Tag: thriller

Death Row by Freida McFadden

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

“She is a short read… but a deadly one….” Sheila

Talia Kemper has sent in appeal after appeal – only to be denied time and again to be pardoned from her Death Row sentence for killing her husband. Coming to terms with the inevitable is hard enough, but catching sight of her supposedly dead husband in a visiting area takes her over the top…
With the clock ticking down, Talia knows without a doubt her husband is alive – but who will listen?


Ok. I know, I know, I know. And I know that you know that I know that I said I was on a break from McFadden and not only broke that statement once… but now twice.
I can’t be trusted.
In my defense… I listen to a lot of audio when driving and working outside – often struggling to find my next listen as I am on my way out the door to the next thing. Seeing a new McFadden and knowing it’s going to be engaging – I went for it.

I did not catch when I selected this listen that it was a short story. I am not drawn to short stories – I like to really get to know the players in a book and most likely would have passed on this if I had caught that… but I didn’t and I listened.. and here we are.

Color me impressed. For a much shorter read/listen than your usual McFadden, she was able to put together a fully played out storyline that did not feel rushed, and still left me with that twisty surprise in the end that you expect from this author. As you may know from my review here that she does not always hit the mark – I feel she did this time.
Death Row is the perfect little mini read – enticing, and although a quick listen, it did not feel rushed.

Rated: 3.75 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: Even if I said no, you know I would be lying 😉
Where Read: Gardening
Book Club Worthy: Too short for that, but if you are looking for just a little tie over listen for a drive – here it is 🙂

The Ex by Freida McFadden

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)1 Comment
Version 1.0.0

Can a book be too twisty? I think so. ~Sheila

Cassie is so excited about her new relationship with Joel. How can she be so lucky? Cassie’s life as a bookstore owner is simple, and Joel – well, Joel is a handsome, kind guy, and a doctor. What could he possibly want with a bookish girl like Cassie?

But Joel appears smitten. He takes Cassie to meet his friends, who are not very welcoming. One in particular continues to throw how wonderful and beautiful Joel’s ex was in Cassie’s face.

As the relationship continues… Cassie begins to get calls calling her names – and then the bookstore appears to be broken into…. strange things are happening, and Cassie has to wonder… who is after her? Is it Joel’s ex?

While this book had the elements of what I love about Freida McFadden’s books…. good character development and a catchy storyline… I think I have finally come to terms with the fact that maybe I need to take a break from McFadden’s books.. I am feeling a bit caught in the spider web of McFadden books and looking for that next thriller fix.

I want to say this was better than the last book I read by McFadden, but.. no. Confusing and a whole lot of extra stuff that went… nowhere. Like being led down the wrong rabbit hole but this one for some reason didn’t flow a=or have the delicious shock value of discovering you were wrong and it sufdetly makes sense…. yes, I was wrong on what I was thinking … but it wasn’t the delicious WOW I was hoping for… if anything… I was annoyed and a little lost.
The ending…. hmmm.
I did like the book…. but think perhaps I am getting too critical of this very good author and raising my bar too high.
That said, Freida and I are on a break.

Brain Damage by Freida McFadden

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)Leave a comment

Not this one…. Sheila

Charly McKenna has a wonderful career as a well-respected dermatologist. With a gorgeous apartment that looks over Central Park, and a handsome Lawyer husband… Charly feels like she has it all.
Or so she thought…

Arriving home one evening, Charly encounters someone waiting for her in the dark, and a bullet that goes through her skull leaves her hospitalized, but alive.

But is being alive all it’s cracked up to be? Charly is no longer certain…


Charly has a long road ahead of her. Her speech and memory are infected. She can not walk, and with the brain injury, she also has no sensation or feeling in her left side and can not see anything on the left; this is known as left-neglect. She needs help with everything from washing to getting dressed, to using the bathroom.

With much physical therapy for many months, some things are slowly improving, but Charly still only has fractions of memory of what happened the night she was shot – was it a break-in? Or something much more sinister… and very much premeditated….

It’s no secret that I have enjoyed MANY of McFadden’s books. The twisty good thrillers that are enjoyable to read/listen to, and usually have a twisty surprise as well. But as in all things, they can’t all be winners.

This is the second of her books that I have found the repetition to be grating. Almost like word count filler – the description of left neglected told over and over and over again… pulled me out of the story. The fact that her husband was handsome…yes, you’ve said this. Many times. We get it.
And – Charly felt weak to me… and this gripe, I will own, as admittedly, I do not enjoy books where the protagonist is weak – and I’m not talking weak because of the injury -as Charly’s story unfolds in flash backs of her past as the story builds – there is a weakness in how she handles situations that would have sent me running.

I could rant on – but I’m not going to. There were some likable qualities to the book. I liked the supporting characters more than those who held the front row seats. Jamie was awesome… even when he was a jerk. And some of the staff at the hospital? Loved them.
I finished the book because I did want to know… unlike McFadden’s usual tactic of surprising me when it all comes together… this one did not.

If you want to read a really good book on this subject, read Left Neglected by Lisa Genova.

If you have read this book, I would love to hear what you think. If you are a reader of McFadden, are you also finding good McFadden as well as the not-so-much?

Rated: 2.5 out of 5
Read Author Before: yes
Read Author Again: I am right now (I can’t help myself lol)
Where Read: Listened on audio – bouncing around the house and cleaning out the garage

The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose

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Eleven years ago, Attorney Sarah Morgan defended her husband, Adam, from the murder charges of his mistress – unsuccessfully. To Sarah, that was another life as she has moved on from that dreadful past and has started a family with her second husband, Bob Miller. If there is a sense of normalcy, this is it.
Right?

But when Bob has a one-night stand, Sarah immediately files for divorce. Amid this news and navigating the end of a relationship when a child is involved, Sarag also learns that new evidence has been uncovered in the case against Adam and maybe – things were not so cut and dried after all – in fact, new evidence shows that that there was tampering of evidence and the fingers were definitely pointed in the wrong direction, and the wrong person. Unfortunately, this places Sarah back in the spotlight – exactly where she doesn’t want to be during this time of turbulence in her personal life.

Now the woman that Bob had slept with is missing – and Sarah is fearful that life… does indeed seem to be repeating itself…

When I read The Perfect Marriage, I was impressed with this new author (to me). When I learned that the Perfect Divorce was being released shortly after I finished the first book, I was momentarily excited, followed quickly by cautiously making a decision if I wished to read it. How often have we LOVE LOVED a first book only to find the second to be a close repeat of the first and while fun to try to continue the story…. often we find it is not as strong and well-loved as we had hoped…

Have we learned nothing from Frieda McFadden’s Housemaid, the series slowly went from my 5-star rating, to a 3.5 for The Housemaid’s Secret, to my 3 average for The Housemaid Is Watching.

I get it – it’s hard if you have a winning story to not try again, but sadly, I am trying to remember the last time in a book like this that the sequel lived up to its potential.

That all said, The Perfect Divorce was interesting, I love the narration in both books, but in the end… I could have done without this one. The whole time I am making guesses at how and who is involved based on what happened in the first book. And while I did not have all the details, I was correct in my initial guesses.

IMO – read The Perfect Marriage. Skip the Perfect Divorce.

Rated: 3 out of 5
Read Author Before: yes
Read Author Again: yes – in fact, I have another book waiting, and I am excited to see what else she writes
Where Read: Listened to on audio – mostly at home

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)5 Comments

Holy shnikies…… ~Sheila

Sarah Morgan is a named partner of her law firm. At 33 years old, she is proud of her accomplishments and good at what she does, even though, admittedly, she misses out on events with her husband and time alone together in their newly acquired vacation home.

Sarah’s husband, Adam, has not done as well in his career as a writer… he spends many weekends at the vacation home as a chance to dig into his writing, but honestly, he spends more time staring at the ceiling than putting words to paper. Most often, Sarah has too much to do to go with him.

Then one weekend everything changes. Adam comes home early from his weekend writing retreat, missing his wife. A few short hours later, he is arrested when a woman is found murdered in the bed of their second home….
Sarah suddenly finds herself reeling as she gets not only the news of her husband’s arrest for murder, but also the fact that he has been having an affair with the victim. The odds are stacked against Adam, and Sarah knows she is the only Lawyer who can give Adam a fighting chance of getting out of a life sentence ….
But can she? Can she defend him all the while looking the other way to Adams’ self-confessed infidelity to save him from going down for a murder she is pretty sure he did not commit?

Holy smokes, this was good. A fast-paced read that left me with a big WOW at the end. This is one of those books I want to say so much but feel I can say nothing, as I want you to read it and pull all the amazing gems out of this one all on your own.

There are many twists are turns, and if you are trying to keep track – there are so many suspects but in a believable way where you can see why they would have done it… and still, at least in my case…. You have no idea.

With a little essence of Caroline Kepness (author of YOU) and definitely a little McFadden (but dare I say better than McFadden)…. absolutely worth your time to dig on in.

Rated: 4 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: oh yeah!
Possible Triggers: a little sex, murder (but not graphic)
Where Read: listened to at home and in the car

Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

Definitely listen to on audio – I laughed out loud more times than I can count. ~Sheila

Lucy knew that going back to her hometown was going to be a challenge after all these years and all the rumors that had surrounded her ever since her best friend Savvy had been murdered and Lucy had been named a suspect. But Grandma has asked for her to come home for her birthday, and Lucy can not bring herself to turn down Grandma.

Ben Owens, host of the popular Podcast Listen For The Lie, has set his sights on the mystery behind the unsolved case on Savvy…placing him in the area where the murder took place, at the same time that Lucy, the only real suspect, will be home. What luck! Putting fuel on the fire of this unsolved mystery only serves to reignite everyone’s opinion on what they think happened and a thirst to know the truth, especially in Lucy’s own hometown.

The unfriendly reactions, the hateful words that accompany Lucy’s homecoming are definitely harsh, and the Podcast just keeps piling on as friends and family members all fall under the spell of being interviewed for the popular listen.

Truth is, not even Lucy knows if the rumors are true. Lucy has no memory of what happened, only that she was found covered in her best friend’s blood with no recollection of how or what happened.
…And there is this voice in her head… that makes Lucy think that maybe-just maybe, everyone is right about her.

I am always pushing my friends to try audio (just ask them). And – when doing so there are always certain books I recommend to them that really pop in audio format, and in turn I hope they will listen and become an audiobook listener as I am.
This is one of those books.

I typically avoid reading reviews on a book I plan to read/listen to as I want to form my own opinion and not go into a book with any bias one way or another. I also try to not read reviews before I write my own for the same reason… However, I did see a little mention of this book before diving into it that called it witty and funny – two things I very much like, but do not necessarily associate these two words with a thriller.
Truth is – Listen For The Lie can be funny… admittedly, the dark humor had me laugh out loud many times while listening. Fans of YOU by Caroline Kepnes (also a Netflix Series) I believe, will enjoy this one.

Listen For The Lie can definitely be dark, but in a way that I actually enjoyed. This is not the first time I have listened to a book that has a podcast built into it, but like the others I have read/listened to that have done this – I like it. It’s a great addition to this listen.

Overall – just a really good listen with great narration, and I was all in to find out who did it.

Well done and recommended.

Rated: 4 out of 5 – Solid listen
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: I would!
Possible Triggers: Semi-graphic descriptions of killing someone
Where Read: Listened to at home and in the car


Nobody’s Fool by Harlan Coben

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Fantastic revisit to a favorite author ~ Sheila

When college student Sami Kierce is backpacking in Spain with friends, he meets Anna, a girl who takes his breath away. When he wakes up one morning with a bloody knife in his hand and her body lying next to him, he panics, and he runs.

Twenty-two years later, Sami is happily married with a young son. He works as a Private Investigator and teaches night school to a group of want-to-be sleuths in New York City.
One evening while teaching his class, a girl hovers in the back of the room, and Sami’s blood runs cold. There is no doubt that this is Anna. When they make eye contact, she bolts out the door and out of sight in a matter of seconds.
Sami has no choice but to open the door to the past. Is this girl really Anna, and if so, what happened all those years ago…. Sami soon discovers that this particular door holds way more secrets and darkness than even he could have imagined.

A little history here…. in my twenties, Harlan Coben was one of a small handful of go-to authors for me. This was pre-book club, my boys were young, and I enjoyed reading in the evenings. This photo is from one of the years at the Book Expo in New York…. I would guess 2010, 2011…

I have been so excited to see that a series of Harlan’s books has been made to movies on Netflix.

How crazy cool is that?
So – in recent searching for that next read/audio… I came across his newest release, Nobody’s Fool and dug into a blast from the past.

Remember when mystery/thrillers were just that? A good storyline, a solid protagonist, and popcorn worthy? That is what Coebn feels like. No offense to the newer popular twisty unreliable narrator, psychological thrillers of today that can feel more like a jerky rollercoaster ride that is traveling through a haunted fun house… I like those too, but ya know what I mean.

Digging into this book, it felt wonderful to meet up with Coben again. I forgot how funny he is. There are MANY great one-liners throughout the book that made me laugh out loud. I wish I had written them down, but meh… also cool that you can discover them for yourself.

Great storyline that flowed well, kept me wondering what was going on, and came out the other side finishing well. I enjoy this read and can honestly say Coben still has that great touch – a solid thriller, and worth your time.

Here are some of my other Harlan Coben reviews (I have read more than this – but remember I started pre-book club, which was also pre-reviewing.

Don’t Let Go
Fool Me Once
Missing You
Six Years
Seconds Away
Deal Breaker
One False Move
Caught
Hold Tight

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

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Delightfully smart and twisty. ~Sheila

Evie Porter has her next assignment – Ryan Somner. The name and location have been delivered by her boss Mr. Smith -who she has never met… only communicated by phone and delivered packages and then a deposit into her bank account.

This new job, however, is a little trickier… Ryan is kind and fun to be with and easy on the eyes. Despite herself, Evie likes him and she knows, he likes her too. For the first time… Evie allows herself to envision a different life that does not include lying, deceit, theft, and betrayal. Something that some may call – normal.

But so many things need to happen for that to ever be a reality – first, there is no way out from Mr Smith’s watchful eye… Second, there is a reason that she was assigned to Ryan and there is something shady there… and third –
well. Evie Porter is not even her name. Nor were the many names she has called herself that came before that.

I have had a nice streak lately of books that grab me immediately. First Lie Wins was no exception. Not only was this a good thriller – it was different than anything I have read before (also a plus). Often when an author creates as many paths as Ashley Elston does here, there is usually a path that is left unfinished – which can weigh on me like a loose thread… but not here – while there are many moving pieces – in the end, they all fit and you can find how each part, leads to the satisfying hard-earned finish.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book with the one exception that has nothing to do with the storyline or author… just as it was digging in and things were starting to fall into place – there were 17 pages in my copy (pictured above). While I could not wait to get a new copy to move on I trudged forward with the gap and pieced together what I could of what must have happened in the “in-between” of page 278 and page 295.

While a new author to me, I nosed around her website and there are a couple of back titles that caught my eye… if you check it out I am sure you can know which would be right up my alley 🙂

Rated: 4.5 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: I think I would
Where Read: Fort Myers Florida

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)1 Comment

Essence of McFadden… but also, a little Steven King. ~Sheila

Author Grady Green is having the best day of his life. He just received wonderful news from his publicist regarding his newest book. The only thing that would have made this moment better is if his wife had been there to celebrate with him. But she is on her way—he just spoke with her, and she is so close to home.
But as the minutes tick by, Grady begins to worry. Where is Abby? When he runs up the road, what he finds will haunt his dreams forever. Abby’s car is on the side of the road with the door open, her phone and car remain in the seat, and Abby is nowhere to be found.

A year later, Grady still does not have the answers. Abby was never found. Grady can no longer write. His finances have dwindled to nothing and he has moved into a cheap hotel with his dog. When his Editor offers him a three-month stay in a cabin she inherited on a remote island to clear his head and maybe start writing again – Grady has no choice but to humbly accept.

At first, the Island seems to be just the answer. It’s small, remote, and beautiful. Every shop is locally owned, and while admittedly, the folks seem a little odd, Grady thinks he can make this work.
But things are more than a little off on this small island and in short time strange things start happening that Grady can not ignore… and when he sees a woman in a red coat who looks just like Abby… things get even stranger yet.

I read this in two days in the RV on our way to Florida. (Yes you read that right – that may be the norm for many people – but not for me…I don’t have a lot of reading time usually so it takes a bit longer to finish a book) – this is a little bit of WOW for me 🙂

It’s a little hard to describe this book without giving anything away. While it held my attention all the way through, when the reveal came – I was….
admittedly confused – not that the reveal did not work… I’m just not sure if (IMO) it worked well. For me to fully grasp what just happened – I would need to go back and reread certain chapters and honestly – I just didn’t want to. If I were to describe how the reveal felt – it didn’t give me the “Ahhhhhhhh!” moment I think it was going for. It was more like a “huh.”

That said – the book is not bad- its good and I really enjoyed it except for that part. It feels a little like McFadden and oddly, I picked up vibes on Stephen King – especially on the small Island. I think if you think about it, you will too 🙂

I would love to hear other thoughts on this one.

Rated: 3.5 out of 5
Read Author Before: I do not believe so
Read Author Again: I would give her another try
Where Read: Traveling to Florida in the RV – between Georgia and Florida 🙂

The Housemaid’s Secret by Frieda McFadden

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It’s fun to revisit the characters you enjoy – and Millie is definitely one to have on your side. ~Sheila

Millie has a reputation as being “a fixer”. As word got out that Millie had a way to take care of the bad husbands, she had a little stint with the help of a friend cleaning up some messy marriages.

Those days, however – are in the past. Millie still with a record of her jail time, just wants a nice easy job to pay the bills and keep her moving forward. When Douglas Garrick calls about her working for him and his wife – a little housekeeping, a little errand running, a little cooking – Millie says yes. The Garricks seem easy to work for, their house is never dirty and Mr Garrick is pleasant in their encounters. The only thing that makes Millie wonder is Mrs. Garrick, who keeps to herself in her room with some assorted health issues. And the longer she works for the Garrick’s the more mysterious it seems that Mr Garrick does not want Millie to talk to his wife…

What could possibly be going on?

I’m a little proud of myself with this one. I feel like I finally have a bit of a grasp on McFadden’s style and even predicted a couple of things in this one. (Go Me!!!) But – don’t get me wrong… when this story begins to fully unfold – there is the usual McFadden Origami style here that once again – in the end… had me fooled.

I enjoyed this one as a sequel but probably not as much as the first one – still a strong read and I am glad I did 🙂

Rated: 3.5 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: Of Course 🙂
Where Read: Listened to audio – finished right before leaving on our RV trip