#NetGalley #Book #Review The Homecoming by Andrew Pyper ( @andrewpyper ) #Mystery #Thriller #Psychological

 

Review

The Homecoming

by Andrew Pyper

Release date: February 26th, 2019

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Homecoming by Andrew Pyper via NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada in order to read and give an honest review.

… this book is clever, complex and thrilling…taking the reader on a rollercoaster ride fraught with psychological twists and turns…

Already a fan of Andrew Pyper’s work I was thrilled to be afforded the opportunity to read and review his latest book The Homecoming.  Like most of his novels, this book is clever, complex and thrilling…taking the reader on a rollercoaster ride fraught with psychological twists and turns.

When Ray Quinlan dies his family is summoned to the Pacific west coast to attend Belfountain, a secluded rainforest estate to discuss his last will and testament. Ray’s widow, son Aaron and two daughters, Franny and Bridge. Delivered by limos they are dropped off and forced to surrender their cellphones.  It is explained to them their eccentric father left them an extortionate sum of money, but there is a catch. They must spend thirty days at Belfountain without phones, television, the internet, food delivery drop off and absolutely no contact from the outside world.

As always, Pyper excels at crafting brilliant psychological and incredibly creative plotlines but also does an outstanding job creating unique and cleverly multifaceted characters. Each character is so well written he manages to create an incredibly realistic and dysfunctional Quinlan family, each battling their own demons and coping with painful, traumatic pasts.

When another set of limos deposits four more mysterious individuals Belfountain is thrown into chaos unleashing family secrets, challenging family loyalty and causing the estate to become deadly prison.

This book is so unique, unlike any other book I have read, which, being an avid reader is a rarity for me! Another great read from Andrew Pyper that definitely won’t disappoint!

 

#BookReview of Owl and the Tiger Thieves (The Adventures of Owl #4) by Kristi Charish (@kristicharish) via #NetGalley #Urban Fantasy

 

Review

 Owl and the Tiger Thieves

(The Adventures of Owl #4)

by Kristi Charish

Release date: May 8th, 2018

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of  Owl and the Tiger Thieves (The Adventures of Owl #4) by Kristi Charish from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada in order to read and give an honest review.

4.5 Stars…multifaceted characters, fantastic worldbuilding, action-packed plot with twists and turns… 

Being a fan of Kristi Charish’s The Adventure of Owl series, I can say this fourth instalment doesn’t disappoint. The Owl series is best described as Indiana Jane but with a paranormal/urban fantasy twist.

Owl aka Alix Hiboux our illustrious anti-hero, antiquities thief, and ex-archaeologist begins a new mission, to rescue her possessed boyfriend Rynn after the events of the last book. The only way Owl can accomplish this is to collect medallions to enlist the assistance of the Tiger Thieves. She also gets the unwelcome assistance of Rynn’s cousin and antagonist through the series, Artemis. In previous books, I loathed Artemis but oddly enough found myself actually…liking him? Charish has done a fantastic job helping her characters evolve, even Artemis which I really didn’t see happening.

This book opens with Owl’s self-imposed imprisonment in St. Albinus of Angers, an ancient pirate jail, then sends her on a quest to Venice where we meet an undead DaVinci. In Venice, she not only picks up a medallion, but an ancient weapon built by DaVinci thought to steal supernatural power.  We then travel to deserts and jungles while trying to find the other medallions.  Along the journey, she is being hunted by a new enemy, one who she loves, Rynn. A possessed Rynn is out for blood, Alix’s, and will stop at nothing to get it.

This instalment is true to form and everything we expect from Kristi Charish, multifaceted characters, fantastic worldbuilding, action-packed plot with twists and turns which leaves us with an unexpected twist at the end.

Urban fantasy and archaeology, two of my favourite things in one series and Owl & the Tiger Thieves is a fantastic entry that I would definitely recommend!

#BookReview of Motherland (Captain Natalya Ivanova #1) by G. D. Abson (@garry_abson) via #NetGalley #Thriller

 

Review

Motherland

(Captain Natalya Ivanova #1)

by G. D. Abson

Release date: April 26th, 2018

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of Motherland (Captain Natalya Ivanova #1) by G. D. Abson from NetGalley and Mirror Books in order to read and give an honest review.

“Incredible characters, intriguing plot and oh, so clever…”

First in a new series by author G.D. Abson, this thriller is the start of something very promising. Fast-paced and gritty, Motherland hooks the reader early on forcing them to hold on for dear life through the twists and turns of this brilliant story.  

Set in modern-day St. Petersburg, Captain Natalya Ivanova of the Criminal Investigations Directorate investigates the disappearance of Zena Dahl, the adopted daughter of Swedish billionaire Thorsen Dahl. As lead investigator Natalya faces one obstacle after another trying to find Zena before it’s too late. When a body is found the kidnapping turns into a homicide investigation and someone wielding a great deal of power will do anything to keep her from finding the truth.  Natalya has to fight it all: political intrigue, corruption, misogyny, marital issues, threats to her family, false accusations, betrayal from those she trusts, mobsters and threats from the FSB (formerly KGB) all to piece together what happened to Zena.  

Abson’s ability to create very real multifaceted characters is brilliant. Natalya, the protagonist, in my opinion, is well written, she is portrayed as down to earth, intelligent, strong, honest, yet flawed and comes across as very real. Married to her co-worker Mikhail, they live a believable family life with her step-son Anton. Through marital strife and threats to her family, she handles it with courage, conviction and a touch of humor. For me, almost every character comes to life on the page, the good, the bad and the well…disgusting.  

Incredible characters, intriguing plot, and a twist at the end that was truly unexpected. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to future books in the Captain Natalya Ivanova series.  If you are looking for a clever fast-paced thriller, I would highly recommend reading Motherland.  

#Book #Review of The Passion of Cleopatra (Ramses the Damned #2) by Anne Rice & Christopher Rice #Horror #Sci Fi & #Fantasy

 

Review

The Passion of Cleopatra (Ramses the Damned #2)

by Anne Rice & Christopher Rice

Release date: November 21st, 2017

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Passion of Cleopatra (Ramses the Damned #2) by Anne Rice & Christopher Rice from NetGalley in order to read and give an honest review.

I read the first book, The Mummy (Ramses the Damned) about twenty years ago and was surprised to find out about a sequel.  Although I chose not to reread The Mummy, The Passion of Cleopatra works well as a stand-alone which is saying a great deal about the authors’ abilities to craft an engaging series.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Passion of Cleopatra (Ramses the Damned #2), it did take me a while to get into, however, after a few chapters it grabbed me and I devoured it in a day. Although there seemed to be quite a few characters, I feel they all added to the story and it slowly unfolded into an amazing adventure that kept me turning the pages.  Multiple intertwining plotlines run throughout the book and join at the end for a thrilling and very satisfying conclusion.

The story opens in Jericho 3600 B.C.E. then jumps everywhere from Cairo in 1914 to Edwardian England. Not to give too much away, the story’s focus is on the consequences that arise as a result of a magical elixir which grants immortality. The main plotlines all have this elixir at their core, albeit for different reasons.  Although there are quite a few characters, they are all unique and dynamic, each helping to drive the plot along. Reginald Ramsey also known as, Ramses the Great and his fiancé Julie, are involved in a life or death battle after Ramses uses the elixir to raise his former lover, an already dead and mummified Cleopatra.   What extended the life of both Ramses and Julie reacts very differently on the already deceased Cleopatra, especially when her soul has passed on to another…which, we get glimpses of in another plotline. The author also gives us a battle between two very ancient powers, one the originator of the elixir and her nemesis who holds a corrupt version but ruthlessly hunts for the original formula in order to create a kingdom of immortals.

All in all, this book was a great read and I would definitely recommend it.  I really enjoyed the collaboration between Anne Rice and her son Christopher and I hope to see book three in the not too distant future.

Review of The Devil’s Wedding Ring by Vidar Sundstøl via @UMinnPress ‏

 

Review

The Devil’s Wedding Ring

by Vidar Sundstøl

Release date: September 26th, 2017

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Devil’s Wedding Ring from NetGalley & University of Minnesota Press in order to read and give an honest review.

I’m a huge fan of Nordic Noir and The Devil’s Wedding Ring by Vidar Sundstøl is a perfect example. Dark, edgy and brilliantly plotted, this novel captures your attention and holds it through to its very satisfying conclusion.

When Knut Abrahamson, a Police Officer is found a victim of apparent suicide, his former partner Max Fjellanger returns from the US to pay his respects but finds that all is not what it seems. Max, now a private investigator in Florida, doesn’t believe Knut would choose to end his life especially when the pieces surrounding his death don’t seem to fit. Thirty years ago the last case Knut and Max investigated, the mysterious disappearance of Peter Schram, a case that would drive Max from the force and still seems to still weigh heavily on Max’s soul. In 1985, Schram a folklore researcher writing about Pagan rituals and the Stave Church in Eidsborg disappears without a trace on Midsummer Eve, an important date in Pagan culture.  The Stave Church is a tourist stop, although a Christian Church today was notorious for its Pagan history and rumours of a ghostly Monk who walks the grounds. The case of Schram’s disappearance remained unsolved but when Knut’s death looks like it is possibly related to the disappearance of a young grad student, Cecilie Weiborg as well as Schram, a shocking mystery begins to unravel. With the help of a quirky young librarian and mystery buff,  Tirill Vesterli, Max sets out to solve the mystery but not before putting his and Tirill’s life in danger.

This story has it all, mystery, murder, Norse myths and the mysterious ghostly Monk. Vidar Sundstøl ( Translated by Tiina Nunnally)  has written a story that is fast paced, well written and contains multi faceted characters. It has that great atmosphere that is indicative of Nordic Noir.  I would definitely recommend this read to anyone looking for an exciting Nordic Noir thriller that perfectly blends murder and mythology.

Review of Two Nights by Kathy Reichs

 

Review

Two Nights

by Kathy Reichs

Release date: July 11th, 2017

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of Two Nights by Kathy Reichs from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada in order to read and give an honest review.

Kathy Reichs, famous for her Temperance Brennan, Forensic Anthropologist series has created a new stand-alone book; “Two Nights” a huge departure from her previous books.  The protagonist in “Two Nights” is Sunday “Sunnie” Night, a former soldier and police officer who, after being injured in the line of duty, has decided to start a new life for herself, isolated from others.  When Sunnie gets called upon by her old friend and mentor Beau to help locate a missing teenager, she is about to embark on a journey she didn’t expect.

Beau introduces Sunnie to elderly socialite Opaline Drucker who hires Sunnie to locate her granddaughter Stella. Stella was kidnapped after her mother and brother were both killed in a terrorist bombing and no one is sure whether she is still alive. Although hesitant Sunnie reluctantly leaves her isolated island home to rescue Stella and travels to Chicago to follow her trail.  The more Sunnie discovers about Stella’s situation the more it stirs up trauma she thought she buried years ago and she makes it her mission to rescue her at all costs. After several close calls and a race against time, Sunnie enlists the help of Gus, one of the few she can trust and ends up placing them both in peril.

I really enjoyed Two Nights, it is an action-packed, engaging, fast-paced thriller that won’t disappoint.  Sunnie is a multi-faceted character who carries a lot of baggage with much to overcome, yet is strong, sassy and sarcastic.  Although it took me a while to warm up to her by the end I found myself rooting for Sunnie. This book was a brave departure from Reichs’s usual novels in both story and style and I really do hope Reichs continues to share Sunnie’s story.

My recommendation to fans new and old to go into this with an open mind, you won’t be disappointed.

Call Sign: Wrecking Crew Storm Warning & U.S. Armed Forces Week 2017 ( @CSWCLynn )

Synopsis: A team of CIA Special Operators, known by their call sign: Wrecking Crew, were assigned a special overseas mission that did not go as planned. Before they even arrived back to the Forward Operating Base, they had become disavowed. The active duty military assigned to that region were wary of this group. However, once they saw them in action, things began to change.

Dedication and appreciation: David McKoy and Lynn Hallbrooks are military veterans. They appreciate not only fellow veterans but those who are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Because of that and the interaction of team Wrecking Crew with active duty forces in Call Sign: Wrecking Crew Storm Warning, they have put the book on sale for only 99 cents USD throughout U.S. Armed Forces week. It is available to all Amazon marketplaces and can be accessed via this link: myBook.to/CSWCSW