Murder On The Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young

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Publication Date:
Genre: Thriller/ mystery
Heat Level: Pg-13
Reviewed For: Pump Up Your Books
My Rating:

Beg For Mercy by Jami Alden

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Publication Date: June 1st, 2011
Genre: Thriller/ Romantic Suspense
Series: Book 1 of Trilogy
Reviewed For: Forever Romance
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Book Blurb: Megan Flynn thought she was falling in love. Cole Williams wasn't just handsome and passionate, he was one of the good guys. Or so she thought, until he arrested her brother - the only family she has left - for a murder she knows he couldn't have possibly committed. Now, with her heart broken and her brother's life hanging in the balance, Megan will risk everything to prove his innocence. Even if that means throwing herself into the path of a sadistic killer with a hauntingly familiar MO. 
Seattle Detective Cole Williams had given up on making Megan see reason where her brother is concerned. But when she insinuates herself into the most shockingly brutal case Cole has ever worked, he can't stand idly by. Plunged into a secret world where the city's elite indulge their darkest desires, Cole will do whatever it takes to bring down a madman who has made Megan his most coveted prey.


My Thoughts: This book was tough to put down. Once I sat down and began this book, there was no turning back. This is one of those books where I can not go into too much depth in review without giving away a lot of the book. I really enjoyed reading about Megan fighting to prove her brothers innocence, even when he had already given up.

Some scenes in this book were graphic. This author takes you into scenes with the murderer. Its one of those book where you just think this guy is sick and can't belive you just read what you did. An example would be that the killer kills the women while he is having sex with them and the author goes into depth on the sex scene along with how the girls are being killed.

Even though I had the killer figured out from the beginning, it didn't take away from the enjoyment of this story. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a book that is really going to real you in. If you can get past the graphic parts, your going to stay up late into the night with this one.

 

Buried In Briny Bay by Bobbye Terry

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Publication Date: March 6, 2011
Genre: Suspense/ Mystery
Series: Briny Bay Mystery
Reviewed For: Turquoise Morning Press
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Book Blurb: Roxie Turner finds herself up to her neck in trouble when her lifelong nemesis, Georgia Collins, is discovered buried in the town’s landfill. To make matters worse, with her characteristic Southern sass, Roxie has been saying she’d kill Georgia for more than twenty years. In fact, she listed the ways to do the woman in, constantly reminding prominent citizens of her intent. It was all a joke, or so she thought. But the joke turns on her as, suddenly, other dead bodies begin to pile up, all murdered with a technique from Roxie’s list. 

Enlisting the assistance of handsome hunk, Greg Norris, Roxie’s sister, Trixie Frye, comes to her aid, bent on uncovering the killer and the truth. Can they find out both before Roxie goes to the big house?


My Thoughts: This book is a fast read as its a short novella. However sitting down and reading this, you should be prepared to be entertained. The two main female characters in this book are a hoot and just can't keep themselves out of trouble. Every decision they make ends up being the wrong one and leaves them looking guilty of not one but four murders. There is a slight romance in this book, but I could not classify this book as a romantic suspense. This book will  leave you wondering who is setting up Roxie and who just might be murdered next.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a comical read and a little mystery. This book is perfect for a rainy afternoon or even an evening with nothing going on.

 

Redemption by Laurel Dewey

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Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime
Series: Jane Dewey Book #2
Reviewed For: Pump Up Your Books
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Book Blurb: After a series of life-changing events, detective Jane Perry has resigned from the Denver Police Department. Trying to make a living as a private investigator, she finds her past haunting her at every turn and old demons rising up to torment her. 
Then Jane meets Kit Clark, a woman who wants Jane to drive with her from Colorado to Northern California in search of a man who matches the description of the killer who murdered her granddaughter many years before. Kit’s convinced that the man has started to kill again and she wants to stop him. Jane thinks the woman is crazy—especially when she discovers that she’s a New Age devotee—but Jane is desperate for work. They head on the road, gathering critical information about the killer, and themselves, along the way. Jane has recently experienced several events in her life that seem to border on the paranormal, though she is a complete skeptic in that regard. Now, those experiences come with greater frequency. And when the trail of the killer leads to a fundamentalist church, the consequences of belief and faith propel her toward a deadly confrontation.


My Thoughts: As I sat down with this story, I was ready to be taken on a journey of thinking and figuring out clues. I did have to stop and think some with this book and the way my mind played things out, I had expected some big twists and turns in this story. People I felt would surely be involved in the mystery of the missing girl Charlotte, ended up being just as innocent as the book portrayed them. Jane found herself hunting many trails of people in her search for who Lou Peters who has recently been released from prison. Many times during the story I had hoped maybe he was innocent, even though it didn't look that way.

I enjoyed this book. While reading the book, I felt myself captivated by the characters and learning who they were. You never get too in dept though with any character. You know them mainly at their surface. I think at times, you got a little below the surface with some characters, but never by much. As far as the suspense in this book, its there for sure. I just found myself waiting on the twist in the book that would leave me talking to the book saying "Oh My Gosh!". Unfortunately, that just didn't comes. This book was fairly easy to figure out and know what was coming. However, it was still a very enjoyable read and I think anyone who likes this genre will be pleased. If you are a die hard romance reader, well, there is no romance in this book, so this book would not be classified as a romantic suspense.


 

Twenty Five Years Ago Today by Stacy Juba

Publication Date: October 27, 2009
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Format I Read: E-book (available in paperback)
My Rating:


Book Blurb: Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence. 
Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling "25 Years Ago Today" items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods. 
Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology. 
Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana's suspicious nephew, Eric Soares - until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them. 
Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday's headline is tomorrow's danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris's present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.


My Thoughts: Kris is an aspiring journalist who at this point keeps herself busy writing obituaries and small articles that deal with something that happens twenty five years ago. She comes across a mystery that deals with a murdered woman from twenty five years ago and the case was never solved. Its the only case in there town that has never been solved. This spikes her interest and she decides that she has to solve this mystery. She meets the family and learns the background. Only the case isn't as easy for her to solve as she would like. Eric, the murdered victim's nephew is there to help along the way and share his insight.

This book has a slight romance in it between Eric and Kris. If your a romance reader, you might enjoy this mystery with that aspect, however the romance is not overwhelming and doesn't take over the book. Its just nice to see the two people come together. The mystery is good in the book. There are a few twists and turns in the story. In some ways I had this book figured out, but then I didn't. If you read this book for the mystery aspect, you will be very intrigued. Stacy Juba weaves a wonderful story and mystery. She shows us who Diana Ferguson really was and not just what people read in the newspaper article. This is a great book and anyone who is looking to get lost in a good mystery will definitely enjoy this one. This is one of those books where I can't say too much about it or else you will figure it out. So, pick it up and check it out. You won't be sorry.



**This book was provided to me by the author in return for my honest review.**

Tick Tock by James Patterson

Publication Date: January 24, 2011
Genre: Suspense/thriller
Series: Micheal Bennett #4
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Book Summary: A bomb set in one of New York's busiest places is discovered before it explodes. But relief turns to terror when the police realize it is just a warning of greater devastation to come. The city calls on Detective Michael Bennett, pulling him away from a seaside vacation with his ten adopted children and their beloved nanny, Mary Catherine--leaving his entire family open to attack.Bennett enlists the help of a former colleague, FBI Agent Beth Peters. His affection for Beth grows into attraction and then something stronger, and his relationship with Mary Catherine takes an unexpected turn. Another horrifying crime leads Bennett to a shocking discovery that exposes the killer's pattern--and the earth-shattering enormity of his plan.

My Thoughts: This book is a race against the clock, literally! Someone has a mission to reenact crimes of history and they are targeting Micheal Bennett. This is my first book is this series. Micheal is not only a detective but he is also a father of 10 adopted children. So you get to go in a little more with his personal life and what the kids are going through. So there are two plots going on in some ways. Micheal solving the case of who is setting off these bombs and the family who is bullying his children. There is even a little romance in this book as Michael has two women who want to be his leading lady. This book will keep you wanting to pick it up at anytime that it isn't in your hand. I don't know how Mr. Patterson does it, but he has another best seller in his hands.



**This book was provided to me by the publishers for my honest review.**

Easy As Pie At Bobby's Dinner by Susan Wingate

Publication Date: May 15, 2010
Pages: 220
Format: Paperback (E-book available)
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Series: Book 2 (Bobby's Dinner)
My Rating:


Book Summary: Georgette Carlisle lost her first husband, and is about to lose her next one: Hawthorne Biggs. She’s running the diner with Roberta, her late husband’s daughter. When old friend, Helen, comes back home after a failed attempt at a writing career, she is, once again, attracted to Georgette’s man. After the two women part company Helen goes missing. While digging around, Georgette finds out that Biggs has a dangerous past. With Roberta at her side, the two women brave separation, torture, and near death at the hand of Biggs. And, after taking him down, the women find a new strength and belonging. EASY AS PIE is the number two book in the four-part “Bobby’s Diner” series.

My Thoughts: Being the second book in the series, I was able to catch up quickly since I have not read the first book. This was quite an enjoyable read. The chapters were shorts and maybe reading the book fast for me. Each chapter ends with such a cliff hanger, you have to turn the page to see what is going to happen to Georgette next and all the crazy people in her life. It seems luck just isn't on her side, even five years after the death of her late husband Bobby. Things seem to be looking up to her, however things are not always as they seem she soon learns. People are also not whom they seem to be.  At times Georgette isn't even sure who she can fully trust.

This book is full of mystery, and a lot of comical situations. You find yourself laughing along while you root with Georgette. I love her cat Gangster. What a name for a cat. I am assuming I would know a little more about the cat and how he got his name if I had read the first book, which definitely will be added to my list to read. Susan Wingate has written an excellent novel and I just hope she has another one out before long. I can't wait to see what happens in Georgette'e life next. I do hope for love for her and hopefully finding someone to settle with. The book itself ends with a slight cliffhanger, having you already wondering, something else is going to happen. This mystery is not over, so watch out Georgette!



**This book was provided to me by the author and publisher in return for my honest review.**

The Redemption of Holly Dobson by C.Lynn Barton

Publication Date: September 30, 2010
Pages: 246
Genre: Thriller/ Paranormal
My Rating:


Book Summary:  Holly Dobson possesses an understated benevolent evilness. She is relentlessly driven by her unbreakable sense of family values. Holly acts with remorseless conviction to protect her own regardless of the consequences. Her only son is a demonic, charismatic, and curiously engaging being. The quintessential evil which George Dobson personifies sets Holly on a path that spans continents, decades, and the landscape of her very soul. Along the way, Holly discovers her purpose and finds redemption as a mother, a woman, lover, and ultimately something more than a mere human being.

My Thoughts: This book was different, and it was different in a good way. It was definitely a change in my normal reading. The story starts out slow, but once your a few chapters in, your hooked. You start to wonder, what in the heck is going on. I think for most of this story, I stayed so intrigued because there was a lot to figure out and you were waiting to see what Holly was going to do. Who wouldn't when you son is the spawn of of Satan, or could even be Satan himself. Its all in how you interpret this book. There is a lot of paranormal aspects in this book, so I think anyone who likes that kind of book would enjoy this one.

Holly as a character was hard to figure out. I think even when the book was ending, she was still a puzzle to me.  There were things she did in this book, that will shock the reader and leave you wondering how she feels she can redeem herself. I would love to see a sequel to this book. I think this would make an awesome series.



**This book was provided to me by the publishers/ author in return for my honest review.**

Review: I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman

Publication Date: September 1st 2010
Pages:
Genre: Thriller/ General Fiction
My Rating:




Book Summary:  Eliza Benedict cherishes her peaceful, ordinary suburban life with her successful husband and children, thirteen-year-old Iso and eight-year-old Albie. But her tranquillity is shattered when she receives a letter from the last person she ever expects—or wants—to hear from: Walter Bowman. There was your photo, in a magazine. Of course, you are older now. Still, I'd know you anywhere.In the summer of 1985, when she was fifteen, Eliza was kidnapped by Walter and held hostage for almost six weeks. He had killed at least one girl and Eliza always suspected he had other victims as well. Now on death row in Virginia for the rape and murder of his final victim, Walter seems to be making a heartfelt act of contrition as his execution nears. Though Eliza wants nothing to do with him, she's never forgotten that Walter was most unpredictable when ignored. Desperate to shelter her children from this undisclosed trauma in her past, she cautiously makes contact with Walter. She's always wondered why Walter let her live, and perhaps now he'll tell her—and share the truth about his other victims.Yet as Walter presses her for more and deeper contact, it becomes clear that he is after something greater than forgiveness. He wants Eliza to remember what really happened that long-ago summer. He wants her to save his life. And Eliza, who has worked hard for her comfortable, cocooned life, will do anything to protect it—even if it means finally facing the events of that horrifying summer and the terrible truth she's kept buried inside.An edgy, utterly gripping tale of psychological manipulation that will leave readers racing to the final page, I'd Know You Anywhere is a virtuoso performance from acclaimed, award-winning author Laura Lippman that is sure to be her biggest hit yet. 

My Thoughts: I was intrigued by this book after reading Still Missing by Chevy Stevens. I came across this book for review not long after reading Still Missing. This book is different however. I was captivated from page one. The author paints a story that is very well told.  Walter is a serial killer. She lets us meet him first and get to know him and give us some insight as to why he may have become who he was. We meet Eliza as an adult living her day to day life trying not to think about her past from when she was kidnapped. This is something she keeps secret from others however, she is very open and honest with her husband, which I liked in this book. Too often in book, spouses keep secrets from one another and it was nice to read about a good and solid marriage. This is something however that she has kept from her children. Which I can understand being a mother. That would be something very difficult to explain. You also meet in this story the mother of one of the murder victims. Actually this victim, Holly, it was her murder case that got Walter on death row. So, we get to meet her mother and see how she feels about the upcoming date that Walter is facing. He has been the longest inmate on death row, as he keeps avoiding it somehow. She is now worried that Eliza isn't really a victim of Walter's as she has portrayed and that Eliza might help Walter get off, since the two are in contact again.

Another thing I enjoyed about this story was that Eliza did not get herself all wrapped up into Walter like you think a character would. You read a lot about her day to day life as a parent. Walter is not always on her mind as she is dealing with a rebellious teenage daughter and a son with nightmares.

I really liked this story. This was an all around good book and I really think this book is going to get popular fast. It is well written and definitely one that I recommend that you add to your TBR list if it isn't already added.



**I read this book through Crazy Book Tours.**

The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner

Publication Date: July 27th 2004
Pages: 432
Genre: Thriller/suspense
My Rating:


Summary: (Goodreads) Jim Beckett was everything she'd ever dreamed of in a man and a husband. But two years after Tess married the decorated cop and bore his child, she helped put him behind bars for savagely murdering 10 women. Even locked up in a maximum security prison, he vowed he would come after her and make her pay. Now the cunning killer has escaped--and the most dangerous and terrifying game of all is about to begin.

My Thoughts: I picked this book up at my local used  book store a few months ago after I had read my first "newer" Lisa Gardner book. I had only read books from her DD Warren series that deals with the book in mainly a police perspective. This book is different from that and I liked it. This book mainly deals from either Tess's point on view or the mercenaries view, J.T. We get to see some from Jim Beckett's point of view also, which was nice.  This book was good. It was an easy read. I think in some ways it was a bit too predictable, however it still reeled you in and  had you on the edge of your seat waiting for the psychopath Jim Beckett to be caught. Gardner did an awesome job with this character. You can tell she really did her research. This is another one of those books, where if too much is told, then it will ruin the book. If thriller is your genre and you are a Lisa Gardner fa, check out the local used books stores for this one. You won't be sorry.

In The Dark by Richard Laymon

This month my local book club chose a horror book as this months book pick. As a teenager, i did read some Stephen King from time to time. Now I am mainly a romance kinda girl. So, this book was stepping out of my norm. However, that is sometimes part of a book club. So, here is a mini review on the book.

Published on November 1st 1994
Genre: Horror
Pages: 500
My Rating:



Jane is the main character in this book. She is a librarian and on day she find an envelope on her chair. She open the envelope to find $50 and a letter from Master of the Game, AKA, MOG.  In the envelope she gets a clue as the where to find the next envelope is. Upon finding the next one, she gets her money doubled. At this point, she is hooked. Who wouldn't be, if all they had to do was follow the clue and your money gets doubled. However, each clue brings her to more and more dangerous situations. Jane finds herself changing and doing things she never imagined doing, all in the name for another white envelope with more money and a clue.

The book definitely kept me involved. It was a big book, but it doesn't take long to finish. Your curiosity is spiked wanting to know what she has to do next, getting completely grossed out by the stuff she does, and then feeling the relief when she makes it out of that event alive. The book wasn't quite as horror as I thought it might get. I did enjoy it very much and I am glad that i decided to read it .It is a great spooky book for this time of the year.

Planning to Live by Heather Wardell

Publication Date: August 31, 2010
Pages: 238
Genre: Thriller
My Rating:


Summary: Rhiannon is goal obsessed in her life. She has planned each day and evaluated each day of her life and looked to see how she could have done better. She is obsessed with her weight and the way others view her.  On Christmas she flees from her parents house because of all the food and the stress that it is bringing her. She winds up running off the road and is trapped in her car. The snow keeps coming down, burying her tracks from the car in the snow. While in the car, Rhiannon has time to reflect on her life.  She takes us then on a memory journey where we meet all the most important people in her life.

My thoughts: This book will draw you in immediately. You find yourself in the car with Rhiannon almost. The author does a great job describing what the character is going through. First thoughts to me, is why doesn't she just get out? Her left leg has something that has gone through her foot and is holding her trapped in the car. From the impact of the crash, her phone is on the floor just out of reach. She does have her laptop, however she can't get a wireless signal to e-mail anyone for help.  So it becomes a waiting game for Rhiannon and the reader.
Rhiannon has always struggled in her weight and she is a bit obsessed through out the story. Which makes me laugh, because so many people are, including myself. You put 10 pounds on, you get 10 pounds off. It just fluctuates. However poor Rhiannon has been exercising everyday and eating those nasty pre-packaged meals and her weight isn't budging. That has caused her to be even more obsessed. In the story we meet Bill who was her once finance before he was murdered.  We then go with her through her journey meeting Andrew and trying to move on with him.
If your looking for a book that will draw you in from the beginning and make you feel like you are there. This is it. I really think you would enjoy it. This is such a good book, that it really is hard to write a review without giving too much away.
To see what else Heather Wardell has written, check out her website.
www.HeatherWardell.com



**This book was provided to me by the author for my review of this book. I was not required to make this review positive.**

Live to Tell by Lisa Gardner

Publication Date: July 13th 2010
Pages: 400
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
My Rating:




Book Summary: This book draws you in from the beginning. Lisa Garnder is easily becoming a favorite of mine when I need to read something that will keep me on my toes. This story is told by three different woman. One is Detective DD. Warren's who we meet again in this book. She is trying to solve the mystery. Victoria is the mother of an 8 year old boy who is very troubled. So troubled that the mother has to keep anything up that her son could use to end her life. She lives in fear in her home, but what is she to do when its her own child. We also follow Danielle in her quest to move on after 25 years from the night that her father murdered everyone in the house, except for her. Her father even took his own life. She has been left for years wondering why she is still here, was it because she was special or was it that he hated her so much that he left her here to suffer. It was around the anniversary of the killing to Danielle's family when other families are all being killed too. Everyone in these families die. It ties back to the kids psych unit where Danielle words, because it is all kids from there who have their families dieing. DD. Warren has her hands full with this case.

My Thoughts:  This was an exceptionally good book. I got to know detective DD Warren better and I enjoyed that. I am interested to read more about her in future books.  There was some predictability in this book. However, with as much as I read, I find it often fairly easy to guess plots of books. However, I still fully enjoy them.  My heart went out a great deal for Danielle and I could feel the pain she was feeling. I couldn't imagine seeing the things she did and having her whole family murdered. I often thought Victoria was crazy for staying there with her son. I think I would have ran, instead of living in that fear.

This is a great weekend read when you want to read something that you have to figure out and yet will keep you up late having to finish it.


I read this book as part of a tour from Crazy Book Tours. You get to read ARC or recently released books and then pass them on.