The Evil Inside by Heather Graham (Krewe of Hunters #4)

For as long as it has stood overlooking New England's jagged coastline, Lexington House

has been the witness to madness and murder. But in recent years the inexplicable malice that once tormented so many has lain as silent as its victims. Until now.

 

A member of the nation's foremost paranormal forensic team, Jenna Duffy has made a career out of investigating the inexplicable. Yet nothing could prepare her for the string of slayings once again plaguing Lexington House, or for the chief suspect a boy barely old enough to drive, much less kill.

With the young man's life on the line, Jenna must team up with attorney Samuel Hall to pinpoint who or what is taking the lives of those who get too close to the past. But everything they learn brings them closer to the forces of evil stalking this tortured ground.

Series: Krewe of Hunters #4 | Narrator: Luke Daniels | Publisher: Brilliance Audio |  Length: 9 hours 2 minutes | Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense | Source: Purchased  | Rating: 4.5

Set in Salem, during Halloween, this riveting romantic suspense combines a mystery that dates back to the Salem Witch Trials and the modern day mystery of a young boy accused of doing horrific things. Both cases are demanding justice.

When Samuel Hall discovers Malachi, a teen boy, covered in blood, standing in the middle of the road, he knows he needs help. What Sam didn’t realize was that the teen would need legal help when he’s arrested for murdering his entire family. Although something’s not sitting right with Sam. When he reaches out to friend and retired psychologist, Jamie Duffy, who once treated Malachi, he didn’t expect Jamie to offer up the help of his niece, Jenna, who happens to be a member of a special FBI unit. Jenna is just what this case needs. Not only does she have a way of getting Malachi to open up, she also has the ability to connect with the house’s dark past as well as the ghosts that still linger. As they dig deeper into the history of Lexington House, they find themselves growing closer to the truth and each other.

If you’ve read my previous reviews of this series, you’ll know that the books have had a few problems. I feel like with this book, the fourth, the series has finally found its footing. The mysteries were well developed, the investigation solid, the characters were well rounded, the romance shown, the paranormal was present, and everything was well balanced.

Sam and Jenna are my favorite couple in this series. They’re both working through some issues and they have some emotional baggage to sort through but they opened up to each other and had actual conversations, which I enjoyed. They also have a shared history; they knew each other in the past but, due to their age difference, they didn’t really rotate in each other’s orbit, so it was nice to watch their relationship develop into something more. They also had amazing chemistry and amazing banter.

The mystery and the way it ties into the past mystery was intriguing. There’s so many avenues that this case takes Sam and Jenna down and so many layers they have to sort through and it was very detailed. There’s also a lot on the line in this one as they are racing against the clock to prove Malachi’s innocence. There is a heavy paranormal element, which I was glad to see considering that this is a paranormal romantic suspense.

The pacing in this one was outstanding. It’s on from the very start and doesn’t stop until the last page. While this one was fast-paced, nothing is lacking or out of balance. It was so close to being a 5-star read but the whodunit aspect was slightly predictable and I would have like it to have been a bit harder to work out.

I will say that this one is a little gory in places. It’s not gratuitous but it’s a little more than the previous three books in the series.

Luke Daniels does a brilliant job narrating this one and I highly recommend the audiobook.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. It was the perfect combination: Salem, Halloween, Salem Witch Trials, spooky past and present mysteries, an amazing couple, and great pacing.  

The Knight and the Butcherbird and The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow (short story roundup)

 

The Knight and the Butcherbird

Alix E. Harrow

 Nestled deep in the steep hills, valleys, and surrounding woodlands lies Iron Hollow, a rural community beset by demons. Such horrors are common in the outlands, where most folks die young, if they don’t turn into monsters first. But what’s causing these transformations?

 No one has the answer, not even the town’s oral historian, seventeen-year-old Shrike. And when a legendary knight is summoned to hunt down the latest beast to haunt their woods, Shrike has more reason than most to be concerned. Because that demon was her wife. And while Shrike is certain that May still recognizes her—that May is still human, somewhere beneath it all—she can’t prove it.

Determined to keep May safe, Shrike stalks the knight and his demon-hunting hawk through the recesses of the forest. But as they creep through toxic creeks and overgrown kudzu, Shrike realizes the knight has a secret of his own. And he’ll do anything to protect it.

Publisher: Amazon Original Stories | Length: 36 pages | Genre: Dystopian Fairytale/Fantasy  | Source: Kindle Unlimited  | Rating: 2

 Alix E. Harrow is hit or miss for me but so many people have been raving about this one so I had to give it ago. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me.

This one had the potential to be fantastic but it fell a bit flat. The story was okay but there needed to be more world building and backstory. I felt like I walked into an established series rather than a standalone novella. When I read a dystopian story, in this case a dystopian fairytale, I want to know the world it’s set in and how things came to be as they are. Sadly, there was nothing offered but a few tiny crumbs and I wanted to know so much more like why they chose to live in Iron Hollow, where the lifespan is short, instead of a city where the lifespan was longer.

I also struggled with Shrike. I found her selfish and her actions questionable. As for the Knight and his mystery, it was too obvious what he was concealing.

Overall, this was a quick read but left me wanting more. I don’t feel as though it contained enough information to satisfy my curiosity. I feel as though this would have been better as a full-length book rather than just 36 pages. 

The Six Deaths of the Saint

Alix E. Harrow

 

The Saint of War spares the life of a servant girl so she can fulfill her destiny as the kingdom’s greatest warrior in this short story of love and loyalty by New York Times bestselling author Alix E. Harrow.

 

Always mindful of the debt she owes, the girl finds her worth as a weapon in the hand of the Prince. Her victories make him a king, then an emperor. The bards sing her name and her enemies fear it. But the war never ends and the cost keeps rising—how many times will she repeat her own story?

 

Publisher: Amazon Original Stories | Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld | Length: 51 minutes | Genre: Fantasy | Source: Kindle Unlimited | Rating: 3

I was looking for something quick to listen to while cooking and this popped up on KU. I was a little apprehensive to dive into another short from this author but decided to chance it because it sounded intriguing.

Let me start by saying the writing is beautiful and the plot is interesting. The book follows a dying servant girl that’s been saved by the Saint of War so she can fight for a prince over and over again. It had all the right elements of a fantasy with a slight echo of Joan of Arc and unrequited love but fell a little flat.

The theme of the story is this girl discovering that she has agency but it’s bogged down by the repetitiveness. I’m not talking about the fact that she’s stuck in this never ending loop of war but rather that the author uses the same phrases over and over, which bogged down the plot given this was only 51 minutes long. I also wasn’t a fan of the change in perspective as it went from second to first. I understand why the author chose to do that but it gave the plot an off-kilter feel.

While I do feel like this could have been longer and smoother, I do feel as though the short story was complete, which is why I gave it a 3.

Overall, I’m not sure if Harrow’s short stories are for me. I think I’m a reader that wants more than what she gives.

A little sidenote: If you know your Arthurian legends, you’ll get more out of this story.  

 

The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel by Maggie Stiefvater

Blue Sargent comes from a family of psychics. Only, she has never had the same clairvoyant abilities they had and has always felt too ordinary within the magic that surrounded her. Enter Gansey, a rich student from Aglionby, the town’s all-boys private school teeming with wealth, privilege, and trouble. Blue's always made it a point to stay away from its students, the Raven Boys.

 

But when Gansey asks her to join him and three other Raven Boys on his quest to find a long-forgotten Welsh king rumored to be sleeping beneath the mountains of their quiet Virginia town, Blue doesn’t hesitate. She jumps at the chance to finally be a part of something real and full of magic, a world she was born into yet one that always stood just out of reach. Soon enough, she’s swept into a strange and shifting world woven into theirs, one far more dangerous than anything they could have dreamt up.

 

Now reimagined as a stunning full-color graphic novel adapted by Stephanie Williams and illustrated by Sas Milledge, The Raven Boys unravels a thrilling plot around a cast of characters impossible to forget.

 Series: The Raven Cycle: The Graphic Novels #1 | Publisher: Viking |  Length: 256 pages |  Genre: Magical Realism | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4

Every once in a while, I’ll pick up a book that’s out of my comfort zone that I’ve heard raved about and, read it just for me (not to review, blog about, or post on social media) . A few years back, The Raven Boys was that book. At that time, I wasn’t reading magical realism or young adult book and I wasn’t sure if I would finish. or like, the book but I was intrigued, especially since they were searching for a lost Welsh King in the hills of Virginia. I was immediately hooked. The characters were so vivid and unique. It was part magic, part quest, part self- discovery, part dark academia, part found family, part romance, with a little secret society mixed in. I consumed the book and was eager to read more and I ended up finishing the series within a week.

When I heard that The Raven Boys was going to be turned into a graphic novel series, I was more than intrigued and, I was over the moon when I received an ARC from the publisher. As soon as this arrived in the post, I dropped everything and devoured the graphic novel in under an hour.

I was a little worried that I wouldn’t love the graphic novel the same way I loved the book due to the set up. Often times, graphic novels rearrange the narrative to fit the short format and the essence of the book is lost. I’m happy to report that the heart of The Raven Boys is still present in the graphic novel.

We still get to see Blue’s struggle with being the only non-psychic member of her family. The heavy weight she bares regarding the prophesy that if she ever kisses her true love the boy will die. The Raven Boys are still the Raven Boys. Gansey is the leader and caretaker of the group. He’s the one leading the quest to find Glendower. Ronan is still blunt, secretive, not one to run from a fight, and will be there when you need him. Noah is sweet, quiet, and loved by all who know him. Then there’s Adam, the boy with the chip on his shoulder who’s having a tough time in life and my heart still breaks for him. All of their unique characteristics remain.

While this is a quest book and Gansey and the gang are determined to find Glendower, the Welsh king, there is more to the story. We see Blue finding a place to fit in where she can find magic and people who accept her. The Raven Boys are also discovering more about each other and accepting who they are.

Stephanie Williams did a fantastic job adapting the book. Did the graphic novel contain every single scene? No. Did it contain a few ‘trivial’ bits? Yes. While there were a few scenes I wished they had included, leaving them out didn’t change the story. If you enjoyed the heart of the story, you’ll enjoy the graphic novel.

I also think that Sas Milledge did a fantastic job with the illustrations. Each character looked just how I pictured them. As the ARC was printed in black and white, I’m not able to comment on the crispness of the images, but from the few color images that were included on the inside cover, I think this will be a gorgeous book.

While I highly enjoyed this book, I can’t give it a 5-star rating for a few different reasons. I do believe that a few parts could have been explained differently as I have a feeling some readers, especially when it comes to the introduction to Gansey and his quest, could be lost if this is their first introduction to the book. My major issue is the size of the book. Personally, I would have preferred a larger size book as it would have allowed larger font. I think the size is going to be difficult for some to see.

I think this would be the perfect introduction of the series to younger readers, especially those who are reluctant readers. Diehard fans of the series are going to be split due to certain scenes that are missing. If you’re someone who appreciated the meaning/essence of the book, I think you should give this one a go.  

Overall, as a fan of the series, I enjoyed this one. It’s very rare that I enjoy graphic novels but they did an amazing job with this one. I’m eager the rest of the series in graphic novel form. 

The Writer and the Rogue by Lydia Drake

Desperate times call for drastic measures…and Miss Caroline Devereux is most certainly desperate. Her spendthrift father’s been gambling away every spare shilling, racking up debts, selling off their family’s coveted objets d’art, and bringing them to the edge of ruin. Up until now, she’s been able to stave off the creditors—and afford luxuries like tea—by penning sensational Gothic tales. But they’re out of time, and Caroline must play the one card she has left.

 

The Earl of Rockford cannot believe that any young lady would dare to blackmail him. Not only has she threatened to expose the darkest secrets of his family and destroy their name, but she’s done it all in an attempt to…marry him? And damned if he isn’t secretly delighted by her spirit. But first, Miss Caroline has a lesson to learn about who she’s dealing with…

 

No one warned Caroline that the handsome, wealthy earl she intends to marry isn’t remotely the gentleman she expected. Because the “Rogue of Whitechapel” isn’t about to go down without a fight…and the first to fall in love will be the first one to lose.

 Series: Debutantes of London #2 | Publisher: Entangled: Amara |  Genre: Historical Romance  | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4.5 

It’s been a minute since I’ve read a new historical romance and found myself immersed in the plot and characters. It’s also been a minute since I’ve read a new historical romance that has felt like an actual historical romance. I’m happy to report The Writer and the Rogue was both entertaining and historical feeling.

Caroline must find a way to save her family from her father’s gambling debt. She’s sold their valuables and her Gothic stories but the creditors are coming and she’s out of options. When she realizes that a letter in her father’s possession holds dark secrets about the new Earl of Rockford, she has no choice but to blackmail him into marrying her. Although the Earl of Rockford is a rogue, he’s not so easily manipulated and Caroline realizes she has no clue who the Earl really is and what he’s willing to do. While the Earl was annoyed at the start, he soon finds himself amused by Caroline’s unique character. What neither was expecting was just how compatible they are.

This was such a fun and witty read. I made the mistake of picking this up late at night. I thought that I would read a chapter or two then put it down, I was mistaken and read the majority of the book in one sitting.

Caroline and Gabriel made for such a fun pair. She’s determined to save her family from the creditors and she’s not going to let Gabriel escape because she knows that he has the status and the wealth to save her family. Gabriel’s not looking to be tied down, he’s been perfectly happy living the life of a rogue so while the secret Caroline’s keeping is enough to ruin him, he’s not sure he’s wants to give up his bachelor lifestyle. The banter between them was great. She’s quick witted and he always had a reply, despite being caught off guard. He wasn’t afraid to push her boundaries and she meet him each step of the way, which made for some entertaining moments.

The romance was brilliant. They had amazing chemistry to the point it was nearly jumping off the page. While there was attraction from the start, the author drew out the romance allowing it to develop on the page, which I appreciated.

While the book was fast-paced for the most part, it lagged a bit it lagged a bit during last third but eventually picked up the pace again. The only problem that I had with this book was the cause for the conflict and the fallout. The whole ordeal seemed a little odd.

This is the second book in a series but it reads as a standalone. I’ve not read the first book and wouldn’t have realized that this was part of a series if I hadn’t spotted it while gathering the title details for my review.

Overall, I think I’ve found a new favorite recently published historical romance and I’m eager to read more from this author. If you’ve been looking for a spunky heroine and a devilish hero this is the book for you.

A little sidenote: I have heard a few people say that this feels a bit modern to them because the heroine is forthright (and not afraid to be herself) and the hero is one that goes beyond the normal boundaries of the period. As a fan of classic historical romance, I don’t feel like this is modern at all. In fact, the writing reminds me a lot of Georgette Heyer’s writing style.

Sacred Evil by Heather Graham (Krewe of Hunters #3)

The details of the crime scene are no coincidence. The body of a promising starlet has been battered, bloodied and then discarded between two of Manhattan's oldest graveyards.

 

One look and Detective Jude Crosby recognizes the tableau:

 

A recreation of Jack the Ripper's gruesome work. But he also sees something beyond the actions of a mere copycat. Something more dangerous and unexplainable.

 

As the city seethes with suspicion, Jude calls on Whitney Tremont, a member of the country's preeminent paranormal investigating team, to put the speculation to rest. Yet when Whitney and Jude delve deeper, what they discover is more shocking than either could have predicted, and twice as sinister.

Series: Krewe of Hunters #3 |  Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense | Source: Purchased | Rating: 3

I’m still on my Krewe of Hunters catch-up and I finally found a minute to pick up the third book in the series. As I’ve stated in my reviews for the first two books, I started out in the middle of the series rather than the beginning and I’m glad that I did as I feel that the writing is stronger in the later books.

In this this one, we have an actress that’s been brutally murdered and two ‘Jane Doe’s’.  Whitney, a member of the Krewe of Hunters, is called in when it appears that the cases resemble those of Jack the Ripper. While reluctant at first, Jude soon realizes that Whitney’s expertise is valuable. As the case grows more twisted and the investigation ramps up, they find themselves caught up in a past case that could help them solve their present mystery.

I want to start by saying that if you’re looking for a romance-driven romantic suspense, this isn’t going to be your cup of tea. While there is a romance between Jude and Whitney, there’s very little ‘on the page’ development and is an instalove type. While there was something between Whitney and Jude from their first meeting, I felt it was more an instant attraction rather than chemistry. Still I found the characters likable and enjoyed their interactions.

The meat of this story is the mysteries and the investigation. I found the author’s approach to the Jack the Ripper aspect to be interesting. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that the ‘historical’ mystery in the book was well-crafted and was the reason why I was able to finish this book.

This one was a bit of a struggle to get through at the start. The first 40 pages were sluggish and laden with typos. The pacing does pick up once the investigation truly begins but the typos do persist through the book. I also felt that this one was a little heavy on characters that didn’t really serve a purpose other than to look suspicious and, unfortunately, a few things that appeared to ‘something’ during the first third of the book was never mentioned again or resolved.

Overall, if you can look over a few issues, I do think this is a worthy read for those who enjoy a well-crafted and layered mystery.  If you’re an audiobook person, I highly recommend the audio over print. Luke Daniels does an excellent job narrating this series and you’ll avoid the typos.

If you’re looking to start this series, go into it knowing that the first few books have a few teething problems and the series does get stronger as it progresses. Had I started my reading journey at the beginning, I don’t think I would have continued on with the series. 

Happy Independence Day!

 

Wishing everyone in the States a safe and happy Independence Day!

 

July's TBR

Hello, Lovelies, and Happy July, I hope you’re all doing fabulous! I’ve been away from the blog for a minute. I had some health things going on (I’ll post more about everything at a later date) and, honestly, I haven’t had a lot of time for blogging. I think things are finally calming down and I can get back on a blogging schedule. I plan to sit down this week and work on some content for the blog. I’m also eager to see what everyone has been up to lately.

 

I am normally not one to set a strict TBR. I’m a mood reader, so a floating TBR is more my style but I feel like I need a set TBR this month to get me back on track. June was not my month reading-wise. I didn’t finish a single book or short story. Honestly, between appointments and work, I was just too exhausted to read and I couldn’t focus on anything. 

Here’s what I’m going to read this month

 

*I have 4 ARCs that I have to read this month. I can’t remember the titles but I’ll post them in my Sunday Post.*

 

Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson—this has been sitting on my shelf for way too long and I need to get it read. I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews on this one, so we shall see.

 

The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley—I was kindly sent a finished copy for review from the publisher and I feel so bad that I haven’t read this one yet as Susanna Kearsley is one of my favorite authors.

 

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness—I was going to wait and read this once the next book in the series was up for pre-order but I have an event that I need to read this for and, to be honest, I’m itching to see what the characters are up to.

 

My TBR Jar Pick for July: Spells for Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

 

Unknown Non-Fiction Book—my non-fiction book club hasn’t announced this month’s book as of yet. They’re supposed to post it the first Friday of the month, but I’m not sure if they will or not with Friday being a holiday. If they do, I’ll post it in my Sunday Post.

 

Audiobooks

 

The Twisted Women's Book Club—I received a copy of this anthology for review and I need to read it this month.

 

Don't Let Him In by: Lisa Jewell—this is another review copy. I’m not always a fan of Lisa Jewell but I do like to listen to Richard Armitage Narrate. Finger’s crossed on this one.

 

Her Knight at the Museum by: Bryn Donovan—I started this one at the end of May and I really need to finish the book. 

The Seven O'Clock Club by Amelia Ireland

In a perfectly ordinary building, four strangers who couldn't be more different meet for the first time. Their skepticism of this new kind of grief therapy—and the unnervingly perceptive group leader—means they're all wary, but as the weeks go by, they find themselves returning again and again, pulled to work toward healing, even if it means first facing the pain head-on.

 

A sharp-tongued lawyer who has no intention of letting down her walls, a fragile young woman looking for a place to belong, a musician at the top of his game who's one drink away from losing it all, and an interior designer facing the crumbling of her picture-perfect life—this unlikely group slowly opens up, not only to the possibility of a happier future but to friendship, change, and even romance.

 

When a shocking revelation reveals the real reason they were chosen for this group, it shakes the very foundation of what they thought they knew. What began as a journey designed to heal turns out to be a much greater test of friendship, strength, and love as they realize happiness is just outside the door...if they're brave enough to seek it.

 Publisher: Berkley |Genre: Literary Fiction | Source: Publisher | Rating: 2.5

When four strangers from four different walks of life are brought together in a grief support group, Genevieve, the leader of the group is determined to prove that an experimental treatment will help heal their broken hearts. Although resistant at the start, they soon find themselves trusting each other as they reveal pieces of their lives. Just when they start to feel as though they’re being helped through their grief, someone reveals a secret that will rattle everyone to their core.

Just a note before we get into the review. I don’t want to spoil this book so I’m going to give my thoughts on the book without diving into too much of the plot.

On to the review, I was intrigued by the premise: four very different strangers untied in grief and sharing their very personal stories in hope of healing their wounds. This could have been a beautiful story of processing grief and healing from loss instead the execution fell a bit flat.

There’s four characters (Victoria, Mischa, Freya, Callum) who are at different stages and ages in their lives. They’re from vastly different backgrounds, vastly different personalities, and vastly different experiences. They each share their own POVs in rotating chapters, but instead of having four vastly different voices, they blend together to the point I had to go back and read the chapter heading so I knew which character I was reading. It would have improved plot had each character had their own voice instead of the author just telling us they were this way or that way.

There are also plot inconsistencies. There’s an event that happens in the book that we’re told, in great detail, should not have been able to happen, yet there’s another event that’s pretty much the same that was never brought up when these situations were discussed. A few other things occurred that wasn’t addressed but I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll leave it at that.

I also feel as though this book was a little too long and repetitive. 368 pages felt a bit much given that not a lot of different things were happening. It could have easily worked as a novella or a short story given the way it ended.

Overall, this could have been a moving, beautifully written story of healing but, sadly, it was underwhelming and underdeveloped. I’m having a hard time finding something to recommend about this one, which is disappointing because I was expecting to love this one.

A Proposal to Die For by Molly Harper

Jessamine Bricker loves a plan. Contingency plans and pros-and-cons lists are her love language, and because of that, her proposal planning business is thriving. But with rent costs rising at her office building, Jess jumps at the chance to plan a proposal between her snobby high school classmate, Diana, and her very wealthy boyfriend, Trenton Tillard…the Fourth.

 Roped into joining Diana’s ”pre-bridal” retreat at the exclusive Golden Ash resort, Jess hopes to fade into the background, get some work done, and maybe find some time to unwind. Their first day is anything but relaxing: Diana is furious about the mountain spa’s lack of cell phone reception, the couple next door argues constantly, and Jess swears she just saw a drug deal go down. To top it all off, she’s warned to stay out of the woods by the gruff and sexy chef, Dean Osbourne. Is this a retreat or a horror movie?

As Jess tries to do her job while placating the bride-to-be and her increasingly over-the-top demands, she spends more and more time with the resort owners, finding herself much more in tune with the laid-back Osbourne family than her social climbing “boss.” Between a meditation garden-related drowning and Jess’s discovery of a body in a sauna, it's clear that deadly secrets abound at the Golden Ash. Now it’s up to Jess to unravel the mysteries here in the mountains—before all her plans are cancelled…permanently.

Publisher: Berkley |  Genre: Cozy Mystery/Romantic Suspense/Murder Mystery | Source: Publisher  | Rating: 4

A cozy mystery from Molly Harper? Yes, please!

I have been a fan of Molly Harper’s writing from the moment I first stepped foot in Half-Moon Hollow so when I received an invitation to read an ARC of her new mystery I jumped at the chance and, I must say, I wasn’t disappointed.

Jessamine Bricker is a fantastic proposal planner with a booming business but there’s a problem. The building she’s currently in is going up for sell and unless she finds a way to raise the money, she’s at risk of losing her business. So, when Diana, her former classmate, approaches Jess to help her wealthy boyfriend, Trenton, plan an unforgettable proposal, Jess can’t refuse. While Jess knew Diana wasn’t going to make things easy, she wasn’t expecting to be roped into a ‘pre-bridal’ retreat at wellness spa on a remote mountain with no cell service, iffy guests, and grumpy chefs. When she discovers a body in the meditation garden, she finds herself growing closer to the staff at Golden Ash, particularly the grumpy chef, Dean. Although when a second body turns up, Jess starts to wonder what secrets the Golden Ash is harboring.

I’m going to be honest, I love Molly Harper’s paranormals but I often struggle with her contemporary novels. While I was eager to read this one, I was a little apprehensive but I’m happy to report I was hooked from the start of this one.  Everything I love about Molly Harper’s writing (the quirky yet realistic characters, the snarky banter, the unique plots, fun dialogue, and different yet believable mystery elements) is in A Proposal to Die For.

I liked Jess; she seemed like a friend you would invite over for tea and a chat. The same thing could be said for the owners/staff of the Golden Ash. Dean was also an interesting character but I would have liked a little more of him on the page.  Diana and her friends were extremely over the top and rather annoying.

There is a romance aspect to the book between Jess and Dean. I think they worked well as a couple, they’ve both been through some things in their pasts and they can understand what the other is going through and what they need to do work through their issues. While I liked them as a couple, I would have liked them to have more time developing their relationship on the page.

The mystery, or rather mysteries, was interesting. A lot of Molly Harper’s paranormals have a mystery aspect to them that’s worked into the overall plot and I did feel that is how this one was presented as well. While it wasn’t formulaic in the approach, it did have a similar feel. Unfortunately, both mysteries were easy to work out the who and why but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the plot.

I’m not sure how to label this one. It’s listed as a ‘cozy mystery’ but I don’t feel as though it fits as Jess wasn’t really acting as a amateur sleuth. While she did ask a few questions, I didn’t really see it as her actively searching for clues. It had elements of ‘romantic suspense’ and ‘romantic comedy’ but it was light on showing the actual romance. Molly Harper is calling it her first foray in the world of ‘murder mystery’. I feel as though it’s an amalgamation of the genres yet it worked.

While I truly enjoyed this one, I had a few issues. The pacing, at times, was a little uneven. The book opens with the discovery of the dead body in the sauna, which has been the trend in mystery books as of late, then goes back several weeks. Rather than jumping straight into the action, there’s a lot of setup and introductions that bogged down the plot. It did pick up in the middle and keep a decent pace. The ending also felt a little rushed. Given the nature of one of the mysteries, I honestly thought this would be a series and that mystery in particular would be a series arc instead of suddenly concluding.

Overall, this was a fun read that I enjoyed. Personally, I would have liked to have this as a series. I think some aspects (the romance and the one mystery) would have benefited from having more time to fully develop on the page.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson Series Review

I finally picked up the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series by Holly Jackson and I have some thoughts. Instead of creating a post for each book, I decided to review the series in its entirety in one post. I’m not going to get overly detailed as I don’t want to spoil this series for anyone but I do want to share my thoughts for each book then, at the end, my thoughts on the series as a whole. I’m also going to touch briefly on the Netflix series, which was what piqued my curiosity to finally read this series. 

Kill Joy by Holly Jackson

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #0.5

Rating: 3.5

Pippa Fitz-Amobi is not in the mood for her friend's murder mystery party. Especially one that involves 1920's fancy dress and pretending that their town, Little Kilton, is an island called Joy. But when the game begins, Pip finds herself drawn into the make-believe world of intrigue, deception and murder. But as Pip plays detective, teasing out the identity of the killer clue-by-clue, the murder of the fictional Reginald Remy isn't the only case on her mind ... 

When Pip’s invited to attend her friend’s 1920’s fancy dress murder mystery party, she wants to say no as she has more scholarly things on her mind. Deciding to attend, she finds herself thrown into a world of mystery, which she’s eager to solve.

While this is a prequel novella, it was actually the last book published in the Good Girl’s series. I made the mistake of reading this last as I didn’t realize it was a prequel so I read in publication order. I don’t feel like this added a lot to the series but I do think that it’s a worthy way to start the series. It offers an insight into Pip’s friend group dynamics, it shows Pip’s obsessive nature, and it shows where Pip’s inspiration for her capstone project came from.

Overall, this was a quick read and a fun little mystery. I think younger teens would enjoy this one, as it’s lighter in tone. If you pick up the trade paperback (117 pages), just know that a third of the book is excerpts of the 3 full-length books in the series. If you’re an e-book reader, I think this would be a wise e-book purchase providing the e-book is cheaper than the print copy. 

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #1

Rating: 3.5

Everyone in Fairview knows the story.

Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.

But she can't shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer?

Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent . . . and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn't want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger.

 I wasn’t sure what to expect when I pick this one up. I’d heard so many mixed reviews that I had left this series sitting on my shelf for years and was getting ready to un-haul the books. It wasn’t until I watched the Netflix series that I decided to give it a go and it was an okay read.  

Here’s what’s going on: Pip’s a very determined girl. When she sets her mind on something, nothing is going to get in her way and she’s going to give it her all until the task is complete. Deciding that she wants to reexamine the Andi Bell murder investigations to prove Sal Singh’s innocence, she enlists the help of Ravi, Sal’s younger brother. While she knew this wasn’t going to be a pleasant journey, she never expected that it would bring to light a string of dark secrets. As Pip draws closer to the truth, she finds herself in dangerous territory.

I’m always up for good mystery and, I’m happy to say, this one offered a nice mystery but I had to suspend my disbelief to throw myself in a world where Pip, a senior in high school conducts an investigation of this magnitude. If Pip had been a bit more mature in her actions and been fully fleshed out, I think I could have believed this one a bit better.

Unfortunately, Pip is very single-minded and has very little personality. While she’s very determined, she’s a very flat character and I found myself wanting to know more of who she was away from the investigation.

Overall, I do have to say that this was an easy, mixed media read that not only offered a mystery but a tale of romance, friendship, and family. Sadly, this one was a little too YA for my taste but I can see readers enjoying this one. I will say that this was the best full-length book in the series. 

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #3

Rating: 2.5

Pip is not a detective anymore.

With the help of Ravi Singh, she released a true-crime podcast about the murder case they solved together last year. The podcast has gone viral, yet Pip insists her investigating days are behind her.

But she will have to break that promise when someone she knows goes missing. Jamie Reynolds has disappeared, on the very same night the town hosted a memorial for the sixth-year anniversary of the deaths of Andie Bell and Sal Singh.

The police won't do anything about it. And if they won't look for Jamie then Pip will, uncovering more of her town's dark secrets along the way... and this time everyone is listening. But will she find him before it's too late?

 I picked this one up immediately after finishing the first book and it didn’t go well.

Here’s what’s going on. After the events of the Andi Bell case, Pip has decided that she’s no longer a detective but when Jamie, her best friend’s brother, goes missing, she can’t sit back and let the police mess up another case. Once again, she finds herself uncovering dark secrets about members of her community and puts herself in danger.

This one was a bit rough and I wanted to sit it down numerous times but I knew if I did, I would never pick it up again. The plot came off as weak. Jamie’s disappearance, the investigation, and the ‘evidence’ came of as lackluster and bogged down a little over 2/3 of the book. There was so much repetition that I started to tune out some parts. The ‘twist’ in this one came out of left field and felt as though the author’s word count was nearing the end and she needed to finish the book.

Pip went from having no personality to being this washout teen masquerading as an adult. By the middle of the book, it was obvious that Pip was spiraling out of control and I had to question why her parents didn’t realize it and get her help.

Overall, the only noteworthy aspect of this book was Ravi. He’s such a great character. I feel like this book could have been at least 100 pages shorter.

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As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #3

Rating: 2

The finale to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series. By the end of this mystery series, you'll never think of good girls the same way again...

Pip is about to head to college, but she is still haunted by the way her last investigation ended. She’s used to online death threats in the wake of her viral true-crime podcast, but she can’t help noticing an anonymous person who keeps asking her: Who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears?

Soon the threats escalate and Pip realizes that someone is following her in real life. When she starts to find connections between her stalker and a local serial killer caught six years ago, she wonders if maybe the wrong man is behind bars.

Police refuse to act, so Pip has only one choice: find the suspect herself—or be the next victim. As the deadly game plays out, Pip discovers that everything in her small town is coming full circle... and if she doesn’t find the answers, this time she will be the one who disappears...

What did I just read? I’m just so confused that the author thought this was an appropriate ending for this series.

Here’s what’s going on. Pip’s spiraling out of control due to the outcome of her last case and struggling with PTSD. When someone appears to be stalking Pip, the police refuse to offer her help and, once again, she finds herself investigating on her own. When she discovers that there’s a connection between her stalker and a serial killer who is supposedly behind bars, Pip finds herself wondering if they have the wrong man. Now Pip must find her stalker before he finds her.

I had to force myself to finish this book and it was a struggle. I wasn’t feeling the plot, the mystery, or the characters.

It’s extremely obvious that Pip desperately needs help and I found it very neglectful that her parents failed to realize that she was in such a dark place. It baffles me how she was able to do the things she did without her parents noticing.  

The mystery, and identity of Pip’s stalker, felt like lazy writing. While it tied the series together, it felt rushed and I don’t feel as though it worked. There’s so much that I want to say about this one but I don’t want to ruin it for future readers.

Pip and Ravi’s actions were completely out of character. I had to question why Ravi would do this given what happened to his brother. With this series, I’ve had to suspend my disbelief but that actions were so outlandish that it was impossible to do with this one.

Overall, this one was extremely dark and out of place. The tone felt more along the lines of an adult thriller/mystery but the characters were still very immature. 

My thoughts on the series: Going into this series, I knew I had to suspend my disbelief but that didn’t work for me. At the start of the full-length books in this series, Pip is 17 with no investigative training yet she’s opened a full-blown investigation into the murder of Andi Bell and, somehow, she manages to get all of these people, some of them extremely shady, to spill all their secrets.

Throughout the series, this is something that I struggled with, as Pip doesn’t seem mature enough to conduct an investigation of this caliber. Had the author written Pip as a more mature character, or a character that grew in her maturity, or even an academic savant, I would have been able to get behind her intricate investigations and believe she was able to find things the detectives missed. Sadly, that didn’t happen and, as the series progressed, her actions became more immature.

The mystery aspect of the books suffered as the series progressed. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder has a solid mystery that made sense. I could see those events playing out in real life. Books 2 and 3 had very absurd mysteries. I do believe that book 2 could have been a solid mystery had the catalyst been something other than Jamie’s disappearance. I didn’t care for the mystery in book 3. It was a bit outlandish and I’m not sure how it would have went undetected for so long.

I’m not the target audience for this series. I’m not even sure that I would have enjoyed this as a teen because I didn’t read a lot of YA even then.

Why did I read this series? One of the main reasons I wanted to read the series was because so many people on social media were upset because they changed the setting of the Netflix series and that piqued my curiosity.

The Netflix series is set in the UK. The books, published by Delacorte Press, are set in America. Knowing the author is British, I was curious about the tone of the books and if the change in sitting would make a difference.

I’m a little confused by the people making such a big deal about the change as the books have a very British tone and some of the included graphics are blatantly British. I did a little digging and found out that this is due to the fact that the original books, published by Electric Monkey, were set in Britain. When an American publisher purchased the rights, the setting was changed to Connecticut.

I’m really curious if the setting was the only thing changed and if the original versions show Pip is a different light.

Was the Netflix series different? Obviously, the setting changed. I do feel as though the show stuck to the plot of the first book but there were some differences. I’m not sure if they differ from the original British version of the book but it does differ from the American version. While the show was an okay watch, Pip comes off as being even more juvenile.  

Heart of Evil by Heather Graham

Emerging from the bayou like an apparition, Donegal Plantation is known for its unsurpassed dining, captivating atmosphere, haunting legends... and now a corpse swinging from the marble angel that marks its cemetery’s most majestic vault. A corpse discovered in nearly the same situation as that of Marshall Donegal, the patriarch killed in a skirmish just before the Civil War.

 

Desperate for help traditional criminologists could never provide, plantation heiress Ashley Donegal turns to an elite team of paranormal investigators who blend hard forensics with rare - often inexplicable - intuition. Among the “Krewe of Hunters” is an old flame, Jake Mallory, a gifted musician with talent stretching far beyond the realm of the physical, and a few dark ghosts of his own.

 

The evil the team unveils has the power to shake the plantation to its very core. Jake and Ashley are forced to risk everything to unravel secrets that will not stay buried - even in death...

Series: Krewe of Hunters #2 | Publisher: Brilliance Audio | Narrator: Luke Daniels  | Length: 8 hours 18 minutes | Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense  | Source: Purchased  | Rating: 3

When Jake Mallory, Krewe of Hunters member, is called to aid in the investigation of a mysterious death at Donegal Plantation, he soon finds himself investigating both the present crime as well as the Civil War-era death of Marshall Donegal. Not only is he investigating a complicated murder, he’s working alongside his former girlfriend, Ashley Donegal. As the case progresses, secrets from long ago are revealed that puts the team at risk.

 

This is the second book in the Krewe of Hunters series and, like the first book, I ended up reading this after I started in the middle of the series. While the first book had a few issues, this one has definitely found its footing. There is a bit of a pacing issue at the start but it did smooth out rather quickly.

 

Jake is one of my favorite characters in this series and I was a little disappointed that we didn’t get to see his backstory/transition from musician to a member of the Krewe. I struggled with Ashley at the start. She made a lot of questionable decisions and started to feel like a TSTL character, thankfully, she pivoted and I ended up liking her.

 

Jake and Ashley have a history and it was interesting watching them work together while sorting out their own past issues. While the chemistry was fantastic between them, the romance was on the quicker side, which worked for me as they had a history. One thing I have noticed with this series is that the romance takes a backseat to the mystery.

 

The mystery in this book was an echo of the past so there’s a bit of history thrown in, which I do enjoy in this series, as the team investigates what happened to Marshall Donegal. Throughout the story there’s little snippets from the killer’s POV and, while it gave the book extra layers, I wish the killer’s identity would have been a veiled a bit more as it was easy to figure out the identity by their dialogue.  

 

While it wasn’t as dark as the first book, there’s still a bit of gore in this one. It’s also heavy on the paranormal, which, again, I do enjoy with this series.

 

I did end up listening to this one on audio and I really enjoyed the way Luke Daniels narrates this one.

 

Overall, this one still had a few teething issues but I did enjoy the characters and plot. I don’t think it’s going to be one of my favorites in the series but it’s still a decent paranormal romantic suspense. 

Phantom Evil by Heather Graham

A secret government unit, a group of renegade paranormal investigators... and a murder no one else can crack.

Though haunted by the recent deaths of two teammates, Jackson Crow knows that the living commit the most heinous crimes.

A police officer utilizing her paranormal intuition, Angela Hawkins already has her hands full of mystery and bloodshed.

But one assignment calls to them too strongly to resist. In a historic mansion in New Orleans's French Quarter, a senator's wife falls to her death. Most think she jumped; some say she was pushed. And yet others believe she was beckoned by the ghostly spirits inhabiting the house — once the site of a serial killer's grisly work.

In this seemingly unsolvable case, only one thing is certain: whether supernatural or all too human, crimes of passion will cast Jackson and Angela into danger of losing their lives... and their immortal souls.

Series: Krewe of Hunters #1 | Publisher: Mira |  Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense | Source: Purchased  | Rating: 3

I’m going to be honest, I cheated. I started somewhere in the middle of the series then I went back and read the first book and I’m glad that I did. Let me tell you a bit about the book then I’ll explain why I’m glad I didn’t start the series from the beginning.

When the Senator’s wife dies, it’s apparent from the look of terror in her eyes that there was more to it than an accidental fall. Given the mansion’s gruesome past, some are left questioning whether or not a ghost is to blame. Enter Jackson Crow and Angela Hawkins, members of the newly formed Krewe of Hunters, a special unit of the FBI that deals with paranormal situations. As they work the case, it becomes apparent there’s more going on than what they first thought.

This one was a quick read but, at times, I felt as though the book dragged a bit as the Krewe of Hunters unit was being introduced, which is to be expected when it’s the first book in a new series and I didn’t mind that. The mystery and paranormal aspects of the book were fantastic. There’s also a darker aspect to this book.

What drew me out of this book after loving the others were the characters, which completely surprised me as Jackson and Angela are some of my favorite characters in the series. Jackson spent the majority of the plot fighting/avoiding his ability to see and communicate with ghosts while Angela was comfortable in her ability and it made the plot feel bumpy. Jackson also came off as arrogant at times, which is something he’s not in later books.

While this is a romance, the romance does take a backseat to the case and paranormal aspects. It developed quickly and, at times, I found myself searching for the chemistry between Jackson and Angela that’s there in the later books.

I ended up switching back and forth from book to audio trying to find which format I vibed with and I ended up sticking with the physical book. While I do enjoy Jeffrey Cummings, his narration didn’t work for this book.

Overall, this one had a few issues but I do recommend the book and the series does get better as it goes along. 

Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter

A grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance with a fun-loving heroine and a rule-following hero? Yes, please! Keep reading and find out why this contemporary romance was a 5 for me!

Isabella Shay is usually a very honest person. But when she’s running late for her first day at her dream job and the barista yells for “Amy” three times with no answer, she does the unthinkable.

Izzy takes that PSL.

It’s the exact drink she ordered and paid for, only way further ahead in the queue—and she’ll take whatever bad karma is coming for her; she’s desperate and very late. But when she turns around and runs directly into the most attractive man she’s ever seen, spilling the drink all over his made-for-GQ shirt and tie, she ends up having the ultimate meet-cute. Karma who? Sparks fly and things feel beyond promising, until he says to her: “See you tomorrow, Amy.”

Izzy reasons she can just straighten things out the next day, no biggie. Only when she gets to her new office and meets the VP of her department, it is none other than Blake Phillips—the hottie from Starbucks. And the man might’ve been charming to “Amy,” but he is an arrogant grump to Izzy, an arrogant grump who does not find her explanation funny at all. But day by day, an attraction simmers between them and they’ll have to find a way to work together without ripping each other’s heads—or clothes—off.

 Publisher: Berkley |  Release Date: 1/14/2025 | Genre: Contemporary Romance  | Source: Publisher | Rating: 5 

I had so much fun with this one. It’s been a minute since a contemporary romance has pulled me in and wowed me but, let me tell you, I absolutely loved this one and I cannot get it out of my system.

Not wanting to be late for her first day on the job, Izzy decides to grab an unclaimed PSL meant for ‘Amy’. Even though she paid for her PSL, the karma gods intervened, causing her to spill her drink all over the sexiest man she’s ever seen. While there’s no denying that there’s an instant spark, he thinks she’s ‘Amy’ and things take an even worse turn when he discovers he’s her boss. While Blake is drawn to Izzy, he’s a stickler for the rules and there’s no way he can date someone he’s in charge of and there’s the fact she lied about being ‘Amy’ and he cannot tolerate a liar. But, rules are meant to be bent. When Izzy comes up with a plan to be ‘friends’, Blake is more than willing to comply but will they find a way to work around those pesky rules and become more than friends.

I’ve noticed a lot of ‘romance’ books as of late are actually women’s fiction with a side of romance and I’ve been missing true romances. Thankfully, Accidentally Amy is exactly what it is labeled: a contemporary romance.

Blake is probably one of my favorite characters in a contemporary romance. He’s such a straight up, honest guy who cares about ethics and telling the truth and he’s sweet, funny, and takes amazing care of his two disabled cats. He’s also been hurt before and that’s made him a bit guarded. Izzy is such a fun, unique character with this exuberant nature that makes everything fun.

I loved the romance in this one. The chemistry was spot on and the way the relationship developed felt realistic. Blake is a stickler for honesty and doing what’s right. While Izzy, technically, didn’t lie to him, she didn’t correct his belief that she was Amy, which gave Blake pause. He also wasn’t willing to cross the line and date someone he was the boss of. He’s very conflicted when Izzy draws up a ‘friend’ plan. Izzy’s entering into new territory with Blake. She’s never been in a relationship and it’s a bit daunting for her. I loved watching them navigate this new situation and found myself rooting for them. They also have this amazing back-and-forth banter and the way they put each other at ease made me melt.

Going into this one, I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be able to get past the ‘Amy’ issue. I find it very hard to accept a character that lies, especially in a romance. I don’t feel like this was an actual lie but rather a misunderstanding and it wasn’t a lingering issue, which I appreciate, and Izzy was completely horrified by what she had done.

Overall, I highly recommend this one. It has everything a contemporary romance should have: wit, chemistry, and a true connection. It should be on everyone’s 2025 ‘to-be-read’ list.