The Girl in the Lake by Lauren Oliver

Do you ever have déjà vu moments?  I certainly do. 

Kate Willis is a consultant for the Division of Perceptual Studies at the University of Virginia.  Her latest task is to interview a six-year-old girl, Henley, about the past life she remembers.  As Kate interviews her, she realizes that Henley remembers the life of her friend Becca that disappeared from summer camp 24 year ago.  Henley remembers things that only Becca would know.  Kate knows more about Becca’s disappearance than she ever let on.  What happened to Becca?  Why does Henley have her memories?  Is she the reincarnated Becca?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I liked the haunted lake and the grey lady legends.  This spookiness fits into things that happened at the camp in the past and Becca’s disappearance.

·       The setting was a great atmospheric setting that also set the mood for the story.

·       This story moved rather slow for me, especially in the middle, but it felt rushed at the end.   This strange pacing lost a star rating from me.

·       I would classify this book as psychological and paranormal suspense.

·       Kate annoyed me at times, especially in her treatment of Henley.

·       I did enjoy the mystery and the resolution of the story.  I don’t want to get too much into it and ruin it for others.

·       This would make a great spooky season read.

Overall, The Girl in the Lake by Lauren Oliver was a haunting suspense story that would be a good read for the fall spooky season.

Three Steps Behind by Dani Pettrey

 

Do you prefer series or standalone books?

Thank you to @authordanipettrey, @bethanyhousefiction, and @greatreadsbookpromo for the gift copy of Three Steps Behind.

Harper has returned from a humanitarian trip oversees in Syria where she was held captive and almost killed.  Many of her friends didn’t make it.  She has returned to the United States and protection from a private investigator, Deckard MacLeod.  She has only just arrived when she discovers that her friend Taylor has died.  Did her friend die naturally in her early 30’s?  Something doesn’t seem right and so Harper and Deckard start to investigate.  Will they find out what happened to Taylor?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This book starts off with a bang.  The first chapter was exciting and terrifying and really pulled you into the story.

·       This is the third book in the Jeopardy Falls series.  I had a hard time getting into the story at first.  It seemed like character overload, and I wasn’t really sure what was going on.  If I had read the other book in series, I would have hit this story running.  It was an entertaining story once I got into it, so I think I need to go back and read the first couple of book.

·       This was a clean read with kisses only. There are some triggers such as kidnapping, childhood trauma, missing family, murder, etc.

·       I would classify this read as a romantic suspense thriller.  It was very action-packed.

·       I loved Deckard.  He is devoted to his siblings.  He really supported Harper through her trials and healing.

·       There was also a second romantic suspense storyline between Deckard’s estranged sister, Bristol, and Aubry.  It was entertaining as well.

·       The book ended on a cliffhanger that set up book 4.  I need to read the first two books in the series as I wait for book 4!

Overall, Three Steps Behind by Dani Pettrey was an action-packed romantic suspense story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Labours of Hercules by Agatha Christie

Title:  The Labours of Hercules

Author:  Agatha Christie

Narrated by:  Hugh Fraser 

Publisher: HarperAudio

Length: Approximately 8 hours and 43 minutes 

Source: Purchased from Audible

Do you read short stories?  Do you have a favorite short story?

In this Hercule Poirot collection, the famous detective takes on twelve mysteries in the twelve short stories.  Each one is related to the Labours of Hercules in Greek mythology.  Poirot wants to solve these cases before he “retires.”  Since he spends fifty years coming in and out of retirement, I’m not sure that solving these mysteries will put him over the edge.  

My thoughts on this collection:

• I read this in June for the #ReadChristie2026 challenge.  “Best short story collection” was the theme for the month.

• I enjoyed this collection and found it to be very entertaining.  I like the links between the stories and how each case was unique.

• I listened on audiobook and Hugh Fraser was a great narrator as usual.

• The stories were very loosely connected.

• In the first story, Poirot finds a missing dog which I enjoyed.

Overall, The Labours of Hercules by Agatha Christie was an entertaining short story mystery collection.  Was it the best Christie short story collection?  I guess I need to read all the rest of her short story collections to decide for myself.

Happy Wife by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores

 

Title:  Happy Wife

Author:  Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores

Narrated by:  Saskia Maarleveld

Publisher: Random House Audio

Length: Approximately 9 hours and 43 minutes

Source: Audiobook from Amazon Music and physical copy checked out from the Kewaunee Public Library.  Thank-you!

What genre of books do you like to read for your book clubs?

Nora Davies at twenty-eight is married to a prominent forty-six-year-old lawyer, Will Somerset.  They live in Winter Park, an elite coastal town in Florida.  Nora is having a hard time fitting in with the old guard, but she throws a birthday party for Will inviting them all.   The party goes well, but Will disappears after the party. Where is Will?  Is he working a case or has something nefarious happened to him??

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was the July read for the Rogue Book Club.  I think everyone enjoyed it as a fun summer read type of book. It had great characters and an interesting mystery.

·       This is a Read with Jenna selection.

·       I listened to the audiobook in July, and it was an engaging story with a good narrator.

·       My favorite quote from the audiobook was something like “I’ll have to add a category of friends made while looking for my husband’s killer to my Christmas card list.”

·       The story switches from the present time frame to flashbacks showing how Nora and Will first got together.

·       I did like the inner look into high society in this domestic thriller.

·       As the story progresses, it is discovered that not everything is always as it seems.

·       This was a fast faced light and entertaining mystery.

·       I did not guess the ending.  It seemed rather random.

·       I liked how Will swept Nora off her feet but as time went on, she discovered that not all that glitters is gold.

·       I liked being surprised by the plot, so I don’t want to get into too many details and ruin it for others.

Overall, Happy Wife by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores was a light and fun domestic thriller perfect for a summer read.

Twilight Tactics by Lynette Eason

 

Dawn or twilight?  Which do you prefer?  I am not a morning person and will always prefer twilight!

Thank you to @lynetteeason, @revellfiction, and @greatreadsbookpromo for the gift copy of Twilight Tactics.

FBI agents Sully Sulivan and Piper Whitaker are taking are care of and hiding 14-year-old witness Ollie Callahan.  Ollie witnessed a mob hit and is being hid until the trial.  As each of their locations has been compromised, Sully hopes that Broken Chain Ranch, which is the home of an old cousin and friend, will be a safe place.

Maya runs Broken Chain Ranch as a miliary vet retreat, a place where veterans can heal from PTSD and gain tools to deal with their lives.  Her friend and fellow vet, Elana, teaches wilderness skills at the ranch.  Elena bonds with Ollie but has secrets of her own. When the ranch comes under attack, is it Ollie or Elena the mysterious attackers are after?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was an action-packed book that you can’t put down!

·       This was a contemporary romance suspense novel.

·       It was a clean read and Christian.

·       Twilight Tactics was the first in the new series, Soldiers in Shadows.  I can’t wait for the next book.

·       I really liked the relationships between characters such as Sully and Ollie, Elena and Ollie, and Sully and Elena.

·       This book also investigated the dark world of prepper and cult lifestyles.  How can you get out of such a situation?

·       The overall theme of the book was that you can be broken, but you can take control of your life, heal, and have a fresh start.  I liked this theme.

·       Ollie is an orphan that has been shuffled through foster care and has experienced things that no teen should have experienced.  I really felt for her.

·       This book is set in the rural Tennessee mountains.

·       It was told through multiple point of views: Elena, Sully, and Ollie.

·       This story was fast paced and kept from on the edge of my seat from the first page through the end.

Overall, Twilight Tactics by Lynette Eason is an action packed contemporary romantic suspense novel with great characters that kept me on the edge of my seat.  It was a great start to a new series.

Thirty Days to Home by Cathryn Rakich

 

Do you have any rescue pets?  Our dog Spot is a rescue dog originally from Texas.  His name was Spot the ranch dog and he was moved to Wisconsin to make way for dogs after Hurricane Harvey.  He still is not a fan of snow and ice but Spot the ranch dog is now a happy Wisconsin dog.

Marli May has faced the greatest heartbreak a mother can with the loss of her teenage son. Trying to reconnect with her husband after the loss, she goes with him on a work retreat to Escondido, Mexico.  While there, her world further falls apart when she discovers her husband is having an affair with a coworker.  On top of that, she receives a mysterious text stating that her son’s death may not have been an accident after all.  After finding a stray dog on the street who needs her help, will this be enough to bring Marli back from the brink of despair?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I liked the added mystery of what really happened to Marli’s son.

·       I love books the involve dogs and rescue dogs are even better!

·       I also loved Ben, the handsome widower vet that Marli meets in Mexico, but I also thought it was too soon for a new romance.

·       I liked that Marli’s friend Tammy came down to visit and support Marli in Mexico. On the other hand, something seemed off about her and she wanted to cheat on her husband while on vacation which gave me a weird vibe.

·       I also liked that Marli cared for her mother, Alice, who had Alzheimer’s.  It was a realistic description of how tough care can be in such a situation.  Caring for your parents at the end of their lives would be hard.

·       There was suspense near the end of the novel.

·       I thought I had the ending figured out – but I was surprised.  Great ending.

·       Marli and Ben were my favorite characters and were very well written.  I loved their compassion for dogs and people in need.

·       It was hard to believe that this was a debut novel.

·       This novel dealt with grief and was an emotional read.

·       I would classify this as contemporary, women’s fiction, family drama, dogs, second chance romance, mystery.

Overall, Thirty Days to Home by Cathryn Rakich was an entertaining and engaging novel featuring great characters and dogs.

Book Source:  Review copy from @booksparks. Thank-you!

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

 

What book has Instagram or other social media convinced you to read?  I kept seeing Yesteryear everywhere, so I read it last month.

Natalie Heller Mills is an Instagram “trad wife” living a seemingly perfect life. She lives on a beautiful farm in Idaho with her cowboy husband and six kids.  Behind the scenes nannies, farmhands and a producer keep the perfect life alive for social media.  When Natalie wakes up one day in the past and must live without modern conveniences, will she make it?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I see mixed reactions to this book online.  People seem to love it or hate it.  I liked it, it was a unique story, and I couldn’t stop reading it.

·       The characters are not likeable, but I did want to see what would happen next.

·       The twist in the story was interesting, I had suspected it, but I was not one hundred percent sure how it would work.

·       It is interesting to think about the power of social media and how it can show things to be 100% different than reality.  It seems like a lot of problems now are that people believe in “realities” that don’t really exist such as the “perfect” life you see in pictures that is not actually reality.  This book also showed how politics and social media are intertwined.

·       I find the “trad wife” trend confusing.  Do women really want to the live the life of our ancestors without having rights and modern conveniences?  I am 100% behind women that want to stay home and raise their kids, but I am not behind women who think that their lifestyle is the only way that women must live.  I didn’t think I would be living in a world that is talking about taking away women’s right to vote.

·       The book show the hypocrisy that even the women who say they want traditional roles are not really following them themselves.  It reminded me of Serena Joy from The Handmaid’s Tale.

·       Natalie’s point of view moves through time to show how her and her husband got together initially and their life leading up to the start of the book.

·       This would be a good book for a book club discussion.

·       This book is hard to classify – maybe contemporary, mystery, speculative, psychological thriller.

·       SPOILER ALERT – I did feel like Natalie is made out to be the villain when she was more the victim of her upbringing, postpartum depression, and from being drugged.

Overall, Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke was a unique and thought-provoking novel that I think would be great for a book club discussion.

Book Source:  Review copy from NetGalley.  Thank-you!

Don’t Upstage the Body by Naomi Stephens

 

What is the weather like by you?  We’ve been hit by a heat wave in Northeast Wisconsin with temps hovering near 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  I am not a fan of this type of weather and would rather be in the cool foggy weather of England.

Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family are professional mourners.  They show up to a funeral with disguises and characters to make sure the deceased is properly mourned.  When Hippolyta discovers the undertaker’s body in the library, she inadvertently becomes an investigator as the estate is cut off from the world by a washed out road.  With the help of the new Lord Montfort, Crispin, will Hippolyta be able to solve the crime before the murderer strikes again?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This novel is set in 1957 England and has a unique and fun story.

·       This is a cozy mystery, historical mystery, and historical romance.

·       I loved the characters, especially Hippolyta and Crispin.  They had great chemistry and fun and witty banter.

·       The side characters were great as well.  I particularly liked Tula, Crispin’s sassy and eccentric American aunt.

·       This was the book I needed last week to escape from the stresses of the world.

·       This is a Christian book with light faith elements.

·       I need to read more mysteries by this author.  I loved how it was an Agatha Christie type mystery.

·       It was a satisfying mystery – I did not guess the ending!

Overall, Don’t Upstage the Body by Naomi Stephens was a very engaging novel, and I did not want to put it down. I haven’t felt this invested in a story in a long time!

Book Source:  Thank-you to @authornaomistephens @bethanyhousefiction @greatreadsbookpromo for a review copy of the novel as part of the Great Reads Promo Book Tour.

The Hapless Milliner by Jessica Bull

 

What fictional or real-life person do you think would make a great detective?  I don’t know why, but I would love to see a book with Eleanor Roosevelt solving crimes.

Young Jane Austen is enjoying a ball when a milliner’s dead body is found locked inside a cupboard during the middle of the ball.  Jane instantly becomes a part of the case as she identifies the victim.  When her brother George becomes the prime suspect, Jane works tirelessly to solve the case and free her brother.

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was the June pick for the JASNA Northwoods book club.  I finished it before book club, but unfortunately had to miss the meeting due to a lingering illness.

·       This was a fun story and is the first book in the new series, “Miss Austen Investigates.”  I enjoyed the second book in the series, which I read before the first.

·       It felt like Jane Austen as a character was flightier or more apt to go against convention (secretly meeting with Tom LeFroy) than I always imagined.  It might be because I was an avid reader of the “Being A Jane Austen Mystery” series by Stephanie Barron for twenty years and I loved the characterization of a more serious Jane in that series.

·       I did love that it felt like the book was firmly set in Jane Austen’s world with her family and neighbors as fully formed characters.  I did miss some of Barron’s characterizations.

·       This was a cozy mystery that also included romance.

·       Jane had a bad habit of gossiping and speculation.

·       I did enjoy the final resolution of the mystery even thought I had guessed the ending earlier.

Overall, The Hapless Milliner by Jessica Bull is a fun new cozy mystery series for lovers of historical mystery and Jane Austen.

Book Source:  Purchased at Barnes & Noble

The Cloak and Dagger Club by Jackie McMahon

 

Are you in any clubs or organizations?  I am in the local Lions club which is a fun organization and makes a difference in our community. 

A group of Golden Age mystery writers meet routinely at the Marie Antoinette Suite at the Ritz.  They are called the Cloak and Dagger Club.  A new member named Lucy has just joined.  She recently published a new mystery novel, but she also has a history with another member, Frank.  They mysteriously broke off their secret engagement three years ago.  When one of the group is found murdered and another member is accused of the crime, will Lucy and Frank be able to solve the crime?

My thoughts on this book:

·       This book will be out July 14^th.

·       The Cloak and Dagger Club is a cozy historical mystery.

·       I liked how each member in the group was investigated, and the reader was able to learn more about the character and their secrets.

·       I was surprised to learn that this was a debut novel – it was a great debut!

·       I enjoyed the romance between Lucy and Frank which was forced proximity and second chance.  Their romance the first time around was friends to lovers.

·       Lucy was my favorite character.  She had written one mystery novel and used her skills to solve this crime.  She was plucky and relatable.

·       This novel seemed written for those that love books and writing books.

·       It was set in 1930 England.

·       There was no spice, but some swearing.

·       The mystery was predictable, but I enjoyed the journey to get to the conclusion.

Overall, The Cloak and Dagger Club by Jackie McMahon was an entertaining historical mystery.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @jackiereadsandwrites for the review copy of The Cloak and Dagger Club by Jackie McMahon.

The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency by Michael Hogan

 

Title:  The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency

Author:  Michael Hogan

Narrated by:  Will Close

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Length: Approximately 12 hours and 14 minutes

Source: Purchased from Audible.com with a physical book review copy from @michaelhogan100 @pegasus_books @greatreadsbookpromo.  Thank-you!

Do you have a favorite type of dog?  I love all dogs.  As an adult, my family and I have had a keeshond, beagle, and two mutts.  We have a pure breed and a rescue mutt usually at the same time.  I heartily approve of the addition of dogs to any story.

Charlie Boardman is walking his beloved dog, Ruby, in the small English town of Framstone, when they stumble across a corpse.  Charlie and his group of fellow dogwalkers investigate this case.  When a second body shows up and Charlie begins to receive threats, things get much more serious.  Will Charlie and the dogwalkers be able to solve this mystery?

My thoughts on this book:

·       There were nice short chapters which were easy to read. 

·       I started by reading the physical book, but I switched to the audiobook as I didn’t have much time this month to read the physical book at night.  I enjoyed the narrator and the book equally as a physical book or audiobook.

·       I liked the Hercule Poirot references in the story.

·       I enjoyed the concept, and it makes sense to me that dogwalkers would discover murder victims and would be in tune with the happenings in their village.

·       There was a great climax and conclusion in this story and a surprise twist at the end.

·       Charlie Boardman was a great main character.  He was a nice guy that can’t keep his nose out of solving this mystery.  I love his Staffordshire bull terrier, Ruby, who helps him with his investigation.

·       This was a debut novel.  I loved the world of the coastal English town and the great characters and would enjoy reading another novel in this series.  I looked it up and was excited to see there will be a second book called Death at a Dog Hotel.  I can’t wait to read it!

·       I loved the puns and jokes throughout the novel.  This was a fun book.

Overall, The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency by Michael Hogan was a very enjoyable cozy mystery with great characters, setting, story, and dogs.  I can’t wait for the next book!

The Fatal Unpleasantness at Netherfield by Claudia Gray

 

What book series are you enjoying lately?  “A Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery” is one of my current favorite book series.  I eagerly await each book in this series.  The Fatal Unpleasantness at Netherfield by Claudia Gray is the fifth book in the series.  While each book could be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the series in order to really get the character built-up, especially between Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy.

Mr. Jonathan Darcy and Miss Juliet Tilney had a disastrous London season for various reasons. This has forced the couple apart and they both struggle with how to move forward with not only their investigations, but their growing feelings for each other.  Opportunity arises when a murder takes place at Netherfield Hall where Jonathan is vising his aunt and uncle.  He asks for Juliet’s help and she uses her parents absence to make her way to Netherfield.  Her grandfather and uncle want her to use the opportunity to force Jonathan into marriage.  While the Jonathan and Juliet investigate the murder, they also must deal with their feelings for each other and what it means for the future.  As the murder victims pile up, will they be able to solve the crime and how to move forward in their relationship?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I really enjoy this series and seem to love each book even more than the previous book.

·       I enjoyed this mystery and how Jonathan and Juliet methodically investigate and solve it.

·       This series is set in the world of Jane Austen’s novels, and I love how favorite Austen characters make an appearance.  Claudia Gray writes the Austen characters so well and I love being in their world.  There are different Austen characters that pop up in each novel.  I think the regency historical detail is wonderful as well.

·       I really loved seeing the married Jane and Charles Bingley later in their life and still in love.

·       I loved seeing the forward movement in Jonathan and Juliet’s relationship.  They are a great couple!

·       Jonathan appears to be neurodivergent, and I love how he works through things to function in society.  Part of the great relationship between Jonathan and Juliet is that they love and respect each other for exactly who they are.

·       Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy was wearing on my last nerves in this one.  I hope he gets a redemptive arc in the next novel.

·       The ending is a cliffhanger – I hope the next book is out soon!

·       This story is a historical mystery, slow burn romance, and an Austenesque novel.

Overall, The Fatal Unpleasantness at Netherfield by Claudia Gray is a very enjoyable historical mystery with great characters set in the world of Jane Austen’s novels.  Come for the mystery and stay for the slow burn romance.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @claudia_gray @ireadvintage @greatreadsbookpromo for a review copy of the novel as part of the Great Reads Promo Book Tour.