5 stars out of 5
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, or so it's been said. Whether that's a result of nature, nurture or a combination of both is, I guess, still up for discussion. After reading this book I'm not much closer to deciding which option I lean more toward, but however this mother-daughter pair got where they are, it's not a pretty place.
To say their story is a wild ride would be an understatement; I was hooked from the beginning and reluctant to put it down. Likable characters? Oh heck no; but then, that's what makes this book so special. Mom is Patty Watts, who seriously mistreated her "beloved" daughter, Rose Gold, almost from the day she was born (apparently a severe case of Munchausen by Proxy). Somewhere around age 18, Rose Gold (her mother always objected to anyone who shortened her name to "Rose") figured out why she'd been so sickly and in and out of hospitals all her life. Her court testimony resulted in Patty's incarceration for five years, convicted of severe child abuse.
For almost all of those years, Rose Gold refused to have any contact with her mother. But then, as Patty is about to be released, Rose Gold begins to visit - claiming all is forgiven and that she wants nothing more than for them to be together from now on. Even though Rose Gold is now the mother of an infant son, she responds in the affirmative when her mother begs to stay with her after she's sprung from jail.
Needless to say, no one in their small town who knew what happened to Rose Gold is willing to forgive and forget what Patty did, and they're aghast that Rose Gold wants to be anywhere near her mother. But Rose Gold stands firm and mom moves in; but don't think for one second that everything from now on will come up roses (not even close). Chapters told from the perspectives of Patty and Rose Gold reveal what's going on in their hearts and minds. Some things have changed and others have stayed the same, but one thing is certain: neither has forgotten the past.
All told, it's a dark tale that pits the psychological manipulation of two women at loggerheads - leaving readers to wonder who will emerge triumphant right up to the end. It's a "wow" from me - and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel (Berkley, March 2020); 319 pp.
5 stars out of 5
Wow. Just wow. Not that I'm terribly surprised, mind you - I've read two other books by this author (although not in this series) and loved them both - but this one pretty much blew me away.
In 1986, struggling defense attorney Clint Broden lands an unexpected client: His best friend, Nick Zamora, who's been charged with the murder of his new wife Carolyn, a successful attorney in her own right. Nick, an aspiring writer, insists he's innocent; out of loyalty if nothing else, Clint agrees to serve as his attorney - even though he has a few misgivings. But he makes his living defending people he strongly suspects are guilty; after all, they, too, are entitled to a fair trial.
What happens in the courtroom changes both men's lives; 30 or so years later, Nick has left New York for Los Angeles, realizing his lifelong dream of becoming a respected writer of novels, screenplays and other lucrative assignments. Clint, who gained fame at the conclusion of Nick's trial, is in demand as well; he and his wife, Anne, have two mostly grown daughters (one a talented singer who takes after her mother) and all's right with both men's worlds.
Until it isn't. What are the chances that lightening will strike twice? Nick and Clint haven't spoken since Nick moved to the other side of the country, but now they must as Nick once again is desperate for legal help from his old friend. But many other things have changed, especially in Clint's mind. Old suspicions die hard (pun intended), so will he be able to let bygones be bygones at any cost? Chapters shift from Clint to Nick to Clint's wife, Anne, giving readers insights into what's really going on (including plenty of surprises). I wish I could be more specific, but revealing much more would spoil the excitement for other readers.
So for now, all I can do is profusely thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. I'm still trying to catch my breath - highly recommended!
The Best Friend by Adam Mitzner (Thomas & Mercer, April 2020); 319 pp.
4.5 stars out of 5
About a year-and-a-half ago, Glen Garrity's boat was found with his blood on it, but not his body. He's presumed to be dead, and six months from now, his wife Nina can have him declared legally dead. That will free her up to marry her new love, Simon Fitch, a teacher who appeared on her scene almost immediately after Glen went missing. Much to the dismay of her middle-school daughter Maggie - who thoroughly detests and distrusts Simon - Nina has moved the family (including Maggie's older brother, Connor) into a new home that includes Simon.
Even though Maggie has so far resisted Simon's proposal of marriage, she's pretty sure that's how things will end up. After all, Simon's got plenty of money and anticipates her every need and want (almost before she does). The tension between Simon and Maggie gets worse almost by the minute; but when Maggie complains about something nasty she's sure Simon did to her (readers get a closer look by way of chapters told from her perspective), Simon always has a plausible excuse and ends up looking like a rose in Nina's eyes.
Until he doesn't. Little by little, Nina begins to have doubts - mostly triggered by Simon's intense dislike of her decision to return to her career as a social worker. Somehow, she suspects, he's overreacting, but the question is why? Even before her husband disappeared, Maggie learned some unpleasant and totally unexpected facts about him. Now, she's understandably wary of making another mistake. But if Simon's not the person she believes him to be, can she ferret out his intentions before her family is totally destroyed?
Somewhere around the 50% mark comes a major reveal; from that point on, it's a race to see who makes it to the finish line (and a race to see if I could get there before I absolutely had to go to bed). Safe to say the book held my attention all the way - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading an advance copy.
One of the big plusses of the book for me is that although Nina questions her own actions and beliefs, she never crosses over to the hand-wringing, wishy-washy female characters who tends to populate stories like this (never failing to make me want to throw up). On the other hand, the epilogue, which is attributed to one of the major characters, would be far more appropriate, IMHO, as an afterword from the author. While I agree 150 percent with the opinions expressed on spousal abuse and bullying, it just doesn't fit as part of a novel itself (and I just can't believe the text as written could have been done by this character). But that's just my opinion; read it for yourself - it's an enthralling story that will hold your attention from start to finish.
The New Husband by D.J. Palmer (St. Martin's Press, April 2020); 384 pp.
5 stars out of 5
If I've missed any of the books in this series, it
was very early on; but once hooked at whatever the first one was years ago, I've tackled every single one since. Some have tickled my fancy a little more than others, but never once have I been disappointed. And this one's no exception.
Lucas Davenport, now 52 and still recovering in his home state of Minneapolis from a serious gunshot wound from an earlier book, gets an unwanted call to come to Washington, D.C. The FBI discovered a website buried within a teenage girl's popular blogs called 1919, and it's plastered with photos of children of influential members of Congress. A couple of Senators want Lucas to investigate who prefer that the whole thing be kept under wraps. But the FBI gets wind of it and, thinking the site may be connected to mostly undercover Alt-right groups who don't play by established rules, the FBI is intent on protecting those kids, agree to work with Lucas, who's from the U.S. Marshall's Service. Lucas, in turn, calls in friends Bob Matees and Rae Givens, who tend to enjoy working a bit outside the lines if necessary.
Early on, they hope to find out who's behind the website before word gets out and someone (or several someones) from those anti-government groups decides to do as the site seems to suggest - kidnap or murder one or more of the children just to make a political statement and get the parents' attention. But as luck (and the media) would have it, secrets like this die rather easily. Suddenly, it becomes even more urgent for Lucas, his buddies and all the FBI and local law enforcement teams to solve the case. The need to hustle increases even more with the assistant to the leader of one of the groups is murdered.
Much of the investigation involves in-person discussions with members of the Alt-right groups scattered thither and yon; they are numerous, and most of the discussions lead to dead ends. That, and the sheer number of characters, makes this book a little more tedious to read, perhaps, but it's hard to complain because everything is interspersed with the humor is one of the reasons this series is so appealing to me, to-wit: As he's getting on an airplane, Lucas - who is terrified of flying - is forced to sit by a woman "...who'd already begun knitting something in a color of green so dreadful that Lucas didn't want to sit next to it..."
Gotta love it. You need to read it. I need to thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to savor a pre-publication review copy.
Masked Prey by John Sandford (Penguin Group LLC, April 2020); 416 pp.
4 stars out of 5
This is the 20th book featuring Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett, and I've read them all. Over the years, I've watched his daughters grow up, his wife grow into a career woman in her own right, his nasty mother-in-law keep trying her best to break up his marriage and his good friend and falconer Nate Romanowski go from fugitive to business owner and law-abiding citizen (well, for the most part). The daughters don't make more than cameo appearances here - they've flown the nest, after all - but the others do more than their share to keep the story interesting.
As this one opens, Joe is out looking for a guide reportedly mauled by a grizzly bear, but he gets called back in when the wife of a prominent (and curmudgeonly) local judge is shot and in critical condition. Logically, everyone thinks the bullet was meant for the judge; but the reality is that it came from such a great distance that no one knows for sure - and wonders who on earth would be capable of making the shot. Complicating matters is that the relatively new sheriff suffers from severe incompetency, but he's such a hothead that no one dares call him on it (at least not to his face).
Nate, who is trying hard to remain on the straight and narrow now that he's got a wife and new baby, learns that someone from his past is out to get him. But he may have a better chance of avoiding getting shot than getting arrested; it doesn't take long before evidence suggests that Nate is the one who shot the judge's wife. Meanwhile, the real sniper isn't backing down, taking a shot at Joe while he's still on the loose. That's music to the ears of Missy, Joe's mother-in-law, who has shady dealings of her own on the line and doesn't want Joe to get in the way.
Another enjoyable story that held my attention - and for the most part kept me guessing - all the way through.
Long Range by C.J. Box (G.P. Putnam's Sons, March 2020); 367 pp.
4 stars out of 5
This is another of those publisher-provided freebies (via the publisher and NetGalley, thank you very much) that got moved to the top of the stack almost immediately; I love this series, of which this is the fourth - in fact, I've loved every single book I've read by this author. In all honesty, I have to say this isn't my favorite of the bunch, but neither have I lost even a titch of enthusiasm for quirky attorney Samantha Brinkman, her tech-savvy investigator Alex and her BFF and paralegal Michelle. Love-shy Sam has been hooked up with hunky Niko for a while now - as this opens, they're enjoying a rare beachside vacation, when Niko gets a disturbing phone call. An investment opportunity he recommended to his elderly mother has gone belly up; she and a host of other investors have been wiped out. Back at home, when Niko takes Sam to meet the guys behind the deal (think Bernie Madoff times two), each points the finger at the other. Devastated over his mother's loss, Niko - who lost a bundle himself but remains far from destitute - vows to get everyone's money back. His determination is intensified when his mother suffers a stroke that threatens her life.
That determination proves to be a negative, however, when one of the dealmakers turns up dead, the other goes missing and Niko turns out to be the prime suspect. Sam stands by her man - intent on proving him innocent - but as her investigation continues (with extensive help from Alex and, surreptitiously, from her detective dad), the more she suspects Niko may not be totally innocent. But then, given her penchant for vigilanteeism, can she really blame him for wanting to even the score?
It's a guessing game to the finish as to the killer's identity, how much of her so-far-secretive background Sam will decide to share with Niko and, depending on that decision, what the fate of their relationship will be. Great fun every page of the way!
Final Judgment by Marcia Clark (Thomas & Mercer, April 2020); 416 pp.
5 stars out of 5
It's not often I stay up later than usual and finish a book in bed, even if there are just a couple of chapters to go. Add this one to the short list of those that made the trip upstairs.
Mostly that's because the story is so unique - when was the last time you saw a character who's an international kickboxing phenom (female, no less)? Ditto for one who's a cracker-jack forensic accountant (also a female)? Throw in the the sudden disappearance of $20 million and husbands and wives who, let's say, don't seem well suited to each other, and you've got the makings for a page-turner.
The company at which the money went missing is Strike, a multimillion dollar joint creation of that aforesaid phenom, Logan Russo, and her husband, Gregory Abbott. The company is wildly successful, cashing in big-time on Logan's fame. Now, they're throwing a huge tournament with $20 million in prize money plus the chance to replace Logan as the new "face" of the company. But therein lie a couple of issues: First, Gregg suspects Logan has the hots for one of their young trainers and wants him as her replacement. Second, and most pressing, is the disappearance of all that prize money.
Enter Nora's firm, which has built a reputation for digging through numbers to expose corporate theft and fraud. Gregg contacted them, knowing of their expertise through a prior meeting (and one-night stand) with Nora away from their Minneapolis base. Understandably, Nora - who's also a member of the local Strike gym and can hold her own with a kickboxing bag - is hesitant to accept Strike (and Gregg) as a client. But her partner gives her the green light and she gives in - despite concerns expressed by her husband, Mike, with whom she has a self-described "open marriage" as well as a 10-year-old son.
Her hardest task may be determining who to believe; Gregg and Logan are pointing fingers at each other. Nora's investigation becomes central to the story, which shifts in perspective from Nora to Gregg. By the end, the whole thing took a couple of very dark turns, all leading up to an exciting ending that showcases all of Nora's considerable talents.
Honestly, I'll be the first to say I probably wouldn't want to hang out with any of this crew; I love strong women, but Logan and Nora take it to a whole 'nother level. Neither is even close to perfect (although they're at the top of their respective games career-wise) - but then neither are any of their male counterparts - not at Strike and not at Nora's firm. Still, there's something riveting about each and every one, adding interest, intrigue and hints of unspoken love interests that may be lurking in the background (or perhaps just in my own mind).
All in all, I found it well worth reading. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.
Strike Me Down by Mindy Mejia (Atria/Emily Bestler Books, April 2020); 348 pp.
4 stars out of 5
Virtually every character in this fast-paced game of cat-and-mouse between a serial killer and the longest-tenured detective in the Illinois Bureau of Judicial Enforcement is seriously flawed. Killer Daniel Longdon, a self-ascribed avenger of injustice, is dying of a glioblastoma and hoping to get to the last person on his hit list before the tumor gets him. Detective Paul Czarcik, a basically good cop, struggles with injustice as well; but his method of dealing with it is through smoking, alcohol and, in a pinch, snorting drugs. On the other hand, he tends to experience real physical reactions to certain words and phrases (perhaps as a result of his drug habit, perhaps not) that turn out to be helpful investigative clues.
Czarcik, who isn't on the best of terms with his superiors, is called to the scene of a double homicide in which the male victim's head is missing. Sensing that the scene may have been somehow staged, he notices a clue he suspects may tie in with a previous case - and turns out he's right. But when a man confesses to the double homicide, the police powers-that-be are satisfied and want the investigation to go away; not so Czarcik, who's certain this is the work of a serial killer who isn't likely to stop. Off he goes on his own, then, to get to the truth.
Along the way, he gets help from an unlikely - and potentially untrustworthy - source. Readers, meanwhile, get a glimpse of what's in the killer's mind (besides the tumor) through interspersed chapters that shift to his perspective. All told, it's an exciting - and for whom it may make a difference - and fairly gory game of who will win the chase that's being played out in both psychological and physical ways; can Czarcik out-think Longdon and track him down before Longdon does the same to him?
Overall, it's entertaining and well worth reading, and I'm looking forward to the next one. But note to myself: next time, be sure to check the stack of pre-release review books from publishers before coughing up a couple of bucks for an Amazon First Reads book that turns out to be already in said stack from NetGalley!
Rain Will Come by Thomas Holgate (Thomas & Mercer, April 2020); 301 pp.
4 stars out of 5
This is the second book I've read in the three-book (so far) series featuring writer Ian Ludlow and his research assistant Margo French, and it's every bit as delightful as I expected. As with the previous one, I chuckled my way through (with a couple of outright guffaws here and there).
Most of those chuckles came by way of "ripped from the headlines" timeliness, although the author insists it wasn't intentional and he "really made this stuff up." Funniest to me, though, were the references to things gone by like some of the more inane James Bond movie plots and especially the old TV show "Match Game." First aired in 1962 - the year my husband and I got married and soon thereafter became regular viewers - the fill-in-the-blank answers from celebrity panelists were borderline risque, generating feigned shock and raucous laughter (probably canned) from the audience. In today's world? Well, if you want to know how far we've come, just watch a couple of episodes of "Family Feud." Yowser!
Back to the story, Ludlow knows the difference between fact and fiction, but somehow the plots he concocts for his series character, freelance superspy Clint Straker, manage to come true in real life. That hasn't gone unnoticed by the CIA, where the powers-that-be see great potential in tapping Ian and Margo as resources. At the beginning, the pair meet Wang Mei, a Chinese actress who claims to want asylum in the United States. Meanwhile, the Russians are busy running a troll farm to spread propaganda online in an effort to manipulate Americans.
Ian takes Wang on a TV show blitz that ends on a very conservative "news" show, where snarky host Dwight Edny hurls insults that, let's say, don't sit well with the Chinese beauty. When Ian falls victim to a bad case of writer's block while trying to conjure up his latest Straker book plot, Margo decides an investigation of the "accidental" death of a couple in Portugal may be just what the doctor ordered to kickstart Ian's creative streak. Following in the dead couple's footsteps brings some unexpectedly dangerous revelations (if not a spark or two of that aforementioned creativity). Meanwhile, back in the US of A, trouble is brewing on the illegal immigration front as Texas ranchers take up arms to stem the tide in true vigilante fashion - making a Mexican drug lord very unhappy (see what I mean about current events)?
Throughout it all, Ian and Margo try to avoid getting killed before he can finish his next book. Since this is a series, I don't think I'm letting the cat out of the bag by saying they make it to the end, but the devil is in the details. I will say, though, that I enjoyed every page and, in addition to thanking the publisher, via NetGalley, for a pre-release review copy, I leave you with one of my favorite quotes:
Question: "Is there nobody left we can trust?"
Answer: "Not on TV."
Fake Truth by Lee Goldberg (Thomas & Mercer, April 2020); 294 pp.)
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, or so it's been said. Whether that's a result of nature, nurture or a combination of both is, I guess, still up for discussion. After reading this book I'm not much closer to deciding which option I lean more toward, but however this mother-daughter pair got where they are, it's not a pretty place.
