His & Hers, by Alice Feeney

 

His and Hers, by Alice Feeney

MacMillan Audio - 2020

Thriller

Audiobook
Narrated by Richard Armitage and Stephanie Racine 

10 Hours, 39 Minutes

* I received this digital ARC courtesy of MacMillan Audio, via NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review. This does not influence the following opinions which are my own.

Alice Feeney returns with a vengeance with another well thought out and twisty thriller to keep readers eagerly listening to "just one more chapter" - talk about lying to yourself!

Anna was returning to work as a television reporter and news presenter after her maternity leave, only to find that the woman who was supposed to be her temporary replacement has made herself quite comfortable and is not going anywhere - in fact she not only took over the job Anna took leave from, she took over the job Anna was working towards. Now struggling to balance the needs of her family with the demands of her cut-throat work environment, Anna is trying to have it all, and is determined to do whatever it takes to reclaim her rightful position at the news desk.

When Anna is dispatched to cover a recently discovered murder, she sees it as an opportunity to try and reclaim her position behind the anchor desk and to get back on track for her planned career path, but instead she finds herself in the middle of the murder investigation when the victim turns out to be an old childhood friend. But she is not the only one, Detective Jack Harper soon becomes a suspect as well. What is true, what is just perception, and what are lies? The truth is elusive, hiding in the shadows of this story. impossible to see in its entirety until the very end. Just the way it should be in a good twisty thriller!

This audiobook was narrated by Richard Armitage and Stephanie Racine and I could not imagine better casting.  Both performed extremely well, but I cannot say enough about the creep factor in Richard Armitage's performance as an anonymous male narrator. So deep and dark...a perfect addition to Feeney's already engaging, dark tale!

Feeney's writing is enthralling and edgy in its own right, but this book, I suspect, is even better as an audiobook.  

Happy Reading,

Christine

The Nothing Man, by Catherine Ryan Howard

 

The Nothing Man, by Catherine Ryan Howard

Blackstone Publishing, 2020
Suspense/Thriller
Audiobook
Narrated by Alana Kerr Collins, and John Keating

9 Hours, 57 Minutes

* I received a review copy of this Audiobook, courtesy of Blackstone Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. This does not influence the following opinions which are my own.

The only survivor of a brutal crime decides she will not be a victim any more. 

At only twelve years old, Eve was the only member of her family to survive the night a serial killer entered her home.  The killer was never caught and her family's case was one of several attributed to the elusive serial killer dubbed "The Nothing Man" that went unsolved. 

Years later, as an adult, Eve is obsessed with identifying the serial killer . She puts all her memories into words, detailing everything that she remembers from that awful night into a kind of true crime victim memoir. The book is an instant hit with almost everybody wanting to read it.

Jim is an aging security guard working at a grocery store. When this book is published, his world is rocked. He fervently reads the book. Is there enough information there to catch the elusive killer?  Jim reads on, hoping not - because he is The Nothing Man. Realizing that Eve remembers more than he thought, Jim must stop Eve before he is exposed to the world as a serial killer. 

I love a good thriller where it is difficult to tell which who is the hunter and who is the hunted. Though you know from early on that Eve is the victim and Jim is the serial killer, the story still has questions, and twists, and surprises. The tension builds as these two circle each other in their dangerous dance, until the final pages reveal a satisfying conclusion. 

Narration for this audiobook was provided by Alana Kerr Collins, and John Keating. Both performed well with clear voices, pleasant cadence, and giving a suitable range of emotion to the characters as the story played out. 

An enjoyable, engaging book for those that like suspense.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Three Perfect Liars, by Heidi Perks

 

Three Perfect Liars, by Heidi Perks

Simon & Schuster Canada  - August 18, 2020
Genre 
E-book 

336 pages

* I received this digital ARC courtesy of Simon & Schuster Canada, via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. This does not influence the following opinions which are my own.

Three Perfect Liars, but Heidi Perks is an enjoyable thriller with a complex plot.

The story surrounds the events leading up to a fatal fire at an up-and-coming advertising agency.  There are several people who may have had motive to start the fire. The three main suspects are Janie, the company head's wife who is no longer happy with her marriage and is exploring for a "way out". Laura, a new mom struggling to adapt to the demands of family while putting her career back on track , as well as navigating a tense professional  rivalry with Mia who was supposed to be her temporary replacement during her maternity leave, and Mia herself, who is keeping secrets and lied on her application.  

What I liked about the this story was the complex plot line.  The three women's stories tangled and woven into one another made for a solid base to this story.

Unfortunately, for me, there were a few factors that resulted in this story not quite meeting its full potential.  The story seemed to move a little slowly and drag a little at times. This may in part have been the result of the heavy use of police reports as a vehicle to tell the story. While a popular method of disseminating information in crime thrillers, I personally find the method clunky, repetitive,  and disturbing to the momentum of the story. I also did not find the characters particularly likable. The ending was a little soft as its believability seemed to be a bit of a stretch for me. 

All in all, a good story, but one that fell a little short of its full potential.  

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review: The Dilemma, by B. A. Paris

The Dilemma, by B. A. Paris

St. Martin's Press - June 30, 2020
General Fiction
E-book

305 pages

* I received this digital ARC courtesy of St. Martin's Press, via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. This does not influence the following opinions which are my own.

A moving tale of love, loss, and the ties that bind. 

I loved Paris' first three thrilling novels, so when I saw that she had another book in the wings, I could not say yes fast enough!  This book is a departure from her early writing style though.  Rather than a nail biting thriller, this book is more a work of general or literary fiction. There is no real edge of your seat, bite your nails tension, or get you from out of nowhere twists - but her writing is still solid in this diversion from her previous work. 

Livia has dreamed for years of having the perfect party for her fortieth birthday, and her loving husband Adam has done what he can to give her the party of her dreams. The Marquee tent is set up, and all of Livia's most cherished friends and family will be there - all except their daughter Marnie who is living overseas that is. Livia doesn't know it yet, but Adam has arranged for Marnie to come home as a surprise! But as the final touches are being seen to for the party, Adam is burdened with a secret that may destroy Livia. As he struggles to keep his secret, she too is heavily burdened with the weight of a secret. As the evening progresses, and the weight of these secrets threatens to suffocate them both, neither knows that the other is also carrying a secret that can destroy their world as they know it. 

As I mentioned earlier, this is a new genre and style for Paris. I love her crazy twisted thrillers, and if that is what you are looking for, you should know that his book doesn't have that edge - but it does have heart.  I found it a little slow moving, but certainly not unbearably so. All in all, a worthy read, and a good first foray into something new for Paris.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Quick Review: From The Ashes: My Story of Being Metis, Homeless, and Finding My Way, by Jesse Thistle

From The Ashes: My Story of Being Metis, Homeless, and Finding My Way, by Jesse Thistle

Simon & Schuster - 2019
Memoir

Audiobook

9 Hours, 55 Minutes

Read by the Author

#1 National Bestseller

Finalist, Kobo Emerging Writer Prize
Finalist, CBC Canada Reads
A Globe and Mail Book of the Year
An Indigo Book of the Year
A CBC Best Canadian Nonfiction Book of the Year

 

*Quick Reviews are slightly less formal reviews using the publishers summary

From The Ashes, by Jesse Thistle is my choice to fulfill item number 4 -  People Person Books - Read a Biography or memoir, for my 20 For 2020 Book Challenge.

Publisher's Summary:

In this extraordinary and inspiring debut memoir, Jesse Thistle, once a high school dropout and now a rising Indigenous scholar, chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction to discover the truth about who he is.

If I can just make it to the next minute...then I might have a chance to live; I might have a chance to be something more than just a struggling crackhead.

From the Ashes is a remarkable memoir about hope and resilience, and a revelatory look into the life of a Métis-Cree man who refused to give up.

Abandoned by his parents as a toddler, Jesse Thistle briefly found himself in the foster-care system with his two brothers, cut off from all they had known. Eventually the children landed in the home of their paternal grandparents, whose tough-love attitudes quickly resulted in conflicts. Throughout it all, the ghost of Jesse’s drug-addicted father haunted the halls of the house and the memories of every family member. Struggling with all that had happened, Jesse succumbed to a self-destructive cycle of drug and alcohol addiction and petty crime, spending more than a decade on and off the streets, often homeless. Finally, he realized he would die unless he turned his life around.

In this heartwarming and heart-wrenching memoir, Jesse Thistle writes honestly and fearlessly about his painful past, the abuse he endured, and how he uncovered the truth about his parents. Through sheer perseverance and education—and newfound love—he found his way back into the circle of his Indigenous culture and family.

An eloquent exploration of the impact of prejudice and racism, From the Ashes is, in the end, about how love and support can help us find happiness despite the odds.

My thoughts:

I bought a copy of this book because it was a finalist for CBC's Canada Reads 2020. I try to read at least a few from the list every year. (Unfortunately this year's competition was cancelled due to COVID 19 concerns). As my reading time fell off rather suddenly, I ended up listening to the audiobook 

From the Ashes, by Jesse Thistle is an important and deeply moving memoir.  Thistle is able to chronicle his story from trauma, to tribulation and ultimately love and redemption, It is a testament to both the fragility and strength of the human spirit.  

With heart wrenching honesty Thistle describes his life from unstable childhood into addiction and life on the streets, and eventually the difficult recovery and mastery over his demons.  As a reader with a certain amount of privilege, it is a good reminder that many addicts and street people more often than not, come from a place of pain.  His openness and honesty in his writing resulted in a recounting that is tough and gritty, yet not without love and hope. 

By reading the story himself for the audiobook, the listener is graced with with experience of listening to his story in his words and hearing it as though it is a first hand telling. 

This memoir is an important book for Canadians as we work towards a future where there is more empathy and understanding and less judgement and racism. 

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review - Pretty Things, by Janelle Brown

Pretty Things, by Janelle Brown

Random House Canada - April 21, 2020
Thriller
E-book

470 Pages

* I received this digital ARC courtesy of Random House Canada, via NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review. This does not influence the following opinions which are my own.

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pretty Things by Janelle Brown is a modern, character driven story of class and revenge. 

Nina had dreams and aspirations. but as the daughter of a con artist, she eventually falls into her mother's line of work. Nina's world threatens to implode when her mother falls ill. Desperate to save her mother, she and her boyfriend Lachlan plan a job much larger and riskier than anything they have done in the past. A job that will see Nina return to Lake Tahoe where she once lived.

Vanessa was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Never having had to worry about money she travels the world as a fashion influencer, modeling clothing and products given to her by top design houses in exchange for a spot on her popular Instagram feed.  When her engagement is broken, she retreats to Stonehaven - the mansion she inherited on the shores of Lake Tahoe, but was the setting for some of the most traumatic events in her life. 

As these women come together, their pasts and the present meld into a tale of desperation and revenge, double-handedness and deceit.  

I struggled to get into the story. It wasn't until about half way that it started to pick up for me.  Part of the problem was my personal situation and reaction during the COVID adjustments, but I think that only intensified the slow start of this book for me. Once I reached the half-way mark and the story started to take shape, it become more enjoyable, and by the end I was quite enjoying it; so even though slow to start the ending was strong.

Character development for this novel was one of the things about it I did enjoy. As the story unfolds we see in both women aspects of victim and villain.  Both have been shaped by their life experiences and seeing each from different perspectives gives depth and dimension to them and to the story. 

The plot was strong and had some good twists to keep the reader on their toes.  The ending was clean and satisfying. 

All in all, while slow to start, this novel was a solid character driven thriller with an exciting and satisfying conclusion. 

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review: Cousins' Club, by Warren Alexander

Cousins' Club, by Warren Alexander

Next Chapter Audio LTD - 2020
Audiobook
Narrated by TJ Clark

5 Hours, 39 Minutes

*I received this review copy courtesy of the narrator - TJ Clark, in exchange of an honest review. This does not influence the following opinions which are my own.

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Quirky and fun, Cousins' Club is a light and enjoyable diversion.

When the matriarch of a Jewish family in 1950's New York prophesises that the next child born into the family will be a genius, she decides that none of the family is smart enough to raise the child alone, and dictates that the entire extended family will take turns raising the child. 

What ensues is a satirical look at the core nature of families and the individuals that make them up, that applies just as much to the average family today as to the family of this story - and that is what makes it so enjoyable. As the boy grows up living among various colorful family members, the reader is treated to many chuckles as the story unfolds and the young man comes of age. 

Did the genius child learn something from each of the family members? Absolutely! Was it what the grandmother had envisioned the child learning? Absolutely not! 

TJ Clark did a wonderful job of bringing life to all of the fun, wacky characters in this book. His voice was clear and pleasant, and he performed with an impressive range of characters, and the appropriate emotion. I would not hesitate a second to purchase another audiobook narrated by Clark. 

This pairing of an amusing story and talented narrator made Cousins' Club a humorous and enjoyable audiobook, well worth the listen.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Quick Review: The Red Lotus, by Chris Bohjalian

The Red Lotus, by Chris Bohjalian

Random House Audio

Audiobook

12 Hours, 1 Minute

Narrated by Rebecca Lowman

*Quick Reviews are slightly less formal reviews using the publishers summary

Publisher's Summary:

The first time Alexis saw Austin, it was a Saturday night. Not in a bar, but in the emergency room where Alexis sutured a bullet wound in Austin's arm. Six months later, on the brink of falling in love, they travel to Vietnam on a bike tour so that Austin can show her his passion for cycling and he can pay his respects to the place where his father and uncle fought in the war. But as Alexis sips white wine and waits at the hotel for him to return from his solo ride, two men emerge from the tall grass and Austin vanishes into thin air. The only clue he leaves behind is a bright yellow energy gel dropped on the road.

As Alexis grapples with this bewildering loss, and deals with the FBI, Austin's prickly family, and her colleagues at the hospital, Alexis uncovers a series of strange lies that force her to wonder: Where did Austin go? Why did he really bring her to Vietnam? And how much danger has he left her in?

Set amidst the adrenaline-fueled world of the emergency room, The Red Lotus is a global thriller about those who dedicate their lives to saving people, and those who peddle death to the highest bidder.

My thoughts:

I always enjoy Chris Bohjalian's books.  I can count on him to write solid, engaging, stories. The Red Lotus may be a slow burn thriller, but I never felt bored with it.

Bohjalian knows how to draw a reader into a story and keep their attention! It is clear from the beginning of The Red Lotus, that Bohjalian has taken the time to do a significant amount of research for this book, ensuring medical, technical, and cultural aspects have a realistic feel to them. This, paired with his good sense of literary timing, results in a highly engaging story with a complex, well timed, and interesting plot.  The characters development is strong with the lead characters being multi-faceted and interesting. 

On a side note: this book was released in the midst of the pandemic. Though  while writing it I doubt Bohjalian could have ever imagined that this book would be released into the world enduring our current state of affairs, and the coincidence of some of the subject matter in the book was quite striking to me as a reader. 

Narration was provided by Rebecca Lowman, who performed well with good cadence and tone, as well as range of characters and emotion, making listening to this story as an audiobook a pleasure. 

Engaging and well written, The Red Lotus is an enjoyable international thriller.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Quick Review:The Henna Artist, by Alka Joshi

The Henna Artist, by Alka Joshi

Harlequin Audio - 2020
General Fiction/Historical Fiction
Audiobook

10 Hours, 56 Minutes
Narrated by Sneha Mathan

*Quick Reviews are slightly less formal reviews using the publishers summary

This book, steeped in the culture of 1950's India, is my choice to fulfill item #20 - One World - Read a book written by, and that has a main character that is someone of a different color, culture, sexual orientation, or religion than you, on my 20 for 2020 Reading Challenge. You can see the full list HERE

Publisher's Summary:

Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist—and confidante—to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own…

Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow—a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does.

My thoughts:

Joshi is as much an artist as her character Lakshmi.  Her writing flows easily and the story was absolutely captivating. She easily sets the readers imagination to creating 1950's India in all its culturally rich and vibrant glory. Her characters are well defined and multi-faceted, with her protagonist Lakshmi being an especially striking character - smart, brave, incredibly compassionate, and a little ahead of her time. The reader easily becomes invested in Lakshmi's story and struggles

Narration for this audiobook was provided by Sneha Mathan, who not only performed well but was also well suited to the story. Listening to this wonderful tale being told by such a talented narrator made it easy to become immersed in Lakshmi's story.

Happy Reading,

Christine

The Glass Magician by Caroline Stevermer

The Glass Magician, by Caroline Stevermer

MacMillan-Tor/Forge - April 2020
Fantasy
E-book

Hrs:min /  Page count:
Awards and Honors if applic.
Thank source if applicable

* I received this digital ARC courtesy of MacMillan-Tor Forge, via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. This does not influence the following opinions which are my own.

A fun cross-genre book combining elements of YA, historical fantasy, and murder-mystery. 

Set in the New York of the early 1900's, society is divided into Solitaires - non-magical people, and Sylvestri - magical people. Thalia - a solitaire, is a successful stage magician with a popular show. Her partner is the man who cared for her and raised her after she was orphaned.

One night the act goes wrong, and she nearly dies - a sudden manifestation of magical ability is all that saved her. It turns out that she is not a solitaire after all, but a trader - a sylvestri. The arrival of these new abilities puts her in danger from Manticores - beasts who feast on uncontrolled magic and those who have it.  Around this same time that Thalia discovers her magic, her fiercest rival is killed while performing an act that the two rivals had been competing for.  The man who is her business partner and who raised her, is now accused of murder. Her only hope for survival is to learn how to control her new magical abilities before the manticores catch her; and her partner's only hope lies with Thalia, as only she can clear his name while he is jailed. 

Overall this is a good story. The characters are likable, and the mystery helped propel the reader through the story. But while Stevermer does a fairly good job of blending multiple genres into one tale, in doing so she seems to have missed shining too brightly in any single one of them. 

Happy Reading,

Christine

Quick Review: And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, by Fredrik Backman

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, by  Fredrik Backman

Simon & Schuster Audio - 2019
Literary Fiction
Audiobook

1 Hour, 9 Minutes
Narrated by David Morse

Publisher's Summary:

From the New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, and Britt-Marie Was Here comes an exquisitely moving portrait of an elderly man’s struggle to hold on to his most precious memories, and his family’s efforts to care for him even as they must find a way to let go.

With all the same charm of his bestselling full-length novels, here Fredrik Backman once again reveals his unrivaled understanding of human nature and deep compassion for people in difficult circumstances. This is a tiny gem with a message you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

My thoughts:

The book might be small, but the story is huge. Real, raw, and filled to the brim with heart and emotion. Nobody can get to heart of what it is to love and be human the way that Fredrik Backman can. His stories always run the reader through the gamut of emotions with a balance and complexity few authors can compete with. This short book was no exception.

David Morse did a very good job narrating this audiobook and was well suited to the story. 

And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer is a great, quick read that will hit you right in the feels, and make you thankful to have picked it up.

Happy Reading,

Christine