"The Younger Wife" by Sally Hepworth

The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth is told by three women:  Heather, who is going to marry a man in his 60s and Jully and Rachel, the daughters of the 60-yr.-old man.  I thought this book was really good.  The pacing is great!  You do not know what is going to happen next.  I loved how the women tell this story that has a very good ending!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"The Cage" by Bonnie Kistler is a Page Turner!

In The Cage by Bonnie Kistler, two women enter an elevator lost in their own thoughts.  When it reaches the ground floor, one woman is dead from a gun shot!  Was it murder or suicide?  I thought this novel was really good.  Just the Prologue will get you hooked and the writing will keep you engaged right to the great ending!  The main character, Shay Lambert, was very enjoyable.  I highly recommend this one!  (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)  

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"The Club" by Ellery Lloyd

In The Club by Ellery Lloyd, there is a huge party on Home Isle.  If you are rich or famous, you are invited.  When people start to be killed, something is going on but what is it and who is doing it?  This book is told by a wide variety of people.  I did not really care about any of the main characters so was not affected by them being killed off.  The storyline was good by the ending was just okay.  This book needed more action in my opinion.  (Gerard's review, 3.5 stars)

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"Crime Scene Connection" by Deena Alexander

Crime Scene Connection by Deena Alexander is about Addison who witnessed her mother's murder as a 3-yr-old hiding in a kitchen cabinet.  She wrote a murder mystery and now is trying to figure out who is doing real murders based on those in her book before other get killed, including herself!  She thinks it might be her ex-husband who is a dirty cop and who was abusive to her.  Jace, Addison's ex-husband's ex-partner, and his dog, Phoenix, try to protect Addison and in the process fall in love.  Although the romance part between Jace and Addison was predictable, I was surprised at who the killer was.  

This was a pretty good murder mystery with the personal journey of Addison and Jace learning to forgive and being drawn to each other.  It has suspense, mystery and romance all wrapped up together.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"The Collective" by Alison Gaylin

The Collective by Alison Gaylin centers on a woman named Camille whose daughter was killed.  The boy who killed her got away scot free!  Camille finds it hard to go on until she goes online and finds a group of women going through the same thing.  She joins their club and feels better.  She is asked to do some things which she does, but when people start dying, she wants out.  Is it too late for that?  

This book is very good!  The story line builds up as it goes along and the second part of the book is non-stop action which I loved!  You won't see the ending coming at all.  I highly recommend this one.  I LOVED IT!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Karen's review, 12/25/21:

The Collective by Alison Gaylin is about vigilante justice.  A group of women band together to seek "justice" for murderers of their children.  Camille believes her daughter was raped and killed by a wealthy boy who went on with his life.  This soon turns into a thriller that drew me in.  I kept reading to find out who the administrator of the collective was and if they would get caught.  I kept pulling for Camille to get out of it and do the right thing.  It was pretty creepy but couldn't quit on it.  (Karen's review, 5 stars)  

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"Elevator Pitch" by Linwood Barclay

In Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay, something is very wrong with the elevators in New York. There have been three elevator accidents in three days.  People are being killed!  What is going on?  Is someone doing this and why?  This book was pretty good.  The action was good, but could have been more.  There were long stretches of just talking.   The story line and characters were okay.  It wasn't great, but good enough to get 4 stars from me.  (Gerard's review) 

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We Both Liked "Hostage" by Clare Mackintosh

Hostage by Clare Mackintosh is a thriller about an airline stewardess.  Too make it even more suspenseful, her 5-yr.-old daughter and her husband are going through a trauma of their own at home.  The hijacker threatened to harm her daughter if she did not let him into the cabin to fly the plane.  This was full of suspense and had a crazy ending I did not see coming.  (Karen's review, 5 stars)

Gerard's review:

In Hostage by Clare Mackintosh, Mina is an airline stewardess going on a non-stop flight, the first between London and Sydney.  It comes at a good time as she needs time away.  Her life is in a tailspin.  She is trained to handle a lot of things that could go wrong, but now she has to decide between the safety of her 5-yr.-old daughter or the people on the plane.  This book is told by many people which helps build the suspense.  In enjoyed it throughout!  (5+ stars)

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"Her One Mistake" by Heidi Perks

In Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks, Charlotte and Harriet are friends.  When Charlotte is looking after Alice, Harriet's daughter, she is fine with that until Alice turns up missing!  How could that have happened?  This book is told by both Charlotte and Harriet.  I thought this book was very good.  The story line kept things interesting and what I thought I knew, I really didn't!  This is a very enjoyable read that I highly recommend!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars) 

Karen's review:

Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks is about two friends and a missing child.  Charlotte finally convinces Harriet that it's okay to let Charlotte take Harriet's little girl, 4-yr.-old Alice, to the fair along with her own kids.  Unfortunately, when Charlotte's kids come off the ride, Alice isn't with them.  They look everywhere but can't find her.  The police and many people also searched for her but she is gone!  

The surprise turn of events captured my interest.  This one had me fooled! It was narrated by both Harriet and Charlotte.  This might make for an interesting book club read.  I found myself first feeling sorry for Harriet and then for Charlotte.  I was wrong about what I thought happened to Alice as well!  (4 stars)  

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"Orphan X" by Gregg Hurwitz has Twists and Turns

In Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz, Orphan X aka Evan has been trained and helps people who have no one else to turn to.  He does his job very well, but now someone is on his trail who wants to stop Evan for good!  I loved all the action in this book and the twists and turns leading up to a very good ending.  (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)   

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"The Children's Blizzard" by Melanie Benjamin--A Very Sad Story

The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin tells the story of two young prairie school teachers who have to find an answer not found in their school books.  How are they going to get the children left in their care home safe and sound when the weather turns from a warm day into a blizzard?  The author does a very good job of making the reader feel how it was on that day.

This historical fiction book is much more than just that one day.  You really get to know the characters!  I had high hopes for this book going in and it certainly delivered.  It was better than I expected!  I LOVED this book and even read the author's notes, which I normally do not do.  (Gerard's review, 1/31/21, 5++ stars)

Karen's review: 

The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin is based on a true event but with fictional characters.  This is a very sad story with lots of death and guilt.  Just reading it made me feel cold!  Knowing this actually happened made it interesting and even sadder.  It revolves around two sisters who both were school teachers and one of their students.  Both teachers were only 16 and 17 or 18, Raina and Gerda.  Raina made a right decision and Gerda, a terrible one.  This is a story about immigrants and homesteading in the 1800s and survival.  It has adventure and much heartbreak.  Reading this for me was like plowing through a blizzard myself.  (4 stars)

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"The Captive" by Fiona King Foster

The Captive by Fiona King Foster is about a woman named Brooke.  At her farm, she is attached by a wanted criminal, Cawley.  Brooke is able to capture him and there is a bounty for him.  Her and her family set out with him to take him in for the reward.  

This book picks up about halfway through with good action when Brooke's daughters go missing.  I liked Brooke.  (Gerard's review 2/3/21, 4 stars)

Karen's review 1/27/21:  

In The Captive by Fiona King Foster, Brooke, the mother of two little girls who owns a cranberry farm with Milo, finds herself desperately trying to protect her family from her past.  She grew up in a drug dealing family that she left 15 years ago.  She kept her past a secret from Milo and her girls.  Growing up, her family was in a drug war with another and one day, one of them who has a warrant for his arrest shows up at her farm!  Will he tell her family about her past?  Can she get the bounty for turning him in?  Will he hurt her girls?  Did he come looking for her?

This book is about family secrets and how difficult it is to leaves one's past behind.  There is adventure and suspense in this book.  I got into it fairly quickly and it just kept getting better and better as it went along.  Brooke is a fighter and although she did lots of bad things, it's hard not to pull for her to succeed.  (4 stars)

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"The Holdout" by Graham Moore

In The Holdout by Graham Moore, Maya Seale was a juror on a huge case.  She was the only one who was convinced that "not guilty" was the right verdict.  Now it is ten years later and the media wants to bring back the jury to talk about the case.  When a member of the jury winds up dead in his hotel room, they have a lot to talk about now!  

This is a really good book!  It goes back and forth in time, but I did not have a problem with that.  It has good flow to it and an ending that I did not see coming at all!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 23:  "It's complicated.  It's a delicate . . . Look, just come to the taping and I'll show everyone--all of us--incontrovertible evidence that Bobby Nock killed Jessica Silver."

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"The Girl Beyond the Red Rope" by Ted and Rachel Dekker

In The Girl Beyond the Red Rope by Ted and Rachel Dekker, Grace lives in Haven Valley.  She is safe, she is told, while the rest of the world is filled with evil.  Grace's brother tells her that he has gone out into the world and there is nothing to fear.  Does Grace believe that?  If so, what will she do?  Will her brother, Jamie, pay the price for going outside the valley?

I thought this book was very good.  I enjoyed all the characters and it flowed along well.  For most of the book, I had no idea what was going to happen!  The ending had me turning pages quickly, so good.
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 14:  "I'm stuck," I whispered.  "I think I made a terrible mistake.  I think I betrayed Rose and now Jamie's in trouble."

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"One of Us is Next" by Karen M. McManus

One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus is the follow-up to One of Us Is Lying (which I liked more). The same cast of characters is back!  This book picks up after the death of Simon and is told in two parts.  Part 1 is okay, but the real action is in part 2.  I enjoyed Phoebe and Knox the most.  This is pretty good because I loved the ending.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 34:  Phoebe Lawton, you're up first!  Text back your choice:  Should I reveal a Truth, or will you take a Dare?

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"There Will Come a Darkness" by Katy Rose Pool

In There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool, the age of darkness is coming to the land but, all is not lost.  According to legend, a new prophet will rise and be the savior.  But who is that?  and will he or she be able to do it?  This book covers five people who could be the hope for the world or the cause of the darkness predicted! 

I thought this book was really, really good!  The author told the story in such a way so I was really invested in the main characters!  With tons of action that I did not know what was to come!  I am amazed that this was the author's first book.  Give it a chance.  If there is a sequel, I will be on it!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 15:  "There's no word about the prince," the woman continued.  "He hasn't been seen in Nazirah since the coup.  He's completely vanished."

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"A Noise Downstairs" by Linwood Barclay Much Better Than "Elevator Pitch"

A Noise Downstairs is the second book I read by Linwood Barclay and is way better than the first--Elevator Pitch.  This has lots of story lines.  The main one concerns a man called Paul almost got killed and is now dealing with something strange in his life.  However, there is a lot more to this novel than just that!

I did not know what was going to happen next.  A twist near the end that I did not see coming and the ending was wild to say the least.  I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Teaser from page 8:  Paul suspected Kenneth would hop in and make a run for it.  With the tailgate open, if he floored it, the bodies might slide right out onto the shoulder.

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"Elevator Pitch" by Linwood Barclay

In Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay, an elevator falls in a high rise building in New York, killing people.  When it happens three days in a row, people start paying attention.  What is going on and why?
The action in this book is little and far between.  Most of it is just people talking which does not hold my interest.  I finished it anyway because a friend recommended it.  I had no problems with all the characters, but just wanted more action!
(Gerard's review, 3.5 stars)

Teaser from page 9:  There was a loud noise from above, as though the world's largest rubber band had snapped.  The elevator trembled for a second.  Everyone looked up, stunned.

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"The Institute" by Stephen King (Husband and Wife Both Liked This One!)

The Institute by Stephen King got my attention and kept it throughout the book.  There are no boring parts in this!  I normally do not like Stephen King books; however, this one involving kids peaked my curiosity.  It is horror because of the emotional and physical pain the children endure.  It is about a bunch of kids who were kidnapped for experimentation on developing their special telekinesis and telepathy abilities for the good of the world.  I liked the group dynamics among the kids and how they became friends and worked together to escape the Institute.  It is not all horrific.  There are some funny lines and lots of adventure.  The ending didn't really make sense to me, but I liked the book anyway.  (Karen's review, 5 stars)

Gerard's review 10/24/19:
The Institute by Stephen King is about children who are really smart and have a special ability to do something are taken and put into a large building.  They are held there and are experimented on and they better behave, or else!  Who is doing this and why?  What about the families of these children?

This is very good!  It flows well and is action packed to be sure!  The ending was amazing!  Good stuff!  (5++ stars) 

Teaser from page 63:  Something began to flutter in his chest, and he took several deep breaths to try and quiet it.  He went to the door and grasped the knob, sure he would find himself locked in.

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"Cold Woods" by Karen Katchur

Cold Woods by Karen Katchur is good stuff! When the long buried bones of a man turn up, the detectives know that it’s a cold case. After all, they guess it’s been 30 years! Three women, who were teen friends at the time, know something about the man that was killed and buried. Will the truth of this come out after all these years?

I liked this book. The pacing of the book is good. It did go back and forth in time though of which I am not a fan. The surprise ending made up for that.
(Gerard’s review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 3:  Side by side, they tossed more and more dirt on him.  When they were close to finishing, their fear kicked into high gear.


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"You Owe Me a Murder" by Eileen Cook

In You Owe Me a Murder by Eileen Cook, Kim is headed to London on a class trip.  Good time for it because her life is not going very well.  She really needs this!  She meets a stranger on the plane and they have an instant connection.  In London, things go south in a hurry and Kim finds her life is at a crossroad!

I enjoyed this book!  Kim is a great character.  The pacing of the book is okay and I especially liked the last part of this book.  If you liked "Stranger on the Train," you will also like this!
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Teaser from page 15:  I was a walking black cloud of doom.  I hadn't bothered to get to know anyone else coming on the trip and now I was going to be miserable and alone.

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