ARC Review: Darling Girls

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are as close as sisters, raised together in a seemingly idyllic foster home. But their past was far from perfect, and it still haunts them to this day. When, in the present, a body is found under their old home, secrets threaten to spill out.

Hepworth really cleverly uses point of view here, especially in the mysterious therapist sessions. We get backstory from multiple characters, which really helps build up the world of the book and keeps the suspense going.

The reveals took my breath away, especially the last one, which still haunts me. This is really an expertly plotted and well written book, that will keep readers engrossed and constantly second guessing. I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: The Gathering

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor

I’ve been a fan of Tudor since The Chalk Man, and this book did not disappoint. In the world of the book, vampires and humans both live on the earth, but the vampires live in Colonies and most humans desire their end. When a human boy is killed, the village calls for a cull, a complete destruction of the Colony near them. It is up to Detective Barbara Atkins to determine what truly happened, and if a cull is warranted. 

This was one eerie book, especially given the Alaskan setting which means a lot of darkness. The mystery is a really good one, with lots of twists and turns, especially the ending. Tudor explores really well who is the more bloodthirsty, the vampires or the humans who want to kill all the vampires. This is a complex, thoughtful, suspenseful and creepy book I would definitely recommend. 

ARC Review: A Game of Lies

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

A Game of Lies by Claire Mackintosh 

Reality show contestants find out they are in fact on a show about exposing their deepest, darkest secrets. Then a contestant disappears. Detective Ffion Morgan is already on the case when a murder occurs and everything is thrown into even more turmoil. 

I really liked this book. I love the concept, a favorite subgenre of mine is reality show mysteries/thrillers. Ffion is such a great leading character, really strong and smart with some relatable flaws. Her possible burgeoning romance with another character, carried through from the first book, is well worth rooting for. The mystery is also a strong one with great twists and turns. I definitely recommend this book-but read the first one first. 

ARC Review: The Angel Of Indian Lake

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my request itself. 

The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones

The final book in The Indian Lake Trilogy, we are once again with Jade Daniels, final girl and (sometimes reluctant) protector of Proofrock. If you haven’t read the first two books in the trilogy before reading this one, you absolutely must to follow this one. I did not remember enough, and so was frequently confused, but that was a me  problem, not a book problem.

This book is scary. It’s also very gory, which is hard to stomach at times. There was a death that left me furious and deeply sad. This book was a fitting conclusion, continuing Jones’ intertextual conversations on race, gender, ownership of land, and what is passed between generations. I would recommend this book if you read the first two and liked them. 

ARC Review: Dead Girls Walking

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or the review itself. 

Dead Girls Walking by Sami Ellis

Temple’s father is an infamous serial killer, and he finally confessed to her that he killed her mother. Now Temple is a counselor at an LGBTQ+ WOC camp in her father’s former hunting grounds, determined to find her mother’s body. But those woods contain far more than Temple could ever have seen coming, and soon she and the campers are being hunted. 

This is one very spooky book. While I wasn’t always sure I completely understood the rules of the world Ellis created, I got more than enough to be scared. The plot is very compelling too, and all the main characters are LGBTQ+ WOC. I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: The Mystery Writer

 I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

Theo decides to drop out of law school to pursue her dream of being a writer, and in the process moves in with her brother, and meets his best friend Mac. But the murder of Theo’s mentor, a fellow writer, sets off a wild chain of events, featuring conspiracies, disappearing writers, and more murder. 

Here’s the thing with this book. I loved the three main characters, and the book started really intriguingly with a strong-sounding mystery. But then the story went off the rails, and just kept going, at least in my opinion. You can definitely give this book a go, it just didn’t end up working for me. 

ARC Review: A Midnight Puzzle

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

A Midnight Puzzle by Gigi Pandian 

Tempest Raj, once a world famous stage magician, now helps her family with their amazing unique company, Secret Staircase Construction. But someone is suing them-and then that someone is murdered by a mysterious blade through the door of the theater Tempest is planning to perform her final show in.

I absolutely love this series, to the point where I bought the first two books after reading them. Tempest is an absolutely brilliant lead character, and the supporting characters are all amazing. The mysteries are always excellent, and always surprising. I absolutely highly recommend this book and this series.