"Long Time Gone" by Charlie Donlea explores themes of family history and generational secrets through the journey of Sloan Hastings, who discovers she was kidnapped as a child. The mystery unfolds with compelling characters and ties to a historical disappearance, maintaining reader engagement despite some predictable elements and a mixed ending. Rated 7.5/10.
Marshall Karp's "Don't Tell Me How to Die" surprises with its emotional depth and intricate plot. The story follows Maggie Dunn, a mayor coping with a genetic illness, as she attempts to secure her family's future by finding her husband a new wife before her death. Full of twists, it explores love, grief, and control.
In "Fade Away" by Harlan Coben, the series delves into Myron Bolitar's emotional past as a former athlete. The narrative uncovers his complexities while tackling the disappearance of an old teammate, Greg Downing. This installment deepens character dynamics, emphasizing the impact of history on present relationships. The reviewer rates it 8.5/10.
In Drop Shot we are taken into the tennis world. When tennis star Valerie Simpson is murdered at the U.S. Open, Myron’s client, Duane Richwood, quickly becomes the prime suspect. Determined to clear his client’s name, Myron dives into the investigation, only to find himself tangled in a much darker and more dangerous situation than he expected. As he digs deeper into Valerie’s life, secrets start to unravel, about her past, her relationships, and the world surrounding professional tennis. What initially seems like a straightforward case quickly spirals into something far more layered, pulling Myron into real danger as he gets closer to the truth.
The review praises Nat Cassidy’s horror novel "When the Wolf Comes Home" for its unique plot and emotional depth. It centers on Jess, a relatable protagonist, and a troubled boy facing terrifying realities. The fast-paced story explores fear's impact on individuals, making it both unsettling and compelling. The reviewer rates it an 8/10.
The Mad Wife by Meagan Church explores the struggles of a 1950s housewife, Lulu Mayfield, navigating mental health within societal expectations. As Lulu faces personal crises, her neighbor's mysterious presence amplifies her insecurities. The novel delves into the complexities of womanhood, identity, and the psychological toll of conformity, ultimately offering a reflective commentary on the era.
At its core, this novel asks one massive question, is it ever okay to kill someone you love if they ask you to? From that point on, Picoult does what she does best: she complicates it. Morally, legally, emotionally, and relationally. No angle is left untouched, which is both the book’s biggest strength and, at times, its biggest weakness.
There are thrillers that make you look over your shoulder, and then there’s what John Marrs does in Keep It in the Family, where every horror, every secret, and every warped loyalty makes you question humanity itself. This isn’t just a domestic mystery about a creepy house, it’s a tangled, unhinged psychological exploration of family, identity, trauma, and the lengths people go to protect, or destroy, those they love. From the first unnerving scrawl scratched into a floorboard to the final bone-chilling twist, Keep It in the Family is Marrs at his darkest, most disturbing, and most emotionally jarring.
In "Tell No Lies," the second book of the Quinn and Costa series by Allison Brennan, FBI agent Kara Quinn and LAPD detective Matt Costa investigate the mysterious death of activist Emma Perez. The novel offers a deeper, introspective exploration of trauma and secrets, enhancing character development, particularly in Quinn and Costa’s evolving partnership.
For this review, I get into my third Cormac McCarthy book, Blood Meridian or the Evening Redness in the West. A difficult, dense, and frankly brutal book that is downright fantastic from start to finish. It’s a tough one in both the plot and how it's presented, but if you take the time to really get into it and think, it’s a great read to pick up.
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