Flicker in the Dark By Stacy Willingham

When Chloe Davis was 12 years old  her father confessed to the murder of  the six teenage girls who went missing in her hometown.  It's been twenty years and she has her own private practice as a psychologist. She is engaged and appears to have a happy life but under the surface she is a bit of a mess and things are about to get a whole lost messier.  A young girl goes missing and then another. History is repeating itself and everyone becomes a suspect. As things unravel it's easy to figure out who the suspect is but it doesn't take away from the story. 

It is well written, entertaining and thrilling. This is Wilingham's debut novel and I am looking forward to see what she has in store for us. 

Razor Blade Tears by S.A. Cosby

 Two young men have been murdered. They were married to one another and had a young daughter. Two fathers who are different as night and day and who couldn't accept their sons as gay come together to find out who killed their sons and avenge their death.

The writing wasn't my cup to tea. I found it to be long winded and dry for stretches at a time. The violence didn't bother me but I can see how it could be an issue for others.  The book felt very disjointed and had trouble finishing it. 

Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

In the summer of 1988, the mutilated bodies of four young girls show up in a small city in Maryland.  The Author, Richard Chizmar grew up in this town and returned to live with his parents for the summer.  The story is told from his point of view. He gets details about the cases that the normal person wouldn't. He starts to feel haunted by the "boogeyman" as the story's intensity increases.

The read is clever, frightening and infuriating. Quite possibly the most well written book I have read this year! You don't want to miss out on it. 

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

  

I picked this book up and put it back down a few times but once I started reading it, I was hooked.

The Thousandth Floor takes place in New York City many, many years in the future.  The cast lives in a giant tower with the wealthiest being on the top and poorest on the bottom. The cast of characters is 5 people and the story is told from their point of view.  There is a lot of back and forth and until you get the characters "voice" down it can be a bit confusing trying to figure out who is who. 

Like most teen dramas this one is built on lies and figuring out everyone's truth.  The book starts off with a girl plummeting to her death and that is not the most dramatic part of it. There are custom made babies, cheating, spying,  technology and so much more!

If you're a fan of Pretty Little Liars - This is a good read for you.

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

 

A young mother goes on a night jog and goes missing. A few weeks later a mother and her daughter go missing. Eleven years later the daughter returns. Her return creates more questions than answers.

There are multiple point of views and timelines. Everyone is suspect and when things start to merge and reveal you can't turn the pages fast enough to get to the conclusion. 

What Kind of Girl by Alyssa Sheinmel

Popular guy, Mike Parker hit his girlfriend. The bruise is visible and she reports it to the school principal. The school is divided. They are the golden couple. Did Mike, really hit  Maya or if she lying? Will, Mike lose his scholarship? Why didn't Maya speak up sooner? 

Maya and Junie are best friends and the story is told by each of them. Junie has her own struggles and secrets she's been keeping. There are a few other storytellers tossed in to give more perspectives. 

This book addresses a lot issues. Be prepared for some dark subjects and to be taken on an emotional ride. 

Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood by Danny Trejo and Donal Logue

Danny Trejo's life needs to be made into a movie. He's had a tough life. Some of his own making and another a product of his environment. 

He holds nothing back. He is honest and reveals who he was and how he's changed. Trejo's memoir reveals his struggle with alcohol, drugs and breaking the law. He is no novice when it comes to life behind bars. He has spent time in juvie, Chino,  Folsom, San Quentin to name a few. He loves women and has trouble staying faithful. 

He discusses some of his time in Hollywood, with a focus on the movie, Blood in Blood Out: Bound By Honor.  If you haven't seen this movie ..... watch it now! I really enjoyed reading this part as I've been a fan of the movie since it came out (yes, I am that OLD). 

Trejo's discusses his family and his children, who have had addiction issues of their own.  Trejo is open about his success and failure and remains humble. Trejo is a bada@@ and this is a perfect book for his fans to get an insiders look at him as a person and not a Hollywood actor. 

Billy Summers by Stephen King

 There is nothing like cracking open a new novel by Stephen King. I know that I will be entertained and will enjoy the read.  Billy Summers is written from the point of few of many characters and jumps back forth between present and past. 

Billy summers is a killer with a conscience. He has a code( kinda like, Dexter) and he abides by it. He has been hired for a job and things go awry and his last hit proves to be more problematic than he thought. 

Billy Summers is a USCM veteran and the flashbacks to his wartime (and his childhood) are beautifully written yet haunting. Kings writing pulls you into the scene and leaves you emotionally wrecked. 

This isn't a typical King novel. The horrors of this novel are of humanity. There are no supernatural forces but you'll still be hooked. 

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

WISH YOU WERE HERE

EXPECTED PUBLICATION DATE: NOVEMBER 30 2021

Diana works at Sotheby's as an associate specialist. Finn is a surgical resident at New York Presbyterian Hospital. They have been  saving up for years for a tip of a lifetime to The Galapagos Island. Diana expects Finn to purpose during their vacation but Covid-19 rears its ugly head in New York (only 19 case) and Finn is no longer allowed to go as the hospital is expected to be overrun within days with Covid cases. 

Finn encourages, Diana to take the tip alone. She is hesitant but the non-refundable tickets sway her and she embarks on the journey alone. When she arrives her luggage is lost and  people are leaving the island. The boat she is on will be the last boat leaving the island. but she makes a quick decision to stay on the island. The hotel she was staying is has closed, she has no internet access but luck intervenes. She's given a place to stay and the entire island to explore on her own while Finn finds himself working long hours trying to save lives and watching people die of Covid.

Finn emails Diana quite often about what is going on with the virus. His experiences are haunting and realistic. You will  be left aching  and wanting to know more about his life in rather than Diana's on the island. Be prepared for an emotional overload during Finn's portions of the book. 

Diana and Finn are leading vey different lives. Both of their experiences are unique to one another's however Finn's reality is frightening and pulls you back into reality over and over again while Diana's gives you some reprieve. 

Diana eventually finds her way off the island and back to Finn but the twist leaves you gasping for air. 

Expect beautifully crafted and complex characters. This is one book you won't want to put down. 

* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Initial Insult (The Initial Insult, #1) by Mindy McGinnis

 I was given the opportunity to listen to the audio book of, The Initial Insult but was unable get into to it so I picked up a copy of the book and I'm thankful I did because this read took me on a rollercoaster. 

Tress Montor used to have an ideal life. A happy life. She had a best friend, a lovely home and her parents then one night her parents disappeared. Now she lives with her drunk, cantankerous grandfather, who runs a wild animal attraction. Her one idea life is messy in more ways than one. 

Her old best friend, Felicity  was the last person with her parents before they went missing. The friendship is broken and Tress has a plan up her sleeves to find out what Felicity knows about her parents missing. The plan is rather sinister.

They story flips back and forth between past and present day. McGinnis has a unique writing style and will keep you captivated. The book's ending isn't exactly satisfying but I think that's because there is a sequel. I can't wait to read it! 

Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey

 Unspeakable Things has been inspired by a true story. 

Cassie McDowell is twelve years on and lives with her parents and sister in rural Minnesota. It's the 1980s and boys in her town are going missing. They are being abducted and sexually abused. No one really pays attention or cares until a boy goes missing from the rich part of town. When her close male friend goes missing she decides to play, Nancy Drew and figure out who is haring her classmates.

Cassie's homelife isn't ideal. Her parents hold parties, that are not appropriate for minors. Unspeakable acts go on in their home and Cassie and her sister are not allowed to discuss it. She can't sleep at night and lives in constant fear of her dad coming into her bedroom. Her dad is unpredictable and has secrets. 

The writing is dark and can be triggering for some. The reading can be a bit slow and the ending left me wanting more.