Fiction

Rating: 7.5/10

Every day at 3:55 am on the dot, members of Team Movement clock in for their shift at big box store Town Square. Under the watchful eye of a self-absorbed and barely competent boss, they empty the days truck of merchandise and stock the shelves. When the big boss announces he’s leaving, each of them becomes preoccupied by their lofty, and hilariously intricate, aspirations, but a retail job can only provide so much grandeur. Which is pretty much none.

Historical Fiction

Rating: 8/10

This novel illustrates beautifully how much this generation lost, youthful hopes and dreams extinguished before life could even truly begin. And how the women struggled with their service being dismissed as “not combat”, as it certainly felt that way as they were mired in blood and death. In this book they have a voice and it’s saying, we were there. An acknowledgement and tribute long overdue.

Thriller

Rating: 8/10

This novel follows a recent trend I have noticed. One where the narrator is speaking directly to the reader. Offering up a perspective that is meant to provide either transparency or obfuscation. You almost feel as if you are sitting in a bar, enjoying a cocktail while an engaging storyteller sets the stage for all that’s about to unfold. My advice? Drink up.

Fiction

Rating: 9/10

Spoiler Alert! Happy endings are within reach in this utterly charming book! Years ago, Jack, a bestselling and adored children’s book author stopped writing. Suddenly he resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change the winner’s life. And Lucy is desperate for a life change. A wonderful tale of love and hope with sweet parallels to Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.

Mystery

Rating: 8/10

The Hunt meets Knives Out…need I say more? Set at an isolated and elite hunting club during a raging storm, the reader finds themselves awash in corpses. Alongside a doozy of a suspect list, rife with privileged and scheming characters. The author offers up a reading experience that is both challenging and fun. Full of tidbits and fun facts, its a must read for the mystery buff!

Entertainment

Rating: 7.5/10

Full of tidbits unearthed by archival sleuthing and behind the scenes insider information, this fun compilation tells the stories of hundreds of iconic movie quotes. Full of fun detours, like monkey business, trashy delights, and license to swill, this is a book movie lovers won’t want to miss! Question is, how long before I attempt to replicate for books!

New Books Hitting The Shelves-March 2024

I’m a planner in every way you could imagine, a particular quirk that benefits my reading life. And now you dear reader, will reap the rewards with my new monthly post that will feature three of the most interesting books coming out in the next month as well as a few extra just for fun. Happy Reading!

Children’s Poetry

Rating: 9/10

Attention Bob Odenkirk Fans!! Hang on tight. I’m about to say it. It’s coming out of my mouth, there is going to be a written record of it. Seuss has been bested! If I didn’t have reason to adore actor Bob Odenkirk before, this charming and delightful collection of poems for children would be more than reason enough! Add in his daughter Erin Odenkirk’s delightful artwork and this is simply a joy for readers of all ages!

Thriller

Rating: 8.5/10

Elizabeth is not making good choices. Someone knows that she is killing people. And for reasons she can’t begin to fathom, other people are confessing to her crimes. All of them. Every time. She knows that she will eventually have to face the consequences of her actions. Punishment may have been delayed by these inexplicable admissions of guilt, but it’s coming for her. Disquieting and diabolical. I dare you to look away.

Spy Thriller

Rating: 8/10

A Russian magnate who has set his dead eyed sights on ruling the nation goes to diabolical lengths to restore to his homeland a priceless artifact thought to be the eighth wonder of the world. A woman, one of the CIA’s most revered and brilliant spymasters is the only one that can prevent him from achieving the pinnacle of power. Full of intrigue, clandestine missions, and fast paced action, this is a great read whether you are a fan of spy novels or not. You will not be disappointed.

Mystery

Rating: 8/10

Molly has a new mess to clean up. A situation if you will. A problem of epic proportions with limited solutions. A colossal catastrophe. A famous author has dropped dead on the tearoom floor of the hotel in which she was recently promoted to head maid. Before he had a chance to make his big announcement. In one moment, the words “I’ve been keeping a secret” are uttered and in the next, he is a goner. Not to worry, our charming Molly is on the case!

Mystery

Rating: 8.5/10

When Theo shows up on her big brother’s doorstep with an abandoned life plan and an unfinished novel in hand, she never expects to be drawn into a hidden literary world. One in which identity is something that can be obscured and remade for the sake of a reader. Or stolen might be a better way to put it. I loved the portrayal of writing and publishing as something murky and even murderous on its path to success. So juicy!

Thriller

Rating: 8/10

When a decomposing body is discovered alongside a white bullet casing, the police begin to receive complex riddles from the killer, taunting them with opportunities to stop future planned murders. One down, eight to go. With the unrelenting game of cat and mouse afoot, a sense of desperation pervades the book, ensuring an outstanding read. One not for the faint of heart.

Mystery

Rating: 7/10

Teenager Jack becomes a suspect when she discovers a body floating in the river she spends all her free time on. Her grandmother, whose living with her and her mom while she battles cancer, resolves to ferret out the real killer. And absolutely nothing, and no one, will dissuade her. Do not mistake granny for anybody’s push over, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Sci-Fi/Noir

Rating: 8.5/10

Cal is a detective working with the police on certain, shall we say, sensitive cases. Think of him as a fixer. When he’s called in to investigate a homicide, at first, he thinks it’s a mistake. That it’s just a run of the mill murder and not one that involves a Titan. Society’s richest, most powerful, medically enhanced and genetically altered elites. The world the author plops us into is shadowy and visceral, the plotting impeccable and the characters gleefully immoral. In other words, fun!

New Books Hitting The Shelves-February 2024

I’m a planner in every way you could imagine, a particular quirk that benefits my reading life. And now you dear reader, will reap the rewards with my new monthly post that will feature three of the most interesting books coming out in the next month as well as a few extra just for fun. Happy Reading!

Fiction

Rating: 7.5/10

This author crafts stories that are as heartwarming as they are heartbreaking, expertly guiding us through the complexities that emerge within families. Her latest packs an emotional punch, delivering a page turning family drama that explores the consequences of loyalty, deception, jealousy, scandal, and fraught family dynamics. And the big secret that the scandal in the title is referring too, its a doozy!

Fiction/Satire

Rating: 9/10

Juniper is a fledging writer, ravenous with ambition. When her bestselling author friend Athena chokes to death one night when they are hanging at her fancy schmancy apartment, Juniper steals her just-finished masterpiece. A masterpiece she hasn’t whispered a thing about to anyone. Did I mention she is also an unabashed liar. Flat out, bald faced, deluded and narcissistic, she even manages to fool herself. Seriously, she cannot help herself. A brilliant read!

Thriller

Rating: 7/10

Aidan is charming, objectively handsome, and always willing to lend a hand. But behind the meticulously fabricated veneer, he’s also a kidnapper and serial killer. While we all have reason to shy away from the “serial killer” novels, which have seen a resurgence of popularity in the last year, this one delves a little deeper than most. What is, at a glance, a twisted premise, is in fact a novel that raises unexpected moral considerations.

Sci-Fi

Rating: 9/10

January is head of security at the Paradox Hotel, a luxury locale where trillionaires stay when travelling to and from different time periods. With a big summit planned to determine the new owner of the hotel, she struggles to keep herself in the here and now while juggling a maelstrom of complications that arise. The hotel is losing bits and pieces of past events, almost as if history is dissolving. And she herself is unstuck, a little like Alice In Wonderland. And then there’s the body in a room that doesn’t exist. What’s a girl to do? Well, this girl’s not telling!