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The Light at the End of the Day
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
9 of 220
Book
The Light at the End of the Day
By Eleanor Wasserberg
⭐️⭐️

When Jozef is commissioned to paint a portrait of the younger daughter of Kraków’s grand Oderfeldt family, it is only his desperate need for money that drives him to accept. He has no wish to indulge a pampered child-princess or her haughty, condescending parents – and almost doesn’t notice Alicia’s bookish older sister, Karolina.

But when he is ushered by a servant into their house on Kraków’s fashionable Bernadyńska street in the winter of 1937, he has no inkling of the way his life will become entangled with the Oderfeldts'. Or of the impact that the German invasion will have upon them all.
 
As Poland is engulfed by war, and Jozef’s painting is caught up in the tides of history, Alicia, Karolina and their parents are forced to flee – their Jewish identity transformed into something dangerous, and their comfortable lives overturned …

I struggled with this book in several places. The story was so sad and I can’t even begin to imagine living like this but the book was a tough read I’m not sure why either which is so frustrating. I couldn’t bring my to like these characters at all under the storyline the characters were hard to like.
  
Lock Every Door
Lock Every Door
Riley Sager | 2019 | Thriller
6
8.0 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
78 of 220
Kindle
Lock Every Door
By Riley Sager
⭐️⭐️⭐️

No visitors. No nights spent elsewhere. No disturbing the rich and famous residents. These are the rules for Jules Larsen’s new job apartment sitting at the Bartholomew, one of Manhattan’s most high-profile buildings. Recently heartbroken—and just plain broke—Jules is taken in by the splendor and accepts the terms, ready to leave her past life behind.
 
As she gets to know the occupants and staff, Jules is drawn to fellow apartment sitter Ingrid, who reminds her so much of the sister she lost eight years ago. When Ingrid confides that the Bartholomew has a dark history hidden beneath its gleaming façade, Jules brushes it off as a harmless ghost story—until the next day when Ingrid seemingly vanishes.
 
Searching for the truth, Jules digs deeper into the Bartholomew’s sordid past. But by uncovering the secrets within its walls, Jules exposes herself to untold terrors. Because once you’re in, the Bartholomew doesn’t want you to leave....

This was good and one of those that keeps you thinking is it supernatural or something more sinister and what’s more sinister than human beings being dark and twisted? All through this though I couldn’t help but feel I’d read something similar which did distract me a little. But it was a decent read.
  
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Lindsay (1807 KP) rated Bring Her Home in Books

Jan 11, 2026  
BH
Bring Her Home
David Bell | 2017
9
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
We meet Bill. Who is looking for, or has received a call about, this daughter? He wonders where and if his daughter is Alive.

He met with Detective Hawkins. He is told about his daughter, Summer, and her injuries. He also finds out about her friend Haley.
Detective Hawkins asks a few more questions. Bill's sister arrives to support her brother and niece. She tells Bill that Summer called her.

What is happening? Does Bill really know his daughter? What actually happened to Summer?
It seems that both Summer and Bill are still grieving. Bill grieves for his wife, and Summer grieves for her mother. Will there be healing?
We find out that the girl in the hospital may not be Bill's daughter, Summer. It takes a few days and some clues from the girl for them to realize this. Is Summer dead, or where is she? Is the girl really Summer?
Is Adam a friend, or could he be involved in Summer's disappearance? It seems odd that Adam is often around, even though he is supposed to be on his way to see his son.
We seem to be getting some of the story and some answers about what happened that day, and everything seems to be happening. Will they find Summer alive or at all?
  
Entangled (Dark Faeverse #3)
Entangled (Dark Faeverse #3)
Allegra Rose | 2025 | Erotica, Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
ENTANGLED is the third book in the Dark Faeverse series, although you don't need to have read the others. There is an introduction at the beginning to give you an idea of what's gone on before.

Mara is the younger, always overlooked, and tossed aside sister of Sarah. They are both scientists, although their work is in different fields. When Mara gets the opportunity to talk about her work at a conference in the Vine Court, she takes it, understanding that it may be too good to be true, but fed up with being invisible. Thorian doesn't think Maya is invisible at all. In fact, she is the culmination of a long plan, one that he hopes will save his court.

Although there are still plot holes and time disparities, this was a whole lot better than the last book. The relationship between Maya and Thorian was better, although (obviously) still very manipulative. To be honest, I found the storyline with Sarah to be completely unnecessary.

According to the last chapter, it's off to the mountains for the Stone Court next. I am interested in how that one will work. Thorned is still my favourite so far, but Entangled is next to it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dec 23, 2025
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2518 KP) rated Death of the Party in Books

Jan 28, 2026 (Updated Jan 28, 2026)  
Death of the Party
Death of the Party
Carolyn Hart | 2005 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Will This Party Be the Death of Someone?
Annie Darling is taking a break to head to the smaller, private island of Golden Silk when her husband, Max, is hired to help find a killer. A year ago, media mogul Jeremiah Addison died when he fell down the stairs of his mansion. At the time, only his sister-in -law knew it was something more than an accident. But now, she’s inviting the guests from the weekend back, and she’s hoping that Max will be able to help her find the killer despite his insisting that this is a job for the police. With Annie tagging along, can they determine which guest turned it into a killer party?

When a series moves the setting, it’s always risky. In this case, the risk paid off. Yes, I missed the other regulars, but Annie and Max really got to shine, and the suspects got more time to develop. The mystery was a little slow getting going, but once it did, I was along for every twist. The ending was a bit abrupt, but it did answer my questions. I did miss the references to other mystery novels, but I loved that we didn’t see more of Annie being furious with the police. Any other fans who haven’t gotten to this book yet will be happy with this entry.