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Showing posts with label Lori Rader-Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lori Rader-Day. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Top Ten Tuesday: Mysteries/Thrillers on My TBR With Houses and Water on Their Covers
Today's Top Ten Tuesday prompt is a simple one: Water. There are so many ways to go with this theme, but the first thing that came to mind for this mystery/thriller lover is books with pictures of houses on their covers. Have you ever noticed how many of them include water—usually crashing ocean waves—to enhance their moody, broody vibes? Not only does the inclusion of water create a sinister sense of isolation, but it also taps into the fear a lot of us have of the mysterious deep. These types of covers always send a thrilling little chill down my spine, which makes me instantly want to add the book to my TBR pile! There's just nothing like a (potentially) haunted house to pique my curiosity, whether the place is inhabited by actual ghosts or just ringing with the echoes of a secret past or whispering premonitions of an ominous future to come...
Before we get to that, though, take a minute to click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl and give some love to our fabulous TTT host, Jana. If you want to hop on the TTT party bus (and you do!), you'll find everything you need to know on her blog.
Top Ten Mystery/Thrillers on My TBR With Houses and Water on Their Covers
2. Lakeview House by Helen Phifer—In desperate need of a new start, Maddy Hart impulsively accepts a position as a live-in caretaker at an imposing house on the shore of Lake Thirlmere. She's never been there before, but something about the place feels eerily familiar. Maddy tries not to be spooked by all the creaks and strange noises she hears while she's cleaning out the house, but the more time she spends there, the more creeped out she becomes. Are the sinister stories she's been hearing about the home's last resident true? Is Maddy in some kind of danger? Isolated and alone, she fears the worst...
3. What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline—I've never read anything by Scottoline, but I'm intrigued by the premise of this one. Jason Bennett is a regular dad whose ordinary suburban life takes a wild, unexpected turn one night as he's driving his family home from a lacrosse game. They become victims of a violent carjacking that puts them in the center of a dangerous FBI case. Encouraged to go into witness protection, the Bennetts are thrown into an entirely new life. As their peace of mind slowly unravels, new facts in the case come to light, convincing Jason that it's up to him to get the justice his traumatized family deserves.
4. The Death of Us by Lori Rader-Day (available October 3, 2023)—Fifteen years ago, Liss Kehoe responded to a late-night knock on her door and was shocked to be handed a newborn. The baby's mother, Ashley Hay, then disappeared. Liss has raised the boy she thinks of as hers, always fearful that Ashley will return and demand her son back. When the missing woman's car is found submerged in a quarry pond on Liss' property almost two decades later, it provides more questions than answers. What really happened to Ashley? Was it suicide, an accident, or something much, much more sinister?
5. The Nesting by C.J. Cooke—Tom Faraday is an architect bent on finishing the home he's building on a fjord in Norway, even though that's where his wife took her own life. He hires Gaia to be a nanny for his two young children. Although she loves the kids, she senses that something is very off in the Faraday household. Odd things are happening, leading Gaia to believe that Mrs. Faraday's death did not come by her own hand...
6. You Never Know by Connie Briscoe—In spite of its mixed reviews, I'm curious about this thriller. It revolves around a deaf woman who is delighted when she meets the man of her dreams. Not only is he charming and successful, but Marcus is also fluent in American Sign Language. It doesn't take long, though, before he seems to become a completely different person. Some sleuthing on her part reveals that her husband's first wife is missing, presumed dead. Then, Marcus himself disappears. Who is the stranger she married, really? And where has he gone?
7. The Midnight House by Amanda Geard—This triple-timeline mystery revolves around Blackwater Hall, a graceful, secret-filled home in County Kerry, Ireland. Will a modern-day disgraced journalist be able to solve its mysteries?
8. Into the Dark by Fiona Cummins—Something odd has happened at beautiful, windswept Seawings. The home's occupants—two parents and two teens—have vanished. When a friend enters, she finds a radio playing, phones charging, cars in the garage, and no one home. A sinister message scrawled on one of the bedroom walls hints that something unspeakable has happened, but what?
9. The Engagement Party by Darby Kane—Twelve years ago, a young woman went missing from her posh school and one of her classmates, a boy no one really knew, took his own life. One text indicated there was a connection between them, which closed the case for the police. Now, a group of college friends have gathered on a private island in Maine to celebrate an upcoming wedding. Someone is using the party as a chance to force out the truth about what really happened a dozen years ago. As the tension ramps up, so does a storm that will strand them all with a killer who has already gotten away with murder once.
Dirty Laundry by Disha Bose—This cover is a bit of a departure from the others, but it's got a house and water so it counts, right? The story is about a group of moms in an Irish village whose lives are shattered when one of their own is found murdered in her home. Ciara's Instagram-worthy life seemed absolutely perfect, so who could possibly have wanted her dead? A whole lot of people as it turns out...
There you are, ten mystery/thrillers I want to read that have covers featuring a house and water. Have you read any of them? What did you think? Which others can you think of that fit with the theme? I'm always looking for recs! What did you do for this watery prompt? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. I also reply to comments left here.
Happy TTT!
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Top Ten Tuesday: Hot Temps, Cool New Books
So, it's summer and it is HOT. Not just in Arizona for once, but everywhere. How are you all doing? Are you dying? Are you lucky enough to have air conditioning or a pool or at least access to some cool water somewhere to keep you from melting? I hope you're all doing okay. I'm keeping cool with a/c and swimming while praying for rain to soak the drought- and wildfire-plagued American Southwest.
Enough chit chat, on to the books! I feel like I've talked about nothing else lately but upcoming books that I'm excited to read. Luckily, there are lots of them because today's TTT topic is: Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2021. Since I've already chatted about those I'm most excited about, I'm going to highlight some lesser-known titles that may not be widely known. Do you have new releases you want to talk about? Join the TTT fun by clicking on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the details.
(More) Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2021
1. Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson (available December 1, 2021)—Honestly, I've been sort of avoiding World War II books lately. Still, it's a topic I'll always be interested in reading about. This novel, about a woman who joins a special branch of the Coast Guard for single women and ends up helping to protect the First Lady from a nefarious plot against her, sounds compelling.
2. Orphans of the Storm by Celia Imrie (available December 14, 2021)—No matter how many Titanic books I read, I'll always want more! The subject is just endlessly fascinating. This novel concerns two women with big secrets whose lives will change forever because of the tragedy.
3. Her Perfect Life by Hank Philippi Ryan (available September 14, 2021)—Television reporter Lily Atwood has such an enviable existence that her fans have gifted her with the hashtag #PerfectLily. Her flawless image depends on concealing the devastating secret that only she knows. When the anonymous source that feeds her tips hints that she knows what Lily's hiding, it turns Lily's perfect world completely upside-down. She'll do anything to keep her secret hidden. Anything.
4. A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott (available October 5, 2021)—Lark highly recommends Scott's American Wonders series and I agree. I'm halfway through the first installment, A Distance Too Grand, which I'm really enjoying. I've got the second volume ready to go on my Kindle, so I'll be more than ready for this third book when it comes out in October.
5. Where I Left Her by Amber Garza (available August 24, 2021)—This domestic drama has a simple, but chilling premise. A mother drops her teenage daughter off for a sleepover with a friend whose parents she's never met before. When Mom returns the next day, an elderly couple answers the door, insisting there are no teenage girls at their house and never have been. Where are the girls? As the frantic mom searches for her missing daughter, she uncovers a trail of lies left in the teenager's wake...Wow, I can't wait for this one!
6. The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman (available September 28, 2021)—After enjoying The Thursday Murder Club, I'm excited for this sequel which has the retirement home gang solving more murders.
7. My Sweet Girl by Amanda Jayatissa (available September 14, 2021)—Ever since her adoption from a Sri Lankan orphanage, Paloma has led a very privileged life. When she's cut off from her parents, however, she decides to sublet a room in her apartment in order to make money. Arun, a recent immigrant from India, moves in. He discovers a devastating secret about Paloma, but before she has a chance to confront him, she finds his dead body in the complex swimming pool. When the police arrive, the body is gone, along with all evidence that Arun ever existed. Is Paloma going crazy? What is happening and does it tie back to her past in Sri Lanka?
8. Yours Cheerfully by A.J. Pearce (available August 10, 2021)—Dear Mrs. Bird is a rarity: a funny novel about World War II. I enjoyed it immensely and am excited for this sequel, which concerns the challenges faced by female war workers.
9. Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day (available October 12, 2021)—I've enjoyed Rader-Day's thrillers, so I'm looking forward to this one, her first historical. Another World War II novel, this one focuses on a disgraced nurse whose only chance at redemption is helping to care for British children who have been evacuated to Greenway, Agatha Christie's summer home. Between the strange house, a mysterious co-worker, and rising war tensions, the last thing the nurse needs is a murdered corpse on her doorstep, but that's just what she's got. Who killed the victim? And why? She needs to find answers in order to protect the children and herself.
10. The Hidden Child by Louise Fein (available October 19, 2021)—Another historical, this one takes place in 1929 and revolves around Eleanor, a woman whose husband is heavily involved in the eugenics movement. When their young daughter is diagnosed with a shameful disease—epilepsy—the couple vows to tell no one. Then, Eleanor discovers the secrets her husband has been keeping, secrets that throw everything she thought she knew about him and his work into question.
There you go, ten more upcoming releases I'm excited to read. What do you think of my choices? Which up-and-comers are you chomping at the bit to get your hands on? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Missing Persons Thriller Engrossing, But Unsatisfying
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
In a quaint Indiana community, 3-year-old Alice Fine was kidnapped from her front yard. Luckily, she was rescued less than 24 hours later by her policeman father. Although Alice was not hurt in the ordeal, the family was traumatized enough to remove themselves to Illinois in an attempt to put it all behind them. Although she has not accomplished a lot in the three decades since her abduction, Alice is passionate about her work with the Doe Pages, a website that encourages amateur sleuths to study missing persons cases with the goal of finding the lost, giving their families closure, and bringing criminals to justice.
On one of her frequent website searches, Alice is shocked when a photograph of her abductor flashes on the screen. Although it's deleted almost immediately, Alice can't forget what she's seen. With the help of other Doe Pages devotees, she launches her own investigation into the man's identity. When she meets another woman, 30-year-old Merrily Cruz, who is searching for the same man, the two form a tenuous partnership. Who is the man they seek? As they set about answering that question, both will discover shocking secrets, lies, and deceptions that will change everything they know about themselves and each other.
I love me a good psychological thriller and Lori Rader-Day has written several that I've really enjoyed. The Lucky One—her latest—is, however, a bit of an exception. The characters are almost entirely unlikeable. Our "heroines" are hot messes, who are immature, unambitious, self-centered, and just not all that appealing. Plotwise, the story starts off slowly, carefully building up the tension and suspense. Unfortunately, a rushed ending spoils the effect, leading to a disappointing finale that left me with lots of questions. The story is unfailingly depressing but also undeniably engrossing, including some twists I didn't see coming. Overall, though, it just didn't come together well enough to satisfy me. All things considered, The Lucky One was just an average read for me.
(Readalikes: Um, nothing is coming readily to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, sexual content, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Lucky One from the generous folks at William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins). Thank you!
Monday, January 13, 2020
Debut Proves Rader-Day Improves With Time
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
It's been 10 months since a student shot Dr. Amelia Emmett in the pelvis. Although she's still walking with a cane, popping pain pills, and suffering from panic attacks, the professor is determined to get back in the classroom at Rothbert University. Despite her colleagues' misgivings and the whispers that trail after her wherever she goes, Amelia aims to prove she's ready and able to reclaim her life. No one needs to know that she's shaking in her high heels. Just like no one needs to know how obsessed she is with the question why. Why did the shooter—a kid Amelia had never met, never taught, never spoken to—choose her as his victim? Why had he deliberately waited outside her office door with a gun? Why had he tried to kill her before taking his own life? None of it makes an ounce of sense.
Nathan Barber, a grad student in sociology, has come to Rothbert for one reason—to research Dr. Emmett. Intending to do his dissertation on the shooting, he offers to be Amelia's teaching assistant in an effort to get closer to her. When Amelia wises up to his plan, she can't keep herself from encouraging Nath to do some sleuthing around campus. She wants to know why she was shot even more than he does. But the clues Nath uncovers only create more questions and when the truth finally comes to light, it will be even more shocking than either Amelia or Nath ever imagined.
I've enjoyed a couple of Lori Rader-Day's newer novels, so I was interested to see how her debut, The Black Hour, compared. I liked it least of the ones I've read because although it boasts a compelling premise, the story plods along slowly, with the action only picking up at the end. A few times, I almost put the book down. In addition to a sluggish plot, the main characters are pretty blah. Amelia's sympathetic, but not very likable. Nath's just boring (admittedly so). The book's vibe doesn't help—it's dark and depressing. Considering all this, why did I keep reading? Well, it's the same question that haunted Amelia and Nath—why?—that kept me turning pages. In the end, though, I didn't find The Black Hour all that satisfying. I finished it, but I definitely didn't love it. The good news is I know for certain that Rader-Day's novels improve with time!
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), mild sexual content, violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Black Hour from Changing Hands Bookstore with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
TTT: I've Been So Good This Year, Santa Came Early!
If you've never played along with TTT before, you really should. It's a fun weekly event that helps book bloggers spread the love across our fabulous online community. I love dropping in on favorite blogs, discovering new ones, and, of course, adding great-sounding reading recommendations to my TBR
Here we go with the Top Ten Books Santa Already Put Under My Tree (metaphorically speaking—they're actually on my festive red book cart):
*I should mention that I brought this haul home from my favorite local indie, Changing Hands Bookstore. One of my favorite things about the place is that they offer their customers a yearly birthday discount. They also let you trade in your old books in exchange for a generous store credit. Since I have a December birthday, I made a trip to Changing Hands the other day. I traded in some books and used both store credit and my birthday discount to get a whole stack of goodies. If you live near me or are just visiting the Phoenix area, you should definitely visit one of their two locations. I prefer the Tempe store (it's funky, fun, and has a lovely staff), but the Phoenix one is a treat as well.*
1. The Line Between by Tosca Lee—In this post-apocalyptic novel, an eradicated disease reemerges from the melting permafrost in Alaska, causing its victims to go insane. An escapee from a doomsday cult finds herself trying to navigate her way in a strange, new world while also learning the disturbing truth about the emergent virus. Post-apocalypse + cults? Count me in.
2. The Women of the Copper Country by Mary Doria Russell—I haven't read anything by this author, but this historical novel, about a woman who defies convention to stand up for the rights of miners in turn-of-the-century Michigan, sounds intriguing.
3. The Life and Death Parade by Eliza Wass—I realized after buying this book that it has pretty ho-hum ratings on book sites. Oh well. It sounds interesting. The novel concerns a boy who visited a psychic who told him he had no future. Now, he's dead. His girlfriend vows to find out what really happened to him.
4. My Bookstore by Ronald Rice—This gem was in the clearance section for super cheap, so I snatched it up. It's a collection of essays by authors like John Grisham, Fannie Flagg, Ann Patchett, Carrie Ryan, etc. talking about their favorite bookstores. Sounds fun!
5. A Noël Killing by M.L. Longworth—After talking about holiday books I wanted to read in last week's TTT, I was immediately drawn to a display table full of just that. I bought several titles I mentioned in that post, plus this one. It's actually the 8th book in a mystery series set in France. Maybe I'll be able to read the first seven before next Christmas.
6. Before and After by Lisa Wingate—If you've read Before We Were Yours, Wingate's based-on-a-true novel about the horrifying Tennessee Children's Home Society orphanage, you might be interested in this one. It's a collection of real-life experiences from people who lived at the orphanage. Sounds fascinating.
7. The Black Hour by Lori Rader-Day—I've enjoyed several novels by Rader-Day. This one, about a college professor who's disabled after being shot by a student trying to come to grips with what happened to her and the graduate student who's obsessed with the event, sounds compelling.
8. The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny—I'm a rabid Penny fan, but I'm purposely reading her Armand Gamache series slowly so I can savor it. This is the 11th installment and I'm sure I'll love it just as much as I have all the others.
I picked up these two at Deseret Book a few weeks ago:
9. This Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick—I enjoy pioneer novels and this one, about a woman's journey across the Oregon Trail, sounds like a good one.
10. Wildly Optimistic by Al Fox Carraway—Carraway, a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who calls herself "The Tattooed Mormon" is a popular speaker, writer, and online personality. Her books are fun and inspiring. I'm excited for this one, her newest.
There you have it, ten books "Santa" already delivered. Have you read any of them? What did you think? Have you been so good this year that Santa's already gifted you some fun books? What intriguing titles are you hoping to find under the Christmas tree this year? I'd truly love to know. Leave a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Top Ten Tuesday: New Authors, Old Year
It's Tuesday and you know what that means! Time for my favorite weekly meme, Top Ten Tuesday. Today's prompt is all about new authors you discovered in 2018, which will be a fun one. Before we get to that, though, here are the deets on how to join in the TTT fun. It's simple: click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, read a few guidelines, make and share your own list, then hop around the book blogosphere visiting other people's posts. It's a great way to spread the bookish love by revisiting favorite blogs, discovering new ones, and, of course, adding great-sounding books to your toppling TBR pile. What's not to love?
Okay, here we go with Top Ten New (to Me) Authors I Discovered in 2018:
1. Emily Carpenter—You know I love me a good Gothic yarn, especially when it involves family secrets, creepy old houses, and some nail-biting suspense. Emily Carpenter's books deliver on all accounts. She only has three out so far (with another one coming in March) and I read all of them in 2018. My favorite: The Weight of Lies.
2. Lori Rader-Day—I'm a big psychological thriller fan, so Rader-Day's books definitely caught my attention. I read three out of her four this year and enjoyed two of them. My favorite: Under a Dark Sky.
3. Dervla McTiernan—I loved this Irish author's debut, The Ruin. It's a dark, but very compelling mystery. A sequel, The Scholar, will be out on May 14. I can't wait!
4. Kristina McMorris—I'm a sucker for historical fiction and I find books about orphans and children in crisis especially moving. Naturally, then, I wanted to read Sold On a Monday as soon as I heard about it. I enjoyed it and plan to read more of McMorris' work.
5. Hester Fox—Fox's ghostly, atmospheric debut, The Witch of Willow Hall, earned lots of buzz last year. And deservedly so. I can't wait to see what Fox does next!
6. Elizabeth Byler Younts—The Solace of Water, Younts' most recent novel, was one of my favorite 2018 reads. It convinced me to start Younts' Promise of Sunrise trilogy, which is about how World War II affects an Amish community in Delaware. Having been raised Amish, Younts has a unique perspective on the culture/religion, which gives her books a refreshing authenticity. My favorite: The Solace of Water.
7. Alison Gaylin—Domestic thrillers are my jam, so I had to give Gaylin's books a go in 2018. I read and enjoyed two of hers. My favorite: And She Was.
8. Emma Berquist—I loved Devils Unto Dust, Berquist's debut novel. It's a Western/horror mash-up that satisfies on every level. I can't wait for her newest, Missing, Presumed Dead, which comes out in May.
9. Joanna Barker—Regency romance is far from my favorite genre, but I do count on them for light, amusing entertainment that I can sandwich between heavier reads. It's rare for me to really love a book in this genre, but Barker's debut, The Truth About Miss Ashbourne, really charmed me with its tight prose, engaging plot line, and well-developed characters. I'm definitely keeping an eye out to see what this talented newcomer does next.
10. Sarah Maine—The first book I read in 2018 was The House Between Tides, Maine's atmospheric debut. I enjoyed it and have been meaning to try the author's other two novels ever since.
So, there you go—ten authors I discovered last year. Hm, I just realized that they're all white women and most of them are debut authors. Interesting. Perhaps I need to work on diversifying my reading this year? Anyway, have you read any of these authors? What do you think of their work? Which new-to-you authors did you discover in 2018? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will happily return the favor.
Happy TTT!
Monday, December 31, 2018
Despite Predictability, Small-Town Murder Mystery Is an Unputdownable Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Like the seedy, 1-star motel where she works, Juliet Townsend is "halfway to anywhere that mattered, stuck" (15). Although she had grand dreams of leaving her hometown of Midway, Indiana, she's still there ten years after graduating high school. Working as a hotel housekeeper, living with her mother, and seeing the same faces every day makes for a dreary, banal existence.
Then, Madeline Bell walks into the Mid-Night Inn. Wearing beautifully tailored clothes and a gleaming diamond on her finger, Juliet's old friend and rival looks like a movie star. What she's doing at a rundown hotel like the Mid-Night, Juliet can't fathom. She doesn't get a chance to find out, either, as Madeline's dead body is found the next morning hanging from a railing. Why would a beautiful, wealthy woman like that commit suicide? When evidence of murder comes to light, Juliet finds herself a suspect in the killing of the woman to whom she's always played second fiddle. In order to clear her name, the housekeeper will have to find out who really killed Madeline Bell before her own body is found swinging from the rafters.
Little Pretty Things, a murder mystery by Lori Rader-Day, tells a taut, unputdownable story about two very different women tied to the same dead-end town. While the tale is depressing as all get-out, it's also an engrossing mystery that I couldn't stop reading. That's saying something since I saw where the plot was heading almost from the start. Even though it's predictable, the novel is a fast-paced page turner that will resonate with anyone who, like Juliet, feels stuck in a life she never saw herself living. Despite some disturbing subject matter, I enjoyed this one.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other novels by Lori Rader-Day, including Under a Dark Sky and The Day I Died)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another fine find
Handwriting Analysis Mystery a Meh Kind of Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Handwriting analyst Anna Winger has only been in Parks, Indiana, for a few months when a shocking crime rocks the small community. The body of a 24-year-old nanny has been discovered in a park restroom, her young charge missing. It's assumed that the toddler was taken by his mother, perhaps to get him away from an abusive father. To help determine what actually happened, Anna is called in to consult with local sheriff Russ Keller. The single mother knows a lot about running away to protect a child from a violent parent—if the missing woman is running from an abusive ex, more power to her.
It's not long, however, before Anna's own son disappears. Joshua has been unhappy in Parks. Has he run back to their old town? Or has something more sinister happened? With two boys missing from town, the latter looks more likely. Can Anna use her unique skill to help the police root out a murder and find the children? What really happened to the kids? Desperate to find Joshua, Anna will do anything she can to locate him, even reveal the secrets that could get her and her son killed.
After really enjoying Lori Rader-Day's newest novel, I found The Day I Died—the author's third—a bit of a disappointment. While I enjoyed reading about the science of handwriting analysis, that wasn't enough to save this one from a meandering plot, unlikable characters, and a number of contrived story twists. I finished the book because I definitely wanted to know what was going to happen, but in the end, I felt very meh about The Day I Died. Bummer.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Intriguing Dark Park Mystery a Thrilling Page Turner
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
It's been nine months since Eden Wallace's husband died and yet, she can't move on. The 35-year-old widow has become so paralyzed with grief and anxiety that she barely leaves the house. She's given up on her photography, her job, and any kind of social life. Her fear of the dark has become debilitating. Even Eden has grown tired of her grief, so when she discovers that her husband pre-paid for a week-long couple's retreat at a dark sky park near Lake Michigan for their tenth wedding anniversary, she decides to go on her own. It's time to put her fears to rest so she can finally start living again.
When she arrives at the retreat, however, she's dismayed to discover that the cottage reserved by her husband is not a private suite. Six college friends have also booked the place for the week. Although reluctant to stay, Eden is reassured by the group's charismatic leader that they're happy to share their accommodations—at least for the night. Knowing she can't drive home in the rapidly-approaching darkness, she stays.
Hours later, one of the college friends is dead and everyone is a suspect, including Eden. Required by police not to leave town, Eden has little to do other than investigate her roommates. Each had motive and opportunity, but who harbored enough hate to kill? As suspicion falls more heavily on Eden, she has to ask herself a most disturbing question—could she, in her desperate, sleep-deprived state, have committed murder? If she can't even trust herself, who can she rely on? What really happened that fatal night? Who is the true murderer?
The premise of Under a Dark Sky by Lori Rader-Day intrigued me from the beginning. I'd never heard of a dark sky park, but it certainly makes for an irresistible murder mystery setting. The novel's characters are likewise intriguing, each a complex, flawed human capable of killing. With its twisty, engrossing plot, this book makes for a fast, furious read. I couldn't look away until I got to the ending, which wrapped everything up with a tight, satisfying bow. This is my first read by Lori Rader-Day, but it for sure won't be my last. I loved this thrilling page turner.
(Readalikes: In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and blood/gore
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
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