Title: Murder in the Ranks

Author: Kristi Jones

Publication Date: November 19, 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

My Rating: 4 out of 5

Murder in the Ranks by Kristi Jones is set in 1943 Algiers, North Africa.

Dottie Lincoln is squad leader to a group of 5 women. When one of the WAAC fall from a balcony to her death, Dottie is determined to find out what really happened. She is certain it was murder. Dottie finally convinces a Captain to take her seriously and begin an investigation with her by his side. We go on a journey to find out the truth. Suicide? Accident? Murder? What will the answer be? 

If you enjoy Historical Fiction and Mystery, I recommend Murder in the Ranks by Kristi Jones. This is a story full of secrets and cover ups.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review Murder in the Ranks.  

Title: The Sunflower House

Author: Adriana Allegri

Publication Date: November 12, 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Quote: "You were brave. Braver than anyone I know."

The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri starts out with Katrine receiving a phone call that her mama has been in an accident. When Katrine arrives at the hospital, her mama is fine, just a bit banged up. Katrine takes her mama home and while she is sleeping, Katrine starts cleaning up the closet where her mama fell. While cleaning up, she discovers a box that shocks her. Will the discovery of this box lead to answered questions that Katrine has had all her life? The contents of the box lead to Germany. Katrine cannot believe what she is seeing. Allina walks in and sees what her daughter has found. Through tears Allina tells Katrine that she will explain everything. 

We are taken back in time through a heartbreaking journey of secrets, survival, strength, love, betrayal and redemption. 

For my fellow lovers of Historical Fiction, I absolutely recommend The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri. 

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review The Sunflower House.

Title: Counting Miracles

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Publication Date: September 24, 2024

Genre: Contemporary

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Counting Miracles, as with all of the books written by Nicholas Sparks will get you right in the feels.

Tanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents. His mom died shortly after giving birth and he has never met his biological dad. Tanner took care of his grandmother in her final days. She left him a note telling him to find where he belongs, the name, and town where he might find his biological dad. As a former caretaker of my grandmother, this was definitely a soft spot in this story for me.

Soon after Tanner makes it to town - CRASH! This begins unique relationships between Kaitlyn, Casey, and Mitch. 

Kaitlyn is a doctor, and she makes house calls, including Jasper Johnson. He has many medical conditions that need monitoring. Casey and Mitch are Kaityln's children. 

Oh Jasper!! Jasper will steal your heart. His story is absolutely gut wrenching. Jasper will forever hold a place in my heart! 

I'm not going to say anything else, because as with all books by Nicholas Sparks, you need to just go on the journey and feel all the things. 

Nicholas Sparks is an automatic author for me. I will read anything he writes. I absolutely recommend Counting Miracles. 

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks

P.S. THERE IS A WHITE DEER!!!!

Title: Ashes Never Lie (Book 2 in The Sharpe & Walker Series

Author: Lee Goldberg

Publication Date: September 24, 2024

Genre: Mystery Thriller

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5

We begin with arson detectives Walker Sharpe and Andrew Walker showing up on scene of a Toyota Camry burnt in the middle of an old sacred Indian ceremonial ground.

In Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg, we are once again following Walker Sharpe and Andrew Walker. We start out with a burnt Toyota Camry, but that's just the beginning. Before long, Sharpe and Walker find themselves in the middle of several fire investigations. One home finds a man's body within the ashes.

Are all of these fires related?

Will Sharpe and Walker find the arsonist turned murderer?

Ashes Never Lie is packed with sarcastic humor, as well as twists and turns at every corner.

Lee Goldberg did an excellent job with this second installment of Sharpe and Walker. This book would make a great TV series.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg. 

Title: Gone By Dawn

Author: H.K. Christie

Publication Date: August 27, 2024

Genre: Thriller

My Rating: 4 out of 5

Quote: "The Bear was going to regret the day he messed with my family."

Gone By Dawn is book one in a new series by H.K. Christie called the Val Costa Series.

Val is an agent with the FBI and her team found her chained to a beam in a barn. She had the familiar "S" signature given to her by a serial killer with the nickname "Bear".

While Val is on leave, another girl goes missing. What happened to Scarlett Douglas? Is she another victim of "Bear"? Do Scarlett's parents know more than they are saying?

More young people start going missing and we spend most of the book trying to find out what happened and if they are still out there alive somewhere. 

Gone By Dawn is a great first book in this new series by H.K. Christie.

 

Quote: "If it's the last thing I do."

I would definitely recommend this book especially if you enjoy crime thrillers.

Thank you Net Galley and Bookoture for the opportunity to read and review Gone By Dawn by H.K. Christie.  

Title: The Best Lies

Author: David Ellis

Publication Date: July 23, 2024

Genre: Mystery Thriller

My Rating: 4 out of 5

Quote: "For the first time in my life, I can't talk my way out of something."

The Best Lies by David Ellis begins on Valentine's Day 2024, with the arrest of Leo Balanoff. Leo is being arrested for the murder of Cyrus Balik. Nobody is really upset about the fact that Cyrus has been murdered. Cyrus Balik is a very bad man - "worst of the worst."

The Best Lies is told from multiple POVs and travels between the past and the present. It's about two boys - "Leo" and "Trace" - who were taken and sold to a woman named Marilyn. They were taken by Cyrus who is a human trafficker among other things. Marilyn is a grieving widow who not only is grieving her husband, she also accidentally killed her own two sons.

Throughout the book, we uncover Leo's connection with Cyrus. Did Leo murder Cyrus? Is Leo lying? After all, Leo is a pathological liar. Leo loves and has protected Trace his entire life. Does this protection play a roll in Leo's lies? There are so many moving parts to consider. Go in blind and enjoy the ride.

I recommend The Best Lies if you like:

*Police procedurals

*Twists

*Psychological thrillers

*Strong bonds

*Secondary story lines 

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read and review The Best Lies by David Ellis.

Title: The Perfect Sister

Author: Stephanie DeCarolis

Publication Date: July 16, 2024

Genre: Thriller

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Quote: "A watched pot never boils."

The Perfect Sister by Stephanie DeCarolis takes place in the Hamptons. Through multiple POVs, we journey to find Alex's missing sister Maddie. Maddie has stopped replying to Alex's texts after letting her know that she will not be able to see her on her birthday. This is the first time since Maddie has gone off to school that she will not be seeing her sister on her birthday. Maddie and Alex had a tough upbringing. Their mother was an alcoholic and their dad left. Through their dad's leaving and their mother's death, they vowed to always be there for each other no matter what. So, when Maddie stopped replying to messages, Alex knew something was wrong.

Quote: "Never forget how lucky you are to have a sister. Because that means that you'll never be alone in this world."

The search for Maddie lands Alex at Blackwell Manor. Blackwell Manor is home to James, Katherine, Lily, and Theo, all of which have their own point of view. Blackwell on the inside is definitely not what it appears to be on the outside. What has Alex just walked into?

Where is Maddie?

Do the Blackwells know more than they are saying?

How well to the Blackwells know each other?

Alex discovers proof that Maddie has been to Blackwells Manor. Will this proof lead her to Maddie? 

The Perfect Sister comes with a twist! It involves lies, betrayal, and a mother trying to protect her child. This was a quick read with an interesting twist. Overall, The Perfect Sister by Stephanie DeCarolis is a solid story.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read and review The Perfect Sister by Stephanie DeCarolis.