In September I told you all that these were the books on my list to read in October:)
Dark Water by Mick Bose
The Other Side by AJ McArthy
Not your Child by Lis Angus
Death Becomes the Bride by CP Verity
To Find Just One by William Cain
The Books Recommendations from October 2022
It was a busy month for book reading, I actually managed to have the time to read 10 books this month. I was sent a book by Voracious readers to review by William Cain and I was hooked, I do love a Psychological Murder Mystery, so much so, that I read three out of the ten books this month in the Addie Henson Series, by William Cain and I plan to read them all, so they are on my list for the near future. I hope you enjoy reading about them as always please let me have your views on the book recommendations listed.
Love Alis x
The books I have read this month are:
Title: Finding Him
Author: Vanessa Lawry
Genre: Romance, Suspense
About book: Triggered by a memory with her ex-boyfriend from college, Vanessa bought a ticket and backpacked in Germany to look for her first love, an exchange student with whom she had lost contact with many years ago. All she had was a travel guide full of clues and her memories to rely on. Finding Him is a romantic suspense story that follows an American woman to Germany to find her college sweetheart. Through this journey to heal her broken heart, Vanessa would find out what love really meant and who truly cared about her.
My thoughts: Review Having Received this book through Voracious readers. I was pleased I did even though it was not my normal genre of book to read. I initially thought this book was about a love lost, and although it took me a couple of chapters to get into. Once there I was hooked. The characters came to life as the book progressed and their stories unfolded, I found myself not able to put the book down. I would definitely recommend this book as one to read.
Title: Fez Up
Author: Bonnie Cavaliere
Genre: Humour, Romance
About book: People’s #1 fear is public speaking… so how crazy do you have to be to try stand-up comedy? Meet Kasey McCormick, a recently unemployed copywriter and fledgling stand-up comic. Kasey signs up for a stand-up comedy class at the renowned Centre of Comedy, only to discover comedy is not pretty—and it is sometimes dangerous. When a valuable script is stolen from the club, Kasey and her classmates fall under suspicion. The club owner threatens to cancel their graduation show and worse—ban them from the club forever. But Kasey and her new friends are determined not to let their comedy dreams disappear with the script. Even though they have less experience at solving crimes than doing stand-up comedy (is that even possible?) they set out to find and return the script—and save the show! My thoughts: I was sent this book by Voracious Readers and although this is not my normal read I did enjoy it. It was an easy read with some tongue in cheek humour, love, and some very basic investigative work. A book I would recommend taking away on holiday with you to read on the beach.
Title: The Other Side
Author: AJ McArthy
Genre: Mystery Suspense
About book: Murders or a series of coincidences?
Charlie is worried her ex-PI husband, Simm, is bored with his new role helping her manage their pubs in Montreal. Offered the chance to investigate the disappearance of a man the previous year, Charlie convinces Simm to take the case. Besides, a few days in the Gatineau region of Quebec might be the best thing for them and their relationship.
Charlie and Simm discover the case may involve a series of dubious vanishings that were written off as presumed drownings. They are drawn into a tangle of small-town relationships between long-time locals, wealthy summer residents, and a hermit with his own secrets.
Unfortunately, someone does not appreciate their efforts to meddle in the past. Is a serial killer at work? Was a fatal car accident somehow tied to the disappearances? Does Simm's family have a connection to the tragedies in the small town of Wakefield? Charlie and Simm need to tie up loose ends before they join the growing list of victims.
My thoughts: Although this book felt a slow burn, I kept picking it up to read and putting it down again. Initially unable to get into it. However, it quickly picked up the pace and became a page turner I did not want to put down. It kept you wondering what happened all the way through while other interests in relationships and family and how they interact built up momentum. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing and wanting more. A real 'whodunnit' I can see another book emerging from this. I would recommend The Other Side to those who like mystery books.
I have been supplied this book by Voracious readers in return for an honest review and this review is my opinion.
Title: Not your Child
Author: Lis Angus
Genre: Mystery Thriller
About book: When Ottawa psychologist and single mother Susan Koss discovers that a strange man has been following her twelve-year-old daughter Maddy, she fears he's a predator. But it is worse than that. The man, Daniel Kazan, believes Maddy is his granddaughter, abducted as a baby—and he is obsessed with getting her back. Susan insists on a DNA test to disprove Daniel's claim, but the result is one she can't understand or explain: it says she's not Maddy's mother. Then Maddy vanishes. Susan's convinced Daniel has taken her, but he has an alibi, and two searches of his house turn up nothing. The hunt is on—police are on full mobilization, and Susan fears the worst.
My thoughts: I was supplied this book through Voracious readers in turn for an honest review and I was glad I did. This book by Lis Angus was an emotional roller coaster from the beginning. Without any spoilers this story is about a girl Maddy, her mother, Susan, and a gentleman, Daniel Kazan who thinks Maddy is his granddaughter.
As soon as I picked up this book, I could not put it down, I raced through the pages wanting to find out what happened next.
Lis Angus keeps you in suspense and guessing all the way through a great read that I thoroughly recommend.
Title: Lessons in Chemistry
Author: Bonnie Garmus
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Feminism
About book: Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing. But it is the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans, the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with - of all things - her mind. True chemistry results. Like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later, Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America's most beloved cooking show, Supper at Six. Elizabeth's unusual approach to cooking ('combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride') proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott is not just teaching women to cook. She is daring them to change the status quo.
My thoughts: This book is about a woman in a man’s world during the 1960s and her struggles to make her world more equal. It was chosen as book of the month by our book club. This book for me was a game of two halves The first half being before Elizabeth got the job on the cooking show and the second half being after Elizabeth got the job on the cooking show.
The first half I did not find funny or fantastical. It did not even feel as if the main character was from the 50s/60s, it felt like it was more about someone travelling back in time thinking they know what went on. The message itself is worthwhile but I did not overly enjoy the way it was written. The main character Elizabeth did not make me warm to her and her plight in the way the book portrayed her to be. I came away from the first half of the book wondering what all the hype was. Then came the second half where I laughed aloud on numerous occasions at Elizabeth’s journey and the interactions and conversations she had with a variety of people when the writer took me through Elizabeth’s plight. Which felt more believable and truer to the time. I loved the characters that came into play especially Harriet, Walter and I loved six-thirty. The second half was a true page turner that I did not want to put down, and did not want to end.
Title: Mrs Jones
Author: William Cain
Genre: Psychological Murder Mystery Thriller
About book: ...In this dark women's sleuth murder mystery series, romance and suspense spice up the adventures of Detective Henson, as she investigates a gruesome murder.
A wealthy, mysterious man, living in a small town of the Blue Ridge Mountains, finds his wife brutally killed. During Henson's investigation of the crime, she meets the son of a strange witness and yes... falls in love. Their romantic connection is instant, but not without doubt and intrigue.
The case leads our detective directly into the underworld of Chicago and Miami. She encounters seedy characters, crime families, professional killers, fight club champions, spying housemaids and goomahs.
She also finds the widower to be a dangerous criminal, and that he has a human side - even when he is surrounded by enemies. Someone murdered his wife and now they want him to meet his fate. And he is not waiting. He has an army of killers at his disposal and he's going to use them.
A hit lady with a reputation is on her way to seal his destiny!
If you like strong one of kind female characters determined to find the most heinous psychotic killers, even if it means entering into the dark and dangerous underworld, then follow this psychological mystery series and super cop Henson on her thrilling adventure of murder, mystery, mayhem, and intrigue.
My thoughts: As I read through the book, I found myself believing in the characters more as the book developed and unfolded. I loved the way the book moved through the chapters telling the story from different people’s perspective. Giving us insights into their private lives. A story well written and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Adelaide Henson series.
Title: Mr Jones
Author: William Cain
Genre: Psychological Murder Mystery Thriller
About book: ..A beautiful, deadly contract killer holds one of the keys to the mystery of a woman's death, the most gruesome murder Addie's ever seen or heard about.
Detective Adelaide Henson of Asheville P.D. will brave the streets of Little Havana to find her, corner her. If she can do that without getting herself killed, she'll learn what she needs.
Henson hopes to return with answers, and her list of suspects reduced to ONE.
Still, things don't make sense. The murderer can't be in two places at once, or is there more than one on the loose? Just how much more dangerous will this get?
Conventional detective techniques aren't working. Something is wrong, something is amiss.
The deeper Addie goes, the more she risks. Is she willing? Is she able?
Follow Henson in this psychological murder mystery, Book Two of the series.
My thoughts: I do like to read books in order and the author advises we do so on this occasion. Mr Jones is book 2 in the Adelaide Henson series. I do like the fact the author has listed the characters again at the beginning of book 2. As although I read the two books in quick succession it was a good reminder especially with some of the lesser-known characters in the book and the ones with more than one name. However, the author does recap on certain events, and I feel that the book could be read as a standalone. Reading this book was like reading about people you have just met and start to get to know them, where more details unfold as you get further and further into the book. The author keeps you wanting to read more until all your questions are answered. I enjoyed reading the book, the characters are believable and intense at times. Even the friendships that build are believable as they themselves seem to be just as surprised. Can’t wait to read more in the series.
Title: To Find Just One
Author: William Cain
Genre: Psychological Murder Mystery Thriller
About book: One man got away. Got away with murder. Got away from her clutches. There's a secret the man owns, too. Addie's going to find it. She can feel it's there. When she does make her discovery, it's bigger than anything she's ever had to fight. It's time to turn up the heat, take it up a notch or two. Follow Henson as she uses all she has to crack the case - before it kills her! To Find Just One!
My thoughts: This is the 6th Book in a series of ten books about Adelaide Henson by William Cain. William Cain advocates reading them in order as each two books are closely related meaning book 1 and 2 of which I have read, complete a main story which is part of the bigger picture.
I am reading this book out of order as I was supplied it by Voracious Readers in return for an honest review. I shall however go and read the rest of them in order as is usually my way when I discover an author I love.
William Cain writes beautifully the words flow off the page, bringing the characters alive in your mind. As I noticed in previous books, he does recap details making them available as standalone books, but the recaps are not too much to become annoying.
Addie Henson is a force to be reckoned with, a strong female character that is successful and complex and she has her own goals outside of all her other relationships.
Something different to read a great storyline that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Title: Dark Water
Author: Mick Bose
Genre: Suspense Thriller Adventure
About book: Action, intrigue, razor taut suspense, the second book of the bestselling Dan Roy series has it all. Who reads your emails? Who hides in the undersea cables? The enemy is at the gates. No one knows. But one man finds out. Dan Roy. Can he stop them? Dan is back home in Virginia, USA, to settle his affairs. Then he is free to roam the world. But when an innocent woman is abducted in broad daylight, Dan responds to her call for help. His actions lead him into the dangerous vortex of a global plot. A plot designed to cripple America. Maybe for good. Deep under the blue waters of the Eastern Seaboard hides a deadly secret, and the enemy know about it. They have arrived and will stop at nothing to unleash mayhem. Only Dan Roy, ex Black Ops warrior, stands in their way. This time, even Dan might have taken on more than he can handle... But Dan is a survivor, and come hell or high water, he will fight till his last breath. Meet the new hero everyone is talking about.
My thoughts: This is the first of the Dan Roy novels I have read, it was fast paced with plenty of action with a bit of fantasy fiction thrown in. A bit like the Jack Reacher by Lee Childs mixed in with Ben Hope by Scott Mariani books. So, I think Mick Bose is in good company. I thoroughly enjoyed the read, its well written and I will definitely be reading some more.
Title: Death Becomes the Bride
Author: CP Verity
Genre: Historical, Murder Mystery
About book: Bones meets Agatha Christie in this Victorian Murder Mystery Netty Dyer cannot help but suspect foul play when her mother is found dead on her wedding night, following her marriage to a much younger man. Unable to come to terms with the death, or her guilt at their recent estrangement, Netty has her mother admitted to Dunn and Gonne, a waiting mortuary where the recently deceased are watched in the hope that they wake. With the help of the mortuary assistant Constance Dunn and private investigator Charles Hunter, Netty investigates her new father, and the family he claims to be part of. With only weeks to go until she comes into her inheritance, time is of the essence. Unless they can find the murderer before she comes of age, Netty’s life could also be in danger. Death Becomes the Bride is the first book in the Netty and Constance Investigate Mystery Series.
My thoughts: CP Verity was an unknown author to myself, and I was given this book by Voracious readers in return for an honest review. I am glad that they did. Death becomes the Bride is a murder mystery set in Victorian times and the book is full of Victorian representation that made the story believable. The story is focused on the mysterious death of Netty’s mother. With Netty, Constance from the Undertakers and Mr Hunter the Private Detective working together to solve the crime. This is the first book in a series, and I thought that the first half of this book set the scene for the characters to enable you to follow on with the other books and the murder mystery took up the other half of the book. It worked and pulled you in to want to read more. A very enjoyable read.
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