My pace slowed a bit in July because this past month has, frankly, kicked my ass. It seems it should be the other way around, right? What better way to escape from stress than to curl up with a good book? Unfortunately, it didn’t work that way for me. I still managed to finish five books, though, which put me at my goal of 50 reads for 2024 – so I changed my goal to 75.

Five Total Strangers (Natalie D. Richards)

Rating: 3.5/5

I enjoyed Five Total Strangers, except for the initial premise. Honestly, why would Mira accept the ride from a stranger? I understand the circumstances were exceptional, and she was desperate to get home, but I just can’t wrap my head around her decision, especially once she saw that Harper had invited others along as well. Willingly suspending my disbelief, however, I sank into this story and I must admit, it kept me guessing until the end.

Christmas Presents (Lisa Unger)

Rating: 4/5

I found Christmas Presents at our local library. It was a good read and definitely held my interest, but the story jumped from high point to high point without a lot of buildup or description of the progression between these major events. Don’t get me wrong: the way things unfolded made sense! The book just needed a little more descriptive filler to bridge the gaps between each event meant to carry the story forward. Plus, I had figured out the twist… When an author pointedly skates over a character too much, it becomes obvious that s/he is going to play a relevant role.

Rules for Vanishing (Kate Alice Marshall)

Rating: 4/5

I liked everything about Rules for Vanishing except the end. The concept of a ghost story and a childhood game being real, of this road to a different reality and each gate bringing about a new horror, was intriguing. Marhsall’s writing was superb, and all of the dark imagery was portrayed expertly. I was particularly creeped out by the town and the house. (The spiders and the lady will the bells were just…eerie!) However, the fact that this became a possession/exorcism story was rather anticlimactic, and the open ending was not my favorite. Sometimes, not spelling things out works to add to the spooky atmosphere, but in this case, I wanted a definite resolution.

Grandma Got Run Over By a Demon (Olivia Jaymes)

Rating: 3.5/5

While I am rather fond of Ravenmist and its cast of unique characters, Grandma Got Run Over By a Demon took a bit of an odd turn. I’m not even bothered by the events themselves, it just seems Jaymes rushed through some things that are important. I don’t want to include any spoilers, but come on – how do you make a trip to Hell a passing mention? This is the first instance I have been displeased with, though, so I will continue with this series. It’s just fun and quirky and humorous, and I’m not ready to give up on Tedi and the others yet.

A Dark Lure (Loreth Anne White)

Rating: 4.5/5

I loved this book! As someone who favors horror/thrillers, A Dark Lure marked basically all of my boxes: a serial killer with a penchant for hunting and gory postmortem rituals, a survivor who is pretty much a badass, a romance that doesn’t overshadow the plot, and an intricate web of twists and turns that all tie in neatly and grant the reader a catharsis at the end. I would highly recommend you adding this to your TBR pile if you enjoy mysteries, suspenseful thrillers, and/or horror novels.

***

I am currently reading Ghost Story (Peter Straub) and Circus of the Dead: Book 2 (Kimberly Loth).

Progress: 50/75