Cubicle Blindness Reviews

Wraith by Mark Wheaton

2022-11-04T19:24:00.001-06:00

Wraith

After witnessing the death of her mother at a young age, Cecily LeClercq grows up hiding herself away in the remote Carolina wetlands. When a stranger arrives from Paris saying a distant, elderly relative is desperate to see her before she dies, Cecily travels to an old chateau deep in the French woods. There she learns of an ancient curse that has consumed generations of her ancestors, personified by a vicious, ghostly wraith who emerges from the forest when the death of a LeClercq is near...

I really enjoyed listening to this one. It is fast paced with a lot of twists and a decent ending.

Cecily LeClercq is living a very satisfying life as a photographer of plant life in South Carolina. She was made an orphan when she was young after a traumatic event took her mother. A long lost family member has called on her to visit her in France and she decides to go, but before getting to meet her she also dies in a tragic event. This leads Cecily on the path to discover what is connecting her family to these awful events and if she is also cursed.

The narrator of the audiobook Annalee Scott did a great job working with all of the French accents of the characters it felt casual and pleasant to listen to.

My favorite parts of the story was the constant movement of the storyline and twists in the plot that made me question where it was going to end up. I have always wanted to visit the catacombs in France and enjoyed that they found a place within this story, although I wanted more!

It turns out the family is cursed. But why? You’ll have to find out for yourself. The descriptions of the death scenes and wraith herself were very visual and I was impressed with the vocabulary used to describe things. I haven’t had to look up words while reading in awhile and learned a few new ones that for some reason made it feel more interactive for me.

I give it a three (and a half) stars, looking forward to reading other books by this author.

Two of My Halloween Favorites

2022-10-30T15:27:00.001-06:00

Halloween has always held a special place in my heart. October is my birthday month and growing up this meant that all the events happening in town were haunted houses or Halloween related. My whole childhood October was the month I looked forward to the most.

Always being drawn to the Halloween season, and having older siblings that loved reading Horror and Thriller books these are things that throughout my life I have continued to pursue in my TV Shows, Movies and of course reading.

Here are two of my Adult favorites that I have re-read and enjoy every time

Last Rituals

(Þóra Guðmundsdóttir #1)

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir,

Bernard Scudder (Translator)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1613280.Last_Rituals?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=iKDgiXwZjA&rank=2

At a university in Reykjavík, the body of a young German student is discovered, his eyes cut out and strange symbols carved into his chest. Police waste no time in making an arrest, but the victim's family isn't convinced that the right man is in custody. They ask Thóra Guðmundsdóttir, an attorney and single mother of two, to investigate. It isn't long before Thóra and her associate, Matthew Reich, uncover the deceased student's obsession with Iceland's grisly history of torture, execution, and witch hunts. But there are very contemporary horrors hidden in the long, cold shadow of dark traditions. And for two suddenly endangered investigators, nothing is quite what it seems ... and no one can be trusted

Little Star

John Ajvide Lindqvist,

Marlaine Delargy (Translator)

A man finds a baby in the woods, left for dead. He brings the baby home, and he and his wife raise the girl in their basement. When a shocking and catastrophic incident occurs, the couple’s son Jerry whisks the girl away to Stockholm to start a new life. There, he enters her in a nationwide singing competition. Another young girl who’s never fit in sees the performance on TV, and a spark is struck that will ignite the most terrifying duo in modern fiction.

The Doomsday Mother: Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell, and the End of an American Family by John Glatt

2022-01-23T16:12:00.000-07:00

The Doomsday Mother: Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell, and the End of an American Family

John Glatt (Goodreads Author)

In The Doomsday Mother, bestselling true crime author John Glatt tells the twisted tale of Lori Vallow, accused of having her two children murdered to start a new life with her new husband, doomsday prepper Chad Daybell.

At first, the residents of Kauai Beach Resort took little notice of their new neighbors. The glamorous blonde and her tall husband fit the image of the ritzy gated community. The couple seemed to keep to themselves—until the police knocked on their door with a search warrant. Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell had fled to Hawaii in the midst of being investigated for the disappearance of Lori’s children back in Idaho—Tylee and JJ—who hadn’t been seen alive in five months.

For years, Lori Vallow had been devoted to her children and her Mormon faith. But when her path crossed with Chad Daybell, a religious zealot who taught his followers how to prepare for the end-times, the tumultuous relationship transformed her into someone unrecognizable. As authorities searched for Lori’s children, they uncovered more suspicious deaths with links to both Lori and Chad, including the death of Lori’s third and fourth husbands, her brother, and Chad’s wife. In June 2020, the gruesome remains of JJ and Tylee were discovered on Chad’s property, and the newlyweds were arrested and charged with murder. And in a shocking development, horrifying statements revealed that the couple’s fanatical beliefs had convinced them the children had become zombies--a belief that may have led to their deaths.

Bestselling author and journalist John Glatt takes readers deeper into the devastating story of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell in an attempt to unravel the lethal relationship of this doomsday couple.

As a bit of a disclaimer, I would like to start off with a statement that I am a fanatic follower of this case. I watch all the videos, podcasts, news articles, read the document dumps,interviews, tv specials, everything. When I got a request from Netgalley for a opportunity to review this book, I jumped on it immediately.

As the first summary sentence states, this book focuses on Lori first and foremost. Plucking different points of interest from a wide variety of sources to try to piece together Lori's life. The narration reads like that, a very straight forward statement of facts of events with some sprinkling of comments (some very juicy statements) from people from her younger years about her love life and family interactions. Quotes from court documents, hearings, newspapers etc, things readily available on the internet regarding the case.

Overall I think it was a good overview of the hectic and stress filled legal battles that followed Lori throughout her life. A few comments on Chad's life taken from his books, mainly his biography and his website (which I feel that Chad talks way too much about his ancestors than he does himself). Along with some statements from court documents, hearings, newspapers etc.

As a somewhat obsessed fan I was hoping for a lot more details from those subjects he barely addressed that had some really good "meat" to this story. For example characters revolving around and within the alleged "cult" circle are barely mentioned. Julie Rowe, Melanie Gibb, Zulema Pastenes, Preparing a People, just lightly touched upon.

It was nice to have something to read through that laid down the basics. As a fan of the case I am always searching for the deeper underside of the why, the deciding factors...the inner monologue and especially the rubric that may have been hibernating beneath all the actions Lori and Chad made, and I feel that I have come to know the couple a little bit more through some of the insights Mr Glatt has presented. For example something that I have always pondered is how Alex really got the cut on his head, was it him, Charles Vallow, or Lori herself that may have caused the damage? Interestingly stated in the book was that Alex did that to himself to pass off his story of the struggle between he and Charles, giving Alex the best reasoning for the shooting of Charles in self defense. A piece of information that I had always assumed happened but never heard stated as fact before.

If you do end up wanting to more about the case I highly suggest checking out the many pod casters, you tubers and the television specials to help round out the story. There are so many players in the circle that it is a "rabbit hole' of information that would probably take a thousand pages to round them all out to gain a real understanding.

👍👍👍 Three thumbs up!

Krista.

(All the Stars and Teeth #1) by Adalyn Grace

2020-07-14T19:12:00.000-06:00

All the Stars and Teeth

by Adalyn Grace (Goodreads Author)

Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice.

She will reign.

As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer — the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.

When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.

But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder — and more peril — than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.

373 pages

Published February 4th 2020 by Imprint

What a fun story! There were so many elements to this story and the surprises just kept coming. I never would of guessed the story would have ended up the way it did, very engaging and addictive read.

There are several levels to this story that keep you intrigued throughout. I love a good adventure story and this one starts off immediately and just keeps going. After Amora flees she travels the seas to different islands throughout her kingdom. There are interesting creatures, people, magic systems, unexpected romance and twist after twist just kept coming. I really enjoyed this story and the world that I was drawn into.

Amora is being chased by her own guards as well as those who want to rage war against the kingdom. She has to learn to trust others as well as hold their trust. A heroine that is both empathetic and true to her word. A person that you really want to see win in the end.

Highly recommend if you enjoy high fantasy YA.

Syndrome E by Franck Thilliez

2020-01-04T17:33:00.001-07:00

Syndrome E by Franck Thilliez

The classic procedural meets cutting-edge science in this runaway international bestseller

A breakout bestseller in France, Syndrome E is a taut thriller with cinematic echoes—from The Manchurian Candidate to the Bourne series—that uncovers a shocking chapter in the history of neuroscience.

Lucie Henebelle, single mother and beleaguered detective, has just about enough on her plate when she receives a phone call from an ex-lover. Lucie’s old friend has developed a case of hysterical blindness after watching a mysterious film from the 1950s. Embedded in the movie are subliminal images so heinous that Lucie, with the help of brooding profiler Inspector Franck Sharko, is determined to get to the bottom of it—especially when nearly everyone connected to the film starts turning up dead.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After bodies are found in a construction site, the psychotic Inspector Franck Sharko is called in to investigate the unusual state the corpses were found in. Soon sending him off to Egypt then Canada to track down similar cases and the unusual film that connects them all. Detective Lucie Henebelle, who is a struggling single mother is in possession of the film and working on uncovering the chain of who shot and encrypted the grotesque footage, ultimately they are thrown together to work on the case and find an unexpected friendship.

An anonymous film from the 1950's and cases of unusual mass murders in several countries, what's the link? The two have both international laws and the passage of time against them. Somebody is watching them carefully and they must find the connection before more people are harmed or themselves killed.

The novel is written from different perspectives and we get to know each of them in detail, from what drives them to what holds them back from both their personal lives and professional. Between the two investigations there is very little downtime and interesting information provided about the film that could have been complicated but written in a way that was easy for the reader to grasp.

Overall I enjoyed the story, I found it an interesting and at times a horrific read.

View all my reviews

Cadaver & Queen #1 by Alisa Kwitney

2019-11-27T15:54:00.001-07:00

Cadaver & Queen By Alisa Kwitney

Hardcover, 320 pages

Published February 27th 2018 by Harlequin Teen

When Lizzie Lavenza enrolled at Ingold as its first female medical student, she knew she wouldn't have an easy time. From class demands to being an outsider among her male cohorts, she'll have to go above and beyond to prove herself. So when she stumbles across what appears to be a faulty Bio-mechanical--one of the mechanized cadavers created to service the school--she jumps at the chance to fix it and get ahead in the program.

Only this Bio-mechanical isn't like the others. Where they are usually empty-minded and perfectly obedient, this one seems to have thoughts, feelings... and self-awareness.

Soon Lizzie realizes that it is Victor Frankenstein--a former student who died under mysterious circumstances. Victor, it seems, still has a spark of human intelligence inside him, along with memories of things he discovered before his untimely death.. .and a suspicion that he was murdered to keep that information from getting out. Suddenly Lizzie finds herself intertwined in dark secrets and sabotage that put her life, and the lives of Victor and their friends, in danger. But Lizzie's determined to succeed--even if that means fighting an enemy who threatens the entire British Empire.

After giving myself time to process what I would want to say about this book, I am still finding it hard to put my thoughts into words. For this post you'll have to excuse me for some of my random emotions that are still scrambled.

I was drawn to the series because of the Frankenstein connections, as well as the first female medical student. Lizzie is intelligent and a very caring person. I especially enjoyed that she and her room mate show two different sides of caretakers in a hospital setting. The roles a doctor plays versus those of a nurse. It is a concept that most people are aware of but I enjoyed the way it was written about in this setting.

The Bio-mechanical cadavers is what drives the plot. As the reader is being introduced to the self awareness that these beings have, initially something that the doctors are unaware of, we begin to care more for them and their situation. On the other hand we are learning about how they continue to live each day, by being injected with a special serum. Along with the fact that the bodies were in fact deceased at some point, made me only become a little more creeped out each time a "romantic" situation arose. Personally I just felt that these moments were a bit gross, because of the situation and the state of the deceased body..did not exactly put me in any kind of romantic mood. I feel that I would have been more interested in that aspect if it were introduced at a slower pacing, that they would have had a more firm connection than just doctor and patient. At the end of the book perhaps, when they had experienced more together to build a deeper attraction to a ...cadaver. In all honesty I felt that each of these characters had a more important issue to be dealing with in their "lives" than any kind of sexual attractions. A bit forced so early on in the series.

I enjoyed the mystery and the danger of the situation they found themselves in. The struggles that Lizzie had to deal with being the first and only female in the medical school. The hidden secrets and actions of those who are plotting against the Empire. Even surprised at the ending and love a good conspiracy story. I didn't love the story, but I did like it. It looks like the next book in the series follows the nurse Agatha DeLacey, as I really enjoyed her part in this book I am very much looking forward to following her perspective in the continuing storyline of the Bio-Mechanicals and their role in the British country's future.

Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

2019-11-13T17:55:00.000-07:00

Imaginary Friend

Stephen Chbosky

IMAGINE...
Leaving your house in the middle of the night.
Knowing your mother is doing her best, but she's just as scared as you.

IMAGINE...
Starting a new school, making friends.
Seeing how happy it makes your mother.
Hearing a voice, calling out to you.

IMAGINE...
Following the signs, into the woods.
Going missing for six days.
Remembering nothing about what happened.

IMAGINE...
Something that will change everything...
And having to save everyone you love.

Hardcover, 720 pages

Published October 1st 2019 by Grand Central Publishing

By leaving the man the first time he hits her, Ms. Reese is doing what she thinks is right for her son. Life is already hard enough without his father, he deserves a happy, healthy childhood. They travel until she finds a nice out of the way town to settle down. Christopher is just seven years old quiet boy with a learning disability trying to find his place in his new surroundings. Then he goes missing.

Six days later he is found safe and healthy, but a series of small occurrences begin to change their lives. Positive effects from winning the lottery to Christopher becoming one of the smartest of his class, to more negative beginning with Christopher talking about The Nice Man and the finding of a child's grave in the woods.

This story encompasses the whole town, using Christopher as our doorway into the darker side of the invisible world, a Good vs. Bad battle between the Hissing Lady and The Nice Man. Some of the story is told from other townspeople's perspective, but the majority is told by a very young Christopher. Who becomes able to see and feel the innermost thoughts of those around him through is ever enhancing abilities. The story continues to build until the events begin to involve all the members of the town ensuing in chaos and hell on Earth.

I felt that the pacing of the story could really be felt at times longing for something eventful to happen again, but I always kept coming back to the story because of the great imagery. Whenever we are presented the darker imaginary world that Christopher continues to find himself in I am glued to the pages. It's horrific, brutal and gives me what I was hoping for in this book. I enjoyed the story and the writing, it is one I will be reading again. I give it 4 stars.

Review: dr.a.g. bookthefilm edition

2019-06-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

"Drag has become a diverse form of expression that challenges, entertains, and educates by pushing boundaries, while embracing beauty, comedy and glamour. The performers in this book are evidence of that diversity, captured by some of the top photographers working in the world today. "

As a long time fan of Rupaul Charles and his tv show Rupaul's Drag Race, I find the art of D.R.A.G. to be an exciting form of expression, art and personality.

Whether is music, literature, politics, clothing, makeup, or cars..we all have our own preferences. We have an opinion of everything, even things you never thought you might have an opinion on.

The first time I looked through the book of photographs in d.r.a.g. bookthefilm edition I found myself thinking about how I would have liked more variety of models (some having more than one photo in the book) for example Acid Betty. She has two photos but they are the exact same make-up and outfit, just different angles, how I would have preferred a different picture of her in another outfit and make-up.

I realized I kept hearing myself say "it's not drag enough" for some models and finding a couple photos not appealing at all. But that is just the thing, like any other artistic outlet in life, there is variety, I just had to turn the page/change the station/buy a different color lipstick...etc.

This book definitely has variety, and the most appealing part to me was the details in the majority of the photos, these are up close and personal. Like with Acid Betty you can see the details, colors, angles that went into the look to make it a whole. And like everything in life sometimes you get loud, and sometimes you get subtle. No matter your taste you will find it here.

d.r.a.g. bookthefilm edition is really well put together photo collection of some very talented Drag artists. It would make a great coffee table book, or something to display on your shelves. It is full of color, beauty and some questionable visuals, but something for everyone....I still wish there was more!

The book celebrates top drag stars from Rupauls' Drag Race, the New York Strip, Las Vegas, Belgium, Australia, Canada and the UK.

Amazon Link https://www.amazon.com/Christopher-Logan/e/B0072XMIFS/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Christopher Logan was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and studied acting as The Stella Adler Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood, California. He has appeared in over 40 television shows and films and currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia where he produces events and books to raise funding for independent film. (from Amazon.com)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

2018-06-04T18:58:00.001-06:00

Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Classics have always had a certain affect on me. It is not how many pages there are, nor is it the subject matter. It always comes down to the fact that I find them intimidating because of the language. They always remind me of high school, and the idea that classics are to be studied and read slowly to fully understand.

I was wrong. Frankenstein proved to me that not all classics are difficult reads, or hard to understand.

I flew through this one and found it entertaining, smart and completely understood without having to look up a single word in the dictionary.

So thank you to Frankenstein to making me more confident, as I feel I am no longer tentative about picking up other books I have also felt intimidating as well.

View all my reviews

The Secrets of Lake Road by Karen Katchur

2018-05-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

The Secrets of Lake Road

by Karen Katchur

A haunting story about the destructive power of secrets, this accomplished and gripping suspenseful women's fiction debut is perfect for fans of Lisa Scottoline and Heather Gudenkauf

Jo has been hiding the truth about her role in her high school boyfriend’s drowning for sixteen years. Every summer, she drops her children off with her mother at the lakeside community where she spent summers growing up, but cannot bear to stay herself; everything about the lake reminds her of the guilt she feels. For her daughter Caroline, however, the lake is a precious world apart; its familiarity and sameness comforts her every year despite the changes in her life outside its bounds. At twelve years old and caught between childhood and adolescence, she longs to win her mother’s love and doesn’t understand why Jo keeps running away.

Then seven-year-old Sara Starr goes missing from the community beach. Rescue workers fail to uncover any sign of her—but instead dredge up the bones Jo hoped would never be discovered, shattering the quiet lakeside community’s tranquility. Caroline was one of the last people to see Sara alive on the beach, and feels responsible for her disappearance. She takes it upon herself to figure out what happened to the little girl. As Caroline searches for Sara, she uncovers the secrets her mother has been hiding, unraveling the very foundation of everything she knows about herself and her family. The Secrets of Lake Road by Karen Katchur is a riveting novel that is impossible to put down and hard to forget.

Hardcover, 320 pages

Published August 4th 2015 by Thomas Dunne Books I received a review copy from readingteen.net

What I loved most about this book was it reminded me of one of my favorite movies A Walk on The Moon (Diane Lane). The whole atmosphere of living in cabin by the lake and the summertime laziness is very well portrayed in this story. The story is told from multiple perspectives, mostly from 12 year old Caroline. A story I would only recommend to older teens and adults. It covers a lot of serious issues and is definitely not a light summer read. (Although I couldn't stop turning pages!)

It begins with the drowning of a young girl that closes the beach for several days for recovery. With the atmosphere set for the story of loss that reminds the whole area of other drownings in the past. And when bones are found while searching for Sara, secrets, lies and an old case of drowning re-opens in the hearts of the community. Caroline's family is the focus of the story and the behavior of those living in the cabin for the summer gets her searching deeper into the the last drowning, 26 year old Billy Hawkes.

Caroline has to do a lot of growing up over this summer. With the main source of entertainment (the lake) being closed off, the kids must find other ways to keep busy. This seclusion also has Caroline realizing how different she is than her friend Megan and she beings spending more time alone or with the boys.

Jo, Caroline's mother has had strained relationships with all of her family members. She is constantly on the run from her past and present, easily scared off. This summer causes her to re-analyze and re-build her relationships, especially when they are all directly confronted with the past.

I loved this story, the prose and atmosphere of the setting was very well done and had me longing for more. At it's heart it is a story of family and growing apart from each other. It covers a lot of adult topics, as well as a coming of age story. A lot of mystery, secrets, heart break and healing. It was a really touching read. I gave it 5 stars

See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt

2018-05-18T00:00:00.000-06:00

See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt

In this riveting debut novel, See What I Have Done, Sarah Schmidt recasts one of the most fascinating murder cases of all time into an intimate story of a volatile household and a family devoid of love.

On the morning of August 4, 1892, Lizzie Borden calls out to her maid: Someone’s killed Father. The brutal ax-murder of Andrew and Abby Borden in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts, leaves little evidence and many unanswered questions. While neighbors struggle to understand why anyone would want to harm the respected Bordens, those close to the family have a different tale to tell—of a father with an explosive temper; a spiteful stepmother; and two spinster sisters, with a bond even stronger than blood, desperate for their independence.

As the police search for clues, Emma comforts an increasingly distraught Lizzie whose memories of that morning flash in scattered fragments. Had she been in the barn or the pear arbor to escape the stifling heat of the house? When did she last speak to her stepmother? Were they really gone and would everything be better now? Shifting among the perspectives of the unreliable Lizzie, her older sister Emma, the housemaid Bridget, and the enigmatic stranger Benjamin, the events of that fateful day are slowly revealed through a high-wire feat of storytelling.

In See What I Have Done, author Sarah Schmidt puts the reader right inside of the Borden house on the day of the murders – the famous 1892 case in which Lizzie Borden was accused of murdering her father and her step mother with an axe. This version not only allows us to view the story from the inside but from different perspectives of those closest to the case.

The story unfolds through the viewpoints of Lizzie, her sister Emma, the maid Bridget and one outsider, Ben. Although in the beginning I was confused about how Ben’s character would fit into the story, I found that he plays a huge part in how the author has chosen to wrap up the story and what happened after the murders. What I absolutely loved about this story is that, besides Emma, the other characters are all presented as possible killers and very unreliable narrators who have their own reasons to want the Borden’s dead. What a hostile environment the household was to live in!

Lizzie herself is full of zest! She is dramatic, haughty and cunning – the type of person you will love to hate. She was absolutely my favourite character with Bridget coming in a very close second because of her views of how the Borden’s ran their household and the kind of messes she was always left to clean up. Then there was Emma the oldest and put-upon daughter who only wants to find a love of her own and a life outside the home.

I really enjoyed the pacing of the story and how well the characters were adapted. They all had their own very true voices that played well in this engrossing story line of those fateful hours leading up to the murders. I was very entertained the whole time and found it a joy to jump into this secretive setting of the Borden household.

Review: Devil Dragon by Deborah Sheldon

2017-12-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

Dr. Erin Harris may be a scientist, but she has an unscientific obsession: to find a living Varanus priscus. Cryptozoologists call it the Devil dragon. This giant Australian reptile went extinct some 12,000 years ago but like Bigfoot or Nessie, there are occasional sightings. Spurred by a credible witness, Erin cobbles together an expedition party consisting of herself, the witness, and his deer-hunting neighbours. They travel into the unexplored heart of a remote national park. Erin, believing the Devil dragon to be a larger version of the Komodo, is confident she can outwit a specimen. However, the terrifying monster that lumbers out of the bush is a savage and unpredictable predator the size of a campervan. To escape, Erin must transform herself from genteel university lecturer to hard-core survivalist.

Have you ever read a story where one of the characters got on your nerves so bad you wanted to see something ....awful..happen to them? Maybe a little Karma rolling around to teach them a lesson? That happened to me here.

I have to admit there were several times I rolled my eyes, talked back to the book and even wondered why I kept reading. But that is exactly what happened. I wanted to see Dr Erin Harris get what was coming to her. Lets face it, she got a group of people in over their heads. A situation that she very soon learns does not apply to her book knowledge yet...somehow she seems to keep winning the survival lottery.

I did not have to get very far into the story before I started rooting for the Devil Dragon and it's battle to keep the outsiders off it's land. It takes one of the most brutal beatings ever and still manages to fight back like a warrior. I felt that the Dr's character was wobbly at best. She seemed to have all the facts, people trusted her and followed her into this bush land, yet it seems like every single fact that she knew, turned against her, yet they all continued to listen and follow.

As for the "deer-hunting" neighbors you think that their experience will help them, but all we see is a lot of unnecessary deaths of several animals, unlawful people who feel like what they do is to support their family, but highly questionable at times. Even their hunting knowledge is no help against this incredibly tough skinned predator.

From the first page we see Dr. Erin Harris digging herself deeper and deeper into situation that the reader will feel there is absolutely no way out of. Yet hope always seems to find a way.

This is a story that was like a car wreck, where you just can't stop watching to see what is happening. Entertaining in the way that a Syfy original movie is. It's dark, gross and bloody, great for a short wild romp in the woods.. from your home. I would not recommend to read this while camping.

Review: Call Forth the Waves (#2) by L.J. Hatton

2017-12-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Earth, not so very long from now: the silent, inscrutable alien visitors who bathed the planet in transforming rains have moved on, leaving behind a world much changed.

Penn Roma, age sixteen, is blessed—or cursed—with supernatural talents she has always concealed. Her sisters, likewise afflicted, are prisoners of the Commission, the government agency tasked with controlling these strange children. Penn’s determination to save them only gains urgency when she learns of the horrifying plans the twisted Warden Dodge has for the peculiar charges.

But Penn herself must remain hidden, navigating a series of fantastical havens with her embattled allies, similarly enhanced teens also in the Commission’s crosshairs. Worse, her vast, half-understood powers have become unpredictable, failing at critical moments and activating outside of her control.

Can Penn trust a rogue warden, supposedly opposed to Dodge’s schemes, to help free her family…or has the Commission set its most nefarious trap yet?

Paperback, 336 pages

Published March 22nd 2016 by Skyscape

I really enjoyed reading Sing Down the Stars (book 1) and excited to jump into the next book to see where the story would go. This second book did not bring as much excitement for me as the first one, and from the cover I was actually hoping for more of it to take place underwater. I was not completely disappointed as we do get some under water action, exciting things to happen and even some surprises.

The majority of this story is learning more about the characters in general and their abilities. It takes place upon a floating city where the group has hidden from the Wardens. What I have enjoyed most about these books is the writing style of the author. She really has a talent for visuals and exciting new creatures/robots that really brought out a feeling of "wow, that is cool" The books have a carnival-like feel to them, yet it's a powerful modified human / alien-adjacent like story. The aliens are the ones that made the humans have certain powers, but we never really meet the aliens in the books.

What we follow is how the laws have had to change to safeguard humanity from those that had been altered, and the loved idea of those that take power for granted. I absolutely hate the villain in these books and I cannot wait to see how Penn and her unusual family will make him pay. I really enjoyed both books so far, perhaps only saddened by not getting more than what was given, but it only heightens my excitement for the next book to arrive.

A great teen magical fantasy story that is hugely imaginative and beautifully written.

Review: Breath of Earth by Beth Cato

2017-12-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

In an alternate 1906, the United States and Japan have forged a powerful confederation—the Unified Pacific—in an attempt to dominate the world. Their first target is a vulnerable China. In San Francisco, headstrong Ingrid Carmichael is assisting a group of powerful geomancer Wardens who have no idea of the depth of her power—or that she is the only woman to possess such skills.

When assassins kill the Wardens, Ingrid and her mentor are protected by her incredible magic. But the pair is far from safe. Without its full force of guardian geomancers, the city is on the brink of a cataclysmic earthquake that will expose Earth’s powers to masterminds determined to control the energy for their own dark ends. The danger escalates when Chinese refugees, preparing to fight the encroaching American and Japanese, fracture the uneasy alliance between the Pacific allies, transforming the city into a veritable powder keg. And the slightest tremor will set it off. . . .

Forced on the run, Ingrid makes some shocking discoveries about herself. Her powerful magic has grown even more fearsome . . . and she may be the fulcrum on which the balance of world power rests.

Paperback, 400 pages

Published August 23rd 2016 by Harper Voyager

As the story does take place in a alternate United States I felt a bit confused in some places with our connection to other countries and the current political leaders. There is a lot of focus on the San Francisco area specifically because of the setting, but as far as what the world situation was I didn't quite get a good grip on who was ruling and where.

What I can tell you that I loved was the constant movement throughout the story and how during a time of war, the author does not shy away from being a bit, grotesque. My mouth literally fell open at one part that caught me off guard, yet really gave a good visual. As Ingrid is running for her life she goes on a wild adventure, there is constant action from the ground, the sky and under water. The way her abilities are able to save her and others during different situations was always interesting to see. I also really enjoyed the fact that the love story takes a bit of a twist, yet it all turns out very exciting. Although Ingrid is far from being a girl in distress she finds herself in several situations where her companions must help save her life. All four of them become a great team and I really enjoyed each person for their own unique person.

Even though I did get a bit confused, I really enjoyed where the story went and how much we learn about Ingrid and her family. It is really the characters that kept be going during the story, and they are the reason I am looking forward to reading the next book. This is one that I do recommend, it's an exciting read.

Review: A Hundred Hours of Night by Anna Woltz

2017-12-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Part love letter to New York, part portrait of a girl and a city in crisis as Hurricane Sandy hits New York City.

When Emilia de Wit ran away to New York City, she planned everything to a T. Plane ticket, purchased. Cute apartment, rented online. Subway map, printed and highlighted. This was no ordinary trip -- this was Emilia's declaration of independence. Her chance to escape the life her parents were ruining. To get away from the horrible scandal that had rocked Amsterdam, the scandal that was all her dad's fault. To see if her mom, the glamorous, world-famous artist, would even notice.

New York steals Emilia's heart at first sight -- even though absolutely nothing goes to plan. She didn't plan to end up homeless on a stranger's doorstep. She didn't plan to make friends with Seth, Abby, and Jim. And she could never have known that Hurricane Sandy would be barreling up the coast, straight for the city.

All she wanted was to get away from her parents, her problems, her life . . . and when the storm hits and the power goes out, Emilia feels farther from home than she could have imagined

I felt this story really focuses as the city as it's own character. I agree that it is very much a love letter to New York as the publisher has indicated and it's written in a way that you really do feel like your there, visualizing the streets, smells and weather as it takes place.

Emilia runs away from home, sneakily getting onto a flight to New York she lands only to discover the place she thought she had rented to stay at turned out to be a scam and the current residents are not going to let her stay. Finding herself in a complex situation she is able to find a place to stay the night and soon makes friends with them, they let her stay.

This is not only Emilia's story but those of the three people she meets while in New York and becomes good friends with. During the days of Hurricane Sandy in which power is down and stores, transportation and wi-fi are hard to find. These three get close and learn about each other, their quirks, their differences and especially their comfort in finding each other during a difficult time.

I'm not sure if this book is for everybody, but I believe that young readers that have an interest in New York may enjoy the story, it was a cute story with interesting characters. I thought there would be more drama in the fact that Emilia runs away...from another country...to NEW YORK..alone. But this story takes a less intrusive (lighter) reflection of her family life.

During the time Emilia is in New York, hurricane

Hardcover, 256 pages

Published May 10th 2016 by Arthur A. Levine Books

A Veil of Shadows: The Shadow Gate Chronicles Book II

2017-10-09T00:00:00.000-06:00

A Veil of Shadows: The Shadow Gate Chronicles Book II by Michael W Garza

A desperate search leads to a new world.

Naomi and Gavin are on the run. Having narrowly escaped Azzmon’s clutches, they find themselves hunted by Malick, another Shade Lord. He has amassed an army of foul creatures, and the city-state of Tarravale stands on the brink of chaos. Naomi’s ability to open Shadow Gates makes her an alluring target, and the Shade Lord will stop at nothing to possess her. The children must find a way to escape before their new world is buried in an unwinnable war

Krista's Review:

What I have enjoyed most about this series so far is the grandness of the world building. From the landscape to the creatures the author does a fantastic job inviting you into a imaginative and interesting world.

In the first book one of the things I enjoyed the most was the connection the brother and sister team had. They were there for each other and trusted each other even with some questionable actions by the other they knew they were fighting for each other. With the second book I felt that the characters dynamics were not as strong. Even the dialogue seems to fail the situations.In several places throughout this story I believe that the dialogue between the two main characters, and sometimes with their grandfather their connections could be strengthened so much more, I was a bit saddened at what could have been some real character growth in the story.

The strength still remains with the second book the ongoing action and discoveries as they continue through the world looking for the gate to return home, alive. The story is very plot driven and continues to be a fun source of imaginative dark and interesting characters.

Amazon Link

Wake the Hollow by Gaby Triana

2017-10-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

Wake the Hollow by Gaby Triana

Forget the dead, Mica. It’s real, live people you should fear.

Tragedy has brought Micaela Burgos back to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow. It’s been six years since she chose to live with her father in Miami instead of her eccentric mother. And now her mother is dead.

This town will suck you in and not let go.

Sleepy Hollow may be famous for its fabled headless horseman, but the town is real. So are its prejudices and hatred, targeting Mica’s family as outsiders. But ghostly voices carry on the wind, whispering that her mother’s death was based on hate…not an accident at all. With the help of two very different guys—who pull at her heart in very different ways—Micaela must awaken the hidden secret of Sleepy Hollow…before she meets her mother’s fate.

Find the answers.

Unless, of course, the answers find you first.

This book is just as much a story of a town as it is the main character Micaela. Having grown up the small town of Sleepy Hollow all of the families know each other, work together, go to school together. As well as keep secrets from one another.

Micaela moved when her parents separated but has returned after her mothers death to take care of her belongings. This turns out to be a bigger task than she expected as the town people believe her mother has stolen a sacred diary that has the secret they have all been looking for. True heir of the writer Washington Irving.

The story leads us through the people of the town and Micaela's history with it. Along with how the families grew apart and hatred and greed began to devour them. Micaela is not sure who she can really trust and is left on her own to discover the truth...but with the help from some ghosts they show her the way.

I found this story to be an interesting take on the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, although ghosts are involved it focuses more on the mystery of finding the lost book. An amateur sleuth who has connections on every side of the case and does not know who to trust, even her own mother. The writing was a bit slower paced and the romance was on the lighter side. It all concludes in very exciting ending that I highly enjoyed.

Paperback, 303 pages

Published August 2nd 2016 by Entangled: Teen

The Last Shadow Gate: The Shadow Gate Chronicles Book I (Volume 1) by Michael W. Garza

2017-09-17T19:55:00.000-06:00

The Last Shadow Gate: The Shadow Gate Chronicles Book I (Volume 1)

by Michael W. Garza

It was bad enough Naomi had to be shipped off to her dad's home for the summer and deal with her half-brother Gavin, but when the siblings are forced to spend their break with their great-grandmother in upstate New York, everything changes. An investigation into the strange disappearance of their great-grandfather forces them to retrace his footsteps. They discover a gateway between worlds and encounter extraordinary creatures in a land where the people are desperate to escape the coming of a shade lord. To survive their adventure, Naomi and Gavin must settle their differences and find the elusive shadow gate that will take them home again.

Beginning right with the first few pages the reader is thrown into a new world full of a mixture of creatures. The brother/sister detective team soon gather a small team of companions who all join in the mystery of what happened to their great grandfather.

Traveling to gypsy camps to rocky seashores, traveling by foot, horse and boat this adventure will take you through a non-stop imaginative roller coaster of what they found through the Shadow Gate and the war that is building with their great grandfather at the center of the storm.

First they will have to overcome great danger and save a few people along the way. The majority of the story is told from Gavin's perspective yet we see a lot of growth of his sister Naomi from a squeamish somewhat bratty older sister to a more dedicated and stronger person throughout the first book.

As their sibling bond becomes stronger throughout the story so does their love and freindships for those they meet along the way. As war is brooding they must find their great grandfathers journals to find out where he has disappeared to and how they can help with their great grandfathers promise to bring freedom to the land and restore the rightful heir to Alandra.

This wild adventure is labeled as a young adult book but I believe that there are many middle grade readers that would enjoy it as well.

Amazon Link

Series: The Shadow Gate Chronicles
Paperback: 262 pages
Publisher: NeverHaven Press (March 3, 2017)

Giveaway 8 Epic Adventures!

2017-05-17T00:00:00.000-06:00

May 17th at 10am EST through May 31st at midnight.
free downloads are only available for a limited time

---- Note From the Author of The Beast, Lindsay Mead----

I am so pleased to announce that my first book, The Beast, has reached 3,000 readers. No doubt you've heard me talking about it because I've been planning a big giveaway to celebrate. I teamed up with a bunch of amazing authors and we have an awesome bundle of ebooks for everyone. That's right, everyone! No drawings, no waiting, and certainly no losers. Just enter your email address into the form below, click the big red claim button, and then check your email for all of your free books. It's really that simple!

Don't forget the epic grand prize (US ONLY)! So many signed books! My inner collector is going crazy. You need to get on this-- you need to get on this now! Because we can only give out just one set of books, this one has to be an actually contest. Submit your email into the rafflecopter form, tweet the giveaway, and subscribe to my youtube channel for extra entries. You're gunna want to increase your chances of winning. This is a not a prize that you want to miss out on.

Please note that by entering and sharing this giveaway, you're helping me and all the participating authors. Each new reader we meet brings us one step closer to realizing our writing dreams. You're apart of that. Just like so many of you are the reason The Beast has been read 3,000 times. Thank you, a few thousand times over...Thank you.

http://lindsaymead.blogspot.com/2017/05/big-giveaway-celebrating-3000-readers.html

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Made to Kill by Adam Christopher

2017-04-25T12:27:00.000-06:00

Made to Kill (The LA Trilogy #1)

by Adam Christopher

It was just another Tuesday morning when she walked into the office--young, as I suspected they all might be, another dark brunette with some assistance and enough eye black to match up to Cleopatra. And who am I? I'm Ray, the world's last robot, famed and feared in equal measure, which suits me just fine--after all, the last place you'd expect to find Hollywood's best hit man is in the plain light of day.

Raymond Electromatic is good at his job, as good as he ever was at being a true Private Investigator, the lone employee of the Electromatic Detective Agency--except for Ada, office gal and super-computer, the constant voice in Ray's inner ear. Ray might have taken up a new line of work, but money is money, after all, and he was programmed to make a profit. Besides, with his twenty-four-hour memory-tape limits, he sure can keep a secret.

When a familiar-looking woman arrives at the agency wanting to hire Ray to find a missing movie star, he's inclined to tell her to take a hike. But she had the cold hard cash, a demand for total anonymity, and tendency to vanish on her own.

Plunged into a glittering world of fame, fortune, and secrecy, Ray uncovers a sinister plot that goes much deeper than the silver screen--and this robot is at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Made to Kill is the thrilling new speculative noir from novelist and comic writer Adam Christopher.

Hardcover, 237 pages

Published November 3rd 2015 by Tor Books I received a review copy from readingteen.net

Years ago all the robots were destroyed because of their possible threat on humans. Raymond Electromatic was the last one made, and the only that was not destroyed. He became a private detective, only to soon change careers into a "hit man" (as the pay was better). It's Hollywood 1965 and in this town it's all about the celebrity. When a stranger enters the business and hires Ray to kill a famous actor, he takes the job. After all it's all about the money, and she has it.

During this time period America is concerned with the communists. But could Hollywood have it's own communist party of it's own? As Ray searches the city for his hit, he gets sucked into the world of celebrity Hollywood itself. From the rebuilding of the Hollywood sign itself to the private clubs of the rich and famous. With a few necessary murders along the way. Ray eventually gets sucked into more than one hit job and an underground secret society.

One thing that threw me from the story was how human-like Ray the robot came through as. The "emotions" and ways that Ray tries to relate to those he comes across kind of threw me from the story. Statements like how he wanted to have facial or human reactions to the people he was speaking with, but couldn't because he was a robot. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if he was more robotic in nature and less human emotions, or feelings (sympathy) for others.

What I did enjoy was the plot and how the story came together. I thought that the story line was entertaining, quirky and very classic mystery atmosphere. It is a quick read and an interesting mix of characters. Ada and Ray as a team really played well, Ray meets a lot of people through his investigations and they all showed different sides of the decade and events going on at the time.

Cover Reveal: Wild Wood by Jadie Jones

2017-04-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

Coming September 5th, 2017

Tanzy Hightower is not crazy. At least that’s what she tells herself. She also tells herself that the shadows stalking her in the woods aren’t living, murderous beings.

On the third anniversary of her father’s death, Tanzy revisits the woods and the shadows that took him. She quickly realizes those monsters lurking in the dark now have their sights set on her. Neither Tanzy nor life as she knows it escapes unchanged when she is introduced to a world…unseen.

Two strangers seem too willing to help her navigate her new reality: Vanessa Andrews, a doctor’s trophy wife with a southern drawl, and Lucas, a quiet, scarred man with timing that borders on either perfect or suspect. But Tanzy has secrets of her own. Desperate for answers and revenge, Tanzy must put her faith in their hands as her past comes calling and the shadows close in.

With wild blood coursing through her veins, will Tanzy’s choices shed light on the shadows of her past, or will they bring forth the darkness within her?

About the Author:

JADIE JONES:

Young-adult author. Equine professional. Southern gal. Especially fond of family, sunlight, and cookie dough.

I wrote my first book in seventh grade, filling one hundred and four pages of a black and white Mead notebook. Back then I lived for two things: horses and R.L. Stine books. Fast forward nearly twenty years, and I still work with horses, and hoard books like most women my age collect shoes. Its amazing how much changes... and how much stays the same.

The dream of publishing a novel has hitch-hiked with me down every other path I've taken (and there have been many.) Waitress, farm manager, road manager, bank teller, speech writer, retail, and more. But that need to bring pen to paper refused to quiet. Finally, in 2009, I sat down, pulled out a brand new notebook, and once again let the pictures in my head become words on paper.

As a child, my grandfather would sit me in his lap and weave tales about the Cherokee nation, and a girl who belonged with horses. His words painted a whole new world, and my mind would take flight. My hope - my dream - is that Tanzy's journey does the same for you.

Confession time: Jadie Jones is not my name. It's a pen name I created to honor two fantastic women who didn't get the chance to live out their professional dreams. First, my grandmother - a mother of four during post World War II America, who wanted to be a journalist so bad that

even now when she talks about it, her blue eyes mist and she lifts her chin in silent speculation. And second, a dear friend's mother who left this world entirely too soon. To Judy Dawn and Shirley Jones, Jadie Jones is for you. It's been a pleasure getting to know her.

Jadie’s website: https://www.jadiejones.com

Publisher
The Parliament House

Immortal Shadow by Anderson Atlas

2017-01-19T10:24:00.002-07:00

Immortal Shadow by Anderson Atlas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This story is one that I would imagine being published in a short story anthology. You will not get a fully rounded novel with character development, themes or a story arch. The story tells of a slave who becomes so strong that he able to confront all of the challenges presented to him and given the opportunity to rule his own planet.

Jibbawk is an ultimate ruler, if he does not agree with you or your in the wrong place at the wrong time, your dead. There is only one exception. The teenager from Earth who helps Jibbawk obtain the knowledge of Earth by fetching him books, and technology. For this Jibbawk is grateful and makes attempts to provide Adam with comforts and companionship. Little does Jibbawk know that Adam is also teaching the people how to stand up to Jibbawk and keeping secrets from him. When there is trouble the people rise up.

I found this story to be very entertaining I was immediately sucked in and with so much happening it all goes by very fast. I was surprised, intrigued and grossed out watching Jibbawk, a creature with no empathy, charges through this setting with the one desire to become immortal.

This is the first book I have read by the author and it does not have to be read in series order. I feel like if given more development in world building, character growth and plot it would make a really good full length novel.

View all my reviews

The Secret Sea by Barry Lyga

2016-12-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Zak Killian hears a voice. Could it be a guardian angel? A ghost? No, that’s crazy. But sometimes the voice is so real…It warns him of danger—directs him to safety.

Then one day Zak is standing on the subway platform when the voice warns him to run. The tunnel starts to fill with water. His friends Moira and Khalid believe this is more than a premonition, and soon all three find themselves in an alternate universe that is both familiar and seriously strange. As Zak unravels the mystery behind the voice, he faces decisions that may mean the end of their world at home—if they can even get home!

The author makes a note that inspiration for this story came about when he read a story that a ship had been unearthed under the ground zero rubble. A boat, so far inland and how it got there and the message is sends to today. After reading that this story made a lot more sense to me. But going into the book not knowing that led to some very weird times when I was trying to piece together what was happening and how the events made sense blended together.

This story is a mixture of a thriller-adventure with science fiction and a bit of paranormal. Zak begins to hear somebody calling to him, and soon he finds that is is being drawn to the subway system downtown trying to get him to cross over to where ever they are. With some prodding and accompaniment of his two best friends Zak does find his way over the border into a new dimension, following the clues to who the voices belong to and their connection to him.

I found myself flying through this book, there was always something happening and ramping up the story lines as it goes. There were times that I would find some pause trying to figure out how certain events could play out in the story. For example Zak has a condition and when the jump to this new dimension he must find whatever version of the antidote the new world had so he didn't end up dead. At first leading me to believe that it was something the author did to add some drama to the story to give it more of a thriller feeling, being on a deadline to find the medicine, or die.

What I found is that it made me think a lot about how it is just the small things that can make major changes to our futures, medicine, weather and ideas. In this different dimension that they have to find their way around is a mixture of the current day New York City and what could be a slightly different one. One of the main focuses of this story is New York City itself. As I only have a very small idea of the streets, monuments and buildings are like there. I believe that people who are more familiar with the city will really enjoy this story as it does compare a lot of the landscape between the two worlds.

I came away from this book with more thoughts of "that was interesting" than anything else. I didn't love the story but I found it very entertaining and attention grabbing, especially in the end where it took a bit of an angle that I didn't see coming.

This review was originally written for and posted on readingteen.net

Flashes by Tim O'Rourke

2016-12-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Flashes (Flashes)

by Tim O'Rourke

A brilliant detective thriller with a supernatural twist!

Charley has visions...

Flashes of things she can't explain. A girl in trouble. The sound of trains. She feels certain they are clues to a crime. But no one will believe her. Until she meets Tom, a young policeman on his first case: an accidental death on the railway tracks, not far from where Charley lives. Was it an accident, suicide...or murder?

The attraction between Charley and Tom is instant, but can they work together to find out what really happened on the tracks before it happens again?

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: October 27th 2015 by Chicken House I received a review copy from readingteen.net

Recommended for fans of Slide by Jill Hathaway and 17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma. Flashes is the story of Charley who has been experiencing flashes- or visions- of girls whom have been kidnapped and murdered. They all seem to be connected somehow and she's been having them for years. When her best friend dies, the only one that believed what she saw. She decides that she has to find out the answers to why.

Charley has always been teased at school and it was hard enough to find a friend that stood by her side. One that believed she saw the flashes and they meant something. When her best friend dies she has only her father. A Father that gets upset whenever she mentions her flashes and takes her to see doctors. When trying to track down the latest vision Charley meets the newbie police officer on the case and they begin to work a case together. He believes her and they decide a serial killer is on the loose.

For a book about murders and romance it is a pretty clean read. There is violence (of course) but the story is a subtle and progressive mystery. My favorite character was Tom, as a young and new police officer he has not yet been corrupted by the system and trusts his gut. The story is told from both Charley and Tom's perspectives, also more than getting the flashes there are other ways that the dead girls are asking Charley for help.

Supernatural mystery with a cute beginning to a romance. Charley and Tom worked great together and it would be interesting to see what could happen next in their story.

Hide and Seek by Jane Casey

2016-12-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hide and Seek (Jess Tennant #3)

by Jane Casey

Jess Tennant's classmate is kidnapped right before the Christmas holiday in this third novel in Jane Casey's brilliant young adult mystery series.

It's Christmas in Port Sentinel, the tiny English town where Jess Tennant has been living for more than a year now. She wasn't sure how she felt about moving away from London when her mom dragged her to Port Sentinel right before

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published August 25th 2015 by St. Martin's Griffin (first published July 30th 2015) Review copy received from readingteen.net

It's the Christmas season and Jess is trying to find out what happened to Gilly, right when family and boyfriend problems also occur. Jess Tennant is one of those unforgettable characters, and very consistent. You never doubt that when she is "advised" to not do something, she is the first one in line. When her project partner goes missing on the night they are scheduled to meet. Jess goes to her home to see if everything is ok. Turns out that Gilly is gone. Jess begins to investigate if Gilly could be a runaway or worse, dead. Giving the reader several different directions the story can go, Jess then begins to break down all the clues and questioning those in Gilly's life.

As the series has progressed Jess is opening up to working directly with the police. And by that I mean give them the information she feels in necessary to act on things she can't. Gilly has lived with her abusive mother for years and is dying for some attention and affection in her life. Jess finds her journal early on in the story but it's cryptic.

She spends the rest of the novel trying to decipher what the diary entries mean. By pinpointing who she was with on certain days and what her relationship was with them.

Jess tends to fixate on things that tend to bother her. She doesn't give up and even puts her own life in danger to help others and find answers.