I have really enjoyed some of this author's previous books and while this one was still entertaining I found the supernatural element a little heavier in this book and a little too much for my tastes. I enjoyed both the main and side characters (especially Rose) and the mystery, but was somewhat disappointed in the resolution. That being said, I finished it in two days, so it was an easy read and held my interest. Thank you to NetGalley! 3.5/5!

This is the fifth book in this British police procedural series, the first of which is “Close to Home“. I am getting to know all the characters and their backgrounds better (there are a lot of them), which adds to the enjoyment. There are two cases in this one, a sexual assault charge by a male student implicating his female Professor and a murder investigation which puts Adam in jeopardy. I am now looking forward to reading the next one. 4.25/5

As a Canadian, American politics over the last 8 years has been both fascinating and scary. Behavior that would never have been accepted from politicians before seems to have become commonplace and many seem to have no integrity. I don't agree with all of Cheney's politics, but really admire her bravery for standing up for the truth and share her fear for the next election. The book was a riveting read that I finished in two days. 4.5/5 stars!

I am not a horror fan, but do enjoy a bit of supernatural and this book suited my tastes. I enjoyed the story and felt in some ways the creepy but elegant old apartment was the star of the book, as the atmosphere Unger created was so well done. I almost wished the book was illustrated and had floor plans. By the midway point I had trouble putting the book down, staying up way to late to finish it. Thank you Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. 4/5!

Having caught up on the remaining books in the series it was time to read the digital ARC (thank you Edelweiss+) of this one. The plot in this book takes us back to the monastery from “The Beautiful Mystery“, to Grenoble France where they make Chartreuse liqueur and to northern Quebec. While I would have loved to spend even more time in Three Pines, I thoroughly enjoyed the action in this one and liked that included more of Amelia Choquet. 4.5/5!

I love every visit I make to Three Pines and this book was no exception. This one had a bit of everything including reference to real things in history including the École Polytechnique massacre, the accused witch Anne Lamarque and The Paston Treasure painting. It also went back to a couple of earlier cases, one of which was when Armand met Jean-Guy. The story was dark and complicated but very good. 4.5/5 stars.

I actually own this one and so it slipped in the pile some, it was finally time to read it. I was not disappointed and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Three Pines and the wonderful characters in this series. I also love when real history is included in part of the story (in this case Dr. Cameron and his CIA funded human experiments at McGill). There are a lot of morality issues in this one and it would be a good choice for book clubs. 4.5/5

This is the 4th book in this British police procedural series and I have really enjoyed all of them. This one deals with a couple of missing girls, which requires trying to get information from the friends. The crimes seem to have the same MO as that of a serial rapist that Adam Fawley put away many years ago and so he must deal with others thinking he may have been wrong then. The ending sets us up nicely for the next in the series. 4.25/5 stars

This book slowly but effectively wormed it's way into my heart and brain. By midway I was completely hooked and only reluctantly let it go when there was no more words to read. The story was frustrating, made me both angry and sad, and was unfortunately a realistic representation of the misogyny and racism that still exists in our world. I also loved the significance of the title. This one will stay with me and is a great debut. 4.5/5 stars!

This book started out slow and the logical part of my brain found it confusing at times, but I ended up enjoying the story. It reminded me a little of “The Invisible Life of Addie Larue“, although I liked that one much better. This one had time travel, a bit of a murder mystery, romance and strong female characters. In addition the rural North Carolina setting was beautifully captured in two different timelines. 3.75/5 stars!

This story was quite original and a times a tad confusing, but I really enjoyed it. I found it to be both sad and incredibly thought provoking. The author has created this interesting world where the valley to either side holds the same world 20 years earlier or later. Managing such a society, where someone can change the present if they were allowed to go back, results in a complex set of morality issues. This story will stay with me. 4/5 stars!

I loved this sweet rom-com. It had some great humour and just the right amount of spice for me (more story than spice - but still spicy where appropriate). What I found a refreshing change was the cast of likable characters, albeit human and with flaws. As a mother of three, I also enjoyed the memories the story triggered as the main character's pregnancy progressed. I had trouble putting this one down. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. 4.5/5

This is the 2nd book in this series, but the 3rd that I have read and I am really enjoying them. This one has some incredible twists that I did not see coming. The series has a cast of fascinating and very different detectives, etc. with different back stories and is told from various points of view. While this can make the reading occasionally a bit confusing it also makes it more interesting and realistic. Now I need the 4th book. 4.5/5 stars

Another WWII historical fiction and once again I learned something new. This one is set in Poland and tells the story of a fictional woman who worked with the real life Irena Sendler to smuggle children out of the Warsaw ghetto. The author has wonderfully captured the risk these people took to save lives and the horrible conditions in the ghetto. The present timeline was wonderful at breaking up the more tension filled moments in the past. 4.25/5

I loved this beautifully written and moving story. A tale of family and grief set in Tasmania, Copenhagen and the Faroe Islands, it wonderfully explores the path to healing. I enjoyed the growth experienced by the main character, the 80's parties, the sheep, the myths and fairy tales, the romance, the descriptions of nature and the many strong women. It made me both tear up and laugh out loud. Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC. 5/5 stars!

This is a fast paced action thriller that has imagined domestic terrorists continuing the Jan 6 MAGA fight on a much larger scale. While some of the action was a little over the top it was incredibly fun to read (the rattlesnake scene comes to mind). The two main characters (Michael and Gina) are likable and have interesting backgrounds and the National Park settings had me adding to my travel bucket list. I await the next in the series. 4.5/5

While this book did not have a lot of plot, I believe it is because the author stayed true to the actual historical truths of the story of the only black WACs to serve overseas during WWII. It was not a riveting story, but was still a fascinating look at a piece of history I would otherwise not know about. The author did a good job making me feel the frustration the characters felt due to the racism and misogyny they experienced. 3.5/5 !

I saw a recommendation for this one somewhere (maybe on this site) & although it is outside my normal genres I requested it from the library. When I realized I had not got to it and it was due soon, I almost skipped reading it. I am glad I didn't as I found it delightful, filled with great characters, humor and even a great moral lesson. Fair warning though - it will make you want baked goods. Now I need to find the next one in the series. 4.5/5

This book only rose to the so-so level for me. I can't believe I am saying this, but there was too much spice and not enough story. I would have liked more character development in order to connect to to them better. I also wanted the Christmas vibes the cover seemed to promise and I felt none of that. All of that being said, there were some entertaining moments and some nice humour that kept me reading. 3/5 stars.

This book dealt with many subjects including rape, elder abuse, self harm, parenting, and widowhood, but at it's heart it is about identity and self worth. I really enjoyed the growth experienced by both the main characters and the story as a whole and thought the complicated life of the young widowed mother was well represented. I felt the ending was appropriate, but would definitely read a sequel. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. 4/5

This is almost a cozy type mystery that is may be the first in a series. There are a lot of characters and two time lines, with some complicated plotting, and yet is was a very enjoyable read. There is also a hint of a romance to come in future books and I would be happy to read about the further adventures of the main character of Annie. In addition, the setting of the town of Castle Knoll is wonderfully depicted and part of the enjoyment. 4/5

I quite enjoyed this story of a very complicated friendship (with great character development) that changed over the years as the girls became women. While some are calling this a thriller I did not think it really fit that genre, although there are a few 'thrilling' parts to the story. Both of the main characters were flawed, with interesting backgrounds, but I really only found one of them unlikable. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC. 4/5

There are a lot of mixed reviews out there about this one and the major criticism is it is very slow, which is true. It does tend to drag a bit and sometimes figuring out who is talking slowed it down even more. In spite of that I enjoyed the story and I was surprised by the reveal at the end. The numerous references to classic mysteries was a fun addition and I appreciated the author's note T the end referencing the source of many quotes. 3.75/5

This is the 2nd book in a series about a female detective who is transported back in time to 1869 Scotland. Catapulted into the body of a 19 year old housemaid to a medical examiner, she ends up being his part time assistant. This is a wonderful combination of my two favorite genres, historical fiction & mystery, with a whisper of romance. I found it to be an easy & entertaining read. I do recommend you read “A Rip Through Time“ first though. 4/5

The premise of this book is a woman, who testified at her mother's murder trial when she was only three years old, has to return to that town to care for her dad. Once there, long held secrets begin to be revealed. The writing perfectly captures the angst, frustration, and worry of the various characters. The plotting is complicated , but clever and I did not foresee the ending. Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC. I enjoyed it. 4/5 !

This is #58 in a wonderful series that I still really enjoy. This one was no exception. While this series is set in the near future, they are not sci-fi but true mysteries (police procedurals) with a wonderful cast of characters and dark, cleverly plotted stories that include some humour. In this one Eve (a lieutenant in the NYPD) is after a psychopathic teenage killer. I recommend starting with the first one which is “Naked in Death“. 4.5/5!

I often will say that a non-fiction book reads like fiction, indicating it is an easy exciting read. This is not the case for this book. It is a harder read, however, I still enjoyed it and not being a student of history, I learned so much. While agent A12 cracked the 'code' and foresaw Hitler's real plan, I felt his frustration as he tried to get people in power to accept it. This is a well researched book and worthy of your time. 3.75/5 stars.

This was one of the best mysteries I have read in a long while. It had wonderful characters...the grandmother was the best since Evanovich's Stephanie Plum's. The humour gave the story a lighter feel and I had trouble putting it down to go to sleep. There was also a bit of romance, a compelling mystery and a easy to follow plot. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. I look forward to more adult novels from this author. 5/5 stars!

This is a WWII historical fiction from the POV of fictional Russian female combat pilots who trained under the real record breaking pilot Marina Raskova. Russia was the only country to allow this at the time. While I found the writing to be a tad weak, the story was entertaining and informative. The harsh conditions they experienced and Stalin's draconian laws were vividly explained. The story also included romance, friendship and betrayal. 4/5

This story is set over 2400 years ago and is the tale of a powerful woman warrior. It is a well researched story that is inspired by archeological findings indicating the existence of a people where both genders were trained to battle. While it deals with the violence of war, there is also romance, motherhood, heartbreak, betrayal and even with this tribe, some misogyny. Thank you to Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. It was a wonderful read. 4.5/5

This is a difficult one for me to rate as the mystery and character development was quite well done, but not being familiar with Japan or so many of the Japanese terms, I found it to be a difficult read, which impeded my enjoyment. I did find the various characters complete with their interesting flaws and quirks fun and appreciated the main detective's problem with his work life balance. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. 3.25/5

This is a story of a cult with a charismatic leader, a baby, a dead cop and revenge. Told through a series of emails, letters and transcribed conversations, it is a complicated story with a convoluted plot. It is, however, surprisingly entertaining and it all makes some sort of sense at the end. The writing style works well and I particularly enjoyed the comments the transcriber inserts into her notes. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for my digital ARC. 4/5

This is an entertaining and short thriller about a sheltered woman that has a vision impairment that does not allow her to see motion (akinetopsia). I found the writing style to be a little choppy, but in spite of that I enjoyed the story and the twists at the end. The last chapter had so many connected revelations that I ended up rereading it the next day to ensure that I fully understood them all, as the story stayed with me. 3.75/5 stars.

While I did not love this book, I still found it an entertaining and easy read. I enjoyed the slightly unusual format which reminded me of some of the books by Anthony Horowitz, whom I always enjoy. The plot was clever and there was lots of interesting characters, but for some reason, although I loved the slightly unrealistic final twist, I found the ending a bit of a let down. Thank you to Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. 3.75/5 stars.

The star of this fun read was the rural coastal setting during a wicked storm. There are a lot of characters, but by midway through I was no longer referring to the handy character guide provided. The plot revolved around a group of old friends, the setting, a lot of booze and a missing 6 year old, so emotions were on full display and provided much of the entertainment. There were also some clever twists and a satisfying ending. 4/5 stars!

I read a lot of WWII historical fiction and I always seem to learn something new. This one introduced me to the work that Josephine Baker did with the French resistance using her cover as an entertainer. The story is told from the POV of the character of Elly, who ends up masquerading as Baker's cousin. Filled with details about Baker and complete with danger and romance, it was a very entertaining read, although the end seemed rushed. 4.25/5

This was a book that was originally released as “Welcome to Wherever Your Are“ in 2015. It is set in a hostel in Venice Beach, California and while it has many characters and multiple story lines that intersect in various ways (perhaps stretching credulity) , it was a fun and easy read. There is a bit of a thriller aspect to it and it had some violence, but overall it had a lighter feel. I kept imagining it as a movie as I read it. 4/5 stars!

This was a difficult book to read, filled with tales of domestic abuse, violence and so very many instances of poor choices. The book documents the true story of two American sisters raised as Jehovah Witnesses who both found themselves in abusive relationships. One manages to leave, while the other ends up in Syria with her husband who joined ISIS. While I did not love the writing style, it is a powerful story and one worth reading. 3.5/5 stars

Hannah never disappoints and this book is no exception as once again I was entertained & educated. This is a powerful story about the women who went to Vietnam, the trauma they experienced and the lack of respect and help available for them when they returned home. There is also some romance & family issues. Hannah does a wonderful job of pulling me into the life of the characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I really liked this one. 4.5/5!

After having watched her testimony I knew I wanted to read this book. While I disagree with much of her politics, I was not wrong in thinking she had an important story to tell. Her memoir is both powerful and riveting and the inside look at the workings in the highest offices in the USA fascinated me. Her transformation from a loyal Trump follower, to testifying against him in order to protect democracy was nothing short of heroic. 5/5 stars!

I am not usually a Sci-Fi reader, but picked up this novella after seeing it recommended and I was really impressed. It was both smart and funny, plus a little bit sassy. Of course it also had some action and the inclusion of morality issues gave it some depth. Being Sci-Fi, it had a lot of technical stuff, but it never felt overwhelming or hard to follow. I have added the second in the series (Artificial Condition) to my TBR list. 4.5/5 stars.

This book seemed like it was trying to be too many things, which probably explained why I did not connect to it as strongly as I would have liked. That being said, I did still enjoy it and it was certainly worth reading. The Cuba & Cold War aspects were especially interesting. I particularly liked the strong women characters, especially Celia, and the acknowledgment of the underestimation of them by the male characters. 3.75/5 stars.

This book has been compared to “The Silent Patient“ meets “Gone Girl“ and I think it is a fair comparison. The book is long and the plot is convoluted, but I found I could not put it down. There are a few really good twists and the sleep information was fascinating. There has been complaints about the writing style, but I found it compelling. I admit I was a little disappointed in the ending, but that is just me and my sense of justice. 4.25/5

I enjoyed this slightly zany (both in structure and plot) story, but did not 'love' it and I wanted to. Maybe it got just a little too crazy for me. I also think it would have been a better read as a physical book, as I often wanted to go back to check things and find that easier with an actual book. That being said it was still worth my time and would read the next in the series. Thanks to Edelweiss for the digital ARC. 3.5/5 stars.

This book was completely compelling and filled with so many twists and turns it made it very difficult to put it down to do anything else. The characters are flawed and morally suspect, the murders and murderers are numerous, the connections are twisted and the plot is intricate. In spite of the story being somewhat convoluted, it was a very fun read and I really enjoyed it. I agree with others that this is Hawkins best book yet. 4.5/5 stars

Thank you to Edelweiss+ for introducing me to this fabulous author. I did the diligent thing and began with the 1st one in the series, but couldn't wait until I got the 2nd to jump into the digital ARC I had of the 3rd. We get a better feel for the character of the various detectives in this one, but the crime and suspects really take center stage. Once again the plot was easy to follow and the twists took me by surprise. I loved it. 4.5/5 stars

After receiving an ARC of a later book in this series, I did the normal thing and found the first one to read. This was a fabulous police thriller complete with great twists and turns. It is told in two time periods, and cleverly, has the one before the girl goes missing go backwards in time. The story and writing reminded me of Minette Walters mysteries and like her books, I loved this one. I am now eager to read the rest of the series. 4.5/5!

This is the sequel to “The Maid“ and surprisingly I found it to be even better. Admittedly it is a light, almost cozy mystery, but I have fallen for the quirky and always honest character of Molly and cannot wait to read more of the series. The dialogue is clever and Prose's descriptions of the various settings allow us to be 'there' and yet they never feel to drag on. This one can be read as a stand alone, but the first was also great. 4.5/5

Short stories are not my first choice as I often find I am left wanting more. I chose this one as I had really liked Heighton's memoir “Reaching Mithymna“ about his time as a volunteer at the refugee camps in Greece. While some of the stories did leave me wanting more, they were still thought provoking and beautiful reads. Many seemed to be themed around death and dying, not surprising as the author died of cancer before it was published. 3.75/5

This is a dark and fascinating historical fiction set in 1950 England. It features an Arctic adventure as told by Constance, who was disguised as a boy on a ship trying to find the Franklin Expedition, and Maude, her sister who seeks revenge for Constance's death. The title led me to expect some humour in the story, but this was a more serious tale with a slight twist and a satisfying ending. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC. 4/5 stars