About Book:

A whip-smart, hysterical dramedy about a family in crisis after the disappearance of its brilliant, misanthropic matriarch.

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 mother and daughter’s role in an absurd world.

About Author:

Maria Semple wrote for the television shows Arrested Development, Ellen and Mad About You. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker and The Los Angeles Times. She lives in Seattle.

• Paperback:352 pages
• Publisher:Back Bay Books; Reprint edition (April 2, 2013)

My Review:

I heard so much about this book and really looking forward in reading and to learn that they were making a movie about it although I really enjoyed this book – even though it wasn’t remotely what I was expecting. Told through a series of narrators, with emails, letters, and texts, this is a tightly-woven contemporary epistolary novel. Chapters were long and seemed to drag.  There’s also basically no closure. It ends with a letter sent before the final event in the book and so the reader learns nothing about what actually happens just what that character hoped for   I have seen some of the reviews on this. And they were 5 stars; I maybe the only one that is giving it 3 stars; like I said I enjoyed it, but it just wasn’t my style. There was a long waiting list at my local library to read it, I was at the point that I was going to purchase it through my kindle account, I am so glad that it came available through my library and I didn’t have to waste my money in buying it.

Good Morning my book followers here it April 8, 2019 and I have ready a few books, and now on to my reviews of them.  I have some scheduled for later posts on this book review blog; but I just had to post this review.  This was a awesome read.  And this is one Author that I will be following and looking for more from him, as this was his first book.

If you want a good read check out this book.

Happy reading everyone.

About Book:

The instant #1 New York Times bestseller

“An unforgettable―and Hollywood-bound―new thriller… A mix of Hitchcockian suspense, Agatha Christie plotting, and Greek tragedy.”
―Entertainment Weekly

The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband―and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive.

Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.

Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.

Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations―a search for the truth that threatens to consume him….

About Author:

Alex Michaelides was born in Cyprus to a Greek-Cypriot father and English mother. He has a MA in English Literature from Cambridge University and a MFA in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. The Silent Patient is his first novel.

• Hardcover:  336 pages
• Publisher:  Celadon Books (February 5, 2019)

My Review:

Whoa! This was brilliant!

After hearing about this book I knew I had to read it, I had to wait for it to be available from my Library.  I had finally received the email that the book was available for download.  Oh I was so excited,  And I must say it was worth the wait.

Alicia Berenson seemed to have it all. She’s a successful painter and her husband, Gabriel, is a famous fashion photographer.  But what lead her to end it all by shooting her husband 5 times in the face and then never speaking again.  But Theo is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited for a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia and to learn the truth.

Alex Michaelides is an author to watch! This is his first novel, and it is a humdinger! It is a murder mystery, told from the point of view of a psychotherapist who switches jobs so he can try to help Alicia, the silent patient of the title.   This was an awesome book, one that I could not but down as I wanted to learn the reason of Alicia not speaking.

 Good Reads

About Book:

Amelia O’Sullivan is a photographer who has always viewed herself through the wrong lens. When her marriage publicly crashes around her, she flees to the safety of her aunt’s country property to pick up the pieces. Can she adjust her focus to what she really wants from her life?

Born into a wealthy and powerful family, Frederick Doyle may seem like a man who has it all, but behind the scenes, a bitter business feud threatens an irrevocable family split. As he fights for control of the winery he’d built from the ground up, he finds a supportive ally in Amelia and becomes increasingly beguiled by her creative spirit.

Jill McMahon is a successful novelist suffering from writer’s block over her latest manuscript. Finding her niece, Amelia, at her door, reminds her of the bonds of family, but in seeing Amelia and Frederick’s relationship grow, a long-forgotten and painful secret threatens to re-surface.

Can Amelia, Frederick and Jill untangle themselves from their pasts or will history simply repeat itself?

About Author:

Megan Mayfair is an Australian writer who writes women’s fiction with a dash of family intrigue, a sprinkling of humour and a spoonful of romance. Megan lives in Melbourne with her husband and three children, loves a good cup of coffee and believes you can never have too many scarves. Her debut novel, The Things We Leave Unsaid, is published by Crooked Cat Books. Her second novel, Tangled Vines, and third novel, The Problem with Perfect were also published by Crooked Cat Books in 2018 and 2019.

• Print Length:279 pages
• Publisher:Crooked Cat Books (December 3, 2018)
• Publication Date:December 3, 2018

My Review:

I am grateful to The Fiction Café – Review Group and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.
This is the first that I have read anything by this author, I normally don’t read romance novels, but this one had a twist with family saga.  There are three main characters in this Australian drama story: Jill McMahon is an author and the person who links everyone else in the story. Her niece is Amelia O’Sullivan who seeks sanctuary for herself and her two young children with her aunt after her infamous husband is caught cheating on her and the press descend. Jill’s neighbor is Frederick Doyle; he’s embroiled in a family dispute as his father is determined to sell the winery Frederick has built up to someone he doesn’t trust despite knowing how important it is to Frederick. His father is determined to have his son join the family business . . . .

I really enjoyed reading and learning more about the characters.  I  Highly recommend this book the author kept my interest until the very end.

I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author in future!

Website  Twitter

Happy Reading everyone.

About Book:

Lyn, Cat, and Gemma Kettle, beautiful thirty-three-year-old triplets, seem to attract attention everywhere they go. Whenever they’re together, laughter, drama, and mayhem seem to follow. But apart, each is very much her own woman, dealing with her own share of ups and downs. Lyn has organized her life into one big checklist, juggling the many balls of work, marriage, and motherhood with expert precision, but is she as together as her datebook would have her seem? Cat has just learned a startling secret about her marriage — can she bring another life into her very precarious world? And can free-spirited Gemma, who bolts every time a relationship hits the six-month mark, ever hope to find lasting love? In this wise, witty, hilarious new novel, we follow the Kettle sisters through their thirty-third-year, as they struggle to survive their divorced parents’ dating each other, their technologically savvy grandmother, a cheating husband, champagne hangovers, and the fabulous, frustrating.

About Author:

Liane Moriarty is the Australian author of six internationally best-selling novels, Three Wishes, The Last Anniversary, What Alice Forgot, The Hypnotist’s Love Story and the number 1 New York Times bestsellers, The Husband’s Secret and Big Little Lies.

Her breakout novel The Husband’s Secret sold over three million copies worldwide, was a number 1 UK bestseller, an Amazon Best Book of 2013 and has been translated into over 40 languages. It spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list. CBS Films has acquired the film rights.

With the launch of Big Little Lies, Liane became the first Australian author to have a novel debut at number one on the New York Times bestseller list. An HBO series based on Big Little Lies is currently in production, starring Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon.

Writing as L.M. Moriarty, Liane has also written a children’s book series, The Petrifying Problem with Princess Petronella, The Shocking Trouble on the Planet of Shobble and The Wicked War on the Planet of Whimsy.

Liane lives in Sydney with her husband, son and daughter. Her new novel, Truly Madly Guilty, will be released in July 2016.

• Paperback:376 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (May 24, 2005)

My Review:

Definitely not my favorite Liane Moriarty.  I had a hard time getting into this book. Usually, I enjoy this author. The three sisters are a bit complicated and the story was hard to follow in the beginning. These sisters have a strange way of getting along.  I wish I could give this more than 3 stars.

 Website

About Book:

About Book

A three-time winner of Goodreads Choice Awards

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

About Author:

Angie Thomas was born, raised, and still resides in Jackson, Mississippi as indicated by her accent. She is a former teen rapper whose greatest accomplishment was an article about her in Right-On Magazine with a picture included. She holds a BFA in Creative Writing from Belhaven University and an unofficial degree in Hip Hop. She can also still rap if needed. She is an inaugural winner of the Walter Dean Meyers Grant 2015, awarded by We Need Diverse Books. Her debut novel, The Hate U Give, was acquired by Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins in a 13-house auction and will be published in spring 2017. Film rights have been optioned by Fox 2000 with George Tillman attached to direct and Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg set to star.

• Hardcover:464 pages
• Publisher:Balzer + Bray; First Edition Later Printing edition (February 28, 2017)

My Review:

Wow…just wow!  Powerful Book. I am still trying to process this book; but in today’s society this is an everyday problem.  I highly recommend this book.  And if you have the chance rent the movie of this; it’s an awesome movie. 

Website Twitter

Hello all of my book followers, can you believe that March is just about over and April will be here before we know it.  I am so behind in writing my reviews for this year thank goodness for my journal of books a place I write notes of what books I have read, although my Goodreads book challenge is now moving right along, I have read 18 books so far my goal is 50 leaving me with 32 more to go.  And now on to my review.

About Book:

The woman’s limbs were so thin; the skin on her arms as translucent as tracing paper. Around her neck lay a faint string of purple bruises. In one so frail, darker, angrier marks might be expected but Beth knew the bruising would have stopped the moment her heart stopped beating.

When a hiker finds the body of a woman by the shores of Lake Ullswater, the police are put on high alert. Felicia Evans was known to be a tough character, but who would have strangled her?

Detective Beth Young quickly spots the links to three cold cases. Three women strangled and discarded in the stunning, wild hills of the Lake District.

As Beth begins tracking down witnesses, the team receives an anonymous letter claiming the charming mayor of Carlisle is behind the murders. There’s pressure from the top to clear his name. But Beth is determined to find the truth no matter whose feathers she ruffles in the process.

Beth knows the clock is ticking. The killer is hunting again. And it’s down to her to find who’s responsible before another woman becomes his prey…

About Author:

Graham Smith is the author of the highly anticipated The Darling Dead which features a dynamic female lead in DC Beth Young.

He is also the bestselling author of two explosive crime thrillers in the Jake Boulder series, Watching the Bodies and The Kindred Killers. Watching the Bodies spent over two weeks at number one in the Amazon UK chart and Amazon CA charts. Graham is also the author of the popular DI Harry Evans series and has collections of short stories and novellas.

• Print Length:  372 pages
• Publisher:  Bookouture (March 15, 2019)
• Publication Date:  March 15, 2019

My Review:

I am grateful to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.
An interesting read.

This is the first that I have read anything from this author and I didn’t know that there was a first book in this series, but I have to say I didn’t need the first book, the story was well written and I felt like I knew the characters.  A Body in the Lakes is the second book in the Detective Beth Young series by Graham Smith Beth is the newest member of the Force Major Investigation Team and once again she is a force to be reckoned with and this second installment to the series shows why she is such a great asset to the team.  I really enjoyed this book from the start to finish, and at times I had to tell myself that’s it, but no on to the next chapter.  I definitely am going to look for more books from this author, and in hopes that there will be another to this one.  Love his style of writing, he knows how to keep the reader wondering.  I am giving this 5 stars.

Happy reading all of my book followers.

About Book:

Miguel Sanchez is a talented and dynamic attorney who has earned a reputation as a passionate crusader for immigration rights. His charisma and his accomplishments have made him a media darling and paved the way for his explosion onto the national political scene. But he is not who he purports to be. He is the nation’s most high-profile illegal immigrant, a secret known to almost no one other than his shadowy handlers. Together, they have an agenda – punish America for its past sins and undermine this country’s prosperity and way of life. Since childhood, Sanchez has been conditioned to believe in that cause and to do whatever it takes to see that mission through. Now he is on the cusp of acquiring the power to do exactly that.

Bobby Rivera is the son of Mexican parents who raised him in South Texas, where they were employed under temporary work visas. Although he grew up living in constant fear of the government and deportation, he loves America and the opportunities it has afforded him. He and Miguel share a past – a close friendship as teenagers that was marred by tragedy and dark secrets as well as Miguel’s sudden and unexplained disappearance.

Bobby’s peaceful life as a funeral director in San Antonio is thrown into turmoil when Miguel unexpectedly reenters his life. Bobby realizes that he is the only person outside Miguel’s circle who knows Miguel’s secret and his hidden agenda. Bobby’s loyalty to his old friend conflicts with his loyalty to his country, not to mention his conscience. Will this young man who has spent his entire life looking over his shoulder and running from trouble have the courage to confront it head-on? How far will Miguel go to protect his dark secret? Will the life of fame, fortune and accomplishment Miguel has achieved change his heart and cause him to embrace rather than attack his adoptive country?

The Wall is an intelligent, fast-paced thriller that combines page-turning suspense with a thought-provoking exploration of one of the most controversial, sensitive and far-reaching issues of our time – immigration. It examines the opportunities, fears and challenges of recent immigrants and their children. It portrays the changing complexion of America in a way that is sensitive and hopeful. It contrasts life on opposite sides of the border wall, but more importantly, it vividly depicts the walls that exist in the minds and hearts of those trying to assimilate and those who resist.

About Author:

Joseph Hayes is a native of Chicago, and grew up on the City’s South Side. He and his wife Susan left there in the 1980s in search of sunshine and warmer weather. They found both, and now split their time between The Woodlands, Texas and La Jolla, California.

After obtaining his law degree from Berkeley, Hayes practiced law in Chicago, San Diego and Houston. He also served for many years as the chief ethics officer for a Fortune 1000 company. He now focuses on his writing, specializing in novels that combine page-turning suspense, compelling characters and a thought-provoking exploration of issues that matter — both timely and timeless.

His latest work, The Wall, was released in October of 2018.

• Print Length:  398 pages
• Publisher:  Shadowpoint Publishing; 1 edition (October 9, 2018)
• Publication Date:  October 9, 2018

My Review:

I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.
This is the first time I have ready anything by this author and I must say it was a great read.

Made me think of what’s going on with our country and the Government this novel hits very close to current events happening right now in the government.

Miguel Sanchez is an immigration attorney who wins a case before the Supreme Court on immigration. His background is rather unusual. Twenty years ago he was a different young man. This story takes you on the changes in his life and his friend, Bobby. It also shows what powerful men behind the man can make happen. Well worth the read.

Website

About Book:

On a day that begins like any other, Hal receives a mysterious letter bequeathing her a substantial inheritance. She realizes very quickly that the letter was sent to the wrong person—but also that the cold-reading skills she’s honed as a tarot card reader might help her claim the money.

Soon, Hal finds herself at the funeral of the deceased…where it dawns on her that there is something very, very wrong about this strange situation and the inheritance at the centre of it.

About Author:

Ruth Ware grew up in Sussex, on the south coast of England. After graduating from Manchester University she moved to Paris, before settling in North London. She has worked as a waitress, a bookseller, a teacher of English as a foreign language and a press officer. She is married with two small children, and In a Dark, Dark Wood is her début thriller.

My Review:

This book was so creepy. In a great way. I have read all of Ruth Ware’s  books.  And this book had me completely hooked from page one!

This book follows the story of Hal; She has no family, she lives alone in a decaying flat, she makes her money by tarot reading during the day, she’s mainly broke and she owes a lot of money to some loan sharks. When Hal receives a mysterious letter addressed to her- a letter concerning an inheritance- she is keen to find out more.

I have read all of Ruth Ware’s books and I am looking forward to reading her new Book, The Turn of the Key, which is scheduled to come out in August.   I am giving this 5 stars.  LOVE LOVE LOVE IT.

 Twitter Facebook Website

Happy Readying