Author: megs14malloy

Review: Blood Like Ours (The Blood Trilogy #2) by Stuart Neville

~ megs14malloy

Blood Like Ours (Blood Trilogy #2)Blood Like Ours by Stuart Neville
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**4.5-stars**

Blood Like Ours is the 2nd-book in the Blood Trilogy by Stuart Neville. The 1st-book, Blood Like Mine, took me completely by surprise when I read it last year.

Initially, I thought that one was a standalone, so I was super excited when I discovered it was actually slated to be a trilogy. Since that time, I’ve been anxiously awaiting this installment and it didn’t disappoint.

These books are a stellar blend of Horror with Crime Fiction. It’s got such a tone to it. Dark, intense, and oh yeah, there’s a lot of blood involved.

Coffin Moon, which was a fairly-hyped Horror release this year, would be a fairly good comp in my opinion. So, if you enjoyed that one and are looking for more in a similar vein, you should check this series out.

Vein…did you see what I did there??

In this installment, we continue to follow Rebecca and her daughter, Monica, who she calls Moonflower. We also continue to follow FBI Agents, specifically, Special Agent Sarah McGrath, who’s very familiar with their case.

The cat-and-mouse dynamics from the 1st-book carry over here, but we also get a new perspective, an young Irish immigrant, who ends up with a shocking connection to Monica and Rebecca.

I love how this book continues to build out this world and cast of characters involved in this story. When it all started, it felt quite insular, with Rebecca and Monica feeling like islands unto themselves. As the story has progressed though, we discover just how many players are actually involved in this whole thing.

It’s intriguing as heck. The way Neville moves all these pieces around, it feels like you’re witnessing a first class chess match with a bunch of blood splatter.

This ending too, OMG!!!

There’s so much more to explore and I can’t wait to discover where the 3rd-book is going to lead us. One of my favorite aspects of this one was the new perspective, Emma, and all the insights she brought to the historical side of this story.

I don’t want to say too much, because the synopsis keeps it vague. I will say as a sequel, it’s completely successful at continuing the original story, whilst also bringing in a lot of new information and truly expanding the stakes, as well as the intrigue.

Thank you to the publisher, Recorded Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Book 3 cannot come fast enough. I can’t wait!!

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Review: Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay

~ megs14malloy

Disappearance at Devil's RockDisappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**4.5-stars rounded up**

As a Reader, I focus a lot on new releases. In the majority of cases, if I don’t get to a book either before, or within like 4 or 5-months, of its release date, it’s going to end up languishing on my shelves, or Kindle, unread for years.

A month ago, I was browsing books that were past nominees for the Bram Stoker Awards, and this just happened to be one of them. I decided it was high time I get to it. I’ve owned this book since it’s release and am kicking myself for not picking it up sooner.

This story features a sort of classic set-up: three teen boys enter the forest, only two return. We follow the missing boy, Tommy’s, mom, Elizabeth, and his younger sister, Kate. We also get the perspective of the boys in the days leading up to Tommy’s disappearance.

There are a lot of moving parts to the narrative, but they’re all blended together so well that it makes for a seamless, emotional and engaging story.

I am huge Tremblay fan, so I wouldn’t say I was necessarily surprised at how much I enjoyed this, or how good the writing was, however, I do walk away feeling this is one of Tremblay’s best works to date. I can’t stress enough how incredibly well-told it is; completely immersive. I was drawn in quickly and couldn’t stop.

The inclusion of the boys perspectives, since they are just teens, had a certain Coming of Age feel that enjoy. That combined with various real world horrors, really played into my tastes. I thought the audiobook narration was perfect for the tone of the story as well. Overall, just exceptional.

At the end of the day, Disappearance at Devil’s Rock was a great reminder for me to not neglect my backlist. There are so many incredible stories lurking on the shelves just waiting to be discovered.

I would absolutely recommend this to people who enjoy genre-bending, emotionally-impactful stories, full of haunting imagery and real world horrors. I’m so glad that I finally made time for this one!

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Review: The Perfect Hosts by Heather Gudenkauf

~ megs14malloy

The Perfect HostsThe Perfect Hosts by Heather Gudenkauf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Perfect Hosts is a new release Popcorn Thriller/Domestic Drama from Heather Gudenkauf.

I’ve loved some of Gudenkauf’s work in the past, so I was really looking forward to this one and it didn’t disappoint.

This story is set around Madeline and Wes Drake, and their epic gender reveal party that goes horribly wrong, leaving a family friend dead. Close to 200-guests were in attendance at the time and any of them could be responsible.

Due to the nature of the incident, a government special agent, Jamie Saldano, is brought in to investigate. Agent Saldano has his own connection to the Drake family and his own reasons for wanting to be there.

The Drake’s unexpected house guests up the tension, as well as the suspect list. Will Agent Saldano be able to find the killer, or will the killer find him first?

Gudenkauf wastes no time getting into it with this story. It kicks off with a truly explosive 1st chapter. I was absolutely hooked, popping my popcorn and settling in for the drama.

You can tell quickly that it’s going to get messy. It was giving me Real Housewives meets Yellowstone with a touch of Lifetime movie, and I’ll admit I got pretty invested in all the jaw-dropping twists and turns.

Sure, there were aspects that were slightly-predictable, but the journey getting to the reveals was still hella enjoyable.

As everything unfolds in the story, you start to realize how many layers and players are involved. I liked that we had Agent Saldano’s perspective, as it added a bit of an outside observer to this otherwise domestic story.

The intensity builds constantly throughout, with so many crazy things happening. It’s a super fun, quick and engaging read. I would recommend it to Readers who enjoy high octane Domestic Thrillers, particularly if you are interested in one set on an active horse ranch.

Thank you to the publisher, Park Row, for providing me with a copy to read and review. It’s safe to say that I’ll pick up anything Heather Gudenkauf writes at this point.

I’m looking forward to whatever is next!

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Review: Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington

~ megs14malloy

Girls Who Play DeadGirls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Girls Who Play Dead is the 3rd-full length novel from one of my new go-to authors, Joelle Wellington. Wellington’s debut, Their Vicious Games, which published in 2023, was one of my top reads of that year.

I absolutely loved it and have anxiously anticipated her next 2-books, and while this isn’t my favorite from her, I still really enjoyed it.

This story follows siblings, Mikky and Kyla, who live in the small town of Prophets Lake, Massachusetts. Kyla is a dancer, popular and connected at the hip to her BFF, Erin.

Mikky, on the other hand, felt suffocated by their hometown, and ended up leaving to go live with his estranged mother closer to the city of Boston.

When Kyla’s best friend Erin is murdered though, Mikky returns in a desperate effort to be their for his sister during what’s sure to be the most difficult time of her life.

After he arrives home though, Mikky is confused by the Kyla he encounters. She hardly resembles the sister he remembers. She’s hard-edged, angry and demanding, a mean girl at school, and seems barely affected by Erin’s death. It’s hard to get close to her, but Mikky won’t give up.

Everyone grieves differently it’s true, but Kyla seems to be into something. She’s keeping dangerous secrets, Mikky can tell. He decides if he’s going to help Kyla, he needs to figure out who killed Erin and why.

Teaming up with a cute boy at school, Nasim, Mikky begins digging into Kyla and Erin’s relationship and the secrets they held together.

I didn’t have any trouble getting into this story. Wellington has the ability to pull you completely in. I find her stories fluid, engaging and easy to completely immerse yourself in.

I thought the characters were great and I loved the exploration of the different relationship dynamics, especially Kyla and Mikky, but also even learning about Kyla and Erin’s relationship was interesting.

As the Reader, we never meet Erin while she’s alive, but through the other characters it does feel like you can get a real sense of who she was. As best friends go, Kyla and Erin were as close as you can get, and I couldn’t imagine everything Kyla was going through after losing her, which made her anger understandable.

I loved Mikky’s investigation. Amateur sleuthing is one of my favorite things in a novel like this, especially with teens, and I like how Wellington incorporated it here.

In addition to the mystery though, there are some well done IRL issues being explored as well. Kyla and Mikky’s Dad is struggling with some financial hardship, trying to keep their family-run funeral home open, and we also get to see the impact of grief on Erin’s loved ones.

Mikky and Nasim’s budding relationship was another one of my favorite aspects. I liked them working together and getting to know one another, even though I may have done without some of the 3rd-act drama between them at the end.

I also always appreciate how bold Wellington’s story concepts are. This one is no exception. It does involve beauty influencing, so if that is something that interests you, this is definitely worth picking up. In general though, this is a strong YA Thriller and I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of that genre.

Thank you to the publisher, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I’m excited to see what Wellington comes up with next. Regardless of what it is, I’ll definitely be reading it!!

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Review: Final Cut by Olivia Worley

~ megs14malloy

Final CutFinal Cut by Olivia Worley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**4.5-stars**

Hazel Lejeune dreams of becoming an actress. Shortly after she graduates from high school, she ends up landing the lead role in a low-budget Slasher Horror movie. The filming of the movie will require Hazel, who goes by Haze, to travel to the small town of Pine Springs, Louisiana.

The thing that no one else knows, the secret that Haze is keeping, is that she’s been to Pine Springs before. It was actually in that very town that her father, known as the Pine Springs Slasher, was convicted of a series of murders 15-years previously.

Haze has mixed feelings about returning to the town she lived in prior to her father’s conviction. Mostly though, she just hopes no one will recognize her.

As the cast and crew arrive on set, Haze ends up in a situation she never could have dreamed of. Mysterious accidents plague them from the start and mentions of her Dad can be found throughout the script.

Then a gruesome murder shocks everyone involved. Clearly, there’s a real killer stalking the set, but it is just a Pine Springs Slasher copy cat, or is perhaps the wrong man behind bars?

Obviously, this is a crucial question to many, but to Haze it means even more. Now she’s left to try to piece together the truth of what happened 15-years ago, while also trying to get through this film alive.

Final Cut is a really strong YA Slasher. I loved the vibes, setting and the mystery behind the slashes. It did feel a little drawn out in the 2nd-half to me, but overall, a very fun read.

Olivia Worley is quickly becoming one of my go-to YA Thriller/Horror authors. I just love her plotting, atmospheres and intense dramas. Her writing is addictive, fluid and always a darn good time.

I love that she brought us back to Louisiana in this one, a setting I also enjoyed in The Debutantes. This felt secluded and dangerous, in a small town way, from the very start.

She also brought true slasher vibes to this. The danger and the kills were just boom, boom, boom, and definitely kept me engaged and wanting to keep reading further.

I would definitely recommend this to any Slasher fan, even if you aren’t a big YA Reader. I don’t think you necessarily have to be to enjoy this one. It doesn’t feel overly-YA, if that makes sense. More New Adult feel to me personally.

Haze was an interesting main character and I liked the growth she displayed throughout the story. Being back in Pine Springs really forced her to face her past, in a way she never had before. Well, that and the fact that she had a serial killer on her heels.

I liked learning about her background, and also the investigation into the murders that happened when she as a kid. I think that whole aspect added a little depth to the story that was needed and appreciated.

Overall, I feel this was well-plotted, while also keeping it fun and true to the Slasher style. Another success for Worley.

Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I can’t wait to see what Worley delivers next!!!

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Review: The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong

~ megs14malloy

The Haunting of Paynes HollowThe Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars rounded up**

The Haunting of Paynes Hollow follows Samantha Payne, who is shocked to learn upon the death of her Grandfather that she’s received a very valuable lakefront property that’s been in the family for generations.

It’s an extremely prized piece of real estate, a summer retreat on Lake Ontario, that the whole family has enjoyed for years. Samantha is left scratching her head as to why he would have bequeathed it to her of all people.

The property also has a bit of a lurid past though, one Samantha would rather not think about. It was at that lakefront cottage that her father was thought to have killed a local child. Sadly, he ended up taking his own life as a result of this horrific incident.

Since that time, 14-years ago, Samantha has been practically estranged from that side of the family, except for her Aunt Gail, who she’s remained quite close with.

As it turns out, the inheritance does have one small caveat. Sam needs to reside at the cottage for a month before the property will be officially conveyed into her name. There are very strict rules applied to this as well.

Needing the money the property could some day grant her, Sam decides to take on the challenge, and along with her Aunt, heads back to the property she hasn’t revisited in over a decade.

From the start things seem slightly off, like someone is trying to scare them away. Not only that, being back at the site, stirs up all sorts of long-buried memories and emotions for Sam. It’s a lot.

When Aunt Gail goes missing a few days into their stay, Sam begins to question everything she thought she knew, both about her past and their family.

Exhausted from nightmares and plagued by paranoia, Sam swears she sees lights and shapes moving under the rippling waves of the lake. Can the truth of what lies below also be the truth at the heart of her family legacy?

I had fun reading The Haunting of Paynes Hollow. This was my first Kelley Armstrong, and I was excited to check out her work. The initial set-up was fantastic, hooking me quickly. I always love an inheritance story.

I loved also that we follow a Niece-Aunt duo. I’m so close with my own nieces, seeing that relationship dynamic explored was extra special. It’s not one you see often.

I also tend to enjoy when people return somewhere from their past and try to solve old mysteries, which in a way, this is as well. Sam was just a child when everything went down with her father, so she has some repressed memories that start to bubble to the surface once she’s living there.

I liked all of those things. However, there’s also just A LOT going on. At times it bordered on being too much. I feel like it did come together for the most part though.

The lore of the family was interesting, as well as all of the long-buried secrets that were revealed. I think for me the setting was the best part, and the unsettling atmosphere created by the odd goings-on was a close second.

Though I did feel it started to get a bit repetitive towards the middle, the ending was worth getting through all that. I would definitely recommend this to Readers who are looking for something a little different in the Creepy Reads space.

Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I’m definitely looking forward to picking up more from this author!

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Review: House of Beth by Kerry Cullen

~ megs14malloy

House of BethHouse of Beth by Kerry Cullen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars rounded up**

After a rough break-up and an upsetting incident at her job, Cassie, an overworked assistant at a literary agency, decides to take a break. She needs some space from her life.

She retreats to her hometown in New Jersey, where she ends up running into her high school best friend, Eli, now a widowed father of two young children.

Their relationship quickly takes a turn, and before she knows it, Cassie is giving up her high-octane life in the city for homeschooling Eli’s children, exploring nature, and perhaps forming a new friendship with the eccentric next-door neighbor, Joan.

While on the outside, it may appear Cassie has truly moved on, on the inside she’s not so sure. She has misgivings about the whole situation, but it’s more than that.

Cassie suffers from harm OCD, where her thoughts are frequently plagued by graphic and gory images. Her thoughts scare her, but she can’t run from them. She’s constantly on edge.

Her violent thoughts aren’t the only thing haunting her though. There’s also the shadow of Eli’s deceased wife, Beth, looming over her every day.

As Cassie starts to hear the voice of the house, narrating the family’s secrets from before her arrival, Cassie can’t help but wonder what really happened to Beth?

House of Beth is an unsettling and unique little story. I enjoyed the overall tone. It felt ominous, even when I wasn’t sure why. It went in a direction I wasn’t expecting as well, and for that I give it extra props.

It came across as a bit of a toned-down version of Maeve Fly for me. There’s something in the delivery of Cassie’s narrative voice that reminded me so much of the way Maeve Fly would relay what was going on around her.

It also felt a bit Jayne Eyre but, obviously much more modern. The circumstances aren’t the same, just the overall feel. If that’s a tone you enjoy, you should definitely check this one out. I think it’s worth the read, just to see the new feel that the author has brought to that type of tale.

At the end of the day, I’m not quite sure I got out of this what the author intended though. I’m left with lingering questions on what kind of story this was truly trying to be.

I’m seeing some bigger picture things, but I don’t know if that is intentional, or if my mind is just trying to find logic amidst the greater puzzle. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the journey and am looking forward to more from Kerry Cullen.

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Review: The Devil in Oxford (Ruby Vaughn #3) by Jess Armstrong

~ megs14malloy

The Devil in Oxford (Ruby Vaughn, #3)The Devil in Oxford by Jess Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Devil in Oxford is the 3rd-release in Jess Armstrong’s Ruby Vaughn series. These adventurous Gothic Mysteries have truly captured my heart.

This installment finds Ruby accompanying her employer, Mr. Owen, to Oxford while he attends an annual meeting of the Antiquarian Society of which he is a part.

Ruby is looking at the time in Oxford to serve as a bit of a holiday for her. She’s brought her housemaid, her cat and she’s excited to spend time with her old friend, Leona, who works in Oxford. As you may know, however, trouble tends to find Ruby wherever she goes.

That trouble arrives on a night out at an exhibition of artifacts amassed by the disgraced scholar, Julius Harker. How could an event like that possibly bring on trouble, you may ask? A bunch of stuffy old scholars, you may say.

Well, when Harker’s dead body is discovered amongst the collection, his business partner is quickly arrested. Ruby gets drawn in, mainly by her friend, Leona, who is close with all parties involved. The last thing Ruby wants, really, is to get dragged into another dangerous investigation, yet, that’s exactly what happens.

As all of this is happening, Ruan Kivell, the Cornish Pellar, Ruby is battling feelings for, arrives in town as well, insisting upon seeing her. Well, that’s just fine. They work great together. He can only aide in Ruby’s investigation, she just wishes he’d stop reading her thoughts.

Thus, Ruby sets out to discover the truth about what happened to Julius Harker, because she’s definitely not buying the story they’re being sold.

I think it’s fair to say that I’m really invested in this series at this point. I love how each installment feels like a completely new adventure. One of my favorite aspects is discovering where Ruby is going in each new book.

I also just love Ruby as a protagonist. She has such an interesting backstory, which I still don’t feel we know the true depths of. She’s stubborn as a mule, but so quick and determined. She’s like that friend you just want to shake sometimes, but you know what, she gets stuff done.

I was so happy at the start of this, just to be returning to this world and cast of characters, and of course, I squealed when Ruan entered the chat.

I liked how tense this mystery got. There was like this dark, seedy underbelly of Oxford that Ruby and Ruan were having to dig into. It felt dangerous, and since we didn’t know a lot of these cast of side characters from the previous books, I had no idea who to trust.

I’m glad that Ruan did end up showing up in the story, not just for the romance vibes he always brings, but also for the safety and steadiness he provides Ruby. Their personalities compliment each other well, and they do work well together.

I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries, particularly if you enjoy those with occult elements and gothic atmosphere.

Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I cannot wait for the next book. I’m really hoping we get to learn even more about Ruby’s past!

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Review: Mistletoe & Rodeo (Frosted Firs Ranch #2) by Janet Dailey

~ megs14malloy

Mistletoe and Rodeo (Frosted Firs Ranch)Mistletoe and Rodeo by Janet Dailey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars**

Mistletoe and Rodeo is the 2nd-book in Janet Dailey’s Frosted Firs Ranch series. I read the 1st-book, Evergreen Christmas, and had so much fun with it.

In that 1st-book, we’re introduced to the town of Noel, North Carolina, the Christmas tree capital of the world. The story follows a new girl to town, Jordyn, and a local resident, Nate, who does in fact own a Christmas tree farm.

That story followed them getting to know one another, learning all about the town and their traditions, and was full of wild and wacky Christmas fun.

This book follows Nate’s younger brother, Tucker, a bull rider hoping to soon return to the circuit, and another new girl to town, Nicky, as well as Nicky’s daughter, Kyle. I was excited to get to follow Tucker, as I thought he was a very interesting character in the 1st-book.

While I did still enjoy this, it didn’t quite deliver the same level of Christmas magic that Evergreen Christmas did, which I’m sad about, as that’s what I was hoping for.

Additionally, I wasn’t crazy about Nicky, and wasn’t 100% rooting for the romance to succeed. In the 1st-book, I loved both Jordyn and Nate, as well as they way they were with one another. They complimented each other perfectly.

Whereas here, it felt a bit like Nicky just needed a savior, and Tucker was willing to give up all his hopes and dreams to be that for her. I guess I just prefer more of an even partnership, but that’s completely personal taste.

I also didn’t feel like we got as involved in town life as we did in the 1st-book, although we did follow a continuing storyline of one of the Noel Nanas, Kandy. I did enjoy that aspect, but missed seeing all the other ladies in her friendship group.

I’m thinking maybe if I hadn’t read Evergreen Christmas so recently, I may have enjoyed this more. I was still high off how much I adored that one, so this just did quite live up to that standard for me.

Nevertheless, this is still a good book, with a lovely romance, featuring light drama. I love the setting of Frosted Firs Ranch, and would absolutely pick up more books in the series.

Thank you to the publisher, Kensington Publishing, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This is charming and sweet. I’d expect no less from Janet Dailey!

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Review: A Lost Claus (A Christmas Cozy Mystery #3) by Mona Marple

~ megs14malloy

A Lost Claus (A Christmas Cozy Mystery, #3)A Lost Claus by Mona Marple
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Lost Claus is the 3rd-installment in Mona Marple’s A Christmas Cozy Mystery series. To this point, these stories have all been quick novellas, but I believe as the series progresses, the books get longer.

These stories are all set in a magical village and are sure to leave you in peak-Christmas mood. They’ve certainly lifted my spirits and gotten me there.

These stories follow Holly Wood ((yes, that is her real name)), who in the 1st-book is rescued from her car after a snow-related accident by a woman claiming to be Mrs. Claus. Holly is then brought to the Claus family home, in the town of Candy Cane Hollow, to recuperate.

Holly becomes enmeshed in village life, even helping to solve the homicide of their doctor’s receptionist. She also meets and becomes quite enamored with Mrs. Claus’s son, Nick, and he is with her as well.

In this story, Holly and Nick’s relationship has progressed significantly since that 1st-book. Christmas is approaching again and it’s time for the Claus annual ice fishing trip.

Holly is nervous about meeting Nick’s extended family for the first time, but for the most part, she needn’t have worried. However, no good family trip goes by without at least some drama, apparently even when you’re a Claus.

When one of the family members doesn’t return from their time on the ice, Holly finds herself enmeshed in another dangerous mystery. Will she be able to solve it in time to protect those she loves?

While I would say A Lost Claus is still a very cute story, I definitely wasn’t as invested in this particular mystery as I was with the previous 2-books.

I’m not sure why. They’ve all been short, but this one felt extremely surface level to me. Maybe it was because we were getting introduced to so many new characters, with Nick’s family, and I sort of missed the people I’ve come to know in Candy Cane Hollow.

Nevertheless, I’m certainly continuing on with the series. There’s just something so charming about the world that Marple has created here. It brings back a little of that Christmas magic from my youth.

Thank you to the publisher, Tantor Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I’m so glad that I’ve been introduced to this series, and this author!

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