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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Sleepless in Books

Nov 11, 2021  
Sleepless
Sleepless
Romy Hausmann | 2021 | Thriller
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Nadja had a difficult childhood and spent time in prison after being convicted for a crime. But it's been years since her release and she's wanted nothing more than a normal life since: a quiet flat, a job, and maybe some friends. But when one of those few friends, Lauren--the wife of her boss--asks for help covering up a murder, Nadja cannot help but agree. Even if it means endangering all the peace she's worked for. The women quickly make a plan, but when it all starts to crumble, Nadja begins to question exactly what her role is in this plan.

I really enjoyed Hausmann's book DEAR CHILD, but this one didn't have quite the same flair. There are books with confusing timelines that you enjoy and then there are books with confusing timelines that simply muddle things and make it hard to enjoy the plot. This book was the latter for me. There are a lot of interconnected stories in varying timelines and points of view and, truly, it's a lot to follow.

This read seems rather slow and rather blah until the last bit, where it takes off and gets exciting. You sort of know where it's going, which makes it even harder to keep reading. The characters are not that engaging, making it hard to get attached. It's difficult to root for this gang--especially Lauren and her husband. The plot is crazy and rather violent, spinning toward preposterous. If you can suspend disbelief, you'll enjoy things a lot more.

Overall, this had hints of enjoyment, but wasn't my favorite. 2.5 stars.
  
The Turncoat's Widow
The Turncoat's Widow
Mally Becker | 2021 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Spies and Mystery During the Revolutionary War
It’s been six months since Rebecca Parcell lost her husband on a British prison ship, and the rumors in town that she is the one who turned him in to the British are only growing stronger. So when she gets an offer from General Washington, she is quick to listen. It seems that her husband was spying for whoever would pay him the most money, and Washington wants to know about his network, including the British spies he was going to identify. In order to help Washington, Rebecca travels to New York City with Daniel Alloway, a man she barely knows but who was on the ship with her late husband. Will they be able to find the network of spies in time to stop a plot?

This is definitely a shade darker than the cozies I typically read, but it is only just a shade darker. I was delighted to find a mystery set during the Revolutionary War, and the book does a great job of bringing that time period to life. The plot starts out well and only gets stronger as it goes. By the end, I was racing to find out what would happen next. I did find the romance between Rebecca and Daniel to be the weak point of the book, but that was minor. The characters, real and fictional, are strong, and using both Rebecca and Daniel to tell the story is a real asset. I’m glad I found this series, and I can’t wait to find out where the characters go next.