The Book Was Better

  Would you open your box?   The Measure follows the intertwining lives of eight people who must decide —and then deal with the consequences. For inside each box is a simple string that represents the length of their lives. Of course, all the best minds pounce on the mysterious strings, trying to determine: Are they real? Where did they come from? What values do the measurements represent?   As the story unfolds, more questions arrive than answers. Should “short-stringers” hold office? Get married? Have children? Are “long-stringers” invincible?   Two elements stuck with me as I read: 1) How scarily authentic the worldwide reaction to the strings was portrayed, and 2) The way the lives of the characters were artfully woven to show the impact that each individual has on the world around them.   And then there were the small things (without spoilers): the girl with the pink-tipped hair, the engraving on the bench, the rescued doctor, the prayer card.   When I...

  It's hard to believe that this is JD's (and my) 62nd edition of Dallas and Roarke. I've been following this journey since the beginning and I love the character arch that spans the whole series. Formulaic? Yes. But this one added in a few unexpected surprises.  Dallas, with her expert civilian consultant, is called away from a charity gala to the home of another wealthy family, where there appears to be a burglary gone wrong. Eve and Peabody's investigation reveals a dead body and a host of secrets, including a hidden vault filled with more questions than answers.  The callbacks and personal connections were a treat for a series that had gone a little stale in recent editions. Whodunits are my jam and even I gave a little gasp at the culprit. This book feels fresh and new, with the friendships and soulmates we've all come to adore. Only request: More Peabody. She's smarter than anyone gives her credit.  Stolen in Death: ★★★★3/4

  A storm, a midnight train, passengers who seem to hold secrets... Murder on the Cornish Train follows newly retired teacher, Jeff, to the rainswept cliffs of Cornwall. Despite having his own agenda for the journey, Jeff quickly becomes swept up with the drama of his fellow passengers and the other guests and staff at the not-so-hospitable Treachery Bay Inn.  This novel had all the Holmesian, Poirot-esque ingredients that would normally be right up my alley, but this one was sadly a miss for me. While I appreciate the narrative technique of the slow reveal, the result was needlessly convoluted prose and sluggish pacing.  The characters were flat, with no real development -- in fact, I almost forgot who some of the key players were, they were so underdeveloped. While the setting was perfect for a murder mystery, it was a little over-described and the title is pretty misleading -- very little actually happens on the train.  While I did figure our "whodunit" (and who-d...

  In this second installment out of charming Story Lake, we find Hazel's agent/best friend, Zoey, and Cam's younger brother, Gage, fighting off an instant attraction that they know will end in disaster. Or will it?  Embracing the tropes of small-town-romance and opposites attract, Lucy scores once again (see what I did there?) and proves she's not only the master of Rom-Coms, but also of sibling relationships. With hilarious wit and not-too-much physical humor, Mistakes Were Made balances comedy with real depth. Zoey's relatable insecurity and scattered-ness and Gage's imperfect perfection set the perfect tone in a messy, loving family who is still overcoming true loss.  Zoey and Hazel's friendship is a terrific example of women cheering each other on, and the Bishop family continues to represent #familygoals with their comical banter and genuine affection.  Minus a few formatting issues with the e-book version, this one is a win.  Mistakes Were Made: ★★★★★

  I mean, is any woman really ever good enough for her mother-in-law? When Addison's MIL passes away, she vows to put her own feelings about the woman who never accepted her away, to focus on supporting her husband in his grief. But as family secrets and paranormal frights creep into the mix, can Addison hold her tongue?  Conradt's exquisite prose sets such a creepy mood that I just had to keep reading -- preferably with a light on. I loved the reverse symbolism of the crows and the undercurrent of draw-you-in suspense. My only hesitations were a few moments of over-psychoanalysis that made the plot drag at times.  Overall, this one is a keeper and I am thankful to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advance read!  The Secret Attic: ★★★★3/4 

Most girls look forward to prom, but not Ruby. Since seeing the gruesome ghost of her dead self, she's a little busy investigating her own possible murder and the corrupt underbelly of her idyllic town.  It takes a lot to surprise me, but this one at least 25% shocked me. Part of that was due to some underdeveloped characters, but mostly it was really good plotting.  Parker's novel may be filled with teens, but they certainly know the meaning of "ride-or-die". For a YA read, there was surprising depth: from the friendships and familial bonds, to the themes of retaliation, greed, and embracing life. This was the perfect blend of suspense, a pinch of horror, rich figurative language, and just a touch of romance. Un-put-downable.  You're Dead to Me: ★★★★3/4