Tag: Mystery

Book Review

Suddenly a Murder

TheShelfLife

Suddenly a Murder by Lauren Munoz

Publication Date: September 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A quick read with an unlikely scenario, but an intriguing locked-room murder mystery.

3/5 Stars

Book Summary: Celebrating their High School graduation, a group of friends stay at Ashwood Manor for a week long 1920s themed getaway. Kassidy has planned everything from the outfits to the menu to the lack of technology to immerse everyone in the experience. Everything seems to be going well, until Kassidys boyfriend Blaine is murdered. With all of the party guests suddenly suspects, drama and secrets unfurl.

My Analysis: This was a quick read, and overall a pretty decent murder mystery. I enjoy a locked-room mystery and the author did a good job at making everyone suspicious. There is a past and present format to the book as well, and the past glimpses really dive into potential motivations for each character. It did alternate between being written in third person for the past chapters and first person for present, so something to be aware of. I do think that the plot of this group of rich teens being able to rent out this old manor and spend tons of money on all the 1920s details seemed to be a bit far fetched, but it worked enough to set the scene. I can definitely see a younger audience being drawn to the getaway concept. If you enjoy a murder mystery, give this one a go!

Book Review

Everyone Here Is Lying

TheShelfLife

Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena

Publication Date: July 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: Adult title that has YA crossover potential. A straightforward thriller that shares a suspenseful story, even if the tropes are a bit overdone.

3/5 Stars

Book Summary: Dr. Wooler has been having an affair, up until it’s horrible end this afternoon. When he arrives home early to unexpectedly find his daughter Avery home, he loses his temper. Later, it is discovered that Avery has gone missing. As the police search for her, secrets of a small town come to light.

My Analysis: This is an adult title, but I can see the YA crossover potential. It is extremely suspenseful right from the start, a classic thriller. The events that occur are a bit overdone in this genre of lit, but it doesn’t diminish the overall story. I just didn’t love all of the things that happened, and think it could have been better if some things were changed a bit. I really enjoy Lapena’s writing however, and it was very interesting to see multiple perspectives of different characters. She really dives into the heads and thoughts of each character which really drives the plot. If you’re looking for a straightforward thriller give this one a try!

Book Review

Last Girl Breathing

TheShelfLife

Last Girl Breathing by Court Stevens

Publication Date: November 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A suspenseful thriller that focuses on deep character development, trauma, and the lengths people will go to to protect and survive.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: Lucy has never been able to escape the tragedy that took her younger brothers life. Years later, she is focused on making the Olympic Air Rifle team when disaster strikes her small town again. Two murders that occur on the same land where her brother died push her into investigating secrets and suspicion seems to be pointing at everyone.

My Analysis: I enjoyed this book! I am a fan of Court Stevens, and the writing did not disappoint. It is a little slower paced at some points, but overall the characters keep you guessing throughout. Although it is written for a YA audience, I can see some of the younger side of that demographic struggling to get into the story. This novel is more depth than pure entertainment to read. I like that the author included a female protagonist that is interested in air rifle shooting. This is something that could be appealing to some readers who don’t usually get to see that combination represented. I really appreciated the character development throughout and the comprehensive nature to the story which combined together past and present events. So long as you’re able to put up with the slow burn pace, this is a thriller you don’t want to miss.

Book Review

The Rosewood Hunt

TheShelfLife

The Rosewood Hunt by Mackenzie Reed

Publication Date: October 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: An entertaining read that focuses on friendship in all forms! The mystery of the hunt keeps you guessing all the way through. A solid stand-alone by a debut author.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: When Lily Rosewood’s grandmother dies suddenly and the fortune from the family company goes missing, her life starts to unravel. Always fascinated with riddles and clues, Gram leaves behind one last game as her legacy. A last letter appears from Gram however, giving Lily a piece of a much larger puzzle. In order to be successful, Lily finds herself teaming up with an unlikely group in the hunt for an inheritance. Along the way to locating the money, they learn about themselves as individuals as well as their relationships with one another.

My Analysis: I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is very reminiscent of The Inheritance Games series, but it holds its own in providing a very different story. The focus of the novel is less on solving actual puzzles and finding clues and instead really dives deep into the characters. Reed did a fantastic job in her portrayal of the individual characters and creating their relationships with one another. There are some moments where I think the narrative could have been a little more suspenseful, but it moves along as a quick pace. Well-written by a debut author- recommended!

Book Review

Summer Rental

TheShelfLife

Summer Rental by Rektok Ross

Publication Date: June 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A thriller with some good jump scares, but only worth the quick read if you can put up with lackluster writing and suspended reality.

2/5 Stars

Book Summary: Summer Rental tells the story of a group of recent graduates who rent a house on remote Palm Key Island to have one last party before college. Even though they are a seemingly close group of friends, everyone is hiding something from one another. When a hurricane hits, they are cut off from the rest of civilization and trapped inside the house. This is only the beginning of their problems however, as they soon find one of their group has been murdered. As the body count rises, everyone is forced to confront their secrets.

My Analysis: I have mixed feelings about this book. The premise is very intriguing and overall the plot moves forward at a nice pace. There are a lot of ‘jump scare’ moments that I enjoyed and added to the thriller aspect of the novel. I did not see the twist towards the end coming until it was just about to happen, which I appreciated as the reader. The language that the author used however, drove me a little crazy. Making the characters very clear that they were teenagers was way overdone – the slang she included detracted from the story. I also did not appreciate the toxic friendships that were portrayed in the narrative. I understand why the author wanted to show this, but it is not a great example for teen readers to see characters acting this way toward one another. I think she could have gotten her point across without them being quite so awful to one another, even if many of them were entitled. Overall it is a quick psychological thriller that may be enjoyable if you can get past the writing.