REVIEW: Tart of Darkness by Denise Swanson

*Thank you to Netgalley & Sourcebooks for an ARC in exchange for a review*

Expected publication: April 1, 2018

Publisher's Summary:
Right when Dani thinks she’s hit a dead-end in her career, she unexpectedly inherits an enormous old house in a quaint college town. This gives her the perfect opportunity to pursue her true passion—cooking! So Dani opens Chef-to-Go, preparing delicious, ready-made meals for hungry students attending the nearby university, as well as providing personal chef services and catering events for the local community. To help support her new business, she opens her home to a few students, renting them rooms and becoming almost like a big sister figure in their lives.

But just as Dani is relishing her sweet new life, the friend of one of her boarders is murdered, and Dani becomes one of the primary suspects! She’ll have to scramble to clear her name and save her business before the killer reappears—perhaps to silence the new chef forever.

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I have a passion for 'food mysteries' so I was excited about a new series.  This first book is likable--Dani is an interesting female protagonist, down on her luck with new opportunities for a career and love on the horizon.  I thought it was funny that she essentially becomes a den mother to college girls but it the basis for a good premise.

General assessment--the plot works but felt a little clunky at times, especially with the suspect development, the investigation and the wrap up.  It all felt a little forced and as a reader I wanted more finesse. I also think I'd prefer the POV from one character rather than shifts from time to time.

Final rating: 3 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Jasper Dent #2 and #3 by Barry Lyga

Last year I read I Hunt Killers, book 1 of Lyga's Jasper Dent series about a seventeen year old who besides being the son of the world's most notorious serial killer also assists police in solving other serial killer crimes, all while attempting to live a "normal" life.

The series continues with Game.  Billy Dent has escaped prison, which has Jazz and the rest on the world on edge.  Jazz is asked to assist the NYPD with a series of murders by the Hat-Dog killer. What he finds is that this game plays a bigger part in his own twisted relationship with his father as well as revealing some startling truths about his mother.

The final book of the trilogy is Blood of My Blood. Jazz is close to catching his father and ending that chapter of his life.  He is determined to get some answers, put old demons to rest and protect his girlfriend, Connie, and best friend, Howie, from any more trauma and danger.

What I like about these books is that they are dark, edgy and raw.  I wouldn't recommend them to just any reader.  This is certainly a mature read with detailed discussion of some pretty heavy, adult themes (i.e. rape, murder, torture). Anyone wanting a fluffy romance need not apply.

That being said the narrative in compelling and will enthrall readers who want to reach the end of the story and learn all the deep, dark secrets of the Dent family. Jazz is a fascinating character since he struggles with two selves. These aren't my favorites since they creep me out quite a bit but will definitely appeal to the right reader.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Where They Found Her by Kimberly McCreight

Where They Found Her is a mystery thriller which takes place in a small college town. Molly Anderson is a former lawyer turned journalist, whose life is recovering from a turbulent series of events. Asked to report on the discovery of body, past events of loss and turmoil resurface when the body is discovered to be that of an infant. Despite having lost a child of her own, Molly is determined to do her job; however, further investigation reveals a complicated web of lies that will changes lives forever.

At the last minute, I filled in to facilitate book club. I read this book over the course of a few hours.  I found it well written with good pacing and a plot compelling enough to keep me engaged despite a few flaws.

What I liked...

• The shifting points of view to broaden the storytelling. This enhances character development and pushes to reader to make connections as to how these characters relate to one another and fit within the larger pieces of the puzzle. However, I wanted more. Namely, to see POV plot development for characters like Hannah.

• The incorporation of multi-genre pieces to add dimension to the narrative. I found the addition of the therapy transcripts, journals, and news articles with commentary interesting devices to move the plot forward.  I did wish that some transitions were better since some of this felt rather clunky at times. 

• The mystery itself. In general, Where They Found Her is a good whodunnit for readers who enjoy mystery thrillers and might be fans of notable authors in the genre. I felt that this built similar to a Kathy Reichs narrative minus the emphasis on forensics. 

What I didn't like...

• Parts of the 'big reveal'. I had most of the mystery solved before the ending.  My problem isn't with the unraveling of the baby's identity or with how Sandy and her mother, Jenna, fit into the larger story. I was expecting this and the connection to past and present events described even it it was all a bit predictable. Some of it was just too convenient and I didn't buy it.

• Characters left in limbo. There were several stories that I didn't feel were adequately wrapped up. I wanted more closer for Cole, Hannah and even Sandy. There is too much trauma and questions regarding the future to leave it like that. 

• The final twist. I'm not one to give major spoilers so I won't elaborate too much. What I will remark on is that I was disappointed by this last bit because I didn't think it was necessary. Villainizing this particular character didn't add much in the long run and the connection to the news article comments could have been incorporated better to wrap things up. This part felt forced and altogether out of place.

Overall, there novel has merit for the genre but I don't think I would have necessarily picked it up on my own. It was too graphically realistic for me since I am typically a science fiction, fantasy or romance reader.  The world is a violent, depressing mess and reading fiction about circumstances which happen like this everyday in real life isn't the kind of escape I look for in reading. That being said, McCreight composes a notable submission to the genre that will entice readers looking for a compelling story on par with other authors in this area.

Final rating 3.5 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @kimmccreight

#WhereTheyFoundHer #KimberlyMcCreight #mystery #thriller #Books 

REVIEW: What Waits in the Woods by Kieran Scott

Callie Valesquez is a city girl.  Nothing sounds more unpleasant or terrifying than spending several nights out in the wilderness. However, Callie is desperate to bond with her new popular best friends, Lissa and Penelope, and her boyfriend of six months, Jeremy. But strange things start happening in the woods, someone might be watching them and other events gone awry leave them lost with no means of communication and very little supplies.  It appears as if they've been "saved" when Ted finds them and says he has a cabin nearby.  But can he be trusted?

Already on edge, relationships are put the test when secrets are revealed.  Callie feels betrayed and terrified.  When one of her friends turns up dead, they all know that the murderer is among them, but who can Callie trust to make it home alive?

What I liked....

The basic story elements are sound.  If I'd encountered this while in middle school during my R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike phase, I would have gobbled this up and wanted more.  It's a perfect suspenseful read for a middle school or high school reader.  The violence is present--so any reader or parent leery of strangulation and gun shots should steer clear.  There isn't any bad language, sex or drug/alcohol use--just your basic teens lost in the woods who may or may not be in the sights of a homicidal serial killer.

The intermittent journal entries from an unknown psych patient and the murderer are intriguing.  This really ups the mystery-thriller element and keeps readers guessing who it might be.  The musings are pretty sinister and creepy. Fans of this type of psychological thriller will want to continue reading for the big reveal.

What I didn't like...

I found all the characters and plot organization a bit too stereotypical.  For me, there wasn't a whole lot of depth for the characters.  I understand that Callie is written in such a way as to depict a typical, self conscious teenager who just wants to fit in; however, her insecurities are a bit much to take in.  I ended up disliking her in the first chapter and my perceptions of her did not improve. Everything is described in extremes with little room to breathe--Lissa is a hardcore manipulative friend (i.e. Regina from Mean Girls) and Penelope is fragile and lets herself be picked on. Callie is just too grateful to be included to actually voice her discomfort and Jeremy is just along for the ride.

While the basic story elements all work, I just found it all too predictable.  I had most of it worked out before the big reveal but I can see where teen readers would enjoy the book.  I recommend this for purchase in a YA fiction collection. It would be a good read-a-like- recommendation for those who enjoy similar creepy yet realistic suspense fiction.

Final rating: 3 out 5 stars


#YAlit #camping #murder #thriller #mystery #friendship #realisticfiction