#Goodreads – Page 30 – Rosepoint Publishing

Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl – #BookReview – #TuesdayBookBlog

Book Blurb:

Ex-FBI profiler River Ryland still suffers from PTSD after a case went horribly wrong. Needing a fresh start, she moves to St. Louis to be near her ailing mother and opens a private investigation firm with her friend and former FBI partner, Tony St. Clair. They’re soon approached by a grieving mother who wants them to find out what happened to her teenaged son, who disappeared four years ago. River knows there’s almost no hope the boy is still alive, but his mother needs closure, and River and Tony need a case, no matter how cold it might be.

But as they follow the boy’s trail, which gets more complicated at every turn, they find themselves in the path of a murderer determined to punish anyone who gets in his way. As River and Tony race to stop him before he kills again, an even more dangerous threat emerges, stirring up the past that haunts River and plotting an end to her future.

My Review:

I love it when I get to sample a new author (to me) as well as the first book in a new series. A couple of previous FBI partners now off to start a private investigation firm are approached by a mother whose son disappeared four years ago. They’ll work it while privately feeling there is very little hope of finding him—alive.

Main characters River Ryland and Tony St Clair bring PTSD baggage with them but work very effectively, each with their own expertise. It isn’t far into the case before POVs split into an antagonist named Brian. Brian is different. He has mainly untreated clinical schizophrenia, with the added complication of synesthesia. This is a new one to me and a fascinating study in itself, so those POVs devoted to him are shocking, eye-opening, and hair-raising page-turning disclosures.

Of course we get snippits of backstories for both main characters, particularly River, that add emotional investment to the investigation. Interspersed in the storyline are faith elements and strong Christian references. The narrative begins to paint the connection between Brian and the missing boy. It’s creepy.

While it remains clear of common four-letter words, there are triggers regarding the killings and mental illness. It’s not a story that can have a happy ever after but perhaps the conclusion is one the reader will expect.

A fast-paced, well-plotted suspense thriller, you will no doubt enjoy the series if you also enjoy Christian fiction. It’s a strong start to a promising new series.

I received a copy of this book from my local library that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense Romance, Christian Suspense
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
ISBN-10: ‎ 0764240455
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0764240454
ASIN: B0BLW7L25W
Print Length: 336 pages
Publication Date: July 11, 2023
Source: Local Library

Title Link(s):

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Nancy Mehl lives in Missouri, with her husband Norman, and her puggle, Watson. She’s authored over fifty books and is currently at work on a new FBI suspense series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: http://www.nancymehl.com. She also is active on the Suspense Sisters: http://www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com and on FaceBook!

Happy Holidays!

The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen – #BookReview – #OrganizedCrimeThrillers

Book Blurb:

A determined reporter and a reluctant FBI agent face off against fascist elements in this gripping historical thriller set in World War II-era Boston.

Reporter Anne Lemire writes the Rumor Clinic, a newspaper column that disproves the many harmful rumors floating around town, some of them spread by Axis spies and others just gossip mixed with fear and ignorance. Tired of chasing silly rumors about Rosie Riveters’ safety on the job, she wants to write about something bigger.

Special Agent Devon Mulvey, one of the few Catholics at the FBI, spends his weekdays preventing industrial sabotage and his Sundays spying on clerics with suspect loyalties―and he spends his evenings wooing the many lonely women whose husbands are off at war.

When Anne’s story about Nazi propaganda intersects with Devon’s investigation into the death of a factory worker, the two are led down a dangerous trail of espionage, organized crime, and domestic fascism―one that implicates their own tangled pasts and threatens to engulf the city in violence.

With vibrant historical atmosphere and a riveting mystery that illuminates still-timely issues about disinformation and power, Thomas Mullen delivers another powerful thriller.

His Review:

Anne is a reporter for the Boston Star when she should be home keeping house and making babies! This was the attitude of most Americans at the start of WWII, but she was attempting to expose gun thefts and smuggling around the area. The major German immigrant population in the area felt that America should have allied with Germany, not England, during the War.

Anne discovers a case of M-1 rifles in a warehouse obviously stolen from a nearby military base. She is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and expose the culprits! This does not set well with the editor of her paper and most of the citizens of Boston. Their opinions are that she should be writing for the local gossip column and not reporting on such matters.

Thomas Mullen has written a very convincing tale of intrigue and espionage during the war. Some of the richer people in the area were making handsome profits by stealing and selling weapons to other countries. Anti-Semitism is rampant and Jew as well as German nationals and Japanese are restricted from working in Allied war industries.

The segregation of these people along with blacks who want to work in war related industries keeps the workforce mostly white males. However, the need to increase production seems to be stifling production and the war effort. Yes, although the Jews are a major population being decimated by Hitler, they are seen as money grubbing profiters during the war.

This book uncovers the long perceived notion of non-patriotism by these ethnic groups and the paranoia that was rampant in America during WWII. The book is well written and a very engaging and entertaining read. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my own opinions.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Organized Crime Thrillers, Historical Thrillers, Crime Thrillers
Publisher: Minotaur Books
ISBN-10: ‎ 1250842778
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1250842770
ASIN: B0C1X7FHM6
Print Length: 368 pages
Publication Date: February 27, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Thomas Mullen is the author of Darktown, an NPR Best Book of the Year, which has been shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Southern Book Prize, the Indies Choice Book Award, has been nominated for two Crime Writers Association Dagger Awards, and is being developed for television by Sony Pictures with executive producer Jamie Foxx; The Last Town on Earth, which was named Best Debut Novel of 2006 by USA Today and was awarded the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for excellence in historical fiction; The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers; and The Revisionists. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and sons.

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Up on the Woof Top by Spencer Quinn – #AudiobookReview – #AnimalFiction

Chet and Bernie Mysteries, Book 14

Book Blurb:

Chet the dog, “the most lovable narrator in all of crime fiction” (Boston Globe) and his human partner Bernie Little find themselves high in the mountains this holiday season to help Dame Ariadne Carlisle, a renowned author of bestselling Christmas mysteries, find Rudy, her lead reindeer and good luck charm, who has gone missing.

At Kringle Ranch, Dame Ariadne’s expansive mountain spread, Chet discovers that he is not fond of reindeer. But the case turns out to be about much more than reindeer after Dame Ariadne’s personal assistant takes a long fall into Devil’s Purse, a deep mountain gorge. When our duo discovers that someone very close to Dame Ariadne was murdered in that same spot decades earlier, they start looking into that long ago unsolved crime.

But as they reach into the past, the past is also reaching out for them. Can they unlock the secrets of Dame Ariadne’s life before they too end up at the bottom of the gorge? Is Rudy somehow the key?

Up on the Woof Top is a brand-new holiday adventure in Spencer Quinn’s delightful New York Times and USA Today bestselling series that the Los Angeles Times called “nothing short of masterful.”

My Review:

I’d forgotten the fun of listening to Chet (the dog) interpret his life with Bernie as they go about business in the Little Detective Agency. Chet is a police test failure. Chet very much, like all good dogs, lives in the present, although he does have a good memory for his history with Bernie and loves him like no other.

It’s the dog’s thoughts and memories from previous jobs that are called to mind, often humorously, as only a dog might view the world. While we humans tend to anthropomorphize our pets, the pets tend to view their human in terms of pack mentality. Hopefully, the human is alpha. In this case, Chet often reminds the reader how smart Bernie is. That’s good, because their new job is to find the missing pet reindeer of an aging author. Bernie’s client, Ariadne Carlisle, is experiencing writer’s block—a no-no for an author and it’s the reindeer who serves as her muse.

It’s Christmas time in the Colorado mountains, the author’s main theme. She owns Kringle Ranch and Rudy is one of nine reindeer. She figures surely Chet with his sensitive nose, will be able to find Rudy—money is no object.

When Chet and Bernie find her personal assistant at the bottom of a gorge, however, the case swings into an unsolved murder case—that of Carlisle’s only real love. The plot line has changed. But that isn’t the only surprise. There are twists and some amazing well-developed characters who provide a fast-paced multi-layered storyline. Things are changing.

There are moments of give and take between man and dog that melt the heart and act like a balm for those (like myself) who have recently lost their own fur baby. The serious is interspersed with Chet’s comic pearls of wit and wisdom as he navigates the mysterious and often confusing world of his human and those with whom they meet on their missions. If you haven’t checked out one of these uniquely narrated mystery installments, this would be a good one to start.

I’ve enjoyed the books I’ve read or listened to (not in any order), the last one The Dog Who Knew Too Much last year. Jim Frangione does a great job of narration. I downloaded a copy of this audiobook from my local well-stocked library. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point five stars

Book Details:

Genre: Animal Fiction, Animal Cozy Mysteries, Private Investigator Mysteries
Publisher: Recorded Books
ASIN: B0C5P9QKV2
Listening Length: 8 hrs 13 mins
Narrator: Jim Frangione
Publication Date: October 17, 2023
Source: Local Library (Audiobook Selections)
Title Link: Up on the Woof Top [Amazon]
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

The Author: Spencer Quinn lives on Cape Cod with his dog, Audrey. He is currently working on the next Chet and Bernie novel.

(Spencer Quinn is a pseudonym of author Peter Abrahams.)

Happy Thursday!

Six Truths and a Lie by Ream Shukairy – #BookReview – Teen and YA Fiction

Book Blurb:

Six Muslim teens are falsely accused of a deadly attack in this timely and harrowing examination of America’s justice system, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas and Samira Ahmed.

As fireworks pop off at a rowdy Fourth of July bonfire party, an explosion off the California coast levels an oil rig—resulting in chaos and worse, murder.

At the center are six Muslim teens – six patriots, six strangers, and six suspects.

An old soul caught in the wrong place. An aspiring doctor. An influencer with a reputation to protect. A perfect daughter with secrets to hide. A soccer star headed for Stanford. An immigrant in love. Each with something to hide and everything to lose.

Faced with accusations of terrorism, The Six are caught in a political game that will pit them against each other in exchange for exoneration. They must choose: frame each other to guarantee their own independence or expose their secrets to earn back freedom for them all.

His Review:

Getting close to graduation, a group of potential graduates have a wild beach party–happens in most college and university towns across America. Zamzam was not going to go because she had a final in the morning. But her friends talked her into the party. Everyone was having a great time until the explosion!

The police showed up quickly and Que and Zamzam try to slip away. A night in jail will eat up all of her final cramming time. The police see them rushing away and arrest them for planting a bomb. They are totally amazed but the police reason that they are trying to escape because they had set the bomb and did not want to get caught.

Questioning is repeated and goes on for five straight hours. No amount of reasoning will talk the police into releasing her. Zamzam sees her full-boat scholarship to Princeton slipping away!

C E Williams This book is well written and shows the futility of trying to reason with a police force that has already decided you are guilty. The narrative is an aggravating but believable tome. Enjoy! 4 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my own opinions.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four stars

Book Details:

Genre: Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Prejudice, Teen & Young Adult Religious Fiction eBooks, Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Prejudice & Racism
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ASIN: B0C9ZQVW9N
Print Length: 400 pages
Publication Date: March 12, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Ream Shukairy - author — BioPic-Posted on Goodreads

The Author: Ream Shukairy is a Syrian American Muslim born and raised full-time in Orange County, California and part-time over summers in Syria. Whether in California or Syria, she feels at home where her family is and wherever there’s a beach. She has a talent for learning languages and is always on the search for the next place she can travel and flex her words. The daughter of immigrants, there isn’t a stereotype she won’t try her hardest to defy. She can be found reading at the beach, with her sisters watching anime, or playing volleyball really anywhere. She currently resides in Boston for graduate school.

https://www.reamshukairy.com/blog/15-facts-about-me

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The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O’Neal – #Audiobook Review – #Women’sFiction

Book Blurb:

In this sumptuous novel, Barbara O’Neal offers readers a celebration of food, family, and love as a woman searches for the elusive ingredient we’re all hoping to find…

It’s the opportunity Elena Alvarez has been waiting for—the challenge of running her own kitchen in a world-class restaurant. Haunted by an accident of which she was the lone survivor, Elena knows better than anyone how to survive the odds. With her faithful dog, Alvin, and her grandmother’s recipes, Elena arrives in Colorado to find a restaurant in as desperate need of a fresh start as she is—and a man whose passionate approach to food and life rivals her own. Owner Julian Liswood is a name many people know but a man few do. He’s come to Aspen with a troubled teenage daughter and a dream of the kind of stability and love only a family can provide. But for Elena, old ghosts don’t die quietly, yet a chance to find happiness at last is worth the risk.

My Review:

Damaged main character Elena Alvarez horribly down on her luck manages to land a coveted position of chef in a struggling upscale restaurant in Aspen, a posh ski area of Colorado. Okay, she does have some real cred, but recent history describes a horrific accident in which she alone is the survivor, losing both her boyfriend and sisters.

Her new boss is Julian Liswood, a divorced player with a young daughter who relocated to Aspen hoping to find a wholesome area for his daughter to grow up and himself yet another unique and singularly successful upper-class restaurant. (Yes, he’s filthy rich.) To this end, he pretty much hands over the restaurant, menu and all, to untried, untested, and physically limited Elena.

I must admit that once again I was suckered in by a cover with a dog on it, who does prove a fun character, btw. Elena was raised by her abuela and is therefore capable of speaking with much of the Mexican staff (many of whom might or might not be working legally in the US). She has replaced the chef apparent who exudes attitude.

I was intrigued by the blurb, and although I’m not a Foodie, do not watch cooking shows, and limit my time in the kitchen, thought it sounded like an interesting book.

The atmosphere of Aspen is detailed beautifully as a year-round mountain resort. Indeed, the recipes as recited with complete directions all sound pretty good. There were themes of ghosts, immigration politics, physical challenges, male-dominated service field, and romance both straight and gay.

It was the straight romance that went from romantic to pornographic that shut me down. Intimacy descriptions became graphic. Too bad, as the storyline was an interesting one and tackled some serious issues. The conclusion didn’t provide anything not already expected.

I downloaded a copy of this audiobook from my local well-stocked library. These are my honest thoughts.

Book Details:

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Women’s Literature & Fiction
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
ASIN: B0CL12HM6P
Listening Length: 12 hrs 43 mins
Narrator: Moniqua Plante, Jacob York
Publication Date: November 28, 2023
Source: Local Library (Audiobook Selections)
Title Link: The Lost Recipe for Happiness [Amazon]
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

Rosepoint Publishing: Three stars

The Author: Barbara O’Neal is the author of more than a dozen award-winning, bestselling novels, including the runaway bestseller, When We Believed in Mermaids, which has been published in more than 20 countries and spent many months on the Amazon Charts, as well as the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Washington Post bestseller lists. Barbara lives on the beach in rugged Oregon with her husband, a British endurance athlete who vows he’ll never lose his accent and their zoo of cats and dogs. You can find more information on her newsletter and where to find her on social media at barbaraoneal.com.

Game Over at Guild Hall by Amy Patricia Meade – #BookReview – #TuesdayBookBlog

Pret’ Near Perfect Mystery #3

A Vermont Country Living Mystery Book 3

Book Blurb:

In rural Vermont, where hunting and trapping are a way of life, nothing is bigger than the annual wild game supper at Guild Hall. Stella can’t wait to sample the exotic dishes prepared by her neighbors, but when the longtime organizer of the supper falls dead, a victim of poisoning, Stella’s appetite—along with a roomful of suspects—vanishes. Then that same night someone ransacks the hall’s kitchen, presumably to destroy any evidence, and spots Stella snooping. Now she fears she may be the next target.

Certain the only way to save herself is to find the culprit, Stella digs into the victim’s life hoping to discover who might have wanted him dead. It turns out he’d made countless enemies over the years, as volunteers at the event were run ragged and hunters who wanted their food included were shunned. What’s more, Stella discovers the victim had unearthed a shameful and long-buried secret at the hall itself. With the list of possible suspects growing and her life in danger, Stella zeroes in on a clue that could break the case wide open—as long as she can stay out of the killer’s crosshairs . . .

My Review:

Yes, it’s a cozy mystery and one that I volunteered to read as it coincides with the season—also I loved that adorable and irresistible cover!

Set in the countryside of Vermont, the descriptions of the area are compelling, particularly in the fall when autumn colors turn breathtaking and the air becomes crisp with cooling winds and drying leaves.

“…I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…but if that runs out, I’ll drink the red.”

This storyline revolves around hunting—something the CE did for years (though not in Vermont). That aspect was also interesting for me with quick sketches of the various wild game the people in Vermont are open to hunt.

So it wasn’t so far-fetched that one of the activities of a small Vermont mountain town following the end of the tourist season would host a big annual wild game dinner. The problem is the event organizer who is poisoned about halfway into a three-seating dinner. Apparently, there were as many who loved the dinner as those who thought it had run its course.

The protagonist, Stella (and her Forest Service hubby Nick) manages to get into the middle of the mystery as with her keen eye for detail, she reveals several to the local law enforcement who (shockingly) welcomes her input. (Yes, it’s a cozy mystery and that would be different as well as the fact that she is happily married. For those who appreciate that…no romance distractions.)

Lots of suspects, per cozy mystery standards, small-town secrets, and loads of diverse characters.

It’s a fun, fast little romp into the charm of the local history, people, and activities of the area. The narrative is well-paced and the characters right out of rural America (although I must say I’m shocked they could legally offer road kill dishes). I loved the dog (of course I would).

Might be Book 3, but I think the way this reads would not be a problem to come in at this point and enjoy as a standalone. The narrative manages to veer fairly off-track with a motive you’d never have expected, much less the perp. Yes, it’s a gotcha! You can’t say it isn’t entertaining and if you enjoy cozies, especially a slightly unusual one (keeping your disbelief in check), you’ll enjoy this one.

I’d forgotten the unique writing style of this author. I read The Garden Club Murder for a blog tour back in 2019 and enjoyed it–a Tish Tarragon Mystery. (Of course I did–it had a Bichon on the cover.)

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery, Cozy Culinary Mysteries
Publisher: Beyond the Page
ASIN: B0CLQ718G1
Print Length: 265 pages
Publication Date: November 14, 2023
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Author of the critically acclaimed Marjorie McClelland Mysteries, Amy Patricia Meade is a native of Long Island, NY where she cut her teeth on classic films and books featuring Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown.

After stints as an Operations Manager for a document imaging company and a freelance technical writer, Amy left the bright lights of New York city and headed north to pursue her creative writing career amidst the idyllic beauty of Vermont’s Green Mountains.

Now residing in Bristol, England Amy spends her time writing mysteries with a humorous or historical bent. When not writing – which is rare these days – Amy enjoys traveling, testing out new recipes, classic films, and exploring her new home.

Amy is a member of Sisters in Crime and The Crime Writers Association.

Christmas bough

Ghost Team by Paul Heatley – #BookReview – #militarythrillers

A Tom Rollins Thriller Book 11

in War & Military

Rosepoint Publishing: Five stars

Book Blurb:

Tom goes up against a powerful militia. Turns out they’re the least of his problems.

Tom Rollins gets news that an old Army buddy, Adam Lineker, has killed himself. But at the funeral, another friend confides that he doesn’t believe the suicide story – he thinks Adam was murdered.

Sticking around the small town of Samson to investigate, Tom goes up against the disinterested and hostile sheriff, and finds an ally in Adam’s therapist, herself an ex-deputy.

Tom soon discovers that Samson has a lot of unsavory elements. A militia is based nearby, and they’re intimidating the townsfolk. Mysterious strangers are tailing Tom and watching his every move.

But how does all this connect back to Adam? What was he involved in?

As he digs for the truth, Tom comes under increasing pressure from the militia. Undaunted, he pushes back. And only then realizes there are bigger players involved and the bloodthirsty and well-armed militia may actually be the least of his problems.

But Tom presses on, determined to find out what really happened to Adam. And when he does, there’ll be hell to pay.

His Review:

A military squad is pinned down in a trench in Afghanistan. Lorne Henkle, Adam’s buddy, is badly wounded by an RPG. He begs Adam to leave him and save himself. The U.S. military protocol is never to leave a fellow soldier behind. Despite begging from his buddy to leave him, Adam will have none of it.

That was a number of years ago. The pair have gone back home and are trying to make a life for their families. The road block is that the Taliban have sworn a blood oath to avenge their fellow soldiers killed by this pair!

The small town of Samson was very peaceful until the drug lord chose this location for the control center of his drug operations. Adam and Lorne became a real thorn in his side, but he has a convenient hit squad that should make quick work of eliminating the problem.

The squad of nine people is not expected to have a problem with them and they will take over the town as soon as the two are eliminated. The local sheriff seems incapable or unwilling to reduce the threat. He is close to retirement and is not going to die by trying to save these two American veterans!

This book is very well written and points out the problems faced by many veterans who come back home to a family that has changed and a community that could not give a flying farkle for them. The drug gang hit squad will not allow the town to be protected nor the business plan to fail but they did not count on special operations veterans! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. 5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. These thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Details:

Genre: Military Thrillers, War & Military Action Fiction, Action Thriller Fiction
Publisher: Inkubator Books
ASIN: B0CNYCJYH6
Print Length: 304 pages
Publication Date: December 3, 2023
Source: Publisher and NetGalley
Title Link(s): Ghost Team [Amazon]

The Author: Paul Heatley‘s books have been published by the likes of All Due Respect, Inkubator Books, Close To The Bone, and more. His short stories have appeared online and in print for publications such as Thuglit, Horror Sleaze Trash, Spelk, Near to the Knuckle, Shotgun Honey, the Crime Factory, and the Flash Fiction Offensive, among others.

His website can be found at PaulHeatley.com.

Christmas tree

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell – #AudiobookReview – #Suspense

in Women Sleuth Mysteries (Audiobooks)
Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense (Kindle)

Rosepoint Publishing: Five stars

Book Blurb:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her “superb pacing, twisted characters, and captivating prose” (BuzzFeed), Lisa Jewell returns with a scintillating new psychological thriller about a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast.

Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins.

A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.

Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realize that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life—and into her home.

But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family’s lives under mortal threat.

Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?

My Review:

Talk about unreliable narrators! The hair goes up on the back of your neck almost at the beginning of his immersive, compelling audiobook.

Two women both celebrating their forty-fifth birthday at a local restaurant to celebrate the occasion. Josie Fair notices the happy conversation from the other table and introduces herself to Alix Summer. They also discover they were born at the same hospital—“birthday twins.”

Both women have vastly different stories, but Josie is aware of Alix, a renown podcaster. Josie has hit the wall with her life—looking to completely change her story and she sees an opportunity with Alix, who is currently winding down her podcast thread—looking for a new subject.

Alix is interested, though wary—fascinated but repulsed at the same time by Josie. Still, she sees a possible successful podcast thread. Follow a woman in her prime as she reinvents herself, the steps she takes. What is her backstory? How did she get here?

The reader was put on alert at the beginning. None of this is true, right?

Has either woman been truly successful at finding the right man, career, or motherhood? Perhaps Josie engineered her life, the marriage with a much older man, responsible for her now estranged children. As her story escalates, the plot line turns dark and Josie successfully invades Alix’s family. Aren’t they almost as dysfunctional, Alix’s husband being an alcoholic?

But no, not as damaged as the toxic relationship between Josie and her husband or her kids who have searing stories of disturbing family events of their own.

The well-plotted and fast-paced narrative veers sharply off the original intent of following a woman overcoming a life of abuse and control. The atmosphere is menacing, traumatic, manipulative—and Alix lost control of it some time ago.

The characters are well-developed. It becomes shocking to realize where this is going. Or, think you know where it’s going. Both Alix and the reader lose control of the situation at this point. I couldn’t begin to get into the terrifying mind of Josie. She is warped.

The conclusion lets fly with another twist and comes as a gut punch.

Oh no!

I can’t believe this is my first book by this author. I’ll certainly be on the lookout for another of these psychological thrillers. Totally disturbing, out of my realm of thinking and dark.

I downloaded a copy of this audiobook from my local well-stocked library. These are my honest thoughts.

Book Details:

Genre: Suspense, Women Sleuth Mysteries, Women Sleuths
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
ASIN: B0BHFBQ76G
Listening Length: 10 hrs 20 mins
Narrators: Lisa Jewell, Kristin Atherton, Ayesha Antoine, Louise Brealey, Alix Dunmore, Elliot Fitzpatrick, Thomas Judd, Dominic Thorburn, Nicola Walker, Jenny Walser
Publication Date: August 8, 2023
Source: Local Library (Audiobook Selections)
Title Link: None of This Is True [Amazon]
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

The Author: LISA JEWELL was born in London in 1968.

Her first novel, Ralph’s Party, was the best-selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs, The Family Remains and The Night She Disappeared, all of which were Richard & Judy Book Club picks.

Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over thirty languages. She lives in north London with her husband and two daughters.

Happy Thursday!