mystery books

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2024 (4/26/24)

April 26, 2024 — Leave a comment

I have been reading 6-7 books per month, but I managed 8 in April (though I’ve been working so much, I don’t know that I’ve absorbed any of them – ha). I dove further into the world of Catriona Ward, knocked out a couple of novellas, and indulged in another cozy mystery. I also discovered just two days ago that Ivy Tholen released a sequel to Tastes Like Candy, so naturally, that has jumped to the top of my TBR pile!

Here are the books I devoured in April.

Sundial (Catriona Ward)

Rating: 4/5

Have I mentioned that I adore Cat Ward? No? Well, I do. I’ve enjoyed every book from her that I’ve read, and Sundial is no different. I love her writing style, the complexities of her (flawed) characters, and how there’s always a twist that catches me just a little off-guard. I also appreciate the fact that she can break my heart into a million pieces with the tragicness of her characters, even if one would typically consider them “bad.”

Sundial explores the darkest parts of human nature, and how deep familial bonds can go…even triumphing over science. “You can’t escape what’s in your blood.“ But perhaps you can help control what you pass on.

Devil in Ohio (Daria Polatin)

Rating: 3/5

I read Devil in Ohio after I watched the series, and I actually liked the show better. (And I never say that.) The twist at the end of the series was frustrating, but it worked. Not to say the book was bad! It wasn’t, and you should definitely read it. The story is fascinating and dark. I thought the characters were very real, especially the teen daughter, Jules. The writing style is easy; I finished the book much quicker than I thought I would.

Bad Girls With Perfect Faces (Lynn Weingarten)

Rating: 4/5

Another quick read. Bad Girls With Perfect Faces was nothing that I expected. The story kept me guessing, and every character was relatable in certain ways and very sympathetic. It was a book that had me considering what I would do in the main character Sasha’s position. (There were multiple points of view, but Sasha was the major player, involved on all fronts.) I would recommend this be added to your TBR right now! I will be checking out other books from Lynn Weingarten.

Channel X: A Streaming Service to Kill For (Matt Shaw)

Rating: 3/5

This could have been a good book, if Shaw had bothered to go a little deeper and make the characters more three-dimensional. However, I didn’t hate it. When I was finished, I just thought “Meh.” The violence and gore were on point, if that’s your thing, but the plot was not a fresh one. It’s been done before and done better. If you like books that focus on newer technology and have a penchant for blood splattered pages, Channel X is for you.

Alice (Christina Henry)

Rating: 4/5

I love retellings of Alice in Wonderland. There’s so much that can be done with it, and Christina Henry took it in the direction of a gangland and the sex trade. It is a darkly enchanting book, a horror fantasy, an adult fairytale. There is violence and murder and multiple mentions of rape, but if you can handle that, I would highly recommend this novel.

The Social Media Murders (Jon Athan)

Rating: 2/5

The Social Media Murders was a book that had a solid – if overdone – concept, but the execution fell flat. Reminiscent of any number of slashers that have come into being since the rise of social media, the plot is simple: students being slaughtered for views, all because (spoiler alert) someone was bullied. I feel that Athan put a lot of thought into the methods of murder, but let everything else slide. I did not care for the writing style, either. Sorry I keep mentioning that; it’s just important to me.

Murder Next Door (Michele Pariza Wacek)

Rating: 2/5

Book 3 in the Charlie Kingsley series really fell flat for me. It took me ages to get through it. The plot wasn’t great. Charlie was attempting to solve two mysteries at once, and I’m still not sure exactly how she arrived at the right answer this time. One minute she’s talking to the girl who was missing and reappeared, the next she suddenly knows who murdered the man who was found in someone’s backyard. I still like the writing and the characters, and I will give this series another chance. Murder Next Door just wasn’t it.

The Wonderland Murders (Lanie Olson)

Rating: 2/5

This is another missed opportunity. It was only 65 pages, so there was zero character development. The story was short, quick, and had an abrupt, unsatisfying ending. And honestly, I could have done without the unnecessary smut. I don’t suggest reading this one.

***

I am currently reading Stillhouse Lake (Rachel Caine), The Mermaid’s Sister (Carrie Anne  Noble), and Eat, Drink, and Be Scary (Olivia Jaymes).

Progress: 27 of 50

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2024 (3/29/24)

March 29, 2024 — Leave a comment

March was a good reading month for me! I temporarily lost track of the Goodreads challenge, though. I’m pretty sure I actually read Pressure by Jeff Strand in February… Oops! I’ll review it here since I missed it last month. (I am usually reading 2-3 books at any given time, so I occasionally mess up this list.)

Pressure (Jeff Strand)

Rating: 4/5

I have read one other Jeff Strand novel (My Pretties), and I find I like his writing style and his twisted ideas. Pressure was a tense story throughout. The reader can feel the frustration of Alex’s dealings with Darren and how hopeless it is to think Darren can be bested. I won’t say anything else because I try my best not to include spoiler alerts, but I highly recommend adding Pressure to your TBR is you enjoy psychological thrillers that keep you on the edge.

Virgin Night (Christopher Robertson)

Rating: 5/5

I love Christopher Robertson. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m just devouring his books. Lol. I love his take on all of my favorite horror tropes, and Virgin Night is another masterful ode to 90s slasher flicks. The core characters were well-written and relatable, and the ones you’re supposed to hate…well, you will. The references to AIM, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” industrial/metal bands that were what I listened to back then, etc., just carried me on a wave of nostalgia, while the story itself was crafted in a way that kept you on your toes. There was never a lull in the action: Virgin Night will have you hooked from page one!

Hannah’s War (Jan Eliasberg)

Rating: 4/5

Hannah’s War was sent to me via a “Blind Date With a Book” purchase on Etsy. I put off reading it for a while because I wasn’t sure it was going to be my cup of tea. However, once I started it, I was drawn in almost instantly. This book is historical fiction, set during the final months of World War II. It’s a love story, yes, but all the intricacies of the tale are not drowned in a sappy, over-the-top romance. Hannah is a remarkable woman, intelligent and poised, and the men around her can’t help noticing. She also holds the future in her hands, as she has made a discovery that could alter everything – and she risks losing it all, including her life, to protect that discovery and keep it out of the wrong hands.

Ice Cold Murder (Michele Pariza Wacek)

Rating: 4/5

Another installment in the Charlie Kingsley series, Ice Cold Murder takes the reader on a journey through a blizzard, to a haunted house, for a weekend with estranged family members and a will reading. Only before any business can be handled, the lawyer is found dead in the woodshed. Now, it is up to Charlie and Officer Wyle to discover the culprit. Have they unwittingly found themselves spending the weekend with a murderer?

All I can say is, if you enjoy cozy mysteries, you’ve gotta try this series.

The Ritual (Adam Nevill)

Rating: 4/5

I actually watched the movie based on this novel a while ago, so naturally, I had to read it, too. The Ritual does take a bit of patience to get through. The main characters are lost in the woods, so there are times when nothing much is happening aside from hiking or huddling I tents. However, the shadow of fear lurks around every corner as Luke, Hutch, Phil, and Dom attempt to escape the ancient forest and slowly discover that they’ve stumbled upon a corner of the world where the things that go bump in the night still exist. If you like messed up stories about people who live beyond the outskirts of society and still respect old traditions (including human sacrifice), this is the book for you.

A Swiftly Tilting Planet (Madeleine L’Engle)

Rating: 3/5

I read A Wrinkle in Time many, many years ago. When I found three of the companion novels, I bought them without hesitation. I’m glad I did, but I have to say that neither A Wind in the Door nor A Swiftly Tilting Planet was able to recapture the magic of that first book. A Swiftly Tilting Planet was readable, I just didn’t get sucked in. I had to work to get through it. Here’s hoping Many Waters is better.

The Playroom (Wallace Henry)

Rating: 3/5

I generously gave The Playroom three stars for one reason only: the first part of this book is gloriously fucked-up. The story began like dozens of horror movies I’ve loved. Two cops find a woman covered in blood out in the middle of nowhere, and she has a harrowing tale about a house in the woods where a twisted duo did unspeakable things to her. Sounds promising, right? Yeah, it’s not. The twist killed it for me. You can try it, though. Just brace yourself for the genre-bend about halfway through.

***

I am currently reading Sundial (Catriona Ward) and the next book in the Charlie Kingsley series, Murder Next Door.

Progress: 19/50

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2024 (2/28/24)

February 28, 2024 — Leave a comment

I hope you all had a fantastic February, and if it’s something you enjoy, I hope you found time to get lost in a few books! I continued my reading challenge. As a reminder, my goal for 2024 is 50 books. Here are the novels I finished this month!

Gone to See the River Man (Kristopher Triana)

Rating: 4/5

Gone to See the River Man was a truly eerie work. Without giving too much away, the plot involves a woman going on a quest to impress a convicted serial killer…so that in itself sets it up to be a rather twisted tale. I enjoyed how dark and atmospheric it was, and I loved Triana’s writing style. The blurring of the line between reality and the main character’s own thoughts is gloriously gradual, until you as the reader are no longer sure what is actually happening and what she’s imagining. I would highly recommend this book. I will be reading the second one soon!

The Murder Before Christmas (Michele Pariza Wacek)

Rating: 5/5

I feel like I have made it very clear how much I love cozy mysteries, and The Murder Before Christmas is no exception. Yes, it follows a semi-generic plot for the genre, but the main protagonist, Charlie Kingsley, is such a likable character. The author, Wacek, did an admirable job of creating an intelligent character who doesn’t magically solve everything at the drop of a hat. In fact, Charlie had a list of suspects but had not exactly narrowed it down to the actual perpetrator until certain information was thrown in her lap. I am currently reading book two in the series – Ice Cold Murder – and I think it might take on a supernatural edge 😊

Room For Rent (Noelle W. Ihli)

Rating: 4/5

I have now read four books by Noelle Ihli, and I have enjoyed all but one. In Room For Rent, Ihli builds the tension at an agonizing pace, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, she throws in a final twist. If you enjoy suspense, this book should definitely be added to your TBR pile.

Looking Glass Sound (Catriona Ward)

Rating: 5/5

Catriona Ward is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. I fell head-over-heels with The Last House on Needless Street, and while Looking Glass Sound has not stolen the top spot, it was a fantastic read. The concept was a fairly original one, and it kept you guessing until the end…an ending that was not what you expect. Again, if you enjoy suspenseful thrillers filled with twists, add Looking Glass Sound to your TBR list.

The October Society: Season One (Christopher Robertson)

Rating: 5/5

Christopher Robertson is the reason Catriona Ward isn’t my new favorite author. Lol. I love the way he writes, and I love his homages to pop culture, 90s slashers, classic horror and sci-fi, and all the things that make my little heart happy. The October Society: Season One gave me “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” vibes. I figured out the twist pretty early on, but that in no way ruined the book. And while there were gruesome moments, The October Society: Season One was a heartfelt story overall. I cried at the end. Read this one, NOW!!!!! I’ll be checking out season two in March!

Caraval (Stephanie Garber)

Rating: 5/5

Caraval is a mix of magic, carnival, and a mind-bending fantastical scavenger hunt, with a ribbon of romance thrown in. I devoured this novel, and I wasn’t even halfway finished when I ordered the second in the series. This is yet another must-read.

***

I did a lot better in February than I did in January! As mentioned, I am now reading Ice Cold Murder, the second book in the Charlie Kingsley series, as well as Virgin Night by Christopher Robertson.

Progress: 12/50

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2024 (1/29/24)

January 29, 2024 — Leave a comment

Welcome to another year of my Goodreads Reading Challenge! I have set a goal of 50 books in 2024. That’s a reasonable goal, considering I read, like, 65 last year, two of them after I’d stopped counting.

Anyway, if you’ve been following for a while, you know the drill. If you’re new here, it’s very simple: each month, I’ll list the books I read with my rating and a (very) brief…review? Well, not exactly a review. More an explanation of my rating. I always invite my followers to tell me what they’re currently reading and to recommend books they think I’d enjoy. (Hint: I’m a huge sucker for horror! And, more recently, I’ve discovered a love for cozy mysteries.)

So here are the books I have read thus far in 2024.

For You and Only You (Caroline Kepnes)

Rating: 2/5

Okay, I wanted to like this book. I really did. But at this point, it’s basically the same story we’ve been through three other times! Not to mention Wonder was just…unlikable. I mean, I wasn’t Mary Kay’s biggest fan, but sheesh. For You and Only You spends a lot of time waxing poetic about being a writer while no one is actually writing. The kills are lackluster, as if Joe’s heart isn’t even in it anymore, and – spoiler alert! – the person who figures him out this time is kind of a fangirl. This is the last of the Joe Goldberg series, in theory, and I, for one, am glad. He’s made too many mistakes at this point and is no longer the suave serial killer we all adored after reading You.

Paper and Fire (Rachel Caine)

Rating: 4/5

I gave Paper and Fire a solid rating because I love Rachel Caine’s writing style and her characters. However, as much as I find myself entertained by this series so far, I’m still not sure there’s going to be a definitive point. The story seems to be moving forward, I suppose, but it feels a little aimless. To be fair, this is only the second book in The Great Library series. I will be diving into the third novel soon, and I hope it carries me somewhere gripping!

Peppermint Cookie Murder (Trixie Silvertale)

Rating: 2/5

Know how I said I love cozy mysteries? Well, I thought this one would be a homerun, as it’s a “paranormal” cozy mystery. Needless to say, I was wrong. It’s a cutesy idea. Peppermint Cookie Murder centers around Cindy Claus, the daughter of – you guessed it – Santa! Instead of following in her father’s footsteps, she decides to go to the human world and open a bakery. But when her neighbor is murdered, Cindy becomes the top suspect and has to solve the crime before she goes down for it. Not a terrible plot, right? The thing is, Cindy was annoying. She was too much of a goody-two-shoes. (I know, I know. Santa’s daughter! But come on.) Not only that, I couldn’t stand how little she knew about the human world. Again, Santa’s daughter. You’re telling me that Santa shipped his daughter off to the human world with his adviser (a talking arctic fox, by the way) and not a single lesson on how life in that other world works? Nope. Not buying it.

The Lost Girls: Get It Started/After Hours/Last Call (Morgan Burke)

Rating: 2/5

This was a trilogy – and shouldn’t have been. It’s not so much that the story was bad, it’s just that it could have been wrapped up much sooner. Lost Girls is a teen melodrama/murder mystery, heavy on the teen melodrama. The main character does a lot of dumb stuff and “falls in love” with every guy she speaks to. It’s rather ridiculous. Plus, if you put even an ounce of brain power into it, you can figure out who the killer is pretty quickly.

The Ritual (Shantel Tessier)

Rating: 1/5 (only because I can’t give it a zero on Goodreads)

Y’all. This book was so bad. My best friend recommended it, telling me only that it was a spicy read. (Apparently, it was trending on TikTok, but I don’t have one, so…) The Ritual is categorized as a dark college romance, whatever the hell that is, and it came with a list of trigger warnings from those on social media. I didn’t find anything triggering, the story just sucked. The characters weren’t likable: Ryat was too controlling, and Blakely was a whiny brat who was into being dominated and didn’t insist on Ryat respecting her limits (not that there was much discussion of limits, or safe words, or anything, really). The sex scenes were repetitive, the descriptions nearly identical each time. Oh, and there were all these big “twists” that the characters were aware of – everyone but Blakely, for the most part – but that were never alluded to until BAM, it conveniently moved the story along. No explanations of how the characters knew these things; there would just be the big dramatic moment when someone decided to drop the knowledge. The writing was awful, the editing even worse, and it was over 600 pages long. This one almost landed on my DNF list, but I am truly stubborn. Lol.

Horror Circus

Rating: 1/5 (again, only because there’s no way to put zero)

The nicest thing I can say about Horror Circus is at least it was short. There was a plot, kind of, but it was a struggle to get to it. Basically, the circus visits the town of Darkside each year, and half the residents want it shut down because bad things always happen when it arrives, while the other half – mostly business owners – welcome the increased cash flow. Farkas then goes on to explain each terrible incident that has occurred during the circus’s time in Darkside. The novella concludes with a group of townspeople attempting to destroy the circus, and those who support the circus going to stop them. The writing was bad and often redundant, and though I know there wasn’t a focus on character development, all of the characters were just…lame. I would not recommend Horror Circus to anyone, but hey, it’s only 62 pages if you wanna give it a try!

***

I am currently reading Caraval (Stephanie Garber) and Gone to See the River Man (Kristopher Triana). Here’s hoping they are better than what I’ve made it through so far!

Progress: 6/50

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (12/23/23)

December 23, 2023 — Leave a comment

This will be my last update of 2023! I reached my goal of 60. I actually surpassed it and finished the year with 63 books read.

Here are the books I read in December with my personal ratings and a little review. If you would like to see my full year-in-review (without having to find the blog posts), you can visit my Instagram account.

Dracula (Bram Stoker)

Rating: 4/5

The story itself was really good. It definitely held my interest. The writing style, however, took some getting used to. (Yes, I am aware when it was written and that Stoker was Irish. Lol.) If this is a classic that you have also not read thus far, I would highly recommend it.

The Witch of Halloween House (Jeff DeGordick)

Rating: 2/5

I was not a fan of The Witch of Halloween House. It was very simply written and rather predictable, and I didn’t care for how DeGordick wrapped it up. This is apparently part of a series, but I doubt I will be pursuing its successors.

You Love Me (Caroline Kepnes)

Rating: 2/5

Okay. I have overlooked a few things I do not care for in this series (like Kepnes’ insistence on waxing poetic about her liberal beliefs via Joe), but this novel… This was the worst of the series so far. I will not include spoilers; however, I will say that too much time is dedicated to the building of Joe’s relationship with Mary Kay for the book to end the way it does. Unfortunately, I am not a quitter, and I’ve made it this far, so I am going to read For You and Only You.

Camp Slaughter (Sergio Gomez)

Rating: 3/5

If you want a slasher without any deeper plot and with some graphic descriptions that might make you gag, Camp Slaughter is the book for you. It’s like a cross between Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Sergio’s writing style was not my favorite, but I do think I’ll try out the sequel, Halloween Slaughter.

Witching on a Star (Amanda M. Lee)

Rating: 3/5

So far, Witching on a Star has been my least favorite of Amanda M. Lee’s “Wicked Witches of the Midwest” series. I do enjoy the cozy mystery genre, but Lee is teetering on a little too much seriousness. I will continue this series; if the books continue in this vein, though, I will likely stop reading them.

Redemption (David Baldacci)

Rating: 4/5

This was my first Baldacci. I received it when I did one of those “blind date with a book” things on Etsy. As someone who is not a huge fan of books that center around cops, FBI agents, etc. as the main focus, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Redemption. To my surprise, I enjoyed this one! Detective Amos Decker was quite likable, as was his former partner, Mary Lancaster, and the man Decker saved from death row, Melvin Mars. Redemption was the fifth book in Baldacci’s “Memory Man” series. I may have to go back and read its predecessors.

Twelve Slays of Christmas (Jacqueline Frost)

Rating: 4/5

Have I mentioned my love of cozy mysteries? I saw Twelve Slays of Christmas recommended on Instagram and decided to try it. After all, ’tis the season! This is definitely a book you choose when you’re going to be wrapped in a blanket, sipping tea or cocoa, and indulging in a merry murder mystery! I’m about to dive deep into this series, even if Christmas is almost over.

Horseman: A Tale of Sleepy Hollow (Christina Henry)

Rating: 4/5

Horseman was an interesting re-imagining of the well-known legend of Sleepy Hollow. Learn the “real” story of the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane, the man who won Katrina’s heart and their granddaughter who bucks social norms and sets her own path. This was a fun read, a well-written page turner. I already have my next Christina Henry novel picked out: Alice.

**

If you read anything in 2023 that you particularly enjoyed, drop a comment and tell me about it!

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (11/15/23)

November 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

My November was even slower than my October, in regard to the reading challenge. To be fair, that could have something to do with extra hours at work and my week-long trip to Colorado…

Anyway, I have only read five books since my last update. I did reach my goal of 55; time to raise the number again.

So here are the books I finished, complete with ratings and brief reviews. Enjoy, and remember to recommend anything you think I’d find interesting!

None of This is True (Lisa Jewell)

Rating: 4/5

None of This is True was an intriguing read – until the very end. The story was enough to hold my interest, and Lisa did quite well in keeping certain things shrouded in mystery. However, the big reveal was a mite disappointing and, frankly, dissatisfying. I would still recommend it, though, because not everyone will feel as I do about the conclusion.

Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)

Rating: 2/5

After hearing about Frankenstein for years, I finally decided to read it. How had I missed such a classic, right? Especially given how much I love all things horror. Well… having read this infamous novel, I feel that I could have continued living without it. I’m sure many of you will herald Frankenstein as a must-read, and I do understand its importance in literary history, but I just couldn’t get into it. Victor pissed me off. That’s the gist of my complaint. I won’t bore you with my opinion on this particular book any further.

Ghost (Kat Blackthorne)

Rating: 3/5

Ghost is the first in Kat Blackthorne’s “The Halloween Boys” series. I like the concept behind this book, and I love Kat diving into several facets of the supernatural. On the other hand, I lost my patience with Blythe, the female lead. I’ll give the short version of what didn’t win me over: everyone wanted Blythe, she accepted what was going on way too easily, and – I can’t believe I’m saying this – most of the smut was unnecessary.

Witching You Were Here (Amanda M. Lee)

Rating: 3.5/5

Amanda M. Lee’s “Wicked Witches of the Midwest” series are considered cozy mysteries, and that description is accurate. I read most of Witching You Were Here on my flights to and from Colorado. This is the third book in the series, and while I do enjoy the quirky relationships among the Winchester witches and their friends/significant others, I am waiting on a more intricate plot, or even a darker scenario like the murders in the first book. Still, these are fun and easy reads. I highly recommend grabbing your favorite blanket and a mug of tea (or coffee) and curling up with one of these books.

The Drowning Kind (Jennifer McMahon)

Rating: 4/5

My mom read The Drowning Kind first and told me that I would enjoy it, and she was right. I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll say only that I was hooked from page one, I devoured this novel in three days, and this story carried me through a lot of emotions. It actually made me cry quite a bit. Read this. Read it now. Trust me.

**

I am currently reading Dracula (Bram Stoker) and The Witch of Halloween House (Jeff DeGordick).

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (10/16/23)

October 16, 2023 — Leave a comment

It’s been a semi-slow month for me in regard to reading. I did reach my new goal of 50 books for 2023, though. Guess I have to reset the goal again. I feel like I’m getting through so many books because I use the Kindle app and read on my lunch breaks at work. My coworkers think I’m weird, but whatever. Losing myself in a good book makes me happy and, I swear, lowers my blood pressure when I’m having a stressful shift.

Anyway, I have finished 6 books since my last update. My favorites were The Cotton Candy Massacre and its sequel, written by Christopher Robertson. If you like gore-filled slashers, these are the books for you! And now for my usual list of what I read, along with a brief review of each.

Nightseer (Laurell K. Hamilton)

Rating: 3/5

I have read a lot of books by Laurell K. Hamilton, most of them part of her Anita Blake series. I’ve tried two of her stand-alone novels, including this one, and I enjoyed both. Nightseer had a good plot and decent story, but I had to knock off a couple of points for the way it built so gradually, only to end very abruptly. I wondered if she intended to continue this story at a later date, for the ending left it wide open for a sequel.

The Nightmare (Lars Kepler)

Rating: 3.5/5

The Nightmare is the second book in Lars Kepler’s Joona Linna series. These novels are intricately crafted, in-depth, and filled with twists and turns, but they are fairly quick reads because of how they are written, and they certainly grab and hold your interest. So far, The Hypnotist has been my favorite. With The Nightmare as its follow-up, I am sure I will finish this whole series.

Every Witch Way But Wicked (Amanda M. Lee)

Rating: 3.5/5

I didn’t realize how many series I have started until I was putting this list together. Every Witch Way But Wicked is the second book in Amanda M. Lee’s Wicked Witches of the Midwest series. I would call these books “cozy paranormal mysteries.” They’re fun and humorous and great for indulging while curled up with a fuzzy blanket and a mug of tea. I highly recommend checking them out.

Shadow Girl (Gerry Schmitt)

Rating: 4/5

I did one of those Blind Date With a Book orders on Etsy and was sent this novel. I was wary, because I don’t typically enjoy stories about cops, detectives, etc. However, I actually liked Shadow Girl. Perhaps my favorite thing about it was the way the characters were written, particularly Afton Tangler. Afton has goals, she wants to be a detective, but she’s not superwoman, and I appreciate that. So often authors make the mistake of having a main character who is super smart or unrealistically tough or something that puts them above their surrounding cast. But Gerry Schmitt has made a relatable, likeable protagonist in Afton, someone you can root for and that you want to see succeed.

The Cotton Candy Massacre and The Cotton Candy Massacre: Part Toots (Christopher Robertson)

Rating: 5/5

This was a nightmare carnival ride of clowns, gore, and creative kills. As stated, if you’re a fan of slashers – and if you hate clowns, or love them – these are books you should read. The characters were vivid and interesting and likeable, in their own way, and Leigh was just a straight badass. I loved both books and will definitely be reading the third one if it’s written (which Christopher has implied will happen).

***

As planned for October, I have begun reading Frankenstein. I’m also totally engrossed in Lisa Jewell’s None of This is True and Jennifer McMahon’s The Drowning Kind.

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (9/20/23)

September 20, 2023 — Leave a comment

I actually completed my goal for 2023 and have since changed it twice. Haha. My new goal is 50 books! (It could rise again, as I’m already at 44.)

I last posted August 10th, and I have read ten books following that update, though one of them was a novella. Still counts. Here is a list of those books and my personal rating of each.

Ink and Bone (Rachel Caine)

Rating: 4.5/5

I love Rachel Caine. I love her writing style, her characters, her stories. If you’ve read her Morganville Vampires series, then you should know that Ink and Bone, and its successors, are worth checking out.

Going Dark (Melissa de la Cruz)

Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed this book a lot. I devoured it in maybe two days. The twist was…not quite believable, in a way, which is why I couldn’t give this a 5/5 rating, but Going Dark is still a great read.

The Things She’s Seen (Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina)

Rating: 4/5

This was another book I finished in 3-4 days. It was a quick read, and very emotional. The Things She’s Seen is a must-add for your to-be-read pile.

The Watchers (AM Shine)

Rating: 4.5/5

A coworker bought this book for me as a birthday gift. The summary didn’t give anything away, which I appreciate, but it still intrigued me enough to want to read it. I wanted answers, so I tore through The Watchers fairly quickly, and while I liked the explanation, I thought Shine could have ended it a bit sooner and not lost anything. I would highly recommend this book.

Late as a Rabbit (Kendra Moreno)

Rating: 3.5/5

Okay, I like the general idea around this series: a darker Wonderland where Alice is evil. But…I’m not a huge fan of the love stories developing, nor the unnecessary smut. These books feel like something that may have started on Wattpad.

Selfie (Stuart James)

Rating: 3/5

I don’t know how I feel about this book. The premise seemed interesting, but the execution wasn’t really for me, I guess. I can’t even say whether or not I’d recommend it. Just read the summary and decide. Lol.

Enter the Dark House (Laurie Faria Stolarz)

Rating: 4/5

This was a double feature, both Welcome to the Dark House and its sequel Return to the Dark House all in one. I enjoyed these books. They were right up my alley. I mean, trapping contest winners in an amusement park and picking them off based on their biggest fears? I’m such a sucker for that stuff. And, even better, Stolarz didn’t get sidetracked with the romantic relationship, even though her main characters were around the age of eighteen.

Sour Candy (Kealan Patrick Burke)

Rating: 2/5

I did not love this. I’m not even sure Burke knew what his own idea was, or if he just wrote some vague nonsense with no real plot in an attempt to seem deep or weird. The explanation at the end still didn’t clear things up. I don’t know. This wasn’t my cup of tea.

The Dark Room (Lisa Gray)

Rating: 4/5

This book disappointed me so much! It started out okay, seeming like my type of story, but then… It turned into a tale of men being evil, a theme I’m heartily sick of at this point. Even worse than that, the female protagonists were stupid and made all the same mistakes that piss me off in horror movies, with the result that if one of the men hadn’t helped them, they likely wouldn’t have survived. In case you couldn’t tell, Run on Red really annoyed me. And that sucks, because I loved the other books by Ihli that I’ve read (The Thicket and Ask for Andrea).

I read this on a whim. I had a $3 credit through Kindle, but it only applied to a handful of books. This one seemed the most like my type of story, so I bought it. And I’m glad I did! I won’t say too much here, but this is a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.

Run on Red (Noelle W. Ihli)

Rating: 2/5

***

I am currently reading Nightseer by Laurell K. Hamilton and The Nightmare by Lars Kepler.

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (8/10/23)

August 10, 2023 — Leave a comment

Hi, y’all! It’s been just over a month since I last updated you on my Goodreads Reading Challenge, and I have still been steadily climbing towards my goal. I did take a break and re-read Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw, just because I love it and it’s a comfort book for me (like the Harry Potter series).

As far as books from my to-be-read pile, I have marked off six more since the last challenge post. So, here’s what I finished and my rating of each one!

1. Any Witch Way You Can (Amanda M. Lee)

Rating: 4/5

The first in the “Wicked Witches of the Midwest” series, Any Witch Way You Can introduces us to the Winchesters and the inner workings of the family. Oh, and there are a couple of murders sprinkled in, just for fun. I really enjoyed this book, and I loved the characters. I wasn’t even bothered that the murders, and eventual solving of said murders, was almost an afterthought. The twist wasn’t overly surprising, but the way it all unfolded was cute and humorous. I will continue with this series, for sure.

2. The Final Girl Support Group (Grady Hendrix)

Rating: 2/5

Having read The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, I was looking forward to this novel. Unfortunately, it fell short. The plot wasn’t the best, the characters weren’t very likeable, and there was a heavy emphasis on the slasher genre being misogynistic (which I wholly disagree with). I got bored with reading about how evil men are, honestly. Hendrix ignored how many female killers there are in horror, and how one can also view the final girl trope as rather empowering – women surviving through their strength and wit, outsmarting killers who are, in general, men. While I would recommend checking out The Southern Book Club’s Guide…, I might suggest skipping this book.

3. Mad as a Hatter (Kendra Moreno)

Rating: 3.5/5

I love re-imaginings, especially dark versions of Wonderland, so I was intrigued when I stumbled across this series. The back story – how Alice became The Red Queen – definitely feeds my horror-loving heart. However, overall, this book fell short. It was too predictable, too much of a romance. And Clara accepted everything way too quickly. I am going to read the second one, because I like the plot and I don’t want to write Kendra Moreno off too soon.

4. The Resort (Sue Watson)

Rating: 2.5/5

I don’t know how to explain this book. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either. I will say one thing; Watson did a great job throwing suspicion on all of her characters, so that the killer could have been any of them. The ending did not impress me, though. I guess if you like mysteries in the vein of Agatha Christie and Sue Grafton, you should add this to your list.

5. Four Found Dead (Natalie D. Richards)

Rating: 2/5

I didn’t like this book. The writing was confused and muddled, the characters weren’t relatable, and the killer’s motive was lame. I wouldn’t recommend it.

6. Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are (Kathryn Foxfield)

Rating: 3/5

The concept of this book was right up my alley. I love books/movies where there are groups of people going places they shouldn’t and getting terrorized by masked killers, evil spirits, etc. However, Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are wasn’t the best version of this horror trope. The characters almost saved it, though; I loved every single one, especially Lex and Python. I will be checking out Good Girls Die First.

***

I have now read 34 of 35 books. I may change my goal. Haha. My current read is Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine.

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (7/5/23)

July 5, 2023 — Leave a comment

I can’t believe it’s been almost 2 months since I last posted about the reading challenge! Time really got away from me, but rest assured I am still progressing towards my goal.

When I updated y’all in May, I had just finished Harrow Faire book one, The Contortionist (Kathryn Ann Kingsley) and was about to check out Room Service by Maren Stoffels, as well as book two in the Harrow Faire series, The Puppeteer. I read both of those, along with a few others, so here are my thoughts on each.

1/2. Room Service and Fright Night – Maren Stoffels

Rating: 3.5/5 for both

I enjoyed both books, don’t get me wrong, but the stories feel almost as if you’ve missed something from the very beginning. There’s not a lot of background, nor is there any character development, and while I don’t want to be overwhelmed with details (as Stephen King is prone to doing), I do need a little more in regard to the characters and their relationships. Still, if you’re looking for a fairly fast-paced read that is easily digestible, definitely check out this pair of books.

3. Cirque Berserk – Jessica Guess

Rating: 4/5

This was a fun read with a good twist. I think I finished it in two days. My complaints were minor, so I won’t bore you with them. If you like slashers and amusement parks, this is a must-read!

4. The App – Stuart James

Rating: 4.5/5

Stuart James delved into one of my new favorite subgenres of horror: using the internet to find victims. It’s not unheard of in this day and age, which creates a sense of reality (though the complexity of the app in this book still seems…not quite doable yet). I loved this novel, even if the characters frustrated me at times.

5. Hidden Bodies – Caroline Kepnes

Rating: 4/5

It’s odd that I’m just now reading this, as I have watched every season of “You” the instant they were available and read the first book over a year ago. This was a quick read for me, because Kepnes’ style of writing is easy to follow and keeps you wanting to see what’s next. I could have done with less of Joe’s snide opinions on certain topics that had very little to do with the story, but overall, I really liked this book.

6. The Puppeteer – Kathryn Ann Kingsley

Rating: 3.5/5

I’m still not sold on this series and these characters, though I do like Cora’s sass and determination. I still have the remainder of the series on my To-Be-Read list, but I think they will be read when I don’t have any “must-reads” to get to.

7. Wonderland – Jennifer Hillier

Rating: 4/5

Wonderland was certainly readable, but I wasn’t necessarily absorbed in the story or attached to any of the characters. I will admit, the labyrinthine twists and turns kept me turning the pages and earned the book its 4/5 rating.

8. The Last House on Needless Street – Catriona Ward

Rating: 5/5

I have saved the best for last. I feel like I could do an entire blog on Catriona Ward’s The Last House on Needless Street, but I’ll keep it short and sweet. This novel is so beautifully crafted. I was almost put off by the beginning, because it seemed to dive straight into the middle of something and I was momentarily lost. That was done intentionally, however, as the reader soon discovers. I loved the characters, the story itself, the twists, the overall sense of melancholy throughout. I actually cried at the end. There was hope in those final pages, but Ted was such a likable, tragic character. If you’re reading this mini-review, let me tell you that this book has to be on your list and should be read ASAP!!!!!

**

Next up on my list is Any Witch Way You Can by Amanda M. Lee, which is book one of the Wicked Witches of the Midwest series. I have read 28 books, and my goal is 35. Feel free to drop in and tell me what you’re reading, or about any good finds you’ve come across this year!