THE GRACEVIEW PATIENT

4 stars out of 5

Honestly, I'm not sure how to review this one. All the way through it was gripping - mesmerizing, even - but in the end I don't know how much that matters because it felt as it I were back at the beginning of a loop that will just keep going...and going...and going. Yeah, I know that doesn't make much sense, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

It begins innocently enough, though a bit out of my mental wheelhouse, as Margaret Culpepper enters Graceview Hospital as part of a treatment research trial. It seems she has an incurable condition - one that renders her nearly helpless and has resulted in alienation of all her famiily members and friends. Enter the trial, her medical consultants say, and there's a chance that you'll be cured once and for all. The process, which is long, involved and often painful, requires that her entire immune system be destroyed and a new one to be "rebuilt" from the inside out.

It certainly doesn't sound appealing to me, nor did it to Margaret; but given the prognosis, if she does nothing, she'll never get better. And after all, how many ways can it go wrong? Well, I lost count of that number in the first half-dozen chapters - and it shot higher from then on, as outlined in gory detail throughout the rest of the book. Suffice it to say Margaret alternates between being happy that she's getting a chance at a cure and trying desperately to escape from what is fast becoming a prison from which she - like other trial subjects who have gone before her - will never escape alive.

All told, it's creepy, unnerving and on occasion downright terrifying - and perhaps a little too often for my liking, off-the-charts unbelievable. Then came the ending, which as I alluded to earlier, isn't exactly an ending - reminding me of an old song by the late, great Peggy Lee, "Is that all there is?"

Do not misunderstand, though; I certainly recommend it to others who like this kind of thing. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me some by-the-minute thrills by way of a pre-release copy.

The Graceview Patient by Caitlin Starling (St. Martin's Press, October 2025); 297 pp.

ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE BOURNE SHADOW

5 stars out of 5

Wow! I've always enjoyed books in this series, but this one is a real barn-burner! Besides that, the story clears up a good bit of previously murky background on main character Jason Bourne, who has been treading water, so to speak, after running from the spy-laden Treadstone organization and trying to revive deeply buried memories of who, and what, he once was.

For none of which, alas, I can reveal specifics; you'll just have to read the book for yourself. I can, however, provide something of an outline of events that officially begin as Jason is in Paris for the summer amid riots surrounding a major government election and a dangerous neo-Nazi organizers. Months earlier, he'd reluctantly left his latest love, Abbey Laurent, in Quebec City under a cloud; in Paris, he's hoping she'll contact him so they can reconnect once again. Instead, he gets a message from a Treadstone colleague that someone is hunting the man known as Cain - the person the original David Webb, a.k.a. Cain, a.k.a. Jason Bourne. 

Eventually, he's found by a woman who claims to be related to Monika Roth, the woman at one time he was going to marry (insert backstory here). Monika, it seems, had disappeared supposedly for good with Jason's help; now, her sister insists that finding her is urgent. Jason, who desperately wants to remember details from his complicated past, agrees to help.

From there, it's the thrill of the chase; as clues turn up as to Monika's whereabouts, Jason and Joanna find themselves chased by baddies intent on taking them out - or find said baddies are ready and waiting for them at their next destination. Along the way, Jason has to rely on people who may or may not be on his side - and hope some of his long-lost memories will return to help him figure out if there's anyone he can trust. It all leads to a bang-up (and surprising) ending and hints of a new direction with a too-familiar ring.

All told, this is one I had trouble putting down and one of the best I've read of the post-Ludlum installments. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Shadow by Brian Freeman (G.P. Putnam's Sons, July 2024); 400 pp.

THE SEQUEL

5 stars out of 5

Two observations right up front: I will happily read any book this talented author writes (so far, I've read three others). And although this book technically is the (ahem!) sequel to her book, The Plot, it stands on its own quite well -  although I highly recommend reading that one just because it's so doggone good. 

As this one begins, Jacob Finch Bonner, the primary subject of the previous book, is dead and gone - leaving behind his wife Anna Williams-Bonner. His novel - the one he stole from one of his college students, is hugely successful. Accusations of plagairism that cropped up earlier are a thing of the past, and Anna is looking at a good life thanks to his royalty checks. When she was casually asked what she'll do next, though, she joked about plans to write a novel of her own titled The Afterword. 

Encouraged by her editor - and her own belief, after watching her husband's efforts, that she's more than up to the task - that joke turns into reality. After very little effort, she's got a best-seller of her own - and a whole lot of new problems. They come in the form of an excerpt from a not-so-different novel - one that doesn't exist, as far as she's concerned. But apparently, she's wrong; and with the pages come threats of exposure of not only her husband's past transgressions, but (gasp!) of her own.

What to do, what to do? Start following a trail that will lead to the someone who knows too much and seems intent on bringing her down - what else? The rest of the story follows Anna as she sets out on a path - one with plenty of twists, turns and surprises - to right what she considers to be an egregious wrong and get back to the life she believes she deserves. All told, it's a delicious tale and a book I found hard to put down (put another way, wowser!). I heartily thank the publisher for making a pre-release copy available to me to read and review.

The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz (Celadon Books, October 2024); 304 pp.

THE STRANGER UPSTAIRS

4 stars out of 5

In many ways, there's not much to like in this debut novel; certainly not the main character, Sarah Shade, or her meek husband Joe, or anyone in the small but upitty Australian town who are, shall we say, less than welcoming to newcomers. And for sure, Black Wood House, the broken-down old house Sarah and Joe purchased - dubbed the "Murder House" because of what happened there years ago - is less than inviting to all but the most desperate would-be homeowners (readers, however, can be pretty sure it will play a central role - probably a horrific one at that - in this book).

And of course, that's exactly the case - and that's what makes the book as a whole quite likable. The couple are hoping that new identities and a new-to-them house will help them escape secrets in the place from which they came and turn a tidy profit after Sarah and Joe fix it up. But thanks to a not-so-forthcoming realtor, they slowly learn the hard way that the old house - built in 1889 - is harboring more than a few secrets of its own (put another way, things that go bump in the night tend to do it loud enough to wake the dead). 

To make matters worse, all is not well between Sarah and Joe. Sarah, a therapist and successful media influencer and blogger, hopes that getting rich from the house flip will bring her closer to Joe, who for the most part isn't having any part of it. Gradually, readers learn what happened in the couple's earlier years and watch Sarah's not-so-gradual descent into madness as the house takes on a life of its own with a Stephen King-like flair. 

It's a not totally unfamiliar story concept, but it's cleverly written with plenty of twists and turns that made me wish I could finish it in one day (as it was, I managed it in two by postponing dinner by half an hour or so). The ending? Again, a twist - but one that wouldn't have been satisfying done any other way. Loved it, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. For sure I'll be watching for more from this very talented author!

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin (Bantam, September 2023); 278 pp.

THE BOOK OF COLD CASES

4 stars out of 5

Stories that go bump in the paranormal night (or even touch upon it) aren't my usual fare, but this one sounded intriguing so I went for it. Now that I'm done, I don't hesitate to recommend it to fans of the genre as well as those like me who normally prefer their thrillers a little less spirited.

In Claire Lake, Oregon, by-day medical receptionist Shea Collins is an after-hours operator of the Book of Cold Cases, a true crime website. Her interest in the topic was prompted by a horrific childhood experience - escaping an attempted abduction that could have proved deadly. When a patient named Elizabeth (Beth) Greer comes into the medical office one day, Shea recognizes her from a much-publicized and never forgotten incident in 1977, when Beth, the beautiful and eccentric daughter of wealthy parents, was charged and subsequently tried for the savage murder of two men. No motive was found - the murders were thought to be random - and ultimately, jurors found her not guilty. Since then, she's led a secluded life in the garish mansion in which she grew up with unloving, always fighting parents - a father who was murdered in cold blood and mother who later died in an accident.

Intrigued but not hopeful for success, Shea contacts Beth to ask for an interview. To her surprise, Beth agrees - allowing Shea to visit her in the family mansion. And therein lies a problem; every time Shea visits, strange things happen; faucets turn on, cupboard doors open and objects move around - kinda cool, I suppose, except that no one but Beth and Shea are in the house at the time. For her part, Beth seems to accept what's going on around her; Shea, though, isn't quite so comfortable.

Still, she refuses to stop investigating, connecting with several people involved in the years-ago case and even Beth's longtime family attorney - most of whom agreed to provide insights and information at Beth's surprising request. Chapters shift from what's happening in the here and now to Beth's and Shea's childhood experiences, all shedding light on what really happened that formed the women they've both become. For the record, neither Shea nor Beth was particularly likable despite their youthful circumstances; only two characters, a police officer and Shea's private investigator, came across as "normal" (for wont of a better word). And while the supernatural elements weren't overly obtrusive, I kept waiting for a plausible explanation that (understandably) never came.

So here's the skinny from my perspective: If you like your thrillers sprinkled with Twilight Zone dust, this one should be right up your alley (hey, if a nonbeliever like me can enjoy it...) And also for the record, I think this would make a great movie or TV series. Whether or not that happens, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. That I failed to finish it by the release date is on me - and for that I apologize profusely.

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James (Berkley, March 2022); 350 pp.

DARK HORSE

5 stars out of 5

Wow. Just wow. Love this series, loved this book (the 7th, for the record). I made the mistake of starting it early one afternoon, so the need to eat and sleep forced me to put it down once or twice instead of polishing it off in one day as would have been my choice. But trust me, I closed my Kindle with great reluctance.

To say that Evan Smoak, the star of the show, is carrying a ton of baggage from his past doesn't even come close to an accurate description. Suffice it to say that he survived his younger days as a highly trained assassin in the U.S. government's clandestine Orphan Program and has come out on the other side. Whether that's for better or worse depends on the situation, but now he's dropped his Orphan X identity and is known as The Nowhere Man - someone whose mission in life is to help people who have no one else to turn to. 

Now in the process of restoring his high-tech condo digs after a blast that almost killed him, he's sort of settled into a relationship of sorts with his neighbor Mia Hall. His young tech buddy (and former Orphan survivor) Joey Morales is helping with the restoration, and Evan really wants a break. Alas, he won't get one; duty calls after a call from drug-dealer hotshot Aragon Urrea in South Texas. Evan has no interest in helping bad guys, but Aragon has a softer side; just like Evan, he helps many people less fortunate than himself. More to the point of the story, his beloved only daughter, Angelina, has been kidnapped by a rival cartel and taken to their headquarters compound in Mexico. Evan isn't thrilled with helping someone who most folks would consider one of the bad guys, but after meeting Aragon, he concludes that good and bad don't always show up in black and white - and in this instance, gray is an acceptable color.

From that point on, it's basically a story of how one man can rescue a damsel in distress without getting himself killed. In this instance, it ain't easy; Evan will need all the tricks of the trade he can muster (or get from friends) plus an abundance of intestinal fortitude. I'd throw in a modicum of luck, but I'm pretty sure Evan wouldn't buy that for one second; as the saying goes, luck happens only when preparedness meets opportunity. It's page after page of action - much of it on the horrific side - with close call after close call. If that weren't enough, a situation back at home takes a potentially deadly turn that turns out to be the cliffhanger at the end of the book (making me, of course, eager to get my hands on the next installment).

All in all, this is a series I highly recommend (if you can start at the beginning, so much the better, but I'm one who did not and had no difficulty figuring out what was going on in those I did read including this one). Many thanks once again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. Super good!

Dark Horse by Gregg Hurwitz (Minotaur Books, February 2022); 432 pp.

THE TRAPPED WIFE

4 stars out of 5

When I read my first book by this author back in 2018 - The Reunion- I called it one of the best books of the year. No surprise, then, that I jumped at the chance to read and review a pre-release copy of this one, thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley. It also was no surprise, at least to me, that I enjoyed this one very much as well, although a titch less than the other one.

The plot is complex enough to be totally confusing, but - thanks to the author's writing skills - it's relatively easy to follow even before all the loose ends start coming together. Readers get a glimpse of a years-ago "friendship" between two school kids that turns evil; then one of Jenn, a recent widow with fuzzy memories of something awful that happened in her past. Then suddenly, we're in her present, as she learns she's unexpectedly pregnant and gets an unwanted visitor named Scott, who makes her skin crawl but won't leave. Chapters shift perspective from one of the youngsters to Jenn to that of her good friend, Rhonda. Tossed into the mix are Jenn's teenage son, Kierin, and Rhonda's teenage daughter, Caitlin.

Questions loom large: Who were those two young schoolyard friends, and are they related to what's going on now? What happened to Jenn (and maybe more important, what really happened to her husband)? Who is the house-crasher and why can't Jenn - a physician, for crying out loud - make him go away? That last part is the only thing I had a bit of trouble with; I'm never been a fan of women who try to rationalize behavior that's outside of what my idea of a "normal" woman would (or, IMHO, should) do - kind of like those idiots in horror movies who run toward a dark alley instead of a well-lit store when a monster is chasing them. By the end, the real reason for Jenn's lack of backbone becomes evident, though, thus changing the opinion I had of her throughout most of the book (whether for better or worse I'll never tell).

All the parts herein are intricately and expertly woven and come together in the end - complete with a couple of knock-out surprises. In short, it was well worth the time I spent reading it. Recommended!

The Trapped Wife by Samantha Hayes (Bookouture, September 2021); 268 pp.

THE CHILD IN THE PHOTO

4 stars out of 5

My feelings about this book are mixed. On the one hand, it's an intriguing story - one with enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages of my Kindle all the way to the end. But the end? It happened so abruptly - and in my mind, incompletely, that I actually said out loud, "Wait - is that all there is, or did I miss something?"

But back to the beginning: Someone slips an old newspaper article to 34-year-old Hope Taylor about a baby girl who was taken from her mother three decades earlier. Nothing to get excited about, at least until Hope spots a very unique and unusual physical characteristic on the baby that she shares. Coincidence? Unlikely - but Hope loves her parents, who took good care of her, especially when she was in a bad accident. Her mother, when Hope confronts her, says all the right things; but the next day, Hope sees her burning papers in the garden and her reasons for doing so are less than satisfactory. 

When she tells her good platonic friend, Stephen, what happened, he insists that they go meet the woman whose daughter was stolen all those years ago. They break in, and Hope finds evidence that this woman's baby wasn't the only one stolen back then. Later still, Hope returns and actually meets the mother, who is absolutely positive that Hope is her missing daughter - a daughter she wants back in her life. In the midst of all this, Stephen must deal with a personal incident that could have been deadly.

Still reeling, the only thing both Hope and Stephen are sure of is that they don't want to tell the police. And that was a turn-off for me, because I just couldn't buy their rationalizations for not doing so (although if Hope, in particular, had done so at that point I guess there wouldn't have been much of a story left). Then Hope gets a visitor who brings an even bigger surprise; and with that, I must stop and not give away anything more. Suffice it to say that trying to sort everything out becomes an emotional roller coaster - one on which it's next to impossible to see where the next turn will come and where it's going.

Most of what happens gets resolved, but not all; as I indicated at the beginning, I wasn't totally satisfied and felt that several loose ends never got tied up. But overall, there's plenty of action here that should keep most readers not wanting to put the book down (think: Summer's coming and a relaxing chaise on the beach with a good book is starting to sound great). I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

The Child in the Photo by Kerry Wilkinson (Bookouture, June 2021); 318 pp.

BLOODLESS

 5 stars out of 5

Wow - this one sure took a turn for the bizarre! And the ending? Well, I'm still in shock. The ending, of course, I can't reveal. As for the bizarre, with this series - this is the 20th book - it's pretty much to be expected, although maybe not quite this much.

The story begins with the 1971 disappearance of D.B. Cooper, who, threatening the flight crew with what turned out to be a fake bomb, collected a ransom of $200,000 and parachuted from Flight 305 that started in Portland headed for Seattle (which is, for the record, a true story). Readers may (should) suspect that this has some bearing on the tale that follows, when FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast and his partner, Agent Armstrong Coldmoon, are ordered to Savannah, Georgia. There, a couple of bodies have been found totally drained of blood - either a blessing or a bane, depending on who's looking to get rich or famous - in a city that's known for its ghosts and vampires.

Special interests also are at work here, in the form of a group looking to capture paranormal activity on film and a man looking to do an expose on the paranormal-filming group. While a couple of blood-let bodies may boost or hinder their causes one way or another, the same can be said of how their activities impact Pendergast's investigation. Throw in a couple more bloodless bodies, a sinister cemetery and some futuristic technology, and Pendergast and company definitely have their hands and thinking caps full.

As usual, Pendergast gets a lot of assistance from his ward with the mysterious background, Constance Greene; this time, her help not only is crucial to solving the case, but ultimately brings into question the direction future books in this series will take. For sure I'm one who will be waiting on pins and needles for the next one. As for this, well, nothing left to say but bravo (and please, please, don't waste any time getting the next installment ready).

Bloodless by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Grand Central Publishing, August 2021); 400 pp.

HER DARK LIES

5 stars out of 5

If I had 10 bucks for every body that turns up in this one, I might not be able to buy that beach shack I've been wanting on my beloved North Carolina Outer Banks, but I sure would eat like a queen for a week or two! Wow - just when you thought still-standing characters would be safe, bam - another one bites the island dust.

The island is Isle Isola, off the coast of Italy. That's where uber-rich Compton family has a getaway villa that's nothing short of a castle. And that's where the wedding of son Jackson "Jack" Compton and his bride-to-be, Claire Hunter, will take place, with many family members enjoying luxurious pre-wedding festivities that have been organized to the nth degree by the Compton's highly experienced and competent staff.

But even before Jack and Claire arrive on the island, it's clear something is amiss; as they arrive at Claire's Nashville digs after an event - accompanied by a Compton family security guard - they're accosted by a masked intruder. Surviving that (I'll leave you to read the book to find out how that happens), they try to put it behind them and set off for the island. But almost the second they set foot on it, it's clear that something is amiss here as well. No, it's not Jack's family; despite Claire's background as a multi-tattooed junkie turned noteworthy artist whose work (thanks in large part to a boost from Jack) now sells for thousands of dollars, they appear to welcome her with open arms. 

Rather, the island itself, and the villa, that are suspect  For openers, a skeleton is unearthed that may have close ties to Jack; this is not, for the record, his first go-'round at marriage - his first ending with the tragic death of his wife Morgan. In any event, Jack's mother, firmly established as the family matriarch, wants the discovery swept under the rug. No one - not even Jack - reveals the circumstances surrounding Morgan's death.

Early on, it's obvious that someone isn't exactly thrilled with the upcoming wedding. Her dream dress, which she personally designed, is ruined. When that disturbs, but doesn't stop, the wedding, the shutdown and loss of all data from the family's server causes even more concern. And when that fails to put the brakes on the wedding, the murders begin.

Chapters from the viewpoint of other characters - including the person behind all the mayhem - are interspersed, giving readers an awareness (already suspected) of who's behind all the mayhem as well as insights on the main characters' backgrounds that help with an understanding of why. The action picks up even steam near the ending, which brings a few new and somewhat surprising insights as well. All told? Well-written and enjoyable. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison (MIRA, March 2021); 356 pp.

A CALLER'S GAME

 5 stars out of 5

It's hard to believe that much of what happens in this totally engrossing book could ever be possible, although given the recent pre-Inauguration Day events that rocked our nation, the concept may not be all that far-fetched. In the end, it matters not; my only question is, can I give this one 6 stars?

While I admit I do not like to be interrupted once I reach about the 75% mark, starting dinner and heading off to bed almost always take precedence over finishing whatever book I'm reading. This one, though, is the first for which I threw tradition to the wind and told my husband that if he couldn't wait to eat till I'd finished, he'd just have to head for the kitchen and fend for himself. For the record, that's because the action starts to build right from the first page and picks up steam all the way to the end, when I literally said, "Whew!"

Jordan Briggs is the host of a popular radio talk show, broadcast from the SiriusXM Building in the heart of New York City. She's brash, runs a tight ship together with her in-the-booth sidekick Billy and cherishes her 11-year old (equally brash) daughter Charlotte. On this day, a caller named Bernie insists that she play a game; she must choose which way she'd prefer to get around the city - by taxi or Uber.

Down on the street near Jordan's building, homicide detective Cole Hundley has been temporarily demoted to traffic duty because of a transgression involving the daughter of one of his superiors. Suddenly, all hell breaks loose as explosions start to happen all around. As Cole stands near a taxi, the driver takes a call asking to speak to Cole; it's a man named Bernie, who says he's sent a bomb to Jordan's floor and gives Cole a choice: Stay and try to help the cab driver, who's been wired to a bomb, or leave and try to intercept the bomb in the building before it detonates.

Cole ends up taking off toward the building, managing to get inside amid smoke from the blasts and police attempting to cordon off the surrounding streets. From her broadcast booth, caller Bernie continues his "game," demanding that Jordan make impossible choices that suggest Bernie may be trying to even the score from a disastrous event that Jordan engineered years ago. Whatever his reason, it's clear he's a technological wizard who's way ahead of anyone who tries to stop him - including Cole, who quickly is forced into channeling Bruce Willis in "Die Hard" as he races against time to get to a finish line that keeps moving (with my own heart pounding every step of the way).

In short, this is one book that truly lives up to the "thriller" description - if you are comfortable on the edge of your seat, this one's for you. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. And oh, yeah, if a movie based on this book isn't already in the works, it should be. Whew!

A Caller's Game by J.D. Barker (Hampton Creek Press, February 2021); 445 pp.

WHAT MY HUSBAND DID

5 stars out of 5

It's rare for me (as I suspect it is for most other readers) to have the luxury of reading a book at a single sitting. It's even more rare for me to actually want to do that. Such was the case here; I was hooked from the git-go and, had it not been for a husband who depends on me to feed him at least once a day, I'd have plowed straight through.

Early on, we see 12-year-old Alice getting into a car driven by Richard - the husband of Maddy, in turn the mother of a college-age daughter. Nothing to get excited about, really, except that soon thereafter, the girl is found near death in a remote area of Leavensfield, England, the small but rather snobbish community in which Richard and Maddy live. To make matters worse, Richard - a university lecturer - didn't come the night Alice was found. Nor did he show up the next night, and Maddy's text messages and calls go unanswered.

Almost everyone in the community turns against Maddy, presumably figuring she was somehow aware of what Richard did (and may have even helped him do it). Meanwhile, she wrestles with a childhood event that left emotional scars (a few interspersed chapters let readers in on what happened back then). And then, Maddy gets a sign that fills her with both hope and dread; which one wins out is the stuff of which edge-of-seat experiences are made.

I can't say I was totally thrilled with the ending - nor was I very fond of the catty, shallow residents of Leavensfield - but whole thing certainly made for an exciting adventure with plenty of twists. Highly recommended, and many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

What My Husband Did by Kerry Wilkinson (Bookouture, November 2020); 360 pp.

THE SHADOWS

5 stars out of 5

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of man? The Shadows do! And now, having finished this wonderfully creepy thriller, so do I.

Perhaps more to the point, the evil lurks in the dreams of man - or specifically in teenage Charlie Crabtree, a bully with a sinister streak who, some 25 years ago, coerced a couple of friends into believing that they had the power to not only control their own dreams, but live in the dreams of the others. Quickly, the situation escalated from bad to much worse; two of the boys, led by Charlie, gruesomely murdered another youngster. One was caught, sentenced and sent to prison, but Charlie escaped and hasn't been seen since.

One of Charlie's original cohorts, Paul Adams, realized that Charlie was up to no good; although he'd stayed with the group to protect his best friend, he turned away not long before the murder that rocked the small community of Gritton Wood. It's close to Featherbank, the setting of the author's first novel, The Whisper Man (and if you haven't read that one, hie thee hither to get it immediately; it, too, earned a 5-star rating from me and is one of the best books I've had on my Kindle in a while).

As this one begins, Paul - who was so traumatized by the murder than he left home for college and hasn't returned in 25 years - reluctantly comes back to see his mother (they've kept in touch regularly by phone, but not in person). Her dementia is worsening, and a recent fall at her home led to complications and pending death. Paul's misgivings about returning home already have him on edge, especially since he decides to stay in his childhood home that backs up to a dense wooded area known locally as the "Shadows." But ominous things his mother says, other things that unexpectedly go bump in the night and a discovery in the attic make him eager to turn tail and run. But they also make him curious, especially after he meets police Detective Amanda Beck; turns out she's investigating the murder of a child that bears a striking (pardon the pun) resemblance to the murder of Paul's childhood friend. Is there a copycat killer out there? Or is Charlie still alive and back in business?

The answer comes via an engrossing rest of the story, which includes a few unexpected, and zingy, twists. Of course, my lips are sealed; I'll say only that I read this one almost in one sitting (I just couldn't manage to stay awake to finish what would be another hour, but right after my walk the next morning, I was at it again). In short, it's another highly recommended winner from this very talented author. Thanks again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with an advance copy to read and review.

The Shadows by Alex North (Celadon Books, July 2020); 336 pp.

THE INSTITUTE

5 stars out of 5

There are only two authors in the world whose books I not only willingly, but enthusiastically, open even when they're 500 pages or more. One is J.K. Rowling (long live Harry Potter) and the other is Stephen King. That's because with either author I've never, ever been sorry that I did - and I'm delighted to report that the winning streak continues with this one.

At the outset, though, I had some doubts. Oh, not about the quality of writing - that's never gonna happen with this author. But the subject matter - the kidnapping and psychological and physical torture of children - just isn't something I wanted to read about for that many pages (one or two would be more than sufficient, thank you very much). But back to that amazing writing ability: Within a couple of chapters, I'd been hooked - and the reeling in continued to the very last page (which I stayed up way past my bedtime to reach, BTW).

The story opens with the kidnapping of the precocious young Luke Ellis and, almost as an aside, murder of his parents. He's drugged, and when he wakes up he's in a room that looks just like his room at home except it's not; he's in The Institute in remote Maine. Soon, he learns that he's not the only one here; he's surrounded by many other youngsters - all with a propensity for telekinesis and telepathy or both. And before long, he learns that the future is bleak; many other kids have been here, been put through the wringer and sent to another wing of the complex - never to be heard from again.

Meantime, readers get a glimpse into the new life of former cop Tim Jamieson, who finds himself - temporarily, he expects - in out-of-the-way Dupray, South Carolina. Though seriously overqualified, he applies for and lands a job as a "night knocker," a non-cop who walks through the very small downtown to make sure all the businesses and buildings are secure. 

Most of the story focuses on the treatment, and mistreatment, of the youngsters at The Institute; all would like nothing better than to escape, but most are convinced that will never happen and some are even resigned to their fate. But as expected, their story and Tim's in the South Carolina setting come together at some point (no, I won't reveal when, how or why, but I will say the journey is filled with excitement, suspense and not a few rather gory details that kept me on the edge of my seat pretty much all the way through). It's not a perfect ending, but then I'm old enough to know that it's not a perfect world. It did, however, brighten the days I spent reading it. Well done!

The Institute by Stephen King (Scribner, September 2019); 576 pp.

THE WHISPER MAN

5 stars out of 5

For sure, this is a book I didn't want to put down - but for two reasons: First and by far foremost, yes, it's that good. Second, I was trying my best to finish before a cataract removal made it next to impossible to read anything, even with a bumped-high font on my Kindle. Happily (sort of), I made it - almost. The best I could do the night before my surgery was get close to the 90% mark, leaving me frustrated and chomping at the bit to get to the end. The day after surgery - with help from a pair of readers, a magnifying glass and a whole lot of determination, I finally got there.

And what a treat it was! Since it's still difficult to read (and therefore write), I'll necessarily keep my review short; but suffice it to say I enjoyed every thrilling page. For openers, a young boy has gone missing, and similarities soon point detectives to older murders by a serial killer known as the "Whisper Man." But that killer is in jail, so the theories are that there's a copycat on the loose or that the original killer had an accomplice. So strong is the connection that Detective Inspector Pete Willis, who worked the missing boy's case 20 years earlier and is the only person ever allowed to meet with the jailed killer, has been called in to help once again. That case has haunted him ever since - no body was ever found and the killer refuses to reveal the whereabouts - so he's understandably reluctant to get involved again.

Enter a second storyline as readers meet young Jake, whose mother died tragically. His father, a writer, is tryig his best to connect with his son even though both were devastated by the mother's death. The son, Jake, carries around a Packet of Special Things as a sort of security blanket, and he also "talks" to an unseen by anyone else young girl and, worse, hears a man's voice whispering to him on occasion. When Jake's dad moves them to a creepy old house that Jake inexplicably loves in Featherbank - the same community in which the boy went missing - things start to get really crazy.

And that's where I'll leave it. There are a couple of plot twists that keep things intriguing, and the character development keeps it interesting as well. This one, I think, deserves to be a winner - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

The Whisper Man by Alex North (Celadon Books, August 2019); 368 pp.

RUN AWAY

5 stars out of 5 

Oh my - an exciting, can't-put-down thriller from one of my favorite authors. Toward the end, when the action really heats up, I thought I'd figured things out. But boy, was I wrong - and that made for even more thrills.

The first handful of chapters, though, did make me wonder how the rest would go. They skip from scenario to scenario - introducing new characters in each - making me worry that I'd lose sight of who was who (even though I expected the three main "stories" would merge at some point). And merge they did, in fairly short order - with each appearance adding details leading to the bang-up ending.

At the start, financial consultant Simon Greene is in New York's Central Park, following up on a tip that his runaway, drug-addicted daughter Paige would be there. And she is, but she's definitely not overjoyed to see him - and neither is her drug supplier and abusive boyfriend. Simon and the boyfriend get into an altercation that quickly turns physical - with Simon getting the worst of it - and both he and Paige get away.

At the same time in Chicago, hot-shot private investigator Elena Ramirez has been hired by the wealthy father of a son who's gone missing. Then there's a switch to  Ash and his partner, religious cult devotee Dee Dee, who have a penchant for killing - at least when someone else is willing to pay for their services.

The story primarily follows Simon and his pediatric physician wife Ingrid as they try to figure out why and with whom Paige, in her first year at college, went off the deep end - with the ultimate goal of finding her and getting her back into rehab. In-between chapters document Elena's efforts to find the missing son - which in the process puts her in contact with Simon - as well as Ash and Dee Dee's murderous pursuits. The details of each scenario begin to come together, leading to that gobsmacking ending I mentioned at the outset.

I have to be honest: I absolutely loved this book, but there were a few things that didn't quite ring true-to-life as I know it. But also honestly, who cares? Not me, that's for sure. Kudos on a thoroughly enjoyable, highly recommended book for which I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Run Away by Harlan Coben (Grand Central Publishing, March 2019); 384 pp.

THE EIGHTH SISTER

5 stars out of 5


One thing I've learned about books by this author: It's not likely I'll be disappointed. No surprise, then, that this one earned yet another five-star rating from me. Here's the scoop:

Charles Jenkins is in his 60s now, married to a younger woman who's close to delivering their new baby. A former CIA case officer, he left the agency with a bad taste in his mouth after a case that didn't go as planned some 40 years ago. Now,  he runs a security consulting business that appears to have a single client - a high-profile firm in Seattle that tends to be in arrears when it comes to payment for services rendered. Then one day, Charlie gets a surprise visitor: his long-ago CIA station chief, Carl Emerson, who begs him to take on an undercover job in Moscow (where, conveniently, Charlie's client has an office). The task is to determine the identity of the "eighth sister," a Russian agent who is behind the recent murders of a couple of members of a U.S. spy cell known as the seven sisters. They've operated successfully and secretly for many years until now; the hope is that Charlie will nail the eighth sister before she finishes off all the others.

Desperate to stop the red ink in his business, Charlie reluctantly takes the assignment without letting his wife in on his secret. But early on, he learns something is dead wrong; for openers, the woman he believes is behind the killings isn't the assassin. Even more frightening, what she tells him - if in fact she can be believed - forces him to doubt everything he's been told about the case so far.

Everything goes totally haywire when Charlie and the woman find themselves in the crosshairs of a Russian agent who wants them in jail (or better still, six feet under). But why? Nothing Charlie has said or done should have triggered that kind of response. Could it be that something or  someone's gone afoul in the CIA? And if so, who? Everything ends up in a trial, during which a possible insight on that question (as an aside, especially relevant these days) is offered. When Charlie asks, "How do we get the government to lie?" the response speaks volumes: "We just get them to move their lips."

Fast-paced, exciting and another winner, this is a not-to-be-missed thriller. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni (Thomas & Mercer, April 2019); 437 pp.

THE SILENT PATIENT

5 stars out of 5


Two revelations in the interest of full disclosure: I won an advance copy of this book through BookishFirst; and, about a third of the way through, I had what turned out to be a spot-on brain niggle about how it would end (the who, not the why). That acknowledged, I'll simply say Wow! If this doesn't hit the big leagues among 2019 releases, I'll be shocked and thoroughly disappointed. 

The patient, Alicia Berenson, is an intriguing character; living, if you want to call it that, in a mental health facility for the past six years or so, she was found guilty of murdering her photographer-husband Gabriel in cold blood and subsequently deemed "mad." From the time she was found standing near his just-killed body, she has never uttered a single word. Enter forensic psychotherapist Theo Faber, who has learned about the case and is so  intent on "healing" her that he leaves his job at a successful clinic to join the financially shaky Grove, where Alicia is an over-medicated resident. Through chapter shifts, readers get information on Alicia's childhood, her work as a painter, her marriage and their family and friends. Interspersed are excerpts from a diary she's been writing in secret. Among the revelations? A strange man may have been stalking her.

But the bottom line is that for the real story to be known - or at least Alicia's version of it - she must find and use her voice. That's been Theo's goal from the beginning, but he has to fight not only the facility's higher-ups - most of whom have been treating and working with Alicia for years and have concluded that she's incurable - but also a very determined-to-remain-silent patient.

All that happens from that point on makes for great reading - and a book I highly recommend to anyone who loves psychological thrillers. Thanks again to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review it.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (Celadon Books, February 2019); 336 pp.

CLOSER

5 stars out of 5

Absolutely loved this one - my only "issue" was that all the other things I needed to do got in the way of finishing it in one sitting. Oh well - guess there's something to be said for anticipation making me wait.

Chapters switch back and forth among several characters, such as Emma, a paralegal with a talented 10-year-old daughter Maisie; Maisie herself; Emma's mum Val; and Joanne, an attorney and Emma's boss who's also the mother of 10-year-old Piper (the latter a selfish, nasty bully who simply doesn't understand the word "no" - probably because the little twit has never heard it).

Each character has some sort of past secret, as slowly revealed in the chapters. At issue in the beginning, though, is that Emma and her husband Shaun have given up on their marriage. They've come to an amicable exchange of responsibilities when it comes to Maisie, and they still live in their home (albeit in separate rooms). That worked fine until Shaun found the love of his new life - and whoops, it turns out to be Joanne. 

The three adults seem to be dealing with the somewhat uncomfortable situation fairly well, but Maisie is particularly disturbed. Not only does she not understand what's really going on with her parents, she absolutely detests Piper; they go to the same dance classes where, needless to say, Piper is an prima donna extraordinaire. Then her dad moved in with Joanne, forcing Maisie into much more contact with Piper than she ever wants (honestly, I can't blame the kid; Piper is a totally obnoxious brat who could use a few good smacks upside the head). But every time Maisie tries to tell her dad or, God forbid, Piper's mum about the awful things Piper says and does, they defend Piper and tell Maisie to try harder.

Emma's mum does realize her daughter's discomfort - manifested both in personality and behavioral changes - but Maisie retreats within herself and won't open up to anyone. And Emma's attempts to warn Shaun that Piper (and perhaps Joanne) are putting Maisie in danger fall on eyes and ears that are blinded and deafened by his newfound one true love. So, Emma decides to do some digging for herself; but as she embarks on that journey, events of her past begin to haunt her, threatening a danger of a different sort.

Everything comes to a head near the end, with more than one major surprise and a cliffhanger ending that will curl your mustache even if you don't have one. Kudos to the author, and thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. Whew!

Closer by K.L. Slater (Bookouture, October 2018); 354 pp.

THE LIES WE TOLD

4.5 stars out of 5


The ability to write any work of fiction always fascinates me; I'm a writer, but I simply cannot fathom putting together a story that isn't based on real-world facts. And when it's as complex and entertaining as this one, I'm pretty much in awe. Having enjoyed another of the author's books, Watching Edie, I was delighted at the chance to get my eyes on an advance copy of this one to review. Now that I've finished, my opinion is that it's the better of the two. And that means it's pretty darn good.

Totally plausible? For the most part, no, but it matters not to me; there was suspense in nearly every chapter that kept me riveted to the point that with a quarter of the book left to finish, I kept on going even as my favorite college football team was in serious danger of losing an expected win. Even the chapters that alternate between two different time frames and different sets of characters - normally a bit off-putting to me - were so well written that I can't complain.

This one begins with a shocker from 1986 (conjuring up visions of the grisly offer-you-can't-refuse scene from "The Godfather"), setting the stage for Beth and Doug, who finally got the baby they'd longed for: a daughter they named Hannah. But try as they might, they can't get Hannah to respond to their caring efforts. Clearly, something is dreadfully - and dangerously - wrong with the child. Nothing they do helps, and they're now living in fear of what she might do next to them (and especially to Hannah's younger brother, Toby) or anyone else with whom she comes in contact in Cambridgeshire, England.

Then it's on to London in 2017, when Clara's live-in lover Luke fails to return home one night. Threatening emails turn up on Luke's computer - it seems he's been the target of an unknown, and potentially vicious, stalker for quite some time. Luke's parents, both retired professionals, are still grieving over the loss of their daughter (Luke's older sister), who inexplicably left home when he was 10 years old, never to be heard from again. They've still got Luke's older brother, Tom, but he's got plenty of baggage that keeps him emotionally separated from his parents. Now, they all must deal with the possible loss of yet another grown child.

The two stories - efforts by Clara, Luke's friend Mac and the police and those of Hannah's parents to understand and deal with her out-of-control behavior - run concurrently for much of the book. As most readers would expect, however, the two will converge at some point; they do, as little by little new insights (and a ton of secrets in both scenarios) are revealed, coming together in an ending that is at once satisfying and unsettling.

My own conclusion? Definitely worth reading!

The Lies We Told by Camilla Way (Berkley, October 2018); 336 pp.