Book Review: Emma in the Night: A Novel by Wendy Walker-Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Emma in the Night: A Novel by Wendy Walker.

Title: Emma in the Night: A Novel 

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Author: Wendy Walker

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: August 8, 2017

Language: English

Hardcover: 320 pages
Meet the Author: Wendy Walker
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

"Both twisted and twisty, this smart psychological thriller sets a new standard for unreliable narrators." –Booklist, Starred Review

One night three years ago, the Tanner sisters disappeared: fifteen-year-old Cass and seventeen-year-old Emma. Three years later, Cass returns, without her sister Emma. Her story is one of kidnapping and betrayal, of a mysterious island where the two were held. But to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Abby Winter, something doesn't add up. Looking deep within this dysfunctional family Dr. Winter uncovers a life where boundaries were violated and a narcissistic parent held sway. And where one sister's return might just be the beginning of the crime.

Bestselling author Wendy Walker returns with another winning thriller, Emma in the Night.

My Thoughts

Another psychological thriller which kept me interested from page one to the end. This one in particular with a lot of unexpected twists and definitely an unexpected ending, did not see that coming. Very complex characters which have to deal with a lot of internal struggles, family relationships can be hard at times and Emma in the Night shows us a very clear example of that. With a refreshing writing Wendy Walker gives us a story full of suspense, complicated, very self-centered but reliable characters, unexpected twists and an ending which will be hard to forget.

Wendy

Novels at Night IG Book Club Pick of the Month: October 2017- The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Hello dear Readers,

Our IG Book Club Novels at Night is back with another exciting read for October. 

The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones.

Title: The Hearts We Sold 

Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror, Paranormal, Romance

Author: Emily Lloyd-Jones

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: August 8, 2017

Language: English

Hardcover: 400 pages
Meet the Author: Emily Lloyd-Jones
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

A thrilling blend of sci-fi, paranormal horror, and romance--perfect for fans of Holly Black, Leigh Bardugo, and Stranger Things.

When Dee Moreno makes a deal with a devil--her heart in exchange for an escape from a disastrous home life--she finds her trade may be more than she bargained for. And becoming "heartless" is only the beginning. What lies ahead is a nightmare far bigger, far more monstrous than anything she ever could have imagined. 

With reality turned on its head, Dee has only a group of other deal-making teens to keep her grounded, including the charming but secretive James Lancer. And as something like love grows between them amidst an otherworldly ordeal, Dee begins to wonder: can she give James her heart when it's no longer hers to give?

The Hearts We Sold is a Faustian tale for the modern age that will steal your heart and break it, and leave you begging for more. 

Wendy

Book Review: The Final Girls: A Novel by Riley Sager-Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Final Girls: A Novel by Riley Sager.

Title: Final Girls: A Novel 

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Author: Riley Sager

Publisher: Dutton

Publication Date: July 11, 2017

Language: English

Hardcover: 352 pages
Meet the Author: Riley Sager
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

“The first great thriller of 2017 is here: Final Girls, by Riley Sager. If you liked Gone Girl, you’ll like this.”—Stephen King

Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie–scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to—a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout's knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and, with that, one another. Despite the media's attempts, they never meet.

Now, Quincy is doing well—maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiancé, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won’t even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past. 

That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl, is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy's doorstep. Blowing through Quincy's life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy question why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa's death come to light, Quincy's life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam's truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and, most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished.

My Thoughts

Don't want to spoil this book. I will only say all that hype and everybody talking about the book, all that was worth it. One of the best Thrillers I have read this year. I recommend it 100%.

Wendy

Book Review: It's Always the Husband: A Novel by Michele Campbell-Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of It's Always the Husband by Michele Campbell.

Title: It's Always the Husband: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Author: Michele Campbell

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: May 16, 2017

Language: English

Hardcover: 336 pages
Meet the Author: Michele Campbell
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

"This book is perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies." –Redbook Magazine

"Fans of Ruth Ware and Gillian Flynn meet your next obsession." ―BuzzFeed

"In the tradition of Big Little Lies comes the excellently titled It's Always the Husband, a thriller about three friends–frenemies, really–who met as college roommates." –New York Post

*Named one of "50 Best Books for the Beach" by Coastal Living

*Named one of "7 Books You Won't Be Able to Put Down This Month" by InStyle

*Named one of "6 Books to Cure Your Little Big Lies Withdrawal" by Elle.com

*Named one of "20 Must-Read Books for Spring 2017" by Redbook

*Named one of "8 Thrillers You Will Devour This Summer" by BuzzFeed

“A page-turning whodunnit that will speak to anyone who’s ever had a frenemy.” –Ruth Ware, bestselling author of The Woman in Cabin Ten

Kate, Aubrey, and Jenny first met as college roommates and soon became inseparable, despite being as different as three women can be. Kate was beautiful, wild, wealthy, and damaged. Aubrey, on financial aid, came from a broken home, and wanted more than anything to distance herself from her past. And Jenny was a striver―brilliant, ambitious, and determined to succeed. As an unlikely friendship formed, the three of them swore they would always be there for each other.

But twenty years later, one of them is standing at the edge of a bridge, and someone is urging her to jump.

How did it come to this?

Kate married the gorgeous party boy, Aubrey married up, and Jenny married the boy next door. But how can these three women love and hate each other? Can feelings this strong lead to murder? When one of them dies under mysterious circumstances, will everyone assume, as is often the case, that it’s always the husband?

A suspenseful, absorbing novel that examines the complexities of friendship, It’s Always the Husband will keep readers guessing right up to its shocking conclusion.

My Thoughts

Another mystery- thriller I could not put down. Kept me guessing and wanting to know what was going to happen next and the ending unexpected but very satisfying. Full of twists, intriguing and unique characters and a great plot. I totally recommend this book and will be definitely reading more books of this author.

Wendy

Book Review: Behind Closed Doors: A Novel by B.A. Paris-Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Behind Closed Doors: A Novel by B.A. Paris.

Title: Behind Closed Doors: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Author: B.A. Paris

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: August 09, 2016

Language: English

Hardcover: 304 pages
Meet the Author: B.A. Paris
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING DEBUT PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER YOU CAN'T MISS!

The perfect marriage? Or the perfect lie?

“A hair-raising debut, both unsettling and addictive...A chilling thriller that will keep you reading long into the night.” ―Mary Kubica, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Good Girl

“This is one readers won’t be able to put down.” ―Booklist (starred review)

"A can’t-put-down psychological thriller.” ―Library Journal (starred review)

“This debut is guaranteed to haunt you...Warning: brace yourself.” ―Bustle (10 New Thrillers to Read This Summer)

“The sense of believably and terror that engulfs Behind Closed Doors doesn't waver.” ―The Associated Press, picked up by The Washington Post

“This was one of the best and most terrifying psychological thrillers I have ever read.” ―San Francisco Book Review

Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth; she has charm and elegance. He’s a dedicated attorney who has never lost a case; she is a flawless homemaker, a masterful gardener and cook, and dotes on her disabled younger sister. Though they are still newlyweds, they seem to have it all. You might not want to like them, but you do. You’re hopelessly charmed by the ease and comfort of their home, by the graciousness of the dinner parties they throw. You’d like to get to know Grace better.

But it’s difficult, because you realize Jack and Grace are inseparable.

Some might call this true love. Others might wonder why Grace never answers the phone. Or why she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn’t work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. Or why she never seems to take anything with her when she leaves the house, not even a pen. Or why there are such high-security metal shutters on all the downstairs windows.

Some might wonder what’s really going on once the dinner party is over, and the front door has closed.

From bestselling author B. A. Paris comes the gripping thriller and international phenomenon Behind Closed Doors.

My Thoughts

Never though I was going to hate a character more than I did Joe Goldberg from Caroline Kepnes book "You", but I did. Jack Angel, but interesting enough, even though I hated him but like Joe, these type of characters are a huge part why I love mystery, thriller books so much. They bring so much to the story that it would not be the same without them.

I loved this book. I enjoyed every page of it. It made feel sad, scared, anxious. I could feel the fear in every word and every sentence. But at the same time it made me happy to see how brave Grace was and how she managed to escape from such a monster, yes, that is the one word I would use to describe Jack Angel. Grace truly loved him and he did not deserve to be loved like that. 

Behind Closed Door is one of these books that you cannot stop thinking about even after finish it. I could not stop thinking about how evil of a character Jack is and how innocent Grace is at the beginning and how cruel he was to her but all these elements plus a fantastic writing make this book a master piece, one that I totally recommend. B.A. Paris is now one of my favorite authors.

Wendy

Book Review: The Breakdown: A Novel by B.A. Paris-Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of The Breakdown: A Novel by B.A. Paris.

Title: The Breakdown: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Author: B.A. Paris

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: July 18, 2017

Language: English

Hardcover: 336 pages
Meet the Author: B.A. Paris
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

Named One of the Most Anticipated Thriller Novels Of 2017 by Bustle!

THE NEW CHILLING, PROPULSIVE AUDIOBOOK FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

If you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust?

Cass is having a hard time since the night she saw the car in the woods, on the winding rural road, in the middle of a downpour, with the woman sitting inside―the woman who was killed. She’s been trying to put the crime out of her mind; what could she have done, really? It’s a dangerous road to be on in the middle of a storm. Her husband would be furious if he knew she’d broken her promise not to take that shortcut home. And she probably would only have been hurt herself if she’d stopped.

But since then, she’s been forgetting every little thing: where she left the car, if she took her pills, the alarm code, why she ordered a pram when she doesn’t have a baby.

The only thing she can’t forget is that woman, the woman she might have saved, and the terrible nagging guilt.

Or the silent calls she’s receiving, or the feeling that someone’s watching her…

You won't be able to put down B. A. Paris's The Breakdown, the next chilling, propulsive audiobook from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors.

"[Georgia Maguire's] overall narration is calm and elegant but emotional and alarming during the horrific moments Grace experiences." -AudioFile on Behind Closed Doors.

My Thoughts

BA Paris has easily become one of my favorite author and as with Behind Closed Doors I absolutely loved The Breakdown. I could not put it down. 

From page one I was hooked and wanted to know what the character's story and in what kind of journey I was getting myself into. Once more, BA Paris gives us well-developed and interesting characters, twists and unexpected situations and a story full of suspense and even though not expected  but an ending which fit the story perfectly. 

The Breakdown, a fantastic Thriller which I totally recommend.

Wendy

Book Review: The Hate U Give: A Novel by Angie Tomas-Teens/Fiction

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of The Hate U Give by Angie Tomas.

Title: The Hate U Give

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Teens-Fiction

Author: Angie Tomas

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: February 28, 2017

Language: English

Hardcover: 464 pages
Meet the Author: Angie Tomas
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

Eight Starred Reviews! #1 New York Times Bestseller!

"Absolutely riveting!" —Jason Reynolds

"Stunning." —John Green

"This story is necessary. This story is important." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Heartbreakingly topical." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A marvel of verisimilitude." —Booklist (starred review)

"A powerful, in-your-face novel." —The Horn Book (starred review)

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

My Thoughts

Definitely one of the best books I have read this year. The message throughout every page is clear, thanks to a fantastic writing style the Author manages to connect with the reader and shows us yes a sad story but at the same time a powerful one. 

A heartbreaking journey for Starr which a such young age has witnessed the reality of a world that instead of getting better seems like it gets worst every day. A book about the reality we are living in with the white and black community and the police, and how this affects families, in this case Starr's family and how she deals with it. 

Also we can see the Author bringing up other issues around Racism which are part of the reality with are living it as well. 

I loved Starr's character, how we can relate with it in different ways and all what she goes through. A hard book to read at times but definitely worthy. Highly recommend it.

Wendy

Book Review: Into the Water: A Novel by Paula Hawkins-Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Into the Water: A Novel by Paula Hawkins.

Title: Into the Water: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Author: Paula Hawkins

Publisher: Riverhead Books

Publication Date: May 2, 2017

Language: English

Hardcover: 400 pages
Meet the Author: Paula Hawkins
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

The author of the #1 New York Times bestseller and global phenomenon The Girl on the Train returns with Into the Water, her addictive new novel of psychological suspense. 

“Hawkins is at the forefront of a group of female authors – think Gillian Flynn and Megan Abbott – who have reinvigorated the literary suspense novel by tapping a rich vein of psychological menace and social unease… there’s a certain solace to a dark escape, in the promise of submerged truths coming to light.” –Vogue

A single mother turns up dead at the bottom of the river that runs through town. Earlier in the summer, a vulnerable teenage girl met the same fate. They are not the first women lost to these dark waters, but their deaths disturb the river and its history, dredging up secrets long submerged.

Left behind is a lonely fifteen-year-old girl. Parentless and friendless, she now finds herself in the care of her mother's sister, a fearful stranger who has been dragged back to the place she deliberately ran from—a place to which she vowed she'd never return.

With the same propulsive writing and acute understanding of human instincts that captivated millions of readers around the world in her explosive debut thriller, The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins delivers an urgent, twisting, deeply satisfying read that hinges on the deceptiveness of emotion and memory, as well as the devastating ways that the past can reach a long arm into the present.

Beware a calm surface—you never know what lies beneath.

My Thoughts

My most anticipated read of 2017. One word. Amazing. Is it true, like other people have expressed, at the beginning I had issues with all the different POV's, the large cast of characters, however, once I passed that and I was finally able to find the rhythm, it was an enjoyable, amazing, surprising read. 

Why I loved this book? Because part of me was expecting something similar to The Girl on the Train, and it wasn't and I am glad it was not. This was a total surprise and I think it is wonderful when an Author has the ability to surpass our expectations in a good way and bring something different, something unique. That is what reading Into the Water was for me, a very unique experience. 

As for the large number of characters? Well, after finishing the book, in my opinion, each character was necessary to make the story work, what each one brings to the table is a little something which put together gives the book that wow factor, all these different personalities that at the end are connected one way or the other. 

As for The Drowning Pool story in between, personally, it helped me understand a few details included in the story. I liked the suspense, the darkness, how all the secrets unraveled and the ending, a satisfying one but at the same time open which made me think beyond this story and what would have happened if...

Into the Water, a very unique, suspenseful, dark read which I totally recommend.

Wendy

Book Review: Always and Forever Lara Jean by Jenny Han-Teens/Fiction

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Always and Forever Lara Jean by Jenny Han.

Title: Always and Forever Lara Jean

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Teens/Fiction

Author: Jenny Han

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Publication Date: May 2, 2017

Language: English

Hardcover: 336 pages
Meet the Author: Jenny Han
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

Lara Jean’s letter-writing days aren’t over in this surprise follow-up to the New York Times bestselling To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and P.S. I Still Love You.

Lara Jean is having the best senior year a girl could ever hope for. She is head over heels in love with her boyfriend, Peter; her dad’s finally getting remarried to their next door neighbor, Ms. Rothschild; and Margot’s coming home for the summer just in time for the wedding.

But change is looming on the horizon. And while Lara Jean is having fun and keeping busy helping plan her father’s wedding, she can’t ignore the big life decisions she has to make. Most pressingly, where she wants to go to college and what that means for her relationship with Peter. She watched her sister Margot go through these growing pains. Now Lara Jean’s the one who’ll be graduating high school and leaving for college and leaving her family—and possibly the boy she loves—behind.

When your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

My Thoughts

Words are not enough to express how thankful I am that I had the opportunity to read this trilogy. It will always be one of my favorites. 

Lara Jean and Peter, such wonderful characters and all the others as well. Lara Jean's father, Kitty, Margot, Ms. Rothschild. Without a doubt the perfect conclusion to the story. It was not easy knowing it was the end but very satisfied about it. All the feelings while reading this book. Happiness, sadness, nostalgia, laughter. I became very attached to the characters and invested in the story, in Lara Jean's world, which is not that difficult, with a beautiful writing style the Author makes you feel part of it all.  

Like I said before about the other two books, I like how we can relate to the characters and all they go through. When it comes to family relationships, love relationships, transitioning from that teenage period to a more young-adult phase, making decisions on your own, obstacles, taking ownership of your life. The Author does a great job in giving us this funny, cute, story/characters but at the same time making them real, Human. 

Overall, I loved this trilogy, I did not want it to end, I enjoyed each book and even though I know this was the end but we can always hope, maybe a new book from Peter's POV, maybe? Yes, please.

Wendy

Book Review: The Good Widow: A Novel by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke-Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of The Good Widow: A Novel by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke.

Title: The Good Widow: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Author: Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: June 1, 2017

Language: English

Paperback: 300 pages
Meet the Author: Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

Bestselling authors Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke make their suspense debut in this twisty, emotional thriller.

Elementary school teacher Jacqueline “Jacks” Morales’s marriage was far from perfect, but even in its ups and downs it was predictable, familiar. Or at least she thought it was…until two police officers showed up at her door with devastating news. Her husband of eight years, the one who should have been on a business trip to Kansas, had suffered a fatal car accident in Hawaii. And he wasn’t alone.

For Jacks, laying her husband to rest was hard. But it was even harder to think that his final moments belonged to another woman—one who had left behind her own grieving and bewildered fiance. Nick, just as blindsided by the affair, wants answers. So he suggests that he and Jacks search for the truth together, retracing the doomed lovers’ last days in paradise.

Now, following the twisting path of that fateful road, Jacks is learning that nothing is ever as it seems. Not her marriage. Not her husband. And most certainly not his death…

My Thoughts

I was beyond excited when I found out Liz and Lisa were publishing a book on this genre, one of my favorites, their suspense debut novel, another gem by the Authors, a Must-Read. One of my best reads this year.

In the Good Widow we meet Jacqueline "Jacks", and all the events following the news that her husband, James had a car accident in Hawaii. Devastating news for Jacks of course and not a very pleasant ones giving the fact that James was supposed to be on a work trip in another city and not in Hawaii and accompanied by another woman. We also get to know Jacks's husband James, the mysterious woman, Dylan, and her fiance Nick and how their lives come together throughout the pages. 

This read was a total emotional roller coaster for me, I couldn't put it down. Full of suspense, twists and with very interesting characters. My favorite, Jacks, a wife, a teacher, a woman who even though does not have the perfect marriage, the perfect life, she is determined to find the answers she needs to understand what happened to her marriage, to her husband, his death. For me Jacks is a brave character, she tries to make sense of everything happening to her, how her life changes in a matter of minutes, all that she thought was the truth no longer is, all the lies, all the questions, she desperately needs answers and she decides to go to Hawaii to find them.

In terms of the story, I enjoyed it a lot, I liked that it kept me engaged, interested, all the twists, and the ending, unexpected and satisfying. A very good job by the Authors, you can see they took the time to do their research, how we not only get to know the characters but also the places, how they describe those. I love Liz and Lisa's writing style, the way they present the story, something about the way they write, makes this book a different one from all the others I have read on the same genre. Different in a very good way.

I loved the book, one I totally recommend. Thank you to the Authors for sharing this story, for exploring this genre and I can hardly wait for more new books to be published.

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union for sending an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Wendy