Tag: Mystery

Book Review

Heiress Takes All

TheShelfLife

Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Overall Verdict: An over the top and unbelievable story, but one that has some entertaining characters.

3/5 Stars

Book Summary: Olivia Owens is not thrilled about very wealthy father getting re-married, yet again. Especially when he had cheated on her mom, kicked them out of the house and took away her inheritance. Now all she wants is revenge, and plans to take advantage of a busy wedding to make it happen. Putting together a detailed plan for a heist and recruiting those who can aid in her purpose, Olivia seeks to break into her fathers safe to steal the codes necessary to transfer funds to her and her crew.

My Analysis: If you know going in that this one is going to be way over the top and have events that are way too unbelievable or convenient to be realistic, then you can get some enjoyment out of this book. The best part about it is the characters. I really liked her mis-matched crew and the relationships they develop throughout. It is a quick and easy thriller and the author does put in a lot of road blocks to the heist that make you curious to see how things will come together in the end. Ultimately though there were just too many questions I had about the plot that made it hard to buy into. If you like heist stories this one is worth checking out, but beyond that you can probably skip it.

Book Review

Dead Girls Talking

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Dead Girls Talking by Megan Cooley Peterson

Publication Date: June 2024 |Thanks Netgalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A fast-paced thriller with an interesting crime solving duo, but that may not leave readers fully satisfied.

3/5

Book Summary: Bettina has grown up in the spotlight, since her father was convicted of murdering her mother. The town of Wolf Ridge gets turned upside down however, when years later more murders that match too many similarities to her mothers case begin happening. Bett is forced to question her fathers innocence with these additional murders. Teaming up with an unlikely ally, the morticians daughter Eugenia, they work towards discovering the truth and questioning the motives of people that live in their small town.

My Analysis: This novel definitely moves quickly, with a fast-paced narrative. A little mystery and a little thriller with some (perhaps unsurprising to some) twists I can see YA readers going for this one. I did NOT care for Bert’s attitude a majority of the time- like, I get it she’s a teenager with past issues- but come on. It was a little annoying to read sometimes. I liked the relationship that was built between Bett and Eugenia, however. The unlikely friendship angle worked for this novel and I appreciated their banter. Suspending disbelief that these two are working on solving a crime outside the police, I still found it a little too convenient sometimes what they were able to uncover. That aspect aside, it was interesting enough to keep me wondering what the truth was going to be. I did find the overall wrap up a little unsatisfying, but that could be me just being a little overly critical and wanting more out of the story. If you’re looking for a quick YA thriller, check this one out.

Book Review

Stay Dead

TheShelfLife

Stay Dead by April Henry

Publication Date: April 2024 |Thanks Edelweiss for an ARC

Overall Verdict: More survival suspense than a traditional murder mystery, but will keep you on the edge of your seat nonetheless.

3/5 Stars

Book Summary: After her Senator fathers car accident six months ago, Milan is still trying to find her place in the world, while also getting expelled from yet another boarding school. Her mother, who has taken over as Senator, picks her up in her private plane. While flying over remote mountains, a bomb goes off and their plane crashes. In her final moments, Milan’s mother tells her that she had uncovered a secret and that people have died for, and gives her her fathers keys that hold answers. Milan must survive the wilderness and get back to civilization, all while on the run from those who want to silence her to keep this information secret.

My Analysis: This was a super quick read, as most of Henry’s works are. It is definitely heavy on survival suspense even though it was marketed as a murder mystery. It was still very thrilling however, through the plane crash, Milan’s survival, and those who are chasing her down. If anyone has any aversion to plane crashes, they may want to steer clear of this one. The writing of the crash and its aftermath was very well done and extremely tense. I honestly think that was the most well written part of this novel. I also appreciated the different POVs that were presented. I hadn’t expected that, but getting some background into the characters and the story through this way really added to the plot overall. I don’t want to spoil any other aspects of the secrets, but I thought it was a pretty original topic. The one thing that was a little less appealing was the fact that everything worked out perfectly and all the loose ends were tied up. This again is typical of Henry’s style, but everything was just a little too convenient. Overall though it did not take away from the entertainment in reading it. If you like survival stories, I recommend this one!

Book Review

The Reappearance of Rachel Price

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The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

Publication Date: April 2024 |Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: Even though some plot points are bit far-fetched, this fast-paced story shares a unique perspective on a mystery/thriller. This one will keep you guessing every step of the way – recommended!

5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Sixteen years ago, Bel’s mom Rachel Price disappeared. She has been presumed dead since, and Bel just wants to try and move beyond living in the shadow of this case. When her dad agrees to film a true-crime documentary about Rachel’s disappearance, emotions run high and the past is dredged up. In the middle of filming, something miraculous happens- Rachel reappears. She comes back with an unbelievable story and Bel is determined to track down the truth.

My Analysis: I don’t give out 5 stars lightly, but this one got me. I found it to be an incredibly entertaining mystery/thriller. The pacing of this book was its biggest asset. There were a lot of twisty plot points that keeps the reader guessing. I also appreciated that the idea was pretty original, there aren’t a ton of YA titles out there that have shared this perspective. Were there moments where things got so far-fetched that it seemed implausible? Absolutely. However, to me it did not diminish how highly entertaining this book was. I was a little reluctant as I was not a huge fan of A Good Girls Guide to Murder (even though it got so much hype) and I did not care for Five Survive, but Jackson redeemed herself in this one for me. I also really enjoyed the documentary aspect of this story. I thought it was a unique and interesting way to dive into the characters further. The one thing that did bother me was the amount of swearing throughout. I definitely don’t mind whatever language if it adds to the story or character development, but this felt forced and unnecessary. Overall though I definitely recommend this one! If you are a fan of mystery/thrillers, you have to read this.

Book Review

That’s Not My Name

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That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally

Publication Date: January 2024 |Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: An engaging thriller with well-developed characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommended!

5/5 Stars

Book Summary: A teen wakes up injured on the side of the road with no memory of who she is or how she got there. A police officer finds her and connects her to a man who has been searching for her for hours- a man who says he is her father. Meanwhile, Drew’s girlfriend has disappeared after a heated argument. She’s been missing for weeks now, and he is determined to do whatever it takes to find her.

My Analysis: This. Was. Fantastic. Like, I usually read pretty quickly but I went through this book so fast. It was gripping right from the start and has suspense all throughout that keeps you guessing. I am surprised that this was a debut author, and I can’t wait to see what else she writes next. Although a lot The of the plot is day to day events, the characters are well-developed and you really get to see their inner workings and turmoil. I was apprehensive about how this one would end and felt that could make or break the whole story, but I was very content with how everything came together. I don’t want to say much more to spoil anything, but really, you need to read this one!

Book Review

Tag, You’re Dead

TheShelfLife

Tag, You’re Dead by Kathryn Foxfield

Publication Date: December 2023| Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: Fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Geared toward a younger YA audience.

3.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Social media influencer Anton begins a city-wide game of tag, with the prize to become one of his personal assistants. As contestants chase each other around London, their motives for joining the game become more apparent and secrets are revealed. When someone posing as the ghost of one of Anton’s former assistants interjects themselves into the game, everything begins to fall apart.

My Analysis: I enjoyed this book more than I anticipated I would. It was very fast-paced and kept me hooked to want to know what would happen next. The writing is geared more towards a younger YA audience, but if you can get by that it’s a solid thriller for anyone to read. I liked the concept of a city-wide contest and teenagers will definitely appreciate the social media presence throughout. Not sure how the parents of some of these kids are cool with them running around the streets of London unsupervised, but not going to let that detract from the story. You may figure out a few things along the way before the characters do (as I did) but the author does a nice job of making everyone look guilty. If you’re looking for a unique thriller that’s a quick read, give this one a try!

Book Review

The One That Got Away With Murder

TheShelfLife

The One That Got Away With Murder by Trish Lundy

Publication Date: April 2024| Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: Drama-filled and reads like a telenovela. If you can get passed how unrealistic some details are, it’s a fast-paced thriller.

2.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Lauren moved to a new town for her moms new boyfriend, and also to escape some mistakes of her past. When she meets Robbie, they strike up a casual relationship. Lauren quickly learns however that Robbie and his brother also have a past- including two dead girlfriends. While navigating new friendships, she attempts to discover exactly what happened as everything begins to close in on her. When Lauren finds a new piece of evidence, she knows there’s no turning back.

My Analysis: I’ll admit I have mixed feelings about this one. To me it reads as more of a telenovela style story where it’s intriguing and drama-filled but you know it’s so unrealistic that all of this could possibly happen. If you’re able to get passed that, it is a super fast-paced read. I ended up reading it in just a couple days. What I liked: the supporting characters. They were interesting and I liked what little growth was shown in them. What I didn’t like: the main protagonist. She was really tough to root for, with her personality and decision-making. Something to be aware of with this one- there is a lot of mentions of casual sex, drug use and alcohol. May be better suited for older YA readers who are mature enough to handle the actions of the characters throughout.

Book Review

And Don’t Look Back

TheShelfLife

And Don’t Look Back by Rebecca Barrow

Publication Date: October 2023| Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: This one will keep you in suspense with multi-dimensional mysteries.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: Harlow and her mother have always been running from something, never staying very long in one place before moving on to another. When her mother dies suddenly, Harlow is forced to confront her mothers past and the secrets that she has kept hidden all these years. With the ability to choose her future for the first time, Harlow must decide how much to let in and just how much she really wants to know.

My Analysis: I couldn’t put this one down, and just had to know what was going to happen next. And Don’t Look Back was very suspenseful and I appreciated that it had multiple mysteries going on at once in the plot. There were a couple of moments that I thought were a bit annoying, and that the characters had an overreaction to an event, but overall I enjoyed it. Seeing the main protagonist come into her own was also very intriguing. After so many years of having to pretend to be others she can finally discover who she actually is. That combination of self discovery alongside the uncovering of family history is secrets made for a satisfying read. If you’re into thrillers and mysteries, I recommend this one!

Book Review

After You Vanished

TheShelfLife

After You Vanished by E.A. Neeves, Narrated by Kathleen McInerney

Publication Date: September 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC | Audiobook Version

Overall Verdict: An emotional story that shares the journey of a sibling navigating the grief of her missing sister.

3.5/Stars – Novel

5/5 Stars – Narrator

Book Summary: Teddy has worked at Bottomrock Lake every summer, including last year when her twin sister went missing. Izzy went for a midnight swim in the lake, and was never seen again. When Izzy’s friend Toby comes to work at Bottomrock, Teddy begins to dive deeper into what happened to her sister. She can’t help but continue to question everything, including how an Olympic level swimmer could have gone missing in a lake. As Teddy investigates she learns there was more to her twin than she ever knew.

My Analysis: This is one of those books where not a whole lot happens in terms of events, but instead you get so emotionally invested in the characters. The author did a nice job in sharing the characters and their grief. I really felt for all of them and what they went through. I also liked the descriptions of the relationship between the twins. I thought it was an interesting take on a sibling relationship. I listed to the audiobook version of After You Vanished and I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator. She did a wonderful job speaking and in really making you feel the emotion involved in the plot. If you’re a realistic fiction fan but like a hint of mystery, give this one a try!

Book Review

The Only Girl in Town

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The Only Girl in Town by Ally Condie

Publication Date: September 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A quick read with short chapters and an interesting premise, but little character development.

2/5 Stars

Book Summary: July wakes one morning to discover that she is the only person left in her town. The only clue she has to what happened are a series of objects that appear and a message to ‘Get T3em Back.’ Having time to reflect on her friends, family and past relationship she begins to work out how to make things right.

My Analysis: I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it just didn’t do it for me. I thought from the description that it was going to be more of a dystopian novel, but it really wasn’t. The past and present alternating chapters were a good way to help unravel Julys emotions and actions. I wish however that I had learned more about the secondary characters in addition to July. The chapters were also incredibly short, some only a paragraph long. I think that is honestly what pushed me through the story. Without giving away any spoilers, I also wasn’t thrilled with how things played out at the end. Overall I think there just needed to be more depth of characters and plot line.