Review - Before you Die by Samantha Hayes

Book Summary - 

Oh God, please don't let me die.

It has taken nearly two years for the Warwickshire village of Radcote to put a spate of teenage suicides behind it.

Then a young man is killed in a freak motorbike accident, and a suicide note is found among his belongings. A second homeless boy takes his own life, this time on the railway tracks.

Is history about to repeat itself?

DI Lorraine Fisher has just arrived for a relaxing summer break with her sister. Soon she finds herself caught up in the resulting police enquiry. And when her nephew disappears she knows she must act quickly.

Are the recent deaths suicide - or murder?

And is the nightmare beginning again?

My Review - 4 

I love Samantha Hayes, she is a go to author for me.  Covers have an impact on readers so I was confused with the similar cover to Until You're Mine (see below), they are similar but not part of a series, possibly same DI but I'm not completely sure.  Now that I have read the book it also doesn't do anything for the story.

I enjoyed the family story line incorporated in the suspense investigation, well done, it kept you wondering what and who was really involved. I thought the characters could have been flushed out better but I think it was intentional at the end.

Gil, is a family member who is autistic and adds to the suspense of the story but is he a reliable character, great distraction.  I enjoyed his mumbling's and artistic way of communicating.  It was amazing how the family accepted him for who he was but they didn't respect him.

Lorraine goes to her sisters house for vacation and when questioning an incident meets up with a Detective that she has no respect for professionally from the past and begins questioning and looking into investigations that may have not been fully complete. Teenage suicides and homeless kids committed suicide and not fully investigated.  Does a suicide note immediately mean suicide? You are able to figure out something is going on but everyone you point your finger to, doesn't really make sense, it is a good challenge trying to piece it all together.

A very scary undercurrent was the bullying Lorraine's nephew was going through.  The family dynamics the teenagers were dealing with was intense, mind blowing at times.  I really judge when reading books and think parents are pretty damn bad, it is written on the wall and you're to scared to do anything, the most ridiculous parenting style in my opinion, just let your child die then, WTF is that, ok, enough venting.

The story was intense, had family drama, many clues that you will enjoy but misleading so it was entertaining to try and figure out.  There were a few, I can't believe it moments, but it was my own bias. The reason for the suicide and or murder, eye rolling.

This can be read as a stand alone. All of her books are solid reads, I have gave Tell Tale 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgally for allowing me to read this one.

What are you reading? World Cup is over.......

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2014 Wishlist.

My last meme post was on June 1st, wow.  I have been happily distracted with World Cup, I loved it. I am for France and they made it to the Top 8, good job.  Congrats to Germany, they played consistently throughout the World Cup, very much deserved.

I mainly have been reading Netgalley reads and have been pleased with them.

Currently Reading - I love the movie adaptations, but this is my first Bourne read.

I read and reviewed this debut - Good Girl, my review 3 1/2

I am considering between 2 reads as my next, I have read a book by both authors before. Bad Moon is a hardback which I used to love by Dead Wrong is an ebook which is my new love.  

Also, my furniture arrived for my new house, happy dance :-)  We now have to put it together, sigh. That is not my strength, I am visual, so fabric, furniture and hardware choices then design, not the put together, lol.

I hope you have an amazing week.

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Review - The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

Publication - July 29, 2014

Book Summary from NetGalley

Born to a prominent Chicago judge and his stifled socialite wife, Mia Dennett moves against the grain as a young inner-city art teacher. One night, Mia enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn't show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. With his smooth moves and modest wit, at first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life. 

Colin's job was to abduct Mia as part of a wild extortion plot and deliver her to his employers. But the plan takes an unexpected turn when Colin suddenly decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota, evading the police and his deadly superiors. Mia's mother, Eve, and detective Gabe Hoffman will stop at nothing to find them, but no one could have predicted the emotional entanglements that eventually cause this family's world to shatter. 

My Review - 3 1/2 star

I enjoyed this psychological thriller debut by Mary Kubica.  My concern is when debuts are labeled as similar to other books, in this case Gone Girl.  I'm tired of it, I wasn't a fan of Gone Girl, which for one, may actually keep readers away from the book.  I also think it sets debut authors up for failure.

I thought this was a great debut, I felt like there was inspiration of authors throughout the novel and so I look forward to MaryK finding her own voice. I thoroughly enjoy when multiple points of view are used and I think it was executed well.  The netgalley version was hard to read as there were no chapters, just continuous writing but that is one of the down faults of an ARC.

The beginning sucked you in and the ending was great with an amazing bonus at the end, brilliant I thought, not shocking as I had the thought but still great unique spin. My concern was in the middle. An abduction plan is set and then Colin decides to keep Mia, I wished I understood more of why.  This is where I think MaryK could have had a hit especially with the unique ending, but it did seem to drag on a bit.

My take was that MaryK couldn't decide if she wanted to focus on the investigation, the lives of those grieving the loss of Mia or the suspense of Colin and Mia victim/abductor relationship and so no area was fleshed out enough, some details came across as unnecessary instead of building on the suspense. This was my main complaint, I thought this book could have been sit on the edge of your seat worthy and it just missed the wow factor.

There was a lot going on in this book but either editing was needed or just further writing experience which she will get in time.  I would give Mary Kubica another try, it piqued my attention and overall I enjoyed it.

Apologies for being Missing - WORLD CUP

Blogging Friends,

Please accept my apology for not posting and networking.  World Cup only comes every 4 years and for a whole month. It is the ultimate delight.  I have always been a football fan, no English team but I have been for France in World Cup since 1998 when we beat Brazil 3-0.  Well France has made it to the Top 4, they play tomorrow against Germany.  I have had to take extra time from work to watch my games :-)

I can go on and on but I won't bore you, eeek.  Oh one more for the USA fans.  Your goal keeper Howard IS THE MAN.  He saved the most goals in a World Cup since 1966, amazing.  He was total super hero worthy even though they lost at the end.

I have been reading though......... 

I am currently reading a NetGalley, reminds me of Still Missing, similar but different.

I also finished the June Goodreads Group - A Good Thriller read - my first by Karin Slaughter, I enjoyed it but will go with her new books now, she just released a new one Cop Town.

I also finished another by Marcus Sakey.  So I am officially behind 2 reviews which is not good for me, very hard to go back and review, sigh

So friends, if I have missed a post or review you would like me to check out, let me know.  I do think about you :-) 

World Cup will all be over next Sunday, HOPEFULLY FRANCE AS WINNERS :-)

Review - Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Published - August 2012

Book Summary

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she’s a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she’s a disgrace; to design mavens, she’s a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.

Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette’s intensifying allergy to Seattle – and people in general – has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.
To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence – creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a daughter’s unflinching love for her imperfect mother.

My Review - 5 star

Where'd you go, Bernadette is the best laugh I have had by a book in years.  I had to walk away at one stage because I was crying with laughter.  I controlled myself came back and started up again, so funny.  When I found out Maria Semple is a television writer for Ellen DeGeneres, it all made sense.  I was so pleased I gave Maria a second chance.  I tried to read This One is Mine and I abandoned it, this came across as a different writer to me, so well done to her for having talent to write so differently and please a wider range of readers.

Bernadette was a fun character, some will say crazy, I will say eccentric at the highest level.  The summary states is best, she fits the role of the eyes of the beholder.  Bernadette with her daughter and husband live in a house that everyone else thinks is abandoned, and they are wealthy, but she is a brilliant designer so she is going to create the most amazing home right, sometime soon, it must be.  You have to read for the true laughable understanding. Her neighbours and parent association do not like her and she continues to despise them also, calling them gnats.  Is she infesting her own life or is the outside, or maybe she is just not dealing with a full deck, lol.

Bea is able to choose anything she wants after she Aced her report card and chose a vacation to the Antarctica. Her mom agreed but was having an internal melt down due to her lack of social skills.  She was researching the freezing unlivable part of Antarctica instead of the vacationing part and built up a paranoia which had you laughing and also feeling sorry for her.  The author did a fabulous job with Antarctica description.

Bernadette hired an online assistant, the suspense on where this relationship will end was jaw dropping funny. Yes, people can be so naive and stupid, I'm laughing just at the thought.  Bernadette goes missing and the search and pieces of the story all start coming together brilliantly.

Maria Semple uses a unique style to format her story; emails, letters, school notes,  detective notes, even bills to take us on the journey, there is no way you get caught up in the style because you are smiling, giggling and falling over yourself with laughter throughout the book.

Such a great read, I loved it and would highly recommend when you need a light hearty fun read.

This was a book club read and all 6 of us enjoyed it.

Do you give Authors second chances?

I just finished Where'd you go Bernadette by Maria Semple.  It is for a book club meet up in person next week.  I have only been once as a guest and they have invited me to join.  I was excited until I heard the book chosen, sigh.  I tried to read Maria Semple's first This One is Mine and it was a DNF, I could not get into it at all and it wasn't a mood issue.  Well..... talk about a comeback, I loved this one, look out for review this week.

So it got me thinking, I wonder if I should change my reading strategy and give authors a second chance.  If I try a new author to me, not necessarily a debut author and I DNF, I have never gave them another chance.  I have the point, far to many books, not enough hours and days to have considered this.  But now, I think I may just change my mind.  I felt obligated to read Where'd you go Bernadette and am so thankful, I haven't laughed at a book like I did in years, it was refreshing.

The strategy I have had is put the book down and come back to it later, usually at the end of the next book or even months later.  The success for this has been minimum, maybe 2 books and the successful ones, it was my mood that was the issue, not the writing, over description, unlikable characters, etc. but maybe the idea is to pick up another book by them all together and consider the first a write off should be my new strategy.

So do you give authors a second chance?

Out of these authors, which one do you recommend I give another chance?  These were DNF for me but I have considered trying again.

Audrey Niffenegger

I tortured myself at least 4 times trying with this one.  I did watch the movie and liked it, not great but ok.  So would you recommend I try her newest......

Liane Moriarty

I really tried the Husband's Secret and considered going back but i'm over it.  I fell for the hype and just can't go back to this one.  So which one would you recommend now?

Ellen Hopkins

Verse Novels became a simple pleasure, the YA I enjoyed and then Ellen Hopkins released an Adult one. I was excited for this one.   I didn't enjoy the characters, it just didn't work for me.

I did read Crank and thought it was ok, should I continue on?

I look forward to your opinions and strategies regarding giving authors a second chance.

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Review - Erotic Psychological Thriller Trilogy

Book Summary of Book 1, 2 and 3

Dr. Snow is one of New York's top sex therapists who sees everything and tries to deal with those with sex addictions or abuse.  She works in the Butterfield Institute which is the sanctuary where she tries to heal these battered souls.

Dr. Snow is an interesting main character, I enjoyed reading each book with a different story line to get engaged with.  The suspenseful part is how she always ends up knowing patient confidential information that will help the police in a murder investigation and ends up in danger.  Should she protect her patient or save others and ruin her reputation.

You can read all as stand alone's, but you do get to know 3 characters more throughout the trilogy.

Halo Effect - 3 1/2 - No Review

Prominent New York sex therapist Dr. Morgan Snow finds her life taking a dangerous turn when her client, a high-priced prostitute, gives her a manuscript vividly detailing all of the sexual favors and fantasies she has performed for the city's most powerful men, and then disappears.


Deliah Complex - 4 - My Review

The Scarlet Society is a secret club of twelve powerful and sexually adventurous women. But when a photograph of the body of one of the men they're recruited to dominate -- strapped to a gurney, the number 1 inked on the sole of his foot -- is sent to the New York Times, they are shocked and frightened. Unable to cope with the tragedy, the women turn to Dr. Morgan Snow. But what starts out as grief counseling quickly becomes a murder investigation, with any one of the twelve women a potential suspect.

The case leads Detective Noah Jordan -- a man with whom Morgan has shared a brief, intense connection -- to her office. He fears the number on the man's foot hints that the killings have just begun. With her hands tied by her professional duty, Morgan is dangerously close to the demons in her own mind -- and the flesh-and-blood killer.

My Review - Venus Fix 

4 Stars 

I love seeing the dynamics of counselor and patient and trying to figure out the why and how to assist them to heal or overcome their addictions.  If I was to start my career again, I would study to be a sex counselor. Morgan Snow's newest patient is a powerful, influential man who is secretly addicted to watching porn online. We know he is not the murderer but all the evidence points to him, so who is the murderer.  I love how this ended, great suspense with perfect answer to the end.

She's also working with a group of high schoolers, all is confidential if the teenagers come to the sessions and try to restrain from their obsession with real life sex fantasies online.  One is keeping a huge secret which is unbelievable when it is revealed and so scary when thinking about the things teenagers think about and do to get noticed, scary.

There are women online who are fulfilling sex fantasies and then they start getting sick and dying in front of thousands of viewers.  The police start to get phone calls from all over the states but in the end they end up being traced to a New York company and Dr. Snow has access to the answers without realising.

She now has to decide does she keep her patients secrets as part of the counselor patient confidentiality clause or does she relate the information to her lover who happens to be the one investigating the murders. This of course also adds personal tensions between the two.

These books are labeled Erotic Psychological Thrillers but I don't consider them to be erotica, it is sex related issues.  I found this trilogy to be sexy, thrilling, addicting and all with great endings.  Recommended, I give the full trilogy 4 stars.

Have any of you read In Session - do you recommend?

Monday - What are you reading?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2014 Wishlist.

I am currently reading

Book Summary - I love Samantha Hayes, she is a go to author for me.

Oh God, please don't let me die.

It has taken nearly two years for the Warwickshire village of Radcote to put a spate of teenage suicides behind it.

Then a young man is killed in a freak motorbike accident, and a suicide note is found among his belongings. A second homeless boy takes his own life, this time on the railway tracks.

Is history about to repeat itself?

DI Lorraine Fisher has just arrived for a relaxing summer break with her sister. Soon she finds herself caught up in the resulting police enquiry. And when her nephew disappears she knows she must act quickly.

Are the recent deaths suicide - or murder?

And is the nightmare beginning again?

I just completed, review coming up.  This is the 3rd in a trilogy I really enjoyed.

I reviewed but didn't enjoy

I have been invited to a Book Club and the choice is......

I am a little scared, her debut book was a DNF for me, sigh

Review - Desperate by Daniel Palmer

Book Summary from Amazon

Gage Dekker still blames himself for the car accident that claimed the lives of his first wife and young son. Then he meets Anna, who understands grief all too well. Within a year, Gage and Anna are married, his career is thriving, and both feel ready to become parents once more.

After a heartbreaking miscarriage, they begin the long adoption process, until fate brings Lily into their lives. Young, pregnant, and homeless, Lily agrees to give her baby to Gage and Anna in exchange for financial support. It's the perfect arrangement for everyone. Seeing his wife's happiness and optimism for their new life and child, Gage begins to feel a sense of hope he thought he'd lost forever.

But something isn't right once Lily enters their lives. At work and at home, Gage is being sabotaged, first in subtle ways, then things take a more sinister turn. Every attempt he makes to uncover the truth only drives a wedge between him and Anna. Even as he's propelled toward an unthinkable choice to save his marriage and his job, Gage discovers that the most chilling revelations are still to come. . .

Published - April 2014

My Review - 2

I received this review request and pushed my way through it.  I have always said torturing yourself through a book is not worth it but I feel I have to complete review requests.  This was more family drama then a thriller, but it was sold as a Domestic Thriller. If you enjoy con artists stories it may be worth a try.  The writing was not the problem other than to much detail at times, but that is a detail and style I don't enjoy.  The book overall was unbelievable to me, the whole story.  I would have gave up initially at approx 25%.  Once I got 50% I skimmed the rest, reading all dialogue right until the end, I was desperate to finish after giving this book 2 weeks of my life.

I cannot believe someone loves anyone enough to be completely naive and dumb. I wasn't a Gone Girl fan either, maybe fans of that one will enjoy this.  Gage and Anna who are married and decide to adopt directly, they find Lily and start the process, which was the beginning of the end.  

I am going to accept some of the story line due to Gage grieving his loss of wife and child and using prescription drugs to live life, unknown to his new wife.  I was unable to suspend belief enough to enjoy this book.  I am shocked with the amazon 5 stars for this book, thrilling...... not at all.  If you try it and are enjoying the story you will enjoy how it comes together at the end.  

I appreciate all review requests and would like to thank Kaye Publicity, Inc.

What do you find harder - Not finishing a review requests or not enjoying them and having to give an honest review?

Both are hard for me.  Not finishing, I feel like I let the author and publisher down without real feedback.  Not enjoying them is the torture part for me.  I try to give honest feedback without being cruel and in this case he has already received many 5 stars.

What are you reading - some personal

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2014 Wishlist.

I am currently reading - I am finding it hard to get into this one but will stick to it as it is a review request.  More of a family drama than the thriller yet.

I am also reading - a personal one for me and so helpful already.

My ARC review - 5 stars - love Heather Gudenkauf

Some of you may remember......  My tenants officially moved out on Saturday, yaaaay.  We are waiting for our furniture, hoping to move in July.

I did a countdown post about inspiration for my bookshelf here.

ARC Review - Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf

Book Summary from NetGalley

Veteran social worker Ellen Moore has seen the worst side of humanity—the vilest acts one person can commit against another. She is a fiercely dedicated children's advocate and a devoted mother and wife. But one blistering summer day, a simple moment of distraction will have repercussions that Ellen could never have imagined, threatening to shatter everything she holds dear, and trapping her between the gears of the system she works for.

Meanwhile, ten-year-old Jenny Briard has been living with her well-meaning but irresponsible father since her mother left them, sleeping on friends' couches and moving in and out of cheap motels. When Jenny suddenly finds herself on her own, she is forced to survive with nothing but a few dollars and her street smarts. The last thing she wants is a social worker, but when Ellen's and Jenny's lives collide, little do they know just how much they can help one another.

Release date - June 2014

My Review - 5

Heather Gudenkauf is a go to author when she releases a new book.  I loved her debut The Weight of Silence and loved this one just  as much.  Her writing style grabs you with a genuine embrace.  The emotional hold had me sitting on the edge of my seat.

There were two stories going on which started to intertwine and both took hold of me without competing but adding to the mystery and outcome of both.  One of the main things I enjoy about Heather G's books is I begin to love all the characters in some way, she makes you care and get completely engrossed with them and the story.  Sometimes when more then one story line is going on, I am involved with one not always caring for the other but with Ellen and Jenny each chapter rotating had me begging for more, this is a want to read in one sitting novel.

Ellen has three beautiful children with her husband and has a career as a social worker where she takes children away from their parents in order to protect them.  She deals with the tragedies of life that many of us hope never to have to.  Then her whole life stops when the tables are turned and she is dealing with the unknown to her, the life the abusers have put her victims through.

Jenny is a survivor of abuse, living with a loving but irresponsible dad.  She witnesses difficulty and ends up all alone after an 8 hour bus drive.  She meets Maudene who becomes her glimmer of hope, her Ma but as a survivor of abuse, she doesn't know who to trust and lies often without knowing there are still wonderful in the world to help.

This is a novel of compassion and love.  Heather Gudenkaur has a lyrical style that I find unique, beautiful writing.

Favourite Quote - please note ARC

Jenny also wanted to tell her father, but wasn't quite sure how to put it into words, that the very worst kind of hurt was the kind that wasn't there yet, but you knew was slowly creeping toward you.  Kindle at 11%

My Reviews of Heather Gudenkauf's other books

Little Lies

These Things Hidden 

The Weight of Silence 

Happy Monday - What are you reading?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2014 Wishlist.

It is Monday again but i'm going to be HAPPY :-)

How many of you love Pharrell's Happy song?  It is the addictive pick me up in my household.  It is currently getting me through the pre-Monday Blues hahaha

I'm currently reading - have you heard of Brian Freeman?  He is new to me but my Goodreads group, Good Thriller have highly recommended him.

I just finished and loved Little Mercies - review up on Wednesday

I reviewed Now You See Me - 4 star, my review

I also reviewed- 4 star I've Got Me Under Your Skin

A favourite 5 star Thriller from April, My Review

I hope everyone had a great weekend and Mothers Day

Review - Now You See Me by S. J. Bolton

Book Summary from Amazon

One night after interviewing a reluctant witness at a London apartment complex, Lacey Flint, a young detective constable, stumbles onto a woman brutally stabbed just moments before in the building’s darkened parking lot. Within twenty-four hours a reporter receives an anonymous letter that points out alarming similarities between the murder and Jack the Ripper’s first murder—a letter that calls out Lacey by name. If it’s real, and they have a killer bent on re-creating London’s bloody past, history shows they have just five days until the next attempt.

No one believes the connections are anything more than a sadistic killer’s game, not even Lacey, whom the killer seems to be taunting specifically. However, as they investigate the details of the case start reminding her more and more of a part of her past she’d rather keep hidden. And the only way to do that is to catch the killer herself.

Published - June 2011

My Review - 4 

This is my first S. J. Bolton and definitely won't be my last, she has a masterful imagination which gives her the edge of being a successful unique author in the Thriller genre.  Now You See Me reminded me of so many favourite books and authors - Bone Collector would be the most similar including an amazing psychological thriller spin.

DI Lacey Flint becomes directly involved as a woman stumbles into her bloody and dies in her hands within seconds.  She is unable to officially be a part of the investigation as she is now involved, possibly even an accomplice.  Then the letter comes in calling Lacey by name. The why, when, where investigation starts and the similarity to the Jack the Ripper murders.  I enjoyed the history of Jack the Ripper which made me want to read about it but I do think it was a bit overboard.  The murders were set in London and with perfect distinction, S. J. Bolton helped the reader to picture and have a great feel for London while continuing the dark mystery.

What was amazing was at half way, they caught the murderer, or so they thought, the book was brilliant but now it became interesting and highly entertaining, edge of your seat, blow your mind brilliance.  S. J. Bolton was now showing her talent, love the imagination and story line she takes you on.

Lacey Flints obsession with Jack the Ripper help her to share knowledge with the investigators. With every murder, lots of bloodshed they feel closer to figuring it out but also become obsessed which is all part of the game, they completely fell for it. 'An early fascination with serial killers,' I replied... I'd been intrigued by violent crime and its perpetrators for as long as I could remember...  'Sadistic, psychopathic predators specifically.'  There was one Detective that had Lacey has the murderer or accomplice, she did have a dark secret but was she withholding critical information, it did seem like the case was all about her.

There was a lot going on in this book, I enjoyed it for the most part and it helped with numerous twists but I just didn't like Lacey, she did not fit the expected Police Officer mold.  This was dealt with though but can't say I bought it, if she was older yes, but she is young and system should have been better than it was.

The ending, oh my, brilliant, even though you have some figured it, this is a Thriller you will never be able to have it all right as S. J. Bolton will take you on a mind blowing journey.  A great book hangover at the end as it was intricate, complicated and will have you reading into the night.

Can you recommend what book to read for Jack the Ripper crimes please?

Review - I've Got You Under My Skin by Mary Higgins Clark

Book Summary from Amazon

When Laurie Moran's husband was brutally murdered, only three-year-old Timmy saw the face of his father's killer.  Five years later his piercing blue eyes still haunt Timmy's dreams.  Laurie is haunted by more - the killer's threat to her son as he fled the scene:  "Tell your mother she's next, then it's your turn..."

Now Laurie is dealing with murder again, this time as the producer of a true-crime, cold-case television show.  The series will launch with the twenty-year-old unsolved murder of Betsy Powell.  Betsy, a socialite, was found suffocated in her bed after a gala celebrating the graduation of her daughter and three friends.  The sensational murder was news nationwide.  Reopening the case in its lavish setting and with the cooperation of the surviving guests that night, Laurie is sure to have a hit on her hands.  But when the estranged friends begin filming, it becomes clear each is hiding secrets... small and large.

And a pair of blue eyes is watching events unfold, too....

Published - April 2014

My Review - 4

I love Mary Higgins Clark, her books turned me into a Mystery lover, so I am a fan for life.  As I was reading this one it reminded me of another book, Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot's Christmas, which I highly recommend.

A daughters mother is murdered during a Graduate Gala for her and four friends.  They live for 20 years as suspects as the murder was not solved.  All coming together to clear their name.

Laurie, a TV producer has an idea to do a reality show, Unsolved Crimes and bring everyone together to reenact parts of the weekend.  All of them had reasons to dislike the mother, Betsy, and were hiding secrets that can pinpoint them as the murderer but was have to figure out who.

I was able to figure out the murderer, it was fun to be right but I do prefer to be surprised.

There was an underlying mystery also going on.  Laurie's husband was murdered in front of their 3 year old boy and he remembered him as "Blue Eyes killed my dad".  Blue Eyes told the child your mom is next and then you.  They lived in fear and Blue Eyes has decided to use the reality show filming as his next strike on the family.

I enjoyed this one, not as intricate as others and details repeated but the last 30% I was on the edge of my seat and read late into the night for the ending.  I love the games and blackmailing going on with the genuine hate instead of grieving, this made the story entertaining.