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Review: The Devouring Light by Kat Ellis

~ megs14malloy

The Devouring LightThe Devouring Light by Kat Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Devouring Light is the latest from Kat Ellis, who wrote one of my all-time favorite YA Horror novels, Burden Falls. That book solidified me as a Kat Ellis fan, so I’ve been looking forward to this one.

Once I started reading, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down, finishing it in a day. I was reminded how freaking great Ellis is at this whole writing thing.

In this story we are following Haden Romero, a musician, who is on her way to a music festival along with her BFF and bandmate, Kizi, when they experience car troubles.

Luckily, or maybe unluckily, they make it to a service station where they run into Haden’s main rival from her childhood, musician Deacon Rex, front man of the band Rex Mori. Not wanting to leave them stranded, Deacon agrees for the two girls to ride with him and his bandmates on their tour bus.

Making the situation even more uncomfortable for Haden is the fact that her ex, Cairo, is now the drummer for Rex Mori and is also on the bus.

It’ll be fine. Haden thinks they can just make it through the ride and then go their separate ways. It seems the universe though, may have something else in mind.

The bus crashes, leaving them marooned in a treacherous swamp in the middle of nowhere. The aftermath of the crash is chaos. Haden just wants to find everyone and find a safe place to collect themselves while they await help.

The only shelter they’re able to find though is a decaying old house. It looks like it’s been vacant for a long, long time, but there’s an ominous feeling suffocating them from the moment they stumble upon it.

Intermixed amongst the present sections of Haden and the other musicians, we get mixed media excerpts that are focused on a more historical glimpse of the property known as The Light.

The very first part of the story actually is one of these mixed media passages, so I really ended up loving the back and forth between those two aspects. It was fun to watch as it became more clear how it was all going to be connected.

Ellis didn’t waste any time introducing us to the main characters, their relationships and then getting us to the swamp, where the bulk of the action occurs. I really loved that setting. I haven’t read too many stories set in this kind of place, and it was a nice change.

The descriptions of the house and the surrounding area were so good. The house felt like it had a pulse. It felt that real and I was scared for our characters being there, but they had no other options. The outside was just as dark and dangerous; full of terrors.

I loved the plot progression a cringe-worthy horror imagery. There was something Cabin Fever about it and I really enjoyed that. The trapped feeling, the desperation and the disgusting descriptions of various things happening to bodies; yikes.

The end gets pretty crazy, but I was here for it. By then I was so hooked in. Ellis could have told me anything and I would have been like, yep, that makes total sense.

I think for Readers who are willing to sit back and just have a good time and go for it, this will work very well. It’s creepy, full of great atmosphere and some pretty yucky bug/creature stuff. A read I would definitely recommend for any YA Horror Reader.

Thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Ellis will continue to be one of my go-to authors in the YA Horror space!

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Review: The Story That Wouldn’t Die (Jolene Garcia #2) by Christina Estes

~ megs14malloy

The Story That Wouldn't Die: A Mystery (Jolene Garcia Mysteries Book 2)The Story That Wouldn’t Die: A Mystery by Christina Estes
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Story That Wouldn’t Die is the 2nd-book in the Jolene Garcia Mystery series. I actually didn’t realize this was the 2nd-book when I accepted it from the publisher, though that didn’t really affect my experience.

I think had I picked up the 1st-book though, I probably wouldn’t have picked this one up.

I’ll be frank, this Mystery wasn’t to my tastes. I thought I was picking up a Cozy, but it definitely wasn’t that. I’m not quite sure how to explain it, but it the entire thing felt so forced. There was nothing cozy about it, IMO, and it was hardly mysterious.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the opposite, hard-edged, or compelling, either. I actually didn’t care for the MC, so that certainly didn’t help matters. I’m glad I gave it a shot, but I will not be continuing with the series.

I generally like mysteries that involve journalists, but this didn’t end up scratching that itch. The writing felt more like the author had bullet pointed issues she wanted to include, got all those in and then tried to build a mystery around it.

It just didn’t work and it wasn’t an enjoyable experience. The audiobook narration by Devon Sorvari was solid though, and that definitely helped me to push through and complete it. Otherwise, I’m not sure I would have.

Thank you to the publisher, Dreamscape Media and Minotaur Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Even though this didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.

If the synopsis and mystery presented sounds interesting to you, go ahead and give it a go. You may end up loving it!

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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: 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: 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: 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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Review: The Sugar Plum Rebellion by Megan Astraus

~ megs14malloy

The Sugar Plum Rebellion: An Enemies to Lovers Nutcracker Christmas RomanceThe Sugar Plum Rebellion: An Enemies to Lovers Nutcracker Christmas Romance by Megan Astraus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**4.5-stars rounded up **

💕💚💕💚💕💚💕💚💕💚💕

Let’s start this review out with a confession, shall we. As some of you may be aware, I’m not a big Romance Reader. I do read some, but I’m by no means well versed in the genre. For those unaware, I’m a Horror and Dark Fiction girlie, so this would seem way outside my comfort zone.

In fact, as far as Holiday Romances go, I had never read one before. I started my journey in Holiday Romances on December 8th of this year, when I decided to participate in a Holiday Romance Readathon. I committed and threw myself in all the way; as I do.

Prior to the Readathon, I checked out a bunch of books from my library, bought a few paperbacks and checked out what Netgalley had to offer.

Upon seeing this cover, that I have since learned the author, Megan Astraus, designed herself, I knew I had to have it. The ballerina, the snowglobe, the cracked glass, the PINK!

As if the cover alone wasn’t enough to sell me though, then I read the synopsis.

This story follows Clara Winters, the adopted daughter of a ballet icon, who is now an up-and-coming ballet dancer in her own right, who has just secured the Sugar Plum Fairy lead in her studio’s production of The Nutcracker.

This role is especially important to Clara, because now that she’s in her late 20s, it may be her last chance to be scouted to a premier ballet company in New York City. Which has always been her dream, right?

In fact, her Dad has pulled some strings, and confirmed scouts will be in the audience on their opening night performance, set for Christmas Eve.

Disaster strikes when Clara’s partner, the man to play the Cavalier, who will pair her in the iconic art of the Grand Pas de Deux, suffers an injury and will be unable to perform.

With under a month to go until the Christmas Eve performance, pickings are slim for someone with the classical training to perform the role. Thus, they must think outside the box.

Enter stage left, Trevor Williams, a tattooed, recovering addict, from the County Arts Program that share a building with Clara’s company. He has motivations of his own that lead him to agree to take on the role.

The pairing should be doomed for failure, but their forced proximity leads to a lot of alone time, late night rehearsals and feelings neither one of them expected.

Even with their chemistry bubbling over and their new-found trust, will the two be able to pull off the most important performance of their lives?

The Sugar Plum Rebellion is a delightful and delicious Holiday Romance debut. I had so much fun with this book. I read it so quickly. I couldn’t put it down and stayed up way past my bedtime to see it through.

I laughed out loud. I kicked my feet, squeeled and swooned. I may also have shed a tear, or two, I won’t lie about that. Clara and Trevor now live rent free in my brain.

This is essentially the movie Step Up for Romance-reading adults, which is something I never knew I needed, but now can’t believe I lived without.

I love the MC, Clara. We get the entire story from her perspective, which was refreshing, and I really vibed with her sense of humor and just the way she relayed to the Reader all that was happening.

She’s actually quite a complex character, and I liked unpacking with her a lot of the insecurities she had been holding so close to her heart for almost her entire life.

As someone who great up in dance, though my sister was the ballerina, I am always drawn to stories that incorporate dancers in some way. There’s so much of it here too. It’s not just this character is a dancer. We actually get to see the behind the scenes of her corps.

We see rehearsals and all the drama that goes into the days leading up to a performance. There was so much pressure on Clara to be perfect. She was seen as the leader, and though she took that seriously, it was overwhelming.

I loved how Astraus displayed the building of this partnership between Clara and Trevor. In a dance partnership like this, you aren’t necessarily picking your partner. It may not even be someone you know well, as was the case here, which means a lot of hard work connecting.

You’re often cast in a role, and whoever is cast in the role opposite you is who you’ll have to work with and bond with to an incredible level. They have to build up a deep sense of trust within the partnership. Particularly, if complex lifts, etc., are incorporated into a routine.

I feel like Astraus did a great job of building up that trust between the two MCs. It felt like a real working relationship. Even though in a fictional setting, with a TON of chemistry and some off the charts steam, it still felt true to life.

Astraus also delivered so well on the tension between the two of them. I was living for their back-and-forths. As well-developed as Clara was as a character, I feel like Trevor was equally well done.

I became so invested in the both of them and just loved going along for the ride of their partnership, both inside and outside of the studio. As I mentioned above, I don’t read a ton of Romance, but for me, this is one I am going to champion for a long time to come. I loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for Romance to make you swoon this Holiday Season!

I’m looking forward to more from Megan Astraus!!!

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Review: This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead

~ megs14malloy

This Book Will Bury MeThis Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After the unexpected death of her beloved father, college student, Jane Sharp is left reeling. His death was so sudden, and she’s completely unmoored by it.

In search of distraction, she ends up becoming obsessed with True Crime, and finding a new home in underground forums where armchair detectives investigate real life cases.

She finds a particular group of people who show her the ropes, and who before long she considers true friends. After making a name for themselves with a case in Florida, they’ve become top tier of their like within the online space.

When news hits of the gruesome deaths of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho, the whole world is captivated, and online sleuths from all around scramble to gain access to the details of the investigation.

Jane and her online friends are determined to beat everyone else to the scoop, and end up traveling to Idaho where they can have a real boots on the ground investigation.

This story unfolds mainly in a kind of confessional format. It’s set a year after the events that ultimately went down in Idaho, and has Jane breaking her silence and exposing the true story of what happened after their crew ended up there.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Leslie Howard, and highly recommend that format. It felt like a true confessional, and really helped to bring the story to life for me. I’m not sure if I would have been as hooked into it if I had just read a physical copy.

I’ll be honest, I put off reading this for so long because I’d heard some negative buzz that it was exploitative of the Idaho College Murders case. After reading the novel, I do see why some people may assume that’s the case, or even feel that after reading it, but I have to respectfully disagree.

In my opinion, this really isn’t about the murders at all. It’s actually a fascinating exploration of the True Crime subculture and the phenomenon of armchair detectives. A topic worthy of discussion.

I think perhaps the author may have said she was inspired by the case, but I think when we say ‘inspired’ it’s more in the spirit of exploring the absolute public firestorm that came from those crimes, the whys and ramifications of the media coverage, and of the public interest.

I liked the way the author dove into this subculture of armchair detectives. I felt like each of the characters in Jane’s group had their own reasons and motivations for being there. I felt like she really tried to show all sides of the community, both good and bad.

At the end of the day, I ended up enjoying this so much. I feel the topics explored are important, particularly those surrounding the True Crime community and the phenomenon of armchair detectives. The goods, the bads, and the uglies. The details of the case mirroring the Idaho case so closely, I can see why that makes people uncomfortable, but I still feel like it’s well done.

It really opens up a lot of great issues for discussion, and maybe that uncomfortability is part of the point. I feel like this would make an incredible book club book because you are sure to have opposing opinions, both on the book itself and the subjects explored.

Thank you to the publisher, Tantor Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This is the first I’ve read from Ashley Winstead, but I’m definitely interested in picking up more!

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