The Fifth Petal

5th-petal Author: Brunonia Barry

Series: The Lace Reader #2

Publisher: Crown

Release Date: January 24, 2017

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

On November 1, 1989, a little girls is found, crying and almost catatonic, in some bramble bushes at a murder scene. Three young women, including the girl’s mother, have been brutally murdered, and the little girl has been spared. The women have all been accused of witchcraft, and the woman they live with, Rose Whelan, is a scholar on the Salem witches. She is also accused of the murder. The little girl, Callie, is taken in by local nuns and the only obvious repercussion to her is a large rose-shaped cut on her hand from the rosary she held tightly all night long.

Present day Salem brings another murder charge to Rose, who was exonerated of the murder of the three girls, commonly known as the Goddesses around town. They are known for their sexual exploits and the pull they have on the men in town. Rose has never been the same since the incident, and after this new murder accusation, she becomes catatonic and is hospitalized. Callie is called to tend to Rose, and all of the secrets of her mother’s and Rose’s past are brought to light again.

Callie becomes involved with the son of a prominent “old money” family, and as she gets to know the family, she learns many more secrets about the Goddesses and Rose. Close family friends also provide answers and provoke memories that Callie completely forgot. Callie finishes Rose’s research about the hanging of several accused witches in Salem and discovers things that people have been keeping from her all her life.

This book is a long read that gives its readers many opportunities to figure out what happened to Callie’s mother all those years ago and why. Just when the reader thinks it is figured out, however, something new comes along to challenge that theory. There is a lot of backstory involved, which at times is confusing, but it all adds up to a thick, rich story. Readers will need to pay attention to keep track of the huge cast of characters, both present and past, in order to piece together the events that happened the night Callie lost her mother. I enjoyed the constant tease of the revelation that was then pulled back to reveal more to the story. The unfolding of the characters’ involvement with one another and the murders is complex and adds another layer to the mystery of Callie’s past. There is a bit of mysticism and fantasy at play, as several of the characters see visions, predict the future, and read minds. All put together, The Fifth Petal is a mystery that has so much more.

I highly recommend this book to people who love mysteries with a bit of fantasy. It does contain sexual situations, some profanity, and violence, and is therefore recommended for mature readers only.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Where I Can See You

where-i-can-see-you Author: Larry D. Sweazy

Publisher: Seventh Street Books

Release Date: January 10, 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A small town mystery that has big time consequences for criminals being chased by Hud Matthews in his quest to find the truth.

Hud Matthews became a detective partly to find out what happened to his mother. She disappeared when he was eight and he is still searching for the truth to what happened to her. He has moved back home and joined the force their just in time to try and help catch a killer. He quickly becomes a target. But the killer is not the only one after him. Many in town wish he would leave the past buried and move on with his life. The closer he moves to uncover the truth about the recent crimes, the more he also discovers about his mother’s disappearance. The question arises, how far will he go to make sure justice is served?

Where I Can See You had an interesting style to it. There was a back and forth between the actual story and a dialogue between Hud and someone. Sweazy keeps you in total suspense through the entire book until the very end to uncover who he is talking to and what it is really about. Even so, all the transitions kept me confused for a large portion of the book. Looking back, I can see how it fits in but I think it could have been done a little better to make the story flow smoother. Sweazy wrote a very interesting story making the main character sympathetic but at times a little hard to like and even relate to. None of the characters fully meshed to bring the story to life in a way I would have really enjoyed. There was some harsh language and some sex scenes that don’t make this a suitable read for anyone very young. I think mystery lovers will really enjoy this read, but you do have to be prepared of the back and forth to not get lost in the story. Overall it was an enjoyable read but I will let other readers make their own call about this being one that they keep on the shelves to pick up again.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Fudge and Jury

Fudge and Jury.jpg Author: Ellie Alexander

Series: A Bakeshop Mystery #5

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Release Date: January 3, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A fun cozy mystery almost as sweet as the treats in the story.

Ashland, Oregon is known for its Shakespeare and Chocolate Festival. Torte is a local family bakery hoping to make a name for itself at the festival. Jules and her team have been cooking up specials and are ready to show their best. The festival promises to be a sweet event and everything is looking to be perfect, until a murder happens in front of the Torte booth. Evan Rowe, of Confections Couture, is one of the top names in the chocolate world. He is at the festival and is quick to let others know if they are not good enough they will be gone. It is easy to see how he has many enemies and that list is sure to be examined when he turns up dead after sampling cake from Jules and the Torte booth. Jules is on a mission to not only clear her name and that of her bakeries, but to also find out who among them is a murderer.

Fudge and Jury is the fifth book in the Bakeshop mysteries. I didn’t realize that when I started, so I haven’t read any others in the series. Even so, that didn’t affect my enjoyment of this one. This was an extremely fun and entertaining read. The characters were witty and engaging, the mystery was realistic and not over the top. There was a unique method to the murder that made it more enjoyable than if it was just a normal shooting, stabbing or one of the commonly used methods. Jules and Lance should have had more scenes in my opinion. When they were together, there was something about their interaction that kept the pages turning faster than when most of the other characters were together. There were a few points that were left unanswered, maybe they will be answered in the final book of the series, but I do wish there had been a little closure on those points. That has to be one of my only critical points. This is the kind of read that I think of sitting by the fire at a bed and breakfast or at the beach somewhere. Just a fun enjoyable read that is clean and able to put a smile on your face throughout. I recommend this to mystery lovers and chocolate lovers alike.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

An Unsettling Crime for Samuel Craddock

samuel-craddock Author: Terry Shames

Series: Samuel Craddock #6

Publisher: 7th Street Books

Release Date: January 3, 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A prequel to the series that shows how he got his start with a very disturbing case that will leave you guessing till the end.

In the small town of Jarrett Creek, a fire on the outskirts of town sends the fire department running. Once the blaze is out, it is discovered that the fire was set to cover up the murder of five young black people. Samuel Craddock has just been appointed chief of police after finishing his time in the Air Force and finds himself on the outside of an investigation headed by the Texas Highway Patrol and a racist trooper, John Sutherland. When an arrest is made in the murders, Craddock has a hard time believing the accused is guilty. Truly Bennett, a young black man that has been working with Samuel is the last person he would expect involved in such a crime. Sutherland dismisses all of Craddock’s claims that he has the wrong man saying he has evidence that points to Truly being guilty. When Samuel refuses to accept Sutherlands findings he takes on his own investigation knowing it could put him and his family in danger. He also knows if he doesn’t, he might not be able to look himself in the mirror knowing he let an innocent man go to prison.

This is set as a prequel to the Samuel Craddock series, of which I haven’t read any, but that didn’t seem to be a problem with my understanding of this story. The story itself was good. You do have to keep in mind that this is not set in present day, even though a lot of it could be relevant to the here and now. Samuel Craddock is trying to get himself established as police chief and before he can even get started he is almost run out of town with his first case. The characters for the most part fit the story, a few name choices could have been changed to help ease understanding (Tilly/Truly, etc). I liked that the chapters were short and concise, along with the entire story. There was some language and themes that keep this from being recommended to a younger audience but is a good read for its intended targeted readers. However, I can’t say that anything in particular stood out to me as being great or exceptional. If you are looking for a quick read that does the investigation for you this is a great book to go with.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Quality of Silence

the-quality-of-silence Author: Rosamund Lupton

Publisher: Broadway Books

Release Date: November 15, 2016

Rating: 3 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

An interesting tale with much potential that didn’t live up to it.

Yasmin’s husband Matt has been off in Alaska studying the wildlife for a documentary. She and her daughter Ruby, who is deaf, are supposed to meet up with him at Christmas. But after a phone call leaves her with an uneasy feeling, she decides to take the trip early. When Yasmin and Ruby arrive they find out that the village he has been staying at has burned to the ground and everyone has died in the fire. Yasmin refuses to believe her husband is gone. And with no one to continue the search, she and Ruby set out on their own to traverse the deadly Alaskan winter. As they journey forward, they encounter the worst Alaska has to offer, not only in weather but also with those around them trying to keep them from finding Matt and the truth of what happened in the village.

I really thought this book was going to be geared more toward a YA audience focusing on Ruby and her lack of hearing. While it did go from her view point occasionally, it went from others as well and can’t fully be classified into the category of YA. The story itself was interesting and had great potential, it just didn’t live up to that potential. After a little bit, the characters became boring when they should have been anything but. Then there is the setting, yes it is Alaska with an unending tundra terrain, but it quickly became repetitive and made me lose interest. The other downfall was the back and forth between past and present day. I understand the style and what the author was trying to do here but again, it could have been done much better. The last fifty pages or so the tension really picked up. It would have been even better if Lupton had made better use of section or chapter breaks to quicken the pace. Ruby being deaf was an interesting aspect to add to the story and gave it a different vibe, which I enjoyed. I just wish I could say that was enough to make me recommend to others.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Good Behavior

good-behavior Author: Blake Crouch

Publisher: Thomas and Mercer

Release Date: November 15, 2016

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Unusual protagonist, twisted experiences, and now a new TV show.

Meet Letty Dobesh. She’s fresh out of prison and already thinking about hitting crystal meth again or taking on a new con job. Now she’s pilfering from hotel rooms in Ashville’s Grove Park Inn and making a pretty good job of it, until one of the room’s occupants comes back while she is still in the room. Hiding in the closet, she overhears a contract take place to have a man’s wife killed. Suddenly having an internal struggle with her conscience, she feels that she needs to tell the police, but she only knows the woman’s first name. Not to mention that she would have to implicate herself to save this woman. Is her freedom worth the life of someone she doesn’t even know?

From the mind of Blake Crouch comes the book Good Behavior, which is actually a collection of three short novellas that Blake wrote about the character of Letty Dobesh. If you have ever read any of his work, you know that he can quickly draw you in and take you for a wild ride. This is no exception. These are stories that he has written in the past and Letty manages to get into some pretty screwed up situations that most readers will never see coming. Each story is concluded with a note from Crouch on if the story is picked up as an episode for the TV shows (WHICH STARTS TONIGHT ON TNT) and what modifications were made to it. The way that he introduces Letty to you makes you sympathize with her through all of her escapades even though she is a user and a thief.

This book is definitely for mature readers (as is the TV show from what I’ve seen) as there is quite of bit of harsh language, violence, drug use, and some sex scenes, though not very graphic. I also wanted more. Novellas are great ty-ins, but I was sad when each one was over because I wanted the story to continue. I think having a TV series to continue Letty’s adventures is going to be beneficial so that I can continue to know and understand her more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed throughout are mine.

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End of the Roadie

End of the Roadie.jpg Author: Elizabeth Flynn

Series: A Mystery for D.I. Costello #3

Publisher: Lion Fiction

Release Date: July 15, 2016

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Intriguing and suspenseful! I couldn’t put it down until I found out who the killer was!

A young detective constable is out on a date with his boss’s, Detective Inspector Angela Costello, step daughter. They got to a popular concert act featuring Brendan Phelan, who uses guns and whips as part of the act. It was a phenomenal show and after it is over, his date wants to try to get a look at Brandon from the alley. Suddenly, Gary hears a gunshot and rushes by the bouncers only to find one of the roadies has been shot. After calling D.I. Costello to the case, they begin to unravel several different scenarios of why the roadie, Oliver Joplin, was shot. They find out that Oliver was connected to drug trafficking, blackmail, and even ticket fraud. The problem isn’t who would want to kill him, but who actually did. The further they press, the more they find they may be in for a smoke and mirrors act if they can’t find the smoking gun.

This was the first book in the Angela Costello series that I have read and I have to say that it is a really good read. I haven’t been reading into a lot of books that are set in the London area, but this one was just a really fun mystery to try and solve as I read. When I do read British police procedural novels, I also hope that the DI and DC have a lot of banter between the two of them, but that wasn’t much of the case here. It was more of a senior to junior mentor relationship, but it still worked great. I also really enjoyed the dynamic that the DC was dating the DI’s stepdaughter, which made some situations uncomfortable for both characters.

The plot of this book was written extremely well. It keeps the reader going in circles while trying to figure out who really did it and why. There are plenty of obvious suspects, but the one that actually pulled the trigger doesn’t appear to be the one throughout the whole story, which is typical of the “quiet one in the corner.” Overall, it was a very clean mystery, just the kind I really enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions and views expressed within are my own.

Dear Mr. M

dear-mr-m Author: Herman Koch

Publisher: Hogarth

Release Date: September 6, 2016

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

If you like to think while you read, you will love this book!

Mr. M is an elderly Dutch author who has written many books in his lifetime, but none have lived up to the hype of his early novel Payback. Written based on a factual account of a young teacher who coerced a young female student into a relationship. When she ended the relationship, he couldn’t fathom why she left him for the student he did and become obsessed with her. When the teacher and two students end up in a deserted vacation home during Christmas vacation, the teacher ends up disappearing without a trace, bringing the two students under suspicion of murder, but no conviction is ever made. People loved the book and even a movie was made from it. But someone from the story surfaces and begins writing to the author. The notes aren’t particularly amusing and could even be considered threatening. What if dear Mr. M got it all wrong?

This has definitely been one of the more thought provoking reads of the year! Told from five different viewpoints throughout the story with little to no warning of who is suddenly taking over the narration. It also switches between past and present without warning when changing sections of the book, so be warned. However, Koch is a master story teller as I had no idea the full story until I read the whole story. I was making conjectures throughout, but something always felt off. Something didn’t quite make sense until the last few pages put it all into perspective. The entire book makes it seem as though Mr. M is this washed up little talent author with the exception of two books: Payback which the book is centered on and then one about his ex-wife leaving him. But maybe this old dog of an author isn’t all that unintelligent.

The story is primary a narration being told to the reader. There is some dialogue in a few parts that takes place here and there, so it can be a little difficult to follow at times. There was some adult content included, both in harsh language and in implied sexual content. The book is mostly set in the Amsterdam area, which I admit to having little to no geographical knowledge of prior to this book, which is always fun to help expand my horizons. Overall an interesting read, but recommended for mature audiences due to the language and sexual content.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

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Another Day, Another Dali

another-day-another-dali Author: Sandra Orchard

Series: A Serena Jones Mystery #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 18, 2016

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Serena is back with another mystery that just might be her last!

When Serena gets a call from her Nana, she knows whatever it is can’t be good. She has never been close with her, but now she needs a favor. One of her neighbors has had her Dali painting stolen and replaced, but she doesn’t want it to be an “official” investigation. Serena digs into the family and starts rounding up the usual suspects: son, daughter, son-in-law, and housekeeper. Things start to go out of control from there. On top of that, her colleague Tanner is investigating a case with the Russian mob that is now targeting Serena to get the investigation to drop. With danger at every turn (and straightaway) Serena might have met her end, or at least the end.

This book pretty much picked up just after A Fool and His Monet let off. However, I was happy that this book really delved more into Serena’s personal character. I felt that I really got to know her more in this book and she really opened up about past feelings. The family wasn’t as much as central core to this book, with the exception of crazy Aunt Martha, who I love! The books wouldn’t be the same without her. Serena is still clueless when it comes to both Nate and Tanner making plays for her love. She is also not quite as scatterbrained in this book either.

I’ve not been to St. Louis, but it seems like a pretty dangerous place. The hood, mixed with the Italian mafia and now the Russian mafia makes it seem like a breeding ground for danger, especially a young female FBI agent. Serena seems to find more opportunities to be randomly shot at or run over than any other character that I’ve read recently. Keeps the book moving with a fast pace. This is just a fun little mystery that is also a quick read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Publishing Group in exchange for an honest and thorough review. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Fifth Column

fifth-column Author: Mike Hollow

Series: The Blitz Detective #2

Publisher: Kregel Books

Release Date: July 27, 2016

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Twist, turns, and tumultuous murder all during the London Blitz!

Detective John Jago is called out early one morning to come investigate a body found after an air raid. As there are usually several bodies found after a night of the blitz, Jago wonders why he has been called out as they usually aren’t his territory. However, this body appeared on the site after the bomb restoration crew had already cleared the site. As DI Jago and his sidekick DC Craddick begin to investigate, they find that the victim worked for an engineering company that was working on secret government projects. Further investigation leads them to some past shady characters as well as family drama. But who would have wanted her dead? And why?

If you enjoy historical British murder mystery writing, then this is sure to be a hit with you. Even as a second in a series, this one easily stands alone without need of the first book. There were some references to the past book, but this one really centered on the case presented for this book. However, don’t let that stop you from reading the first book as well.

The characters presented in this book are really interesting. DI Jago is the main character who has compartmentalized his emotions for several years. However, he starts to see this unravel with his feelings for Dorothy. The banter between Jago and Craddick is clever as ever. I couldn’t get enough of it. And all of the supporting characters really brought the story together great. Each one fit in their own place and it was very easy to see them in my mind’s eye, even with little physical description.

I’m a huge fan of WWII era fiction and this was no disappointment. Be sure to pick up a copy of this one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel Book Tours in exchange for an honest and thorough review. The opinions and views expressed within are my own.