It has been a doozy of a month, and not in a good way. That’s very unfortunate, since October is typically my favorite month of the year. I still found time to read, though. I’ve been on a streak of interesting books, but I actually had one that I quit without finishing. The story was shaping up to be okay; however, the author couldn’t leave their personal opinions about racism out of the equation – which is fine to an extent, I just don’t need to read about it once every freakin’ paragraph.
Here are the books I did finish in October. I’m in a rush as I write this, so I will rate them but won’t bother with a short review.
Rune (Christopher Fowler)
Rating: 4/5
The Only One Left (Riley Sager)
Rating: 5/5
The Dead Children’s Playground (James Kaine)
Rating: 4/5
As someone who is from Alabama, I had to read this novel that focused on the stories surrounding Maple Hill Cemetery and the Dead Children’s Playground. Let me tell you – it did not disappoint.
The Cotton Candy Massacre: Part Treats (Christopher Robertson)
Rating: 5/5
Buried in a Good Book (Tamara Berry)
Rating: 4/5
***
I am currently reading One of Us is Lying (Karen M. McManus), Finale (Stephanie Garber), and Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop (Emmeline Duncan).
It was a pretty good month for me, as far as this challenge goes. I read eight books, but I’ve gotta be honest: I’m not sure I retained much from any of them. Lol. I’ve just been so tired lately. I work a lot, then I have free time and try to maintain some semblance of a social life, along with carving out an hour here and there to do other things I enjoy (blogging, writing short stories, reading).
Being an adult is a total scam.
Anyway, this month’s update is going to be brief. I’m not going to bother with even a short “review.” I’m simply going to share what I read and my ratings. Enjoy!
The Dead Key (DM Pulley)
Rating: 4/5
The Nightmare Man (JH Markert)
Rating: 5/5
Sinister Summer (Colleen Gleason)
Rating: 3/5
Candy Coated Murder (Kate Bell, Kathleen Suzette)
Rating: 2/5
The Collector Series (Dot Hutchison)
Rating: 5/5Rating: 5/5Rating: 4/5Rating: 4/5
I will encourage y’all to check out The Collector series – The Butterfly Garden, The Roses of May, The Summer Children, and The Vanishing Season. I devoured them. The characters were well-written, funny and sarcastic and so very human. The stories were dark but sprinkled with hope and a silver lining each time. I absolutely adored these books.
***
I am currently reading Rune (Christopher Fowler) and The Only One Left (Riley Sager).
August was a bit of a slow month for me. I finished seven books. To be fair, I probably could have read more if I hadn’t spent so much time wading through Peter Straub’s Ghost Story. But I digress. I’ll talk more about that below.
Circus of the Dead: Book Two(Kimberly Loth)
Rating: 3/5
I rather enjoyed the way Loth used the first book in this series to develop her characters because I am actually quite partial to slow builds (if done right). However, Circus of the Dead: Book Two went into hyperdrive. Everything moved so quickly, and in my opinion, Loth didn’t dedicate enough time to the story. It was like…BAM!…Callie can do magic and is going to take on Samuel? And everyone sides with her? I don’t know. There is some plot construction missing here. I am going to try the third book, but if it’s as lacking as this one, I will not finish this series.
Murder Mystery Book Club (Danielle Collins)
Rating: 4/5
Y’all know I’m a sucker for cozy mysteries, so I decided to read a summery one, given that it is August. Murder Mystery Book Club was a cute story with likable characters. There were definitely some liberties taken in regard to how involved with the homicide case Eva was allowed to be, but still, this was a fun book.
They All Had a Reason: A rumor. A secret. A lie. A murder. (Michele Leathers)
Rating: 3/5
I don’t have much to say about this book. It was readable. With the characters being teens, They All Had a Reason had its fair share of angst and focused a lot of the social hierarchy, but I did like the main character, Charlotte, and the twist was pretty interesting.
They All Had a Secret: A betrayal. A deception.A tragedy. A murder. (Michele Leathers)
Rating: 2.5/5
Not as readable as the first one. I didn’t care for the characters, though Bellany is a very determined young woman, and you kinda have to admire her every-woman-for-herself attitude. I don’t believe, however, that I will be continuing this series.
Episode Thirteen (Craig DiLouie)
Rating: 4.5/5
I am a big fan of the found footage genre, but I’m not a lover of the paranormal – I prefer slashers – so I hesitated to even read Episode Thirteen. Now, though, I’m very glad I did. I enjoyed the way it was written as a collection of emails, texts, descriptions of raw footage, and journal entries. The character development was very well-done, and each individual had a redeeming quality or two, which made them all likable if not downright relatable. DiLouie did a great job creating atmosphere, and the whole vibe was just…eerie, from start to finish. I would highly recommend adding this to your TBR list.
The Graveyard Thief (Danielle Collins)
Rating: 3/5
I will repeat my praise of the characters, and the need for a willing suspension of disbelief on how far into these cases Eva is being permitted to go. However, I did find something I disliked and could not ignore. Collins repeatedly created situations where Eva would have a conversation with someone, but the content would not be included at the time and would be revealed later in order to not give away the main twist too soon. If you are writing from this character’s point-of-view, even in the third person, you follow everything they say/do. The way Eva figured stuff out was excluded so as not to give away the answers and the plot twist – because the twist wasn’t a strong one.
Ghost Story (Peter Straub)
Rating: 2/5
Okay. This is a difficult review for me. Overall, the story in Ghost Story was a good one. It was definitely creepy. It was also well-thought-out, and Straub had a solid plot with basically zero holes. But oh, my God, did it have to be so LONG?! My attention wandered quite a bit, to be honest, and by the time a point was reached, I didn’t really care anymore. This may be the only instance in which a movie is better than the book it’s based on.
***
I am currently reading The Nightmare Man (J.H. Markert), The Dead Key (D.M. Pulley), and Sinister Summer (Colleen Gleason).
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).
I read nine – nine – books this month! I’m smashing the challenge this year and will probably raise my goal soon, given that I only have five books to go before I reach it and it’s only June.
Here are the books I’ve finished since the last update with a brief review of each!
Circus of the Dead: Book 1 (Kimberly Loth)
Rating: 4/5
I enjoyed this introduction to the world of the circus, but I don’t have much to say about it as I felt that’s mostly all the book was – an introduction. Loth has given readers a rundown of the circus and its major players, and how Callie gets stuck there. I believe the true tale will begin in book 2, so I’m gonna check it out! I would recommend giving this series a try, though, if you like creepy circuses, scary clowns, murderous (yet attractive) ghosts, and other such things.
Winterset Hollow (Jonathan Edward Durham)
Rating: 5/5
I loved Winterset Hollow. First off, it was so well-written, and the plot was at least semi-original. I mean, it’s been done before, but not with any frequency. The characters were given so much depth; we were even granted glimpses into those who weren’t the main protagonists…or antagonists. I almost hate to use the word “antagonist” here, because the bad guys had understandable reason for their actions and were as sympathetic as Eamon, Caroline, and Mark. This novel is horrific, but not in the usual way. It is the story of discovering that a story you used to navigate the world, that taught you about love and bravery and friendship, actually stemmed from violence and cruelty. It is the story of having to re-evaluate all you ever thought you knew. It is also a story of triumph, of friendship and courage and discovering that you are a force to be reckoned with in the real world. I definitely recommend that you add Winterset Hollow to your TBR pile!
Ghoul You Be My Valentine? (Olivia Jaymes)
Rating: 4/5
I am entranced with Ravenmist and all its quirky inhabitants, including the spirits. This is another series that I’m praising because it’s cute and funny. The books are easy reads, so if you’re looking for a paranormal cozy mystery you can curl up with and breeze through with a number of laughs, the Ravenmist Whodunits are right up your alley.
Hidden Pictures (Jason Rekulak)
Rating: 4/5
Hidden Pictures was not what I was expecting. I was prepared for the pictures to tell a story that led to a murderer being found. However, this book had quite a few twists and turns, and I didn’t see the ending coming. I don’t want to say too much or include any spoilers, but you should read this book.
Puzzle House (Duncan Ralston)
Rating: 3/5
The concept of Puzzle House was an intriguing one, but the execution and the ending kinda turned me off. The characters were basically put into a series of escape rooms and had to find their way out. What they didn’t know, but soon learned, is that each puzzle required a sacrifice. I’m not going to explain the ultimate goal of the puzzles and sacrifices. Just…it got weird. Lol. If you like movies such as Saw and Cabin in the Woods, you should probably check out this book.
Legendary (Stephanie Garber)
Rating: 4.5/5
I actually enjoyed Legendary more than Caraval. I liked that we were given more background into Tella and Scarlett’s history. Plus, it is revealed why Tella was involved in Caraval the first time. I liked the inclusion of the Fates and, of course, finally learning Legend’s identity! I can’t wait to read Finale!
FantasticLand (Mike Bockoven)
Rating: 2/5
I wasn’t all that impressed with FantasticLand. First, I hoped it would be told as it was happening. I don’t necessarily care for gore and such, but I went in to this book with the expectation of violence, bloodshed, and more! (Oh my!) Second, I didn’t necessarily care for the stories being told in the style of interviews. And last, it all happened so fast, and I just couldn’t get lost in it because there was a distinct lack of believability, from the first death to the formation of tribes within 24-48 hours of them leaving the shelter.
All These Bodies (Kendare Blake)
Rating: 4/5
All These Bodies is the story of a string of unexplainable murders that culminates in a young girl covered in blood being found at the final scene. The sheriff’s son, Michael, dreams of becoming a journalist, and the biggest story of the year falls right into his lap – the girl, Marie, agrees to tell her story, but only to Michael.
I devoured this book in only three days. It was very interesting, well-written, and kept me guessing about what was real and what wasn’t. I only gave it a four because I wanted the ending to answer at least one of my questions and it didn’t.
Ghosts, Lies, and Videotape (Olivia Jaymes)
Rating: 4/5
Another murder mystery in Ravenmist. The quaint town in which nothing ever happens has quite a bit happening lately, including spirits with enough energy to almost seem alive. Inn owner Tedi, her mother, best friend Missy, and an eclectic cast of characters have learned the explanation for the sudden energy surge, and it’s a doozy. Now, Sheriff Jackson Garrett has to solve the two murders, grudgingly accepting help from Tedi, who is also busy trying to find the – spoiler alert! – demon that has come to their tiny corner of Illinois.
***
I am currently reading Christmas Presents (Lisa Unger) and the fourth installment of the Ravenmist series, Grandma Got Run Over By a Demon (Olivia Jaymes).
Man, it seems like May flew by in the blink of an eye! I didn’t realize how close to June it was and almost missed this month’s reading challenge update.
I read 9 (!) books in May. Here they are with my rating and a brief review.
Stillhouse Lake (Rachel Caine)
Rating: 4/5
As someone who really enjoyed the Morganville Vampires series, I knew I had to give more of Rachel Caine’s books a try. I stumbled across this one, recommended to me by Amazon, and I thought it sounded interesting so I added it to my TBR pile. I was not disappointed. Stillhouse Lake follows the story of Gina Royal after her life is utterly destroyed by the revelation that her husband is a serial killer. I will forever love Caine’s writing style, her strong characters, and how real everything seems. There is the occasional moment where it seems her own beliefs/opinions/stereotypes become part of her characters’ make up, but at least most of their ideas and decisions follow a logical route. At no point did I find myself wondering why Gina (Gwen, once she’d gone into hiding) and those around her made the choices they did, and I can’t tell you how refreshing that is after some of the books I’ve read.
Tastes Like Candy 2: Sugarless (Ivy Tholen)
Rating: 4/5
I did not enjoy this as much as Tastes Like Candy; however, it was a wild, fun ride that I devoured in a matter of days (mostly reading it during my lunch breaks at work). The motive behind the copycat killer’s actions was lackluster at best, but I was really sucked in by the return of two original characters. There was gore, though less than last time, and more creative murders – and murder attempts. Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read that almost did justice to its predecessor. A must-read if you liked the first one.
The Housemaid (Freida McFadden)
Rating: 3/5
This was my first Freida McFadden. A friend of mine recommended a few of her books, but I chose this one because it helped me earn an achievement on Kindle. Lame, I know. Still, it led me to The Housemaid, so I’m not mad. Haha.
While I was not head-over-heels for this book, I did like it. The relationship between Nina and Andrew was just…extreme, I couldn’t make myself buy into how fast Andrew and Millie fell in “love,” and none of the characters were that great. However, if you want a mystery/thriller that doesn’t require much thinking, this is it. On the bright side, the twist is fairly solid.
The Mermaid’s Sister (Carrie Anne Noble)
Rating: 4.5/5
I love mermaids. The whole concept has captivated me since I was a kid and watched The Little Mermaid literally every day. Make no mistake: I also enjoy the darker versions of mermaid lore. I spend so much time wishing they would make a horror movie based on the original The Little Mermaid. But I digress…
The Mermaid’s Sister employs the lighter aspects of being a mermaid, including the idea that she doesn’t change until she reaches her teen years. The story follows the desperation of Clara to save her sister Maren, who is transforming and will fade to nothing if not returned to the sea. There is action, adventure, a little romance, and a sprinkle of sadness, all woven into a fantasy tale that will touch your inner child.
Killman Creek (Rachel Caine)
Rating: 4/5
Killman Creek is the sequel to Stillhouse Lake. Tired of living in constant fear after her serial killer ex-husband escapes from prison, Gina/Gwen goes hunting with the help of the brother of one of his victims.
What I really loved about this book was Caine’s ability to put her characters in such a dark, unimaginable scenario without ever losing that touch of humanity that makes them so…real. Gina/Gwen is a certified badass, don’t get me wrong. But that softer underbelly that fears for and wants to protect her loved ones? That’s what made me cheer her on up to and through her climactic face-to-face with her ex.
Eat, Drink, and Be Scary (Olivia Jaymes)
Rating: 4/5
Okay, so it’s not the Great American Novel, but come on – y’all know I love cozy mysteries, and Eat, Drink, and Be Scary is a paranormal cozy mystery! These books (because yes, I have started the second in the series) are really cute. The characters are funny, and our main protagonist, Tedi, is sassy and witty and I kinda love her. Also, she isn’t some super genius crime solver, which is the trap a lot of cozy mystery authors fall into, so that’s a point in Olivia Jaymes’ favor.
Don’t Wake Up (Liz Lawler)
Rating: 3/5
There are things I liked about Don’t Wake Up and there are things I hated. Without giving too much away, because I try not to include spoilers, this story kept getting more and more ridiculous. Yes, there was a very real – human – reason for all that happened to our main character, Alex Taylor, but the motive was…really just a woman being stupid over a man. And I know it happens, but I can’t stand how often even female authors make their female characters act out because they fell for the wrong guy. Lol.
One by One (Freida McFadden)
Rating: 2.5/3
All I can say is, One by One was readable, but the motive behind what was done was soooo bad.
The Mermaid (Christina Henry)
Rating: 3/5
Oh, look. Another book about a mermaid! So I did enjoy this story on the surface, but man, oh man, did Henry slip as many stereotypes as possible into this novel, mostly about men. I don’t mind when something like that is applied to a character in order to add to the story and make him/her multi-faceted. I do, however, find it annoying when an author throws out blanket statements/descriptions that are only promoting their opinions and are not entirely relevant to the story itself.
***
I am currently reading Fantastic Land (Mike Bockoven), Ghoul You Be My Valentine? (Olivia Jaymes), and Circus of the Dead (Kimberly Loth).
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!
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).
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.
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
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I am currently reading Nightseer by Laurell K. Hamilton and The Nightmare by Lars Kepler.
Mostly Music 