey series to explore different countries and...
Travel Mystery Supernatural
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Muse in Books
Jan 30, 2022
18 of 230
Book
The Muse
By Jessie Burton
⭐️⭐️
Seductive, exhilarating and suspenseful, The Muse is an unforgettable novel about aspiration and identity, love and obsession, authenticity and deception – a masterpiece from Jessie Burton, the million-copy bestselling author of The Miniaturist.
A picture hides a thousand words . . .
On a hot July day in 1967, Odelle Bastien climbs the stone steps of the Skelton gallery in London, knowing that her life is about to change forever. Having struggled to find her place in the city since she arrived from Trinidad five years ago, she has been offered a job as a typist under the tutelage of the glamorous and enigmatic Marjorie Quick. But though Quick takes Odelle into her confidence, and unlocks a potential she didn't know she had, she remains a mystery – no more so than when a lost masterpiece with a secret history is delivered to the gallery.
The truth about the painting lies in 1936 and a large house in rural Spain, where Olive Schloss, the daughter of a renowned art dealer, is harbouring ambitions of her own. Into this fragile paradise come artist and revolutionary Isaac Robles and his half-sister Teresa, who immediately insinuate themselves into the Schloss family, with explosive and devastating consequences . . .
Oh it started so well and I was enjoying it but I just got so bored. I really wanted to enjoy this book but I couldn’t find anything to keep me hooked in! The characters were wushu washy and the story lost it appeal. Such a shame!
Book
The Muse
By Jessie Burton
⭐️⭐️
Seductive, exhilarating and suspenseful, The Muse is an unforgettable novel about aspiration and identity, love and obsession, authenticity and deception – a masterpiece from Jessie Burton, the million-copy bestselling author of The Miniaturist.
A picture hides a thousand words . . .
On a hot July day in 1967, Odelle Bastien climbs the stone steps of the Skelton gallery in London, knowing that her life is about to change forever. Having struggled to find her place in the city since she arrived from Trinidad five years ago, she has been offered a job as a typist under the tutelage of the glamorous and enigmatic Marjorie Quick. But though Quick takes Odelle into her confidence, and unlocks a potential she didn't know she had, she remains a mystery – no more so than when a lost masterpiece with a secret history is delivered to the gallery.
The truth about the painting lies in 1936 and a large house in rural Spain, where Olive Schloss, the daughter of a renowned art dealer, is harbouring ambitions of her own. Into this fragile paradise come artist and revolutionary Isaac Robles and his half-sister Teresa, who immediately insinuate themselves into the Schloss family, with explosive and devastating consequences . . .
Oh it started so well and I was enjoying it but I just got so bored. I really wanted to enjoy this book but I couldn’t find anything to keep me hooked in! The characters were wushu washy and the story lost it appeal. Such a shame!