May reads
Here are some of my May reads:
The Murder Rule [5/5]
I’m a huge fan of the Cormac Reilly series, set in Ireland by the author McTiernan. She wrote her first standalone novel, ‘The Murder Rule’. It is a legal thriller taking place in Virginia. Hannah, a law student from Maine transfers to VA to join the Innocence Project. They are working with a man who is on death row for murder and rape. Hannah had discovered a connection between the case and excerpts in her mother’s diary surrounding a past crime. Motivated by revenge, Hannah’s goal is to bury the man. It was a slow build up, creating anticipation that kept me glued to every page! There’s plenty of twists and turns, surprising secrets and I couldn’t put down the book!
The Candid Life of Meena Dave [5/5]
See the blog here.
The Shore [5/5]
See the blog here.
The Magnolia Palace [5/5]
After reading the ‘The Lions of Fifth Avenue’, I had to read another book by this author. I picked up this book, judging it by the pretty cover! It is a historical fiction taking place in New York City at a Gilded Ages mansion. The story alternates between two different time periods. One story is about Lillian, a former model who had to escape a scandal. She goes to a new job where she is a private secretary to a heiress of an industrialist. The other story follows Veronica, a model who had been trapped in the mansion during a snow storm after a photo shoot. Family drama, secrets and murder. It was a very fascinating read. The author has a knack for writing historical fiction using real people and locations in New York City. The final chapter explains the true story. I’m definitely a fan of Fiona Davis!
Kentucky Rich [DNF]
I thought it’d be fun to read a horse racing related fiction book because of Kentucky Derby earlier this month. I couldn’t even get through this book.
Things You Save in a Fire [5/5]
It’s about a female firefighter named Cassie. She is moving to Rockport, MA from Texas to help her ill mother. Cassie has to join a new firehouse where they weren’t keen about having a female joining. The book was heartwarming! Right away, I loved the ambiance of the firehouse. It made me feel like I was part of the crew. Some parts were funny, made me laugh. The ending was gripping! I felt connected to the characters, I was rooting for their growth. I felt like they were my friends! A wonderful read!
The Woman in the Library [3/5] *Available on June 7th.
A murder thriller taking place in the Boston Public Library grabbed my attention! It was tough getting into this book. It has a whole ‘a story within a story within a story’ concept, making it complex to understand at first. I had to re-read the beginning chapters. It’s not my style, but I recommend this book if you enjoy thought-provoking mystery thriller. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy for honest feedback.
The Hotel Nantucket [5/5]
See the upcoming blog this Friday, June 10th.
Corrections in Ink [4/5]
See the blog here.
The Kiss Curse [3.5/5] *Available September 20th.
The sequel to ‘The Ex Hex’, a book I read last fall and enjoyed so much. I was excited to read this book which focused on the cousin Gwyn. I was hoping for a continuance of the relationship in the first book, but there is a new love interest. It was spicy! I didn’t feel that this book flow as well as the first one through. Still was a fun read! Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy for honest feedback.
Shmutz [3.5/5] *Available July 19th.
The cover! I loved the usage of the hamantaschen in relation to what the book is about. It follows Raizl, a Brooklyn Hasidic woman who is expected to marry through an arranged marriage. She has a secret, she is addicted to porn. There is conflict of respecting the religion she was raised in and self discovery. It did get uncomfortable at times to read. It is a thought provoking book, sad and funny! The storytelling was unique, funny, serious and entertaining. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy for honest feedback.
Gallows Road [4/5]
This historical fiction is based on a true story of a girl in New London, CT. She was imprisoned and tried for a crime she claimed to be innocent for. It occurred during the 18th century. Wonderful storytelling, it was almost like reading a diary. The local ties in this book also kept me interested! A great read.
Mother May I [4/5]
A very suspenseful read about the kidnapping of a baby son and revenge. Bree, the mother is tested on how far she would go and does some things she would normally never do. She ropes in her friend, who is an ex-cop to help. They find out some secrets on why the baby was kidnapped. It was fast paced, kept me on the edge waiting to see what she would do to save her son. The ending was surprising! I easily devoured this book in a day!
Night Shift [5/5]
I wanted another thriller to read - this came highly recommended on many other bookstagram accounts that I follow. This book starts out with a murder that happened at Blockbuster in New Jersey on New Year’s Eve 1999. Fast forward to 15 years later, another murder happens at an ice cream shop. Both are very similar, so the law enforcement has to figure out whether it’s a copy cat or the same killer. The book is told in 3 perspectives - the lone survivor of the Blockbuster murder, a lawyer with connections to the suspect of the Blockbuster murder and the FBI agent working on the new murder case. I enjoyed the short chapters, fast paced and suspense!